‘85 Honda City Turbo II

Number: HCV25-M9C0A

Year: 2022 - 2/10

Collection: HW Turbo

Born: 1985, Tokyo, Japan

Manufacturer: Honda

An absolute sensation when it hit the market in the 80’s, the Honda city turbo went against the grain, balking at the low and sleek design trends of the time and standing strong like a stocky bulldog - no surprise the Bulldog Race was created in its honor. You may even see a little Motocompo if you peek in the rear window!

The Honda City Turbo II is a performance-oriented subcompact hatchback manufactured by the Honda Motor Company. Designed by Hirotoshi Honda, son of Soichiro Honda, the City Turbo II was an intercooled version of the previous City Turbo II, which was in turn a performance-oriented version of the first-generation Honda City. The City Turbo II was fitted with a 1.2L ER turbocharged inline-4 and fitted with flared fenders and several other aesthetic changes; its wider stance and appearance caused the car to be nicknamed "Bulldog" by enthusiasts. The City was designed to be sold along with a small foldable motor scooter named the Motocompo and designed to fit in the trunk of the vehicle. Production of the first-generation City ended in October 1986.

The City Turbo also spawned a one-make racing series held in the 1980s called the Honda City Turbo Cup, run by Honda and Honda tuning company Mugen Motorsports. The cars were given more extreme aerodynamics, a more aggressive bodykit, and a modified engine, now making 138 horsepower. It is said that most of the cars were purchased by an Australian entrepreneur who wanted to continue the series in Australia; at the time, the cars were stored in a warehouse in Australia. It is alleged that as the cars were waiting to be shipped the Great Hanshin earthquake struck and destroyed the cars. One example is preserved in the Honda Collection Hall in Suzuka.