It’s always interesting how we don’t see any examples of a particular classic, and then a couple will appear in quick succession here at Barn Finds. I like seeing this because it demonstrates that some of the rarer and more unusual vehicles that have hit the US market are still out there waiting to be discovered. That’s the case with this 1971 Honda Z600, and I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting it for us. This pocket rocket is located in Liberty, Missouri, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could take this little gem home by handing the owner $6,200.

It probably isn’t any great coincidence that this Honda and the last that I featured are both finished in Pop Orange because this was one of the more popular shades to grace the panels of the Z600. This car has paint that looks respectable, but the panels have accumulated a few dents and bruises during its lifetime. However, these all appear repairable, meaning that the buyer won’t be facing the trauma of panel replacement. The same is true when we reach the subject of rust. The exterior looks clean, and the underside seems to show little beyond surface corrosion. I will sound a note of caution on this topic because these little Hondas can be prone to rust. If I were to buy it, I’d be inclined to place addressing the corrosion at the top of my “to do” list. There’s no point tempting fate in a situation like this. While the front bumper looks to sport a couple of minor dings, the remaining trim is in good order. With glass that appears flawless, it looks like the cosmetic restoration should be pretty straightforward.

Lifting the Honda’s hood reveals an engine with a capacity and power output that would be shaded by many road bikes. The little powerhouse is a twin-cylinder engine with a capacity of 598cc and an output of 36hp. The engine’s power finds its way to the ground via the front wheels and a four-speed manual transmission. Performance figures are all that you might expect when you absorb those numbers, with the journey down the ¼ mile taking a relatively leisurely 22.4 seconds. The engine bay presentation is all that I might have expected from a vehicle that has been sitting for around four decades. However, there’s not a lot of bad news here. The owner has rebuilt the carburetor and replaced the battery and tires. The brakes have received some attention when he fitted a new master cylinder, but the buyer will need to bleed the system. He recommends flushing and cleaning the fuel tank, but the Honda runs and drives, as you can see in this YouTube video. If the car has been sitting for decades, as the seller says, it makes his claim that the odometer reading of 45,500 miles seem plausible.

If there’s one area of this restoration that could cause the buyer to swallow hard, it will be whipping the interior into shape. The vinyl on the door trims is wrinkled, but I’d be inclined to try stretching it back into shape. I say this because, for a small car, an interior retrim could be pretty expensive. The carpet is tired, and a replacement set will cost around $360. Seat upholstery is harder to find, but it is out there if buyers are prepared to do some digging. I believe that some foreign suppliers may be able to help on this front, and most seem willing to ship internationally. The dash pad is also cracked, which could cause similar issues. It would be worth investigating whether this item could be restored or repaired, while an upholsterer might be able to use the existing seatcovers as patterns to manufacture custom trim.

Kei cars have a strong following in the classic world, and the 1971 Honda Z600 is no exception. When these cars appeared in showrooms, few people could have envisaged how readily the company would become a powerhouse in the world automotive scene. Today, spotless examples can command some amazing prices, with the occasional car breaking through the $20,000 barrier. This Z600 would need work to reach those lofty figures, but its overall solid nature suggests that it could be possible. If you long for a classic project, but you’re not focusing on a muscle car, this Honda seems worthy of a closer look.