1972 Honda Z360 Hatchback (Project)

Description

Soichiro Honda’s eponymous company that has always been at the forefront of the cutting edge technology, entering Formula One racing at a time when few Westerners were even aware of this remarkable man and his products.  In fact Honda had a background in racing and a lifelong passion for both automobiles and motorcycles, something reflected in every product to wear his name. Honda’s first regular production vehicle was the T360, a diminutive utility powered by a four-cylinder engine, followed by the S500 passenger car of 1963 and sophisticated S600 sports car the following year, the latter boasting an all-alloy four-cylinder engine with twin overhead-camshafts, twin carburettors and a roller-bearing crankshaft - technology drawn from Honda’s experience in motorcycle racing.  In 1967 a new model, the N360, was announced for the burgeoning kei car market in Japan, with an air-cooled four stroke two-cylinder engine derived from that used in Honda’s CB450 motorcycle, de-stroked to comply with the 360cc limit.  Other features included front wheel drive and a four-speed constant mesh transmission forming a single unit with the engine.  In August 1968 the N360AT was introduced, the first car in its class to receive an automatic gearbox, using Honda’s clever Hondamatic transmission.  Honda launched a new version simply dubbed the Z in October 1970, available in two versions – the Z360 powered by a 354cc SOHC twin-cylinder engine and a larger Z600.  Boasting modern hatchback styling, the Z also featured independent front suspension, coil springs all round and a choice of transmissions, including the much-vaunted Hondamatic.  Honda updated the Z’s mechanicals in 1971, the original air-cooled design changed for water-cooled technology used in larger contemporary Honda models.  Despite the diminutive dimensions, the Z boasted plenty of room for passengers in the front seat (rear seat passengers weren’t quite so lucky!) and felt a lot more modern to drive than rivals like the Mini and Fiat 500.  Only sold for four years, the arrival of the legendary Civic spelled the demise of both the N360 and Zs; many markets (including Europe and North America) only took the larger Z600 variant.  Australian customers were able to order both versions and the ‘Zot’ entered popular culture here thanks to its starring role in the 1986 movie “Malcolm” starring Colin Friels.  Today these fabulous little cars have developed a cult following and survivors rarely come on the market.