Honda C50

Key facts

Year

1964
Country

Japan
Capacity

49cc
Cylinders

1 cyclinder
Valves

Overhead valve
Output

4.5bhp at 9,500rpm
Maximum speed

43mph
Price new

£92
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Honda Motor Co. Ltd, Tokyo

The best selling motorcycle ever, Honda launched the Super Cub in 1958. It combined features from mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. Mass production techniques and the use of materials such as die-cast aluminium, plastic and pressed steel kept production costs down. A successful advertising campaign for the ‘step-through’ style machine was aimed specifically at the non-motorcyclist market. The Super Cub soon became a worldwide success. It was marketed as the Honda 50 in the UK to avoid confusion with the Triumph Tiger Cub.

Super Cub production continues to this day. Over 100 million have been built in 20 countries, making it not just the most popular motorcycle but also the most successful motor vehicle ever.