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Let's review Honda' first Formula 1 engine produced in 1964, almost 50 years ago.
By the early '60s, Honda had established itself as a very successful motorcycle manufacturer and wanted to try their luck on four wheels. Similarly, Honda was making successful racing motorcycles, and had the idea to graduate to F1.
The first Honda engine that contested an F1 Grand Prix was pretty innovative, using the technology developed in motorcycle racing.
It was a radical little normally aspired V12 at 60 degrees of just 1495cc (just 92 cu. In.), with needle roller crankshaft bearings. It was located behind the driver's shoulder and mounted transversally, which was really unusual.
Each piston had a bore of 58.1mm and a stroke of 47.0mm. The engine head had four valves per cylinder activated by double overhead cams. The V12 could produce 220 horsepower at 11,500 rpm. Literature suggests that the little Honda engine was even safe to 14,000 rpm.
It used 12 Keihin carburetors, one for each cylinder, later to be replaced by low pressure fuel injection a little later.
American sports car racing-specialist Ronnie Bucknum drove the RA 271 car in 1964, contesting three Grands Prix and having to retire in all of them.
By the early '60s, Honda had established itself as a very successful motorcycle manufacturer and wanted to try their luck on four wheels. Similarly, Honda was making successful racing motorcycles, and had the idea to graduate to F1.
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| Honda V12 Formula 1 engine (Photo: WRI2) |
The first Honda engine that contested an F1 Grand Prix was pretty innovative, using the technology developed in motorcycle racing.
It was a radical little normally aspired V12 at 60 degrees of just 1495cc (just 92 cu. In.), with needle roller crankshaft bearings. It was located behind the driver's shoulder and mounted transversally, which was really unusual.
Each piston had a bore of 58.1mm and a stroke of 47.0mm. The engine head had four valves per cylinder activated by double overhead cams. The V12 could produce 220 horsepower at 11,500 rpm. Literature suggests that the little Honda engine was even safe to 14,000 rpm.
It used 12 Keihin carburetors, one for each cylinder, later to be replaced by low pressure fuel injection a little later.
American sports car racing-specialist Ronnie Bucknum drove the RA 271 car in 1964, contesting three Grands Prix and having to retire in all of them.
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| Ronnie Bucknum, Honda RA271 (Photo: WRI2) |