Honda RA271

The Honda RA271 was Honda's first Formula One racing car to enter a race and the first Japanese-built car to take part in a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Yoshio Nakamura was chief engineer and Tadashi Kume led engine development. Developed from the 1963 prototype later called the RA270, it was built around a 1.5 litre V12 at a time when V8 engines dominated the grid. American driver Ronnie Bucknum drove it in three races in 1964, just a year after Honda began producing road cars. Only one RA271 was built, and it is now on display in the Honda Collection Hall at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.