HONDA – year 1965

Honda Motor Co Ltd, Such, Japan.

The sensation of the season 1964 was the start of the Japanese car Honda in the Grand Prix of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nurburgring. The white vehicle with the rising red sun painted on the front was equipped with a V-12 engine in a transverse arrangement. Its maximum power was 154,6 kW (210 KM) by 12 000 RPM. Until was used to prepare the mixture 12 Keihin motorcycle carburetors, which made setting them very complicated. Car, led by the American Ronnie Bucknum, had an accident driving on 13 position.

However, the chief engineers of Honda's racing department – Yoshio Nakamura i Takeda – They were not discouraged by this first failure and constructed a new model, using the experience gained. The new car was presented at the Italian Grand Prix in 1965 year. New, 1,5 liter engine (∅ 58,1 x 47 mm), had a power increased to 169,3 kW (230 KM) by 12 000 RPM. Carburetors were replaced with direct fuel injection. Two exhaust pipes are used. The radiator was placed above the engine, behind the driver's head. The engine had four camshafts, four valves in each cylinder and six ignition coils. The independent suspension of all wheels is traditional, using coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers. An adjustable torsion stabilizer is used at the front and rear. On wheels, cast from the electron, American Goodyear tires were placed.

The Japanese prepared for the Grand Prix races with their proper precision and panache. For two years they collected and analyzed documentation, watching the races, they filmed and photographed everything. They acquired a former BRM player – Ritchie Ginthera. They finally achieved their first success. At the Mexican Grand Prix, the last race of the formula 1 w 1965 year, Ginther won with average speed 151,7 km/h. The company did not rest on its laurels. According to the new regulations in force from 1966 year has prepared a new one, the twelve-cylinder model z 48 valves and power 294,4 kW (400 KM).