The October 1992 issue of AUTOMOBILE Magazine carried a photo and caption for the 1972 HONDA P-100 hybrid,photographed by Ronald Ahrens at the Kruse Auto Auction,May,1992,at Auburn,Indiana,USA.
The owner of the car refused a bid of $3,500 for the car.
From the image,the cars graphics report "173 mpg Documented".This is the year before the 1st Arab oil embargo,the EPA and CAFE did not exist yet,so it's hard to gain any insight as to what the mpg numbers actually mean or the context in which they are presented.
Digging through my records,this is what I've been able to put together regarding the car:
* the base vehicle is a 1972 HONDA 600
* width = 52.4"
* height = 52.4"
* length = approx. 158.6" ( scaled from photo )
* Frontal area = approx. 16.238 ft-sq ( estimated @ 85% of gross due to low tumblehome of greenhouse )
* L/D = 3.026
* D/H = 1.513
* Coefficient of aerodynamic drag,Cd approx. 0.15
* TRW patented 1970 hybrid system ( used today by Toyota ) may have been employed
* HONDA's CVCC engine likely employed ( went into production for 1973 model year )
* full suite of aerodynamic streamlining features as set out in R.G.S.White's recipe for a Cd 0.24 automobile,MIRA,1969,plus full front spats and compound windshield.Full bellypan is presumed
* Dunlop steel-belted radial tires ( available at the time )
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A website for this car existed at one time although I have been able to relocate it.They did not have any images for the car.The photo by Ahrens may be the only extant photo which survives.
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I've taken the photo,de-cluttered it and reversed it as I like to do and fitted it along with the HONDA 600 under the 'Template.'
The car bears a striking resemblance to a certain HONDA CIVIC in South Carolina.Can you guess?
------------------------------------------------------------------------ photos to follow soon