Bring that Beat back... 1991 Honda Beat

[Jazzy Jag]

Chris Type R said:

For a laugh, you should fit red Honda badges.

iirc Mugen did some parts for the Beat..

[RoadRunner220]

Definitely a car worth saving, well done OP for taking on the challenge, looking forward to seeing how this ends up.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Brilliant, updates now, lots of cmon cant wait

[crofty1984]

Spumfry said:

Fermit and Sarah said:

One thing, please say you'll consider changing the Lilo Lil seat fabric?

Wut? Those seats are original, you can't possibly lose the zebra stripe.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LOSE THE ZEBRA PRINT

[crofty1984]

You should put lowering springs on it. Drop the beat.

[CDP]

Jazzy Jag said:

Chris Type R said:

For a laugh, you should fit red Honda badges.

iirc Mugen did some parts for the Beat..

Before buying my MR2 in 98 I remember looking at a couple of Beats in Norfolk, one was a rather ropey silver Mugen version - at least that's what the dealer told me. Unfortunately somebody had simply cut off the wiring loom for the missing stereo and I think that could have been difficult to repair properly even with English language manuals.

The red standard car seemed better but I didn't like the dealer much and even more important I simply didn't fit with the roof up!

Interesting little cars, I wonder why Honda never imported them. Maybe Honda felt it would be too expensive for a sub 1l car in the UK to sell enough to justify homogolation costs. It's a shame as I'm sure the little Beat would have gained cult status.

[Usget]

crofty1984 said:

You should put lowering springs on it. Drop the beat.

That would really help your connection to your road. You'd be able to feel the Beat.

[Jazzy Jag]

CDP said:

Interesting little cars, I wonder why Honda never imported them. Maybe Honda felt it would be too expensive for a sub 1l car in the UK to sell enough to justify homogolation costs. It's a shame as I'm sure the little Beat would have gained cult status.

Back in the day Honda was restricted by the JAMA agreement to circa 35k units per year , all of which it used for higher margin products.

This is why Honda had the Ballads and Concerto made by Rover in the UK and built Swindon as they didn't count towards the restriction.

[CDP]

Jazzy Jag said:

CDP said:

Interesting little cars, I wonder why Honda never imported them. Maybe Honda felt it would be too expensive for a sub 1l car in the UK to sell enough to justify homogolation costs. It's a shame as I'm sure the little Beat would have gained cult status.

Back in the day Honda was restricted by the JAMA agreement to circa 35k units per year , all of which it used for higher margin products.

This is why Honda had the Ballads and Concerto made by Rover in the UK and built Swindon as they didn't count towards the restriction.

I thought that was much earlier in the 80s and finished by the time of the Beat?

[Pericoloso]

Wikipedia says that about 2\3 of production was carried out in the first year then sales plummeted for the remaining 3 or 4 years.
Don't know why.

[Hotdog1]

Had a beat until some idiot hit it whilst parked in a road, missed all others hit the smallest car !!!

Anyway legend has it Mr honda wanted this little gem to sound like a 1950's F1 car! I can certainly see why...

It's the only car I have owned where people want to race you everywhere and with it hitting the limit at about 76mph! Also only car to have a have jubblies flashed ! 🤩

[Rocket.]

Peter been busy rubbing down bonnet and front bumper



Passenger seat in all it's zebra print glory and some stains.... Drivers side has more a lot more holes and heavily worn bolsters. Same seat can be bought in Japan for £35 but shipping is crazy at £250 ! Hopefully can just get the cover taken off and shipped.



First look of the floor needs work but could be worse.





Cam cover off and all looks good in here, so far...



If only



Behind rear seat and a cover sits the ECU apparently these get hot and cook resistors and circuits overtime so will be checked by a specialist.

[Pericoloso]

Who said throw away those seats ?

I'd buy a car just because it had them fitted.......They're awesome !

[227bhp]

How are you planning on getting rid of the rust in the bonnet?

[gofasterrosssco]

Boy in my work had one of these years ago.. I used to park my Cappuccino next to it for deliberate K-car effect.!

[hondansx]

Love it. A mate had one and he loved it; also has a number of NSXs and GT3s so must say something about their appeal!

The Mugen wheels look weird..





Here was the optional factory Mugen kit



Love this photo...

[Rocket.]

Ref bonnet rust from Peter

'The rust on the Beat bonnet is actually not to bad, rubbing it out with coarse wet and dry got rid, once the tip is done I will wire brush the back and it will be bright and shiny for when the Bonda primer is applied'

Love the Mugen Beats, especially Mugen wheels in silver, must be like hens teeth though sadly.

[Pericoloso]

I don't like the wheels on the yellow car ,much prefer the Alfa lookalike wheels on yours.

[ecksjay]

Rocket. said:

Ref bonnet rust from Peter

'The rust on the Beat bonnet is actually not to bad, rubbing it out with coarse wet and dry got rid, once the tip is done I will wire brush the back and it will be bright and shiny for when the Bonda primer is applied'

Love the Mugen Beats, especially Mugen wheels in silver, must be like hens teeth though sadly.

ive actually seen a few of those mugen wheels for sale over the years. they do exist over here... although finding some may be challenging.#
some small sprint harts or something like that would be perfect.

[irocfan]

Hotdog1 said:

Had a beat until some idiot hit it whilst parked in a road, missed all others hit the smallest car !!!

Dare I say someone Hit That Perfect Beat?