They participated in a meeting of classic Honda cars with a yellow S800

The Honda S800 was the third model in the S series and was produced between January 1966 and May 1970. We spoke with students from Honda Technical College Kanto who participated in the “Honda Classic Meeting” where classic Honda cars gathered in yellow S80.

Ragged and immobile car revived by restoration

A yellow Honda S800 was on display at the 3rd Honda Classic Meeting in Asaka no Mori held on April 28, 2024, in Saitama Prefecture. The S800 belonged to the students of Honda Technical College Kanto. Although students from Honda Gakuen participated in the event voluntarily, the basic restoration work was done by senior students, not by current students. The car was a battered and immobilized Es Hachi, but the engine and body were rebuilt, and the car completed the Shinshiro Rally of the All-Japan Rally Championships.

The non-starting engine was taken down, repaired, and rebuilt. The rusty body was cleaned of paint and rust with a wire cup brush, and the holes in the body were filled with steel plates and welded. The student’s hands have been working on every part of the car.

The team competed in the rally with the S800, which they took over from their seniors

A current student who participated in this meeting is currently restoring a Honda “N360,” and this S-Hachi, which he took over from his seniors, participated in the All Japan Rally Championship Rally Mikawa Bay.

“In our generation, we competed in the All Japan Rally Mikawa Bay. The suspension was not good at all, so we diverted and put on Acty dampers. The engine was running so high on oil that it was emitting a lot of white smoke, so we replaced the piston rings. The crank and connecting rod were press-fitted into one piece, so we had to turn it over from the bottom and lift the crank to replace the piston rings, which was very difficult.”

Students serve as co-drivers

By the way, in the All Japan Rally Championship Rally Mikawa Bay held in 2023, the principal will be the driver, and the student we spoke to this time, Mr. Sato, will participate as co-driver.

“By driving in the rally, I found some problems, and I would like to improve them.”

Mr. Sato was working part-time washing cars at a Honda dealership when he was told about Honda Academy and decided to enroll. At first, he had no involvement with old cars, but after entering the school, he learned and gained knowledge and enjoyed it. Honda Technical College Kanto plans to hold a school festival called “Yumesho Matsuri” in the fall, at which vehicles will be exhibited. Why not go and see what the future Honda man is capable of?