In the world of greatest optional extras ever fitted to a car, few can rival Honda’s 1980s innovation—the Motocompo. This tiny, foldable scooter was designed to fit perfectly into the trunk of a Honda City hatchback, offering a fun and practical urban mobility solution.
Now, an incredibly rare 1983 Honda City Turbo, complete with its original Motocompo, has appeared on Bring a Trailer for a no-reserve auction ending on February 19.
The Honda City Turbo: A Pocket Rocket from Japan’s Golden Age
The Honda City Turbo was a Japan-market subcompact introduced in 1981, designed as a small, practical, and fun urban runabout. Despite its tiny footprint, it could comfortably seat four people, making it one of the smallest Japanese cars outside of the kei car category.
Key Specs of the Honda City Turbo
- Engine: 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
- Power Output: ~100 horsepower
- Weight: ~1,600 pounds
- Performance: Lightweight and zippy, similar to a first-gen Volkswagen GTI
The boxy design of the City Turbo gave it a distinctive Star Trek shuttle-like appearance, maximizing space while keeping a compact and maneuverable footprint.
Think of it as Honda’s version of the original VW GTI: small, practical, and unexpectedly fun to drive.
The Motocompo: A Folding Scooter That Fits in Your Trunk
What makes the Honda City Turbo truly special is the inclusion of its original factory option— the Motocompo scooter.
What Is the Motocompo?
- Engine: 49cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder
- Top Speed: ~30 mph
- Weight: ~99 pounds
- Folding Design: Handlebars and seat fold down for easy trunk storage
The Motocompo was designed as a “trunk bike,” allowing City owners to park their car outside the city center and complete their journey on the compact scooter. While it wasn’t massively successful in the 1980s, it has since become a cult classic among Honda enthusiasts.
This pairing became so iconic that even the Hot Wheels version of the Honda City includes tiny Motocompos molded in the back hatch.
Auction Details: A Clean Example with Low Mileage
The Honda City Turbo and Motocompo listed on Bring a Trailer are located in Washington State and appear to be well-maintained.
Notable Details
- Honda City Turbo Mileage: ~45,000 miles
- Paintwork Refreshed (Original factory color)
- Interior: Classic 1980s Honda simplicity, clean and well-preserved
- Motocompo Condition: Good, with minor wear from age
Finding one of these vehicles in good condition is rare, but finding both together as a set is nearly impossible.
Could Honda Bring This Idea Back?
This 1980s innovation is so beloved that Honda brought back an electric version called the Motocompacto in 2023.
Could Honda take this idea even further? Imagine a Civic Type R hatchback with a built-in, high-performance Motocompacto as an optional extra.
That would be a game-changer for urban mobility and a fitting tribute to Honda’s quirky, fun-loving spirit.
The 1983 Honda City Turbo with its original Motocompo is one of the coolest and most unique automotive pairings ever created. Whether you’re a Honda enthusiast, JDM collector, or just someone who loves quirky cars, this auction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
With no reserve, this retro masterpiece could go for a surprisingly reasonable price—but expect Honda fanatics to drive up the bidding.
FAQ’s
What is the Honda City Turbo?
The Honda City Turbo is a 1980s Japanese subcompact car featuring a turbocharged 1.2L engine, producing nearly 100 hp, and weighing around 1,600 pounds.
What is the Honda Motocompo?
The Honda Motocompo is a 49cc foldable scooter designed to fit in the trunk of the Honda City hatchback, offering a unique urban mobility solution.
How rare is a Honda City Turbo with a Motocompo?
Finding both together is extremely rare. The Motocompo was a factory option, and many were separated over time, making this auction a unique collector’s opportunity.
Where is the Honda City Turbo and Motocompo being auctioned?
The car and scooter are being auctioned on Bring a Trailer, with bidding ending on February 19, 2025.
Did Honda bring back the Motocompo?
Yes! In 2023, Honda released the Motocompacto, an electric foldable scooter inspired by the original Motocompo.