The joy of the open cabin kei-truck

The leisure car boom gained a slight boost in the 1970s. Unique vehicles that prioritized playfulness over practicality were put on the market, and the Vamos Honda was one such vehicle in the genre. However, its straightforwardness proved to be a hindrance, and only about 2,500 units were produced over four years before its role was over. In this issue, we introduce you to the owners and their favorite cars of this rare Vamos Honda.

Evoking the outdoors with bike bike-inspired look

The 1972 Vamos Honda, the beloved car of Mr. Okabayashi, whom we met at the 12th U-550 Old Kei-Car Meeting held on 5 November 2023 in Ehime Prefecture, was impressive in that it was so beautifully restored. When we asked him about it, he told us that it had already been restored to this state when he bought it, and he made an immediate decision when he went to the shop to check it out.

“I originally loved motorbikes and still ride a Meguro S2 and a 1982 Harley-Davidson FX Wide Glide. But when I am over 70, Harleys are very heavy. And my wife also said it was too hard for her to ride in the back. So I looked for a car that looked fun, and this is what I came up with.”

A motorbike enthusiast, Mr. Okabayashi had never owned a hobby car before. In terms of not tipping over, wasn’t there also the option of a three-wheeled vehicle based on a motorbike, such as a trike or sidecar?

“I thought about it for a while, but I’ve been riding two-wheelers and motorbikes for a long time, so a three-wheeler based on a motorbike is not quite what I’m looking for. If that’s the case, I thought an old car would be better.”

Finding a car with original plates in the same city

As you can see, this car had been restored and was also sold with its original number plate. Therefore, even when Mr. Okabayashi became the new owner, he continued to use that number. Coincidentally, the Vamos Honda from that time was inherited with its old number.

“The previous owner fixed it up well, so it’s been two years since I got it and I haven’t had a single problem with it. I ride it around a lot because it’s fun, but the shop that takes care of it tells me that I shouldn’t ride it too much because it’s a waste. I don’t go far, but I ride it around the city to a certain extent. I bought it to ride, not to display.”

translated by DeepL