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A remarkable automobile exhibition deserves a visit. While it may not be the ideal choice for a romantic outing, exploring a car museum with like-minded companions can be quite rewarding. Most automotive exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, and larger ones often house multiple displays. Nonetheless, the official museums of car manufacturers are typically the most enthusiastic and showcase the most impressive vehicles. Introducing the newly renovated American Honda Collection Hall, now accessible to the public.
For several years, Honda has maintained a significant portion of its car collection privately at its U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California, allowing guided tours only upon request. While not completely restricted, acquiring a tour required several steps and perhaps a stroke of luck. As part of its 75th anniversary festivities, Honda chose to make its museum collection more publicly accessible and engage further with the car community in Los Angeles. Henceforth, there will be scheduled public viewing days as well as monthly “Cars, Bikes and Coffee” gatherings that welcome all vehicle makes and models, with a special emphasis on Hondas.
The collection includes some of Honda’s standout models and pristine examples of its most notable cars. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a lineup of cars stretching into the Collection Hall. From the diminutive 1964 Honda S600 sports car to almost every iteration of the Civic up to the 2001 Civic Si (EM1 model), the exhibition showcases a wide array. Adjacent to a flawless final-generation Prelude Type-SH sits an equally immaculate S2000 CR. Nearby, a first-generation Insight, one of Honda’s most significant and high-end developments, stands out. Across the hall, a striking yellow 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition catches the eye, alongside an Acura Integra Type R and a stunning red Acura NSX.
The highlight of the exhibition was the section dedicated to race cars. Among the notable displays were the RealTime Racing 1997 Acura Integra Type R prominently placed above a unique 1992 GTP-Lights vehicle equipped with a modified V6 engine from an NSX. Additionally, a pair of Honda-powered Indy cars from different eras were showcased in retirement, accompanied by two Honda Indy V8 engines on stands nearby. Adorning the wall behind the displays was a genuine racing suit worn by Max Verstappen during the 2021 United States GP.
I won’t delve too deeply into the world of motorcycles, but there were numerous impressive bikes on display, with the oval-piston Honda NR750 standing out as the most remarkable to me. Positioned in an unassuming corridor in the heart of the museum, four engines were showcased. Among them was the B18C15 engine from an Integra Type R, featuring cutaways that revealed its innovative dual-stage intake manifold and shaft-mounted valvetrain, enabling an impressive 8,400 rpm redline. Another highlight was the C35A, a V6 engine with a single overhead cam that powered the Acura Legend. Additionally, there was the robust F23 engine hailing from a later model Prelude, and lastly, the diminutive 1.0-liter ECA1 engine and gearbox combination found in the first-generation Insight.
While the museum may not be vast in scale, it boasts a high concentration of exhibits that can easily captivate an hour of spirited discussion. Honda has indicated that it will regularly rotate the display of cars and motorcycles at the museum to showcase its complete collection. For car enthusiasts in or around Los Angeles, this is certainly a destination worth visiting.
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