1966 Honda Dream - Lot 24

1966 Honda Dream Type CA 78 Without reserve N' CA 781007054 17191 km on the odometer French collector's registration To be restarted Soichiro Honda will go down in history as the man who truly changed the world of motorcycling forever. Honda founded his company in 1947, using war surplus Tohatsu motor-generators attached to bicycles. When his supply of engines ran out, he designed his own 50cc two-stroke engine, the first Honda Cub. Sales soared, but Honda wanted more, and in 1954 he took the unprecedented step of visiting Europe and learning as much as he could directly from the world's best motorcycle factories. He met Triumph's Edward Turner, who was impressed by Honda, but couldn't see, beyond his own legendary ego, that the man in front of him would, in less than 15 years, ruin his national industry! The two models in the "Dream" series were produced under different model codes from 1960 to 1969. These were the first large-displacement motorcycles to be exported en masse by Honda. They were very well equipped, with 12-volt electrics, electric starters and other advanced features uncommon on most other motorcycles of the '60s. What's more, they were well-designed, reliable and very fuel-efficient. Later versions of the Dream were equipped with a 305 cc engine developing 23 hp at 7,500 rpm. The CA78 Dream is a uniquely styled model, and is now one of the most sought-after Japanese classics. The motorcycle presented is in good condition and will need a complete overhaul.