Description
1961 Honda RC162 Grand Prix Racing Replica
The Machine
This is a stunning, high-quality tribute to the legendary Honda RC162, the machine that Mike Hailwood rode to victory in 1961, securing Honda's first-ever world championship. This is a purposeful racing replica, not a standard road bike. It features the iconic silver-and-red racing livery, a deep-sculpted racing seat, and a period-correct full fairing with authentic "Honda Collection Hall" badging.
Mechanical Condition & Work Done
Engine: The bike is powered by a modern Honda 250cc 4-cylinder engine (common in these high-end replicas for its reliability and screaming 14, 000+ RPM redline).
Running Status: The engine is in good order; it kicks and turns over with strong compression. It was part of a major private collection in Fochabers, Scotland, where it was kept as a centerpiece.
Cosmetics: The paintwork and chrome are in excellent condition. The fairing, windscreen, and racing "megaphone" exhausts are all well-maintained and show the high build quality of a professional tribute.
What a Buyer Needs to Know (The "Honest" Section)
Recommissioning: As the bike has been part of a static collection, it has not been road-run recently. Before taking it to a track or parade, a buyer should perform a standard recommissioning: flush the fuel system, clean the carburetors, and change the oil to ensure the fresh fluids are circulating.
Papers & Registration: The original paperwork for this build was lost by the previous owner. It is currently sold as a collector's display item. For a buyer wishing to register it for the road, a "Dating Certificate" can be obtained from the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) or the VMCC to help apply for an age-related V5C logbook.
No Odometer: In keeping with its racing pedigree, the bike is fitted with a central racing tachometer only. There is no traditional odometer or speedometer.
Summary for Enthusiasts
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a "museum-standard" display piece that is also a mechanically sound machine. Whether for a showroom, a private library, or as a parade bike for classic events like the Goodwood Revival or the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, this RC162 tribute offers the look and sound of the Golden Age of Racing without the multi-million-pound price tag of an original factory machine. The "Hailwood" Factor: This isn't just a motorcycle; it’s a tribute to the most legendary era in racing history. My favorite thing about this bike is that it perfectly captures the spirit of 1961, when Mike Hailwood and Honda took the world by storm at the Isle of Man TT. When you look at that sweeping silver fairing and the bold red tank, you aren't just looking at a replica—you're looking at the design that forced the world to take Japanese engineering seriously.
Why I Bought It: I acquired this piece because it stood out even in a "large and important motorbike collection" in Scotland. It wasn't just another bike; it was a "museum-grade" display piece. The "Honda Collection Hall" label is the first thing people notice—it suggests a level of build quality and attention to detail that is far above your average garage project.
What Makes It Unique:
The Sound: While I haven't raced it, these replicas are famous for their "screaming" four-cylinder engines. If you choose to run it, it doesn't just rumble; it wails like a 1960s GP machine.
The Presence: It has an incredible physical presence. Whether it’s in a showroom, a man-cave, or a professional collection, it becomes the immediate focal point of the room.
The "Nobby Clark" Spirit: High-quality replicas like this one are a nod to the legendary tuners of the past. It feels "purpose-built"—from the racing tachometer to the megaphone exhausts—it’s designed to look like it just rolled off the grid at Hockenheim.
My Favourite Detail: My favorite thing is the purity of the design. There are no indicators, no bulky mirrors, and no unnecessary clutter. It is a raw, aerodynamic sculpture. Every time you look at it, you’re reminded of a time when racing was about grit, mechanical genius, and "The Power of Dreams".
