Honda Z600, 1972, vintage kei-class two cylinder microcar, complete, running

Price: - Item location: El Cerrito, California, United States
Description:

1972 Honda Z600 Coupe

New pistons/rings
New gaskets and seals throughout entire engine
Replaced with new-spec oil pump rod, secondary drive dampeners, crankshaft, camshaft, points, most roller bearings, clutch, many other parts
De-rusted and painted in engine bay and floor pan
Clean title
Runs, starts well, drivable (keep reading for details)
About the Honda Z600:
First Honda car introduced in the US
Japanese "Kei class", which means a certain small size and low power that are permitted to be parked on certain narrow streets
Two cylinder air-cooled closely related to the early 70's Honda motorcycle engines
600cc (or 0.6 liter) engine
Sold out of Honda motorcycle dealerships (much to their dismay) before Honda opened car dealerships
Sedan (N600) and Coupe (Z600, this one) introduced in 1970 and sold for only three years; Honda CVCC introduced in 1973
Engine requires a rebuild about 75,000 miles before the oil pump rod explodes
No oil pressure light and only low engine oil pressure due to use of roller bearings everywhere (the red dashboard light indicates low pressure for the brake booster)
Supposedly gets 75mpg if the speed is kept below 35mph; I haven't tested that, but it is crazy good (the car is both extremely light and a bit underpowered)
Top supposed is supposed 75mph flat out, but I haven't tested that either, and above 55mph is pretty frightening
Several individuals are working with suppliers to have critical replacement parts made (eg pistons, side marker lenses, windshields, etc) and others deal in salvage parts
Add lead substitute to each tank (add half a bottle since the tank is about half sized)
Still a work in a progress. Needs:
New exhaust system
Paint
Valves likely
Carb work
Steering pinion bushings (fairly easy to replace and readily available little rubber things)
Could use more bottom derusting
Brake booster re-built (not currently connected)
Windshield wipers just stopped working at some point while I had her
Heat exchange blower isn't currently installed so no heat (and there never was any A/C)
Fuel guage only kind of works and isn't accurate except that "E" is probably "E"
Drivers side door sticks and is a bit tricky but that should be adjustable
Cigeratte lighter doesn't work
Radio doesn't work
Rear view mirror is in the back seat
Probably dozens of other fiddly things I'm forgetting
More notes: One of the two cylinders is running hot. Both should be around 350F; with a rich mixture, one is getting up to 300 but the other 400 or higher. CHT sensors are on both sparkplugs. I don't know if an exhaust valve is sticking or what (engine work didn't quite get to the valves before I ran out of time). Wheel flares are fiberglass and not factory original, and they're cracking a bit. Wheels aren't original, either. Z600s came with 10" rims but this one has 12". Has some holes in the outer most layer of sheet metal on the floor pan. Well restored, Honda Z600s sell for about $12,000. Perfect examples go for a lot more.
I bought this car while I was in Texas and had a garage to work on her in (she got nicknamed "Princess TinyCar"). I don't have a place to work on her out here. She's handy for quick trips around town, but not really necessary for me, and I hate to keep her parked outside on the street right by the highschool (where my motorcycle was already hit while parked). She gets tons of attention when she's about. I often come out to find a group gathered around her and people wanting to talk about her. She's been starting and running reliably, but the running hot is far less than ideal and makes me nervous. She's sold as-is, with absolutely no warranty. Please consider her a project in progress rather than normal motorized transportation.
Payment: Cash or bits. I'll have to figure out how to verify cashier's cheques if that's what you do.
Vehicle Details:
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Honda
  • Model: Z600
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: Coupe
  • Year: 1972
  • Mileage: 125,100
  • VIN: AZ6001014888
  • Color: Red
  • Engine size: 600cc air cooled twin cylinder
  • Number of cylinders: 2
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: FWD
  • Interior color: Black
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Want to buy? Contact seller!