Today, we visited my folks who recently moved to a new, smaller home. They were unloading things they don't want any more, including some old photos. This is a photo of my sister, Tiffany, and me, alongside my 1971 Honda 600 Sedan. This car predates the first Honda Civic. It featured a 600 cc motorcycle engine that delivered 35-45 mpg. The car would run at freeway speeds, though barely. It had front wheel drive, with a 4-speed, dash-mounted manual transmission, power brakes, and 10 inch wheels.
I bought the car for full asking price of $600. I loved the car, but broke it within 30 days by popping the clutch all the time, which somehow damaged the transmission. Months later I sold the car for $100, which I thought was much better than paying the junk yard to come get it.
I found a recent sale of this model car on the web today for almost $8,000. I imagine that there are not many of these babies around anymore.
What was your first car? How much did you pay for it? How long did it last?
I bought the car for full asking price of $600. I loved the car, but broke it within 30 days by popping the clutch all the time, which somehow damaged the transmission. Months later I sold the car for $100, which I thought was much better than paying the junk yard to come get it.
I found a recent sale of this model car on the web today for almost $8,000. I imagine that there are not many of these babies around anymore.
What was your first car? How much did you pay for it? How long did it last?
My first car was a 1934 Ford 4-door sedan. That make it the same age as I was--16. I paid $100 and it lasted a few months longer than Dev's, but probably not much. It would be a 74 year old car, today, and probably worth more than our condo.
Posted by: Phil | June 01, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Dad,
If you and the car were the same age when you were 16, how did the car get to be so much older than you today?
:)
ddt
Posted by: Devin Thorpe | June 01, 2008 at 11:22 PM
While it was not my first car, (second) In 1977 I bought a '71 Honda AN600 sedan the same color as yours for $125.00! It needed some basic maintenance and new exhaust system and was delivering me around town at 45 MPG and 55 on the road! It was a great car but sadly two years later the bearings in the top end of the engine wiped out and I didn't have the $1500 to replace the engine nor was the car worth it at that point. Would love to try again though :)
Posted by: Roger Vance | March 25, 2009 at 07:43 AM
I bought one a couple of weeks ago for $1,500 not running.
Posted by: Alex Torres | September 26, 2009 at 06:49 PM
I have one for sale show room quality and it is red. I'm thinking it's worth around $7500.
Posted by: Greg Watkins | May 18, 2010 at 03:57 PM
I should have kept mine!!!
Posted by: Devin Thorpe | May 18, 2010 at 04:25 PM
This was one of those cars which were "cute" back in the days. It would have been a piece of history right there. Have you thought of where the car might be? It must have had different dealers and owners.
Posted by: Esmeralda Migliore | April 29, 2011 at 05:36 AM