Rare Car Archive

Makes › Honda Japan › Vamos · Rare production · 1970–1973 Rare

Honda
Vamos

Open utility kei vehicle on TN360 mechanicals

Honda Vamos (Wikipedia article: Honda Vamos)
Honda Vamos (Wikipedia article: Honda Vamos)
Photo: crash71100 · CC0 1.0
2,500BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
2,500 Built
Years
1970–1973
Engine
Air-cooled twin-cylinder, mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive · 354 cc / 0.4 LFactory: 354 cc
Power
22.4 kW / 30.4 PSFactory: 30 hp · converted
Top speed
90 km/hFactory: 90 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Vamos was Honda's kei-class answer to the Mini Moke, a light utility and leisure vehicle sold only in Japan between 1970 and 1973. Only about 2,500 were built, few survive, and collectors of unusual Japanese vehicles now seek them.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityRare 2,500 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionnumber produced 2,5001 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Honda built the Vamos on the platform of its TN360 kei pickup, adding a new stamped-steel body and a folding fabric roof. Buyers could have a soft top over the cab, a top with optional rear seats, or a top covering the whole vehicle. It seated two or four.

The Vamos was sold only in Japan and not exported. Because it shares its mechanical parts with the far more common TN360, parts are easier to find than for most rare cars.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Vamos.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutAir-cooled twin-cylinder, mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive2 Independently researched
Cylinders23
Displacement 354 cc / 0.4 LFactory: 354 cc2 Independently researched
Bore 62.5 mmFactory: 62.5 mm3
Stroke 57.8 mmFactory: 57.8 mm3
Compression ratio8.0:13
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder2 Independently researched
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 22.4 kW / 30.4 PSFactory: 30 hp · converted2 Independently researchedSource states bhp.
Power at 8,000 rpm3
Torque 29.4 Nm / 3 kgmFactory: 3 kgm3
Torque at 5,500 rpm3

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive2 Independently researched
Gears43
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionMacPherson struts, hydraulic dampers2 Independently researched
Rear suspensionDe Dion tube with half leaf springs, hydraulic dampers2 Independently researched
BrakesLeading-trailing drum brakes3
SteeringRack and pinion3
Body constructionStamped steel sections, folding soft top, no fixed roof2 Independently researched
Wheelbase 1.78 mFactory: 1.78 m3
Length 2.995 mFactory: 2.995 m3
Width 1.295 mFactory: 1.295 m3
Height 1.655 mFactory: 1.655 m3
Front track 1.11 mFactory: 1.11 m3
Rear track 1.12 mFactory: 1.12 m3
Kerb weight 520 kgFactory: 520 kg2 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 90 km/hFactory: 90 km/h3
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 26 LFactory: 26 L3

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Recognised by bug-eye headlights, a front-mounted spare wheel, a black moustache-style front bumper, doors made from hollow steel bars and no fixed roof. Mechanicals match the TN360.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Honda Vamos 1972 – Lane Motor Museum Level B
    • 2500 number produced
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    A Rare Honda Vamos: The Weirdest Vehicle Honda Ever Made Level B Silodrome
    • mid-mounted air-cooled, twin-cylinder 354cc engine
    • single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder
    • produced a claimed 30 bhp
    • 4-speed manual transmission
    • MacPherson struts up front
    • De Dion tube and half leaf springs
    • body was made from stamped steel sections
    • total weight of the Vamos is just 520 kgs
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    VAMOS HONDA new release (news release, 16 October 1970) Level A Honda Motor Co. · 1970-10-16
    • 強制空冷4サイクル 2気筒OHC
    • 内径×行程 62.5×57.8mm
    • 圧縮比 1:8.00
    • 最高出力 30PS 8,000rpm
    • 最大トルク 3.0kg-m/5,500rpm
    • 3.0kg-m/5,500rpm
    • 常時噛合式前進4段後退1段
    • ブレーキ型式 リーディングトレーリング
    • かじ取歯車方式 ラック・ピニオン
    • 軸距 1.780m
    • 全長 2.995m
    • 全巾 1.295m
    • 全高 1.655m
    • 輪距 前輪 1.110m
    • 輪距 後輪 1.120m
    • 最高速度 90km/h
    • 燃料タンク容量 26L
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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