Cars that time forgot - Honda Beat

"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce) 10/08/2013 at 09:55 • Filed to: Cars That Time Forgot, CTTF, Honda, Beat

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For today's CTTF article, I went somewhat more mainstream after pleasing my inner fanboy by talking about a Lamborghini. Being more common doesn't mean we still remember it, though. This car was only sold in Japan and, as a kei car, it is pretty much impossible to find outside of it. BUT! Fear not! Its import restrictions due to age will lapse soon and hopefully this glorious little car can zip around our streets like it did in its home country. What is it? Why it's the Honda Beat, of course!

An appropriate epitaph

Enzo Ferrari famously approved the F40 as the "last" car to be built before his death. Whether this is 100% the truth or not, I'm not sure. But it does seem fitting. Much in the same way that the Beat was the last car personally approved by Soichiro Honda before his death in 1991. Despite being small and efficient, the car was packed to the brim with personality and fun. A mid-mounted, 660CC inline three cylinder engine powered a two-seat chassis through the rear wheels. Each cylinder had its own throttle body to help it make the kei-car standard 63hp. However, ALL were equipped with a manual transmission. You just read that correctly. All Honda Beats send power through a 5-speed manual no matter what model year or options were checked. I think that for a crotchety italian man who headed up a formula one team and car builder, a limited production and high-strung race car for the street is what you want to be remembered by. But for the head and founder of a company that helped mechanize a nation after being devastated by a war, you want something a bit more.....attainable.

Putting some fun in your commute

For the whole 10 of you reading this in oppo who don't know what a kei car is, let me break this down real quick for you. In Japan, cars are taxed and licensed based on a few different things like engine size, car size, emissions, etc....To make things simple, the government created a "class" of vehicle often referred to as the "Kei" cars. These follow a set of maximum guidelines for manufacturers to follow. They change from time to time but let's go over the most common set followed. 1) No engine bigger than 660CC (0.66L) is allowed. 2) Power is limited to 63 hp. 3) The dimensions of the car can be no greater in either direction than 1.5 x 3.4 meters. These are the current regulations and besides dimensions, are identical to the set followed for the Honda beat.

The benefit of those regulations is the freedom it allowed. Look at what was NOT listed - body type, # of seats, engine technology, drivetrain, etc....So you have the full gamut of motor vehicles you expect....just fun-sized. Mini pickups, SUVs, wagons, vans, and even 2-seater roadsters were made. So that's where the beat comes in, a little 2-seater that sips gas, costs next to nothing to register (compared to say a silvia or an eclipse with a turbo), and can give you a smile all day long with a cheery demeanor and a mid mounted design.

Why was it forgotten?

Well to be honest, this car is probably still well known in japan. I'm sure some still roam the streets but their numbers are dwindling as Japan is a culture where used things are considered to have less value and the government provides incentives to buy new and recycle the old. Great for stamped out vans and sedans used for the urban grind. Not so great for a mid engined roadster. Plus its competiton on the sales floor was surprisingly stiff. The Autozam AZ-1 from mazda and the suzuki cappucino were both turbocharged where the honda had a high revving NA motor. Oh and let's not forget that the cappucino enjoyed a surprising guest starring role in a number of places including appearances on Best Motoring (always an underdog favorite) and a little-known series called Initial D

What about the beat? Well it is playable in Gran Turismo and it is a personal favorite of mine there. But besides maybe an odd mention here or there......Nothing. I can't think of anything made in the past decade or so that had the beat do anything of importance or worthwhile of seeing.

Why should I remember it?

Those 25 years are coming up fast for the earlier models so right off the bat, if you want a cool runabout you don't see too often, this one will fit the bill. It was made from 1991 to 1996 so start your countdown calenders now. Plus you can up the power and remove the 84 mph limiter and it will handle freeways just fine when you get it over here (estimates on the stock cars are a top speed of over 100 with no limiter). Oh and of course this is a lightweight (1700lb !!!!!!) mid engined two seater with a high revving motor meant to be driven all day long.

If the FR-S hype is any indication, we should be showing our love for this type of car as often as we can. Otherwise we'll just end up with another CR-Z. A good idea but half-baked execution. The idea of a mid-mounted "commuter" was tried before in the pontiac fiero.....but really it was a way of labeling a sub-par sports car as something besides a sports car while they got the fiero GT ready. By remembering the honda beat, and maybe giving it another try, honda could bring some magic back into their lineup. With no type-R, no CRX, no S2000, and only a future NSX coming up, there is a dire need in honda for a good shot in the arm of fun. Even if it had a hybrid drivetrain, I think this formula could work again. 1.0L, engine with a hybrid system for launches (VTEC does power, electrics do torque). Two seats with an open top and power going to the rear. Add some cargo area in the front. Done.

As always, thanks for reading and here's the angry little beast storming an autocross course.

EDIT: Wooooo! Front page! And yes, I am aware this car has a small fan club. Out of the 5 or 6 of these articles I've posted, THIS is the one that hits front page....

MonkeePuzzle > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:03

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not forgotten, tell me this s2000 body kit isn't attempting to harken back to the Beat's awesomeness

Fl1ngstam > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:16

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I dig the Beat! I even fit in it comfortably, despite being 6'2". The motorcycle-style gauges, the low seating position, the zingy engine, it's all fantastic. I considered buying one when I was in Japan, but eventually settled for something a tad more practical (and faster), that I could eventually repatriate to the UK. Quite a few Beats made it over to the UK during the days when grey imports were popular, cheap and easier to obtain than they are now. There is still a club for them over here.

A fun little additional fact: When Honda and Rover were collaborating on vehicles, Honda allegedly sold the basic design plans to Rover, who then scaled it up, added a few unique features (such as hydrolastic suspension) and sold it as the MGF:

Strangely, I don't fit in an MGF, despite it being a considerably larger car...

RotaryLover > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:17

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I almost got one for 6000$...but I didn't had a great job at the time to get the money to buy it. Then years later, I found one for 4000$. I kicked my head two times for not buying one.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:18

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Nah, beat is not forgotten.

I love it!

The only problem is, I want the Mugen one.

littlesisterswhip > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:31

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KuroiNasakari > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:32

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If I had the money I would import one of these, or an Autozam, two of my favorite cars ever created

Mers > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:37

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Zebra seats? Yuck.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:37

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When I lived in Japan I found an incredibly rare Mugen Beat... Abandoned.

Apparently, the Mugen Beat was the last car commissioned by Soichiro Honda himself and only 88 copies were made.

Here's the YouTube link.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MonkeePuzzle 10/08/2013 at 10:38

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It is forgotten because there is not enough of it around. There should be more! I think the beat is just as often the answer as a miata.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > RotaryLover 10/08/2013 at 10:39

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:(

I want one of these things almost as much as I want a 911.....and I am a die-hard porschephile so I have been putting money in a "911 piggy bank" account. I may or may not tap into it in a few years to bring over a beat.

Jon-o > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:40

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They're already cruising around in Canada in the summer time (which is less than half the year) would be a great car if you live somewhere warm!

Huell Howitzer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:41

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Remember it very well having driven one a few times. I had the pleasure of ripping through Hollywood on Mulholland one weekend. I came up on a photoshoot on the side of the road and the whole crew just stopped and gawked as I drove by. Attention magnet in Los Angeles for sure. The car was miserably noisy and buzzy on the freeway, but perfectly suited for little tight windy roads.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 10/08/2013 at 10:41

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In the pacifc, it probably is not forgotten but so few made it overseas it is almost impossible to see one in person here. Plus they never made a successor and it only shows up on rare occasions in media here. Like I mentioned, I think it is only playable in some of the Gran Turismo games. Which is a crying shame.

I think we should push for the beat to be in the next Forza too. Or at least be part of the next Jalopnik car pack :P

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Huell Howitzer 10/08/2013 at 10:42

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I hate you.

RotaryLover > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:43

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I think you'll be more satisfied by the 911. I'd say keep saving. The Beat is a fun rare car but if your dream is to own a 911, follow your dream first.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mers 10/08/2013 at 10:43

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Welcome to the early 90s.

FromCanadaWithLove > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:45

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Stick with the Porsche. I've got my savings for an Aston. Get your dream car!

Huell Howitzer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:46

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I can't imagine the rage you'd feel for someone who actually owns one then!

gav-bangernomic > Fl1ngstam 10/08/2013 at 10:48

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I wasn't aware that grey import rules had been tightened up, then again I can't think of much made in Japan in the last few years that's not available here that I would want.

The 90s were Japan's glory days, here's hoping the Koreans do the same thing soon.

Fl1ngstam > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:48

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The orginal seats are a bit... different, aren't they?

later versions had an ugly airbag steering wheel, but a funky radio:

Earlier Steering wheel much better:

RazoE > Mers 10/08/2013 at 10:51

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You should see MKIV Supra seats

Brumos59fan > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:56

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There is a place in Canada that imports them from Japan and makes it a lot easier to bring one into the states. I know a guy in NY who has one and it is pretty sweet. The Mugen kitted ones do look a lot more serious though and the one in the auto-x video sounds like a carb'd V12 for crying out loud. That is simply awesome. I have a genuine love for these things and the Mazda Autozam AZ-1.

Fl1ngstam > gav-bangernomic 10/08/2013 at 10:56

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It's still possible to import, just more expensive. The IVA test has replaced the SVA, and the exchange rate has changed. I also agree with you about the attractiveness of recent Japanese offerings. Far better to buy something >10 years old, and only have an MOT to worry about...

iNvDrZiM > MonkeePuzzle 10/08/2013 at 10:56

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I like the inspiration - I hate the execution. Poor S2000.... :(

angusparvo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:56

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"The Autozam AZ-1 from mazda and the suzuki cappucino were both turbocharged where the honda had a high revving NA motor." What difference does a turbo make if the cars are limited to 63hp?

TylerLinner > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 10:58

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Buy the Beat, be unhappy with it, then sell it to me.

Textured Soy Protein > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:03

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When I was a kid there was an issue of Automobile Magazine that had a feature on the Honda Beat that I read over and over again. Something about the tiny little car appealed to me. So I remember them only because it was a kind of touchstone of my automotive childhood. Not quite up to the F40 and Countach posters I had on my bedroom walls though.

MrToppo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:05

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These kei roadsters are not forgotten. Chances are a few people just didn't know they existed in the first place. Honda themselves consider the Beat an important part of their heritage, frequently emphasizing the Beat as a halo car almost up there with the NSX. The Cappucino wasn't featured more prominently in media outside of the small apprearance in Initial D, which is actually quite a well-known manga, so the main reason people don't know about the Beat would be sheer ignorance.

juggaho > angusparvo 10/08/2013 at 11:07

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I guess it just less engineering and work to force induce 63hp rather than NA. 660cc with 63hp is almost 100hp/liter NA, not the easiest of tasks back then.

MonkeePuzzle > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 10/08/2013 at 11:07

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link broken, but I'd loev to see it

hummer4douche > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:08

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LOVE that car, lots on the Canadian market now, but stupid evil Quebec won't let me import one because they've "banned registration of right-hand drive vehicles" (already in Quebec ones are exempt)...

A new ministerial order prohibiting the use of right-hand drive vehicles on the road network came into effect on April 24, 2010. Unlike the two previous ministerial orders, which were in effect for a period 180 days, this new order is permanent.

Chairman Kaga > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:12

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Cars that Time Forgot are not Cars that Jalopnik Forgot. I see at least one post a day about the Beat on Oppo.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Chairman Kaga 10/08/2013 at 11:14

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You must browse it a ton more than I do because I have maybe seen it mentioned once.

KamikazePigeon > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:17

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Fact: Top Upholstery Option was "My Ex Girlfriend's Panties"

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MrToppo 10/08/2013 at 11:18

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But you could say the same about any number of limited production cars - that ignorance of them is why no one has heard of them. The cappucino I've seen in a few different car shows and being in quite a lot of video games has meant that people who might have been ignorant of its existence now know of it. The beat? Not so much. That's why I've been writing articles on these and a few other cars that just aren't often seen or talked about despite being important or unique.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > RotaryLover 10/08/2013 at 11:18

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I want both. I will have both. End of story.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > angusparvo 10/08/2013 at 11:20

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Powerband and delivery. Plus whatever additional parts are needed.

Oh and like the "276hp" limit they agreed to for performance cars.....63 might be what they wrote down, not what it actually made.

RotaryLover > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:21

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Shogun on the first ride in the Beat!!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > RotaryLover 10/08/2013 at 11:22

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I may or may not see if an S2000 motor will fit in it. THAT will be the first ride you want shotgun on.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:25

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I'm pretty sure I'm one of the only people in the US counting down the days until I can import a 6th gen. Toyota Chaser. A Toyota sedan with a FR setup, AWD option, 5spd, and a 1JZ-GTE? YES PLEASE!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jon-o 10/08/2013 at 11:26

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Kinja is saying I can't post a gif of summertime in canada. Bah.

But now that makes canada even more appealing - Poutine, Hockey, Beer, and honda beats.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 10/08/2013 at 11:28

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If a good honda beat is unavailable or too difficult to get (which is HIGHLY unlikely buuuut) my second choice is an early 90's mazda cosmo with the tri-rotor. It will eat the soul of your chaser with its small engine drone of death!

RotaryLover > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:29

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You could do like one of the guy in my town did to his Beat and put a Hayabusa engine in it.

AthomSfere > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:30

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This seems like a dream come true for any import tuner.

Rear wheel drive, mid engine... Manual!!!

If a modern Civic SI engine could drop it... It would be perfect!. 200HP over 1700 pounds!!!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:31

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Lol true enough. The 4th gen. Cosmos were pretty sweet. RX-7 w/ more of a Silvia styled body. Would've been nice to see those stateside too!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > RotaryLover 10/08/2013 at 11:32

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themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > AthomSfere 10/08/2013 at 11:34

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S2000 motor in there is my dream.

GreenN_Gold > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:34

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You forgot the most important part.

Due to the engine being in the back, you have to turn the Beat around, if you love to hear combustion.

RotaryLover > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:34

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I lol'd too much at this right now hahahahahhaa

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > GreenN_Gold 10/08/2013 at 11:42

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There is a special place in hell for people like you.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Fl1ngstam 10/08/2013 at 11:45

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You just inspired my next article. I need to go with one of the old british marques for this one. I'm 99.9% sure not even Oppo has mentioned it. ENOUGH MAINSTREAM CTTF! I need to go back to being a car hipster! *pushes up fake glasses* *sips PBR* *adjusts pretentious scarf* *muters something about british sports cars being underground*

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Huell Howitzer 10/08/2013 at 11:46

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I know a great place to bury their body. Tell me where they live.

MrToppo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:53

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The Beat was featured just as prominently in video games and media as the Cappuccino, and enjoys continued media exposure even today as Honda likes to show off this little gem. The Cappuccino doesn't. It is just as obscure as the Beat, if not more. The Beat has passed the test of time. It is a popular car today, not only in Japan, and therefore I do not believe the word 'forgotten' applies here. I should have rephrased the last bit of my OP, but my point was that if you can't recall the Beat from the top of your head, chances are it's because you haven't heard of it or because it simply slipped your mind - not because the car itself has been neglected in terms of attention.

Fl1ngstam > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:54

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Excellent idea. I suggest the Gordon Keeble:

KillerBee > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 11:57

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You forgot to mention that it's also RWD.

GreenN_Gold > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 12:01

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A place that plays catchy tunes 24/7? Yeah!

GravisMors > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 12:09

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Pretty certain that the beat is listed on the NHSTA list of "non import" vehicles. So even after 25 years, still no dice.

GravisMors > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 12:12

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NHTSA has the Beat on the "non import" list along with the CRX-Exclusive and Civic Type-R. Even after 25 years, still no dice.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > KillerBee 10/08/2013 at 12:13

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Made it clearer. But typically a mid engined roadster is rear drive :P

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > GravisMors 10/08/2013 at 12:14

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I'll just wait for another government shutdown and get one in through canada.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Fl1ngstam 10/08/2013 at 12:15

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While interesting, I always thought it was an ugly car. THe chevy V8 was a nice touch though for engineering purposes.

No, think sportier. Also think smaller.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MrToppo 10/08/2013 at 12:17

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The cappucino is FAR from obscure. I use my circle of friends as a litmus test for these sorts of things. Now keep in mind i live in midwestern united states. I'm not surprised people on the west coast know of the beat. I'm also not surprised that some enthusiasts know about the beat (and I expect my comments will be filled with "I knew about this car!" every time I write one of these). But almost every enthusiast or car club member I talked to knows about and loves the cappucino. The beat still gets some "huh?" or some people still thinking it is front engined or in one guy's case he thought the beat was a FF roadster like the daihatsu copen.

And please tell me what games in America feature the Beat besides GT 2, 4, and 5. I have driven the cappucino a lot in the GT series but I've also driven it in a few arcade games like the Initial D series. I think wangan had one too. And another Sega arcade racer had it along with the tri-rotor Cosmo. Oooooo that one also had the soarer....That game kicked ass......What were we talking about?

TFRN > Fl1ngstam 10/08/2013 at 12:24

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Those seats look about as 1990s as it gets

Fl1ngstam > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 12:24

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Gotcha..

KillerBee > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 12:27

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Yeah, but you never know...

lunatictokyo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 13:09

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The Initial D car is a Suzuki Cappucino, another popular but forgotten K-car outside of Japan.

n1zm0 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 13:29

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we have these in Canada, well those who imported them do, along with the Capuccinos and stuff, you already know these things are supposed to be small, then you see one on the street or on the highway next to diesel pickups and you realize, yep... they're small.

But really, a friend had a Capuccino when I worked for in automotive, that thing handled amazing!. You can push it with little to no struggle.

radio.one > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 13:36

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FYI.

I just saw a red Civic del Sol today. Looked nice. not bad for a 20 year old car in New England.

Ross Hines > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 13:51

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I own a S2000, but I think the K20 from the last civic Si would be a better fit.

-K20 is designed for transverse application, so you could just drop in the engine/transmission/LSD assembly. The F20c is setup for longitudinal, so it would require more custom fabrication.

-The K20 has iVTEC which allows it to adjust the overlap for optimal torque throughout the operating range. (In a stock civic Si you can drop the VTEC point to 3500RPM and make significant midrange gains with just tuning). The F20c has fixed CAM timings and is pretty weak in the midrange.(only with major exhaust modifications can you lower the VTEC point without loosing power in the midrange)

-The K20 responds very well to modifications, and with a few bolt ons and a tune can match the F20c's power output. The F20c is very expensive to extract NA power out of, and usually doesn't respond too well to mods since it was pretty well designed from the factory. (A intake/exhaust system that will make good power will cost you around $1000 for the intake and $1800 for the exhaust)

-About the only thing the F20c has going for it is that it comes with forged internals and handles boost like a champ.

fintail > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 13:51

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Cool I have one of these, and it's even yellow:

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > fintail 10/08/2013 at 13:55

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I swear if you had a full size one i would set a new world record for speed to get there and drive it

Chris > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 13:57

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.

Pockets > Fl1ngstam 10/08/2013 at 13:59

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The MGF hasn't got anything to do with anything Honda other than the odd part carried over from the Rover 200/Honda Concerto. The rear design is from the mid-'80s EXE concept and the chassis design is made from leftovers of various '80s Austin-Rover products.

Pockets > GravisMors 10/08/2013 at 14:03

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"Non-import list" ?

Acidboogie > KamikazePigeon 10/08/2013 at 14:17

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And after 20 years of seating, they not only look like your stripper ex-girlfriend's panties, they smell like them too!

KalamazooTech > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 10/08/2013 at 14:49

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The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > KalamazooTech 10/08/2013 at 14:52

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Thank you.

Ce he sin > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 14:53

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oh, I remember a time when the weirder Japanese imports were everywhere. Beat, cappuccino, Toyota Soarer, Toyota Sera (the gull winged one), Mitsubishi FTO, Nissan scargo and so on. And now they're all gone. Nearly. I still have my FTO.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Ce he sin 10/08/2013 at 14:54

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As a resident of Michigan - NONE of those cars made it here save for an R33 skyline and a handful of RHD versions of cars we already have here.

MrToppo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 15:18

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Whether people know about the Beat or not wasn't what I was trying to get at. If people don't know about it, it's certainly not because it hasn't had its time to shine. The Beat, much like the Cappuccino, is a celebrated kei car which I not do not think falls under the category of forgotten cars. But let's agree to disagree.

I hear you. The Japanese games have all the cool cars! :(
Not only do they feature quirky home-market cars, but also classic European ones. I don't know if these games were sold in America, but I believe the Beat as well as the Cappuccino were featured in Genki's Kaidou Battle series, a couple of Sega releases and the glorious Auto Modellista (really unique game with amazing cars).

simon_C > GravisMors 10/08/2013 at 15:23

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Yeah thats a major bummer for me. I've always wanted one of these.

MIATAAAA > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 15:46

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I WANT THIS SO BAD MY HEAD IS EXPLODING.

DarthDuster > Pockets 10/08/2013 at 16:35

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Metro front suspension turned through 180 and moved rearwards for mid-engine installation I believe. The time honoured trick of cheap mid engine installations from mainstream manufacturers everywhere.

I understand they also had a hell of a job getting the K-series up to 1.8 litres, as it was never intended to go that big and had some super-funky cylinder liner system that simultaneously gave no end of grief and upheld MG Rover's tragic reliability reputation....

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MIATAAAA 10/08/2013 at 17:24

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AAAAAAHHHHHH I NEED TO GET ONE FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pockets > DarthDuster 10/08/2013 at 17:43

1

I dunno about "super-funky", wet liners are pretty common aren't they? The problem as I understand it (or at least that one...) is that they're designed to protrude a little and because they're steel and the block is aluminium and so its softer, they can dig in causing the head gasket not to seal properly. The liners for the 1.8 are bigger, so more likely to sink into the block. I'm not exactly an engine engineer, though, so I've probably got the wrong end of the stick there.

I miss my old 214. That was a great first car :(

boost_retard > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 18:11

0

I actually saw a yellow one driving on the freeway in San Diego a few years back. Don't think it was making 63hp, since we tried to get a closer look and it pulled away pretty easily from my friends 2.3l Mazda 3.

Driverist > AthomSfere 10/08/2013 at 18:31

1

I've never seen a K20 in a Beat but I have seen this ...

AthomSfere > Driverist 10/08/2013 at 20:39

0

It fits!

But what is it? Red cover says K series to me... But I suppose it could be painted. Shape suggests a B20?

Driverist > AthomSfere 10/08/2013 at 21:10

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B-series valve covers are much flatter with the H logo + VTEC and the K-series' are taller with only Honda or Honda Motor Co.

The engine pictured is a B-series. From what I've seen online, it is believed to be a B18C (from an Integra, probably Type R).

UnderscoreHero > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 21:43

0

Isn't the Initial D car a Suzuki Cappuccino?

*edit, nvm, I can't read :/

Taipan > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 21:58

0

I actually own and daily drive one of these when I am back home from school in Hong Kong. Let me see if I can find a picture of me and mine. My dad bought it new and had it shipped from Japan to Hong Kong. After a while he let me start using it. I absolutely love the thing. I get stupid mileage and really stupid smiles!

ChubbsMotolo > Mers 10/08/2013 at 22:07

0

I think you meant, AWESOME!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Taipan 10/08/2013 at 22:19

0

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!

Taipan > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/08/2013 at 22:56

5

This is mine. Lucky to get to play with it. Even better is this story. I went to Shek O in Hong Kong for dinner by the beach one evening. There is a great driving road (for HK standards) to get there. On the way back I was chasing what must have been one of the first Lamborghini Aventadors in HK. Well he would get away on each straight, but through each corner, my 3 cylinders of fury would scream and catch him, his car being too wide to take the corners at speed. He smiled as I eventually went past and on home. It was a real David versus Goliath moment.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Taipan 10/08/2013 at 22:59

1

/drool

I also hate you.

GravisMors > Pockets 10/08/2013 at 23:59

0

yea, the NHTSA basically has a separate list of cars that cannot be imported even if it's just for show.

Gloffgloff > GravisMors 10/09/2013 at 01:57

0

I'm intrigued. Do you have a copy of this list, and why would they not want this car in the US?

Fl1ngstam > Pockets 10/09/2013 at 03:59

0

Hence the use of the word "allegedly". The mechanical parts were certainly all from the parts bucket, but the layout was new to Rover, so they needed a starting point. I know from Rover people that they had a Mk1 MR2 and a Honda Beat on site, and since the Beat and MGF were never going to be rivals, I can easily imagine Honda sharing some information with them on how to design a small mid-engined sports car.

Pininfarina put forward design proposals for both cars. The Beat adopted the Pininfarina design, whereas the final MGF design was created by Gerry McGovern.

Ben C > Taipan 10/09/2013 at 04:37

1

I want to say some rude Cantonese words to you now. :P

PhiLOL (slowcarSLOW-MPGlol) > GreenN_Gold 10/09/2013 at 10:20

0

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