The History of Honda — The Man Who Failed Toyota's Interview

Honda sent Toyota fifty piston rings for inspection. Three passed. Forty-seven were set aside on a measuring bench — which is worse than an interview, because a bench cannot be charmed. In 1972, Toyota became the first company on Earth to pay him for the right to use his engine. This is not a story about being told no once. Soichiro Honda's ventures were rejected, bombed and shaken to the ground by an earthquake, in that order, across nine years — and after each one he restarted from nothing, the fourth time at thirty-nine, with a burned-out plot, a signboard, and five hundred surplus army radio engines. In this video: Soichiro Honda, Honda Motor Company, the Toyota piston-ring inspection, Tokai Seiki, Nakajima Aircraft, the Mikawa earthquake of 1945, Kiyoshi Kawashima, Takeo Fujisawa, the Super Cub C100, the Isle of Man TT and Mike Hailwood, American Honda and "You meet the nicest people on a Honda", Richie Ginther's 1965 Formula One win, the air-cooling rebellion and the filter desk, the 1970 Muskie Act, the CVCC engine, the EPA's December 1972 tests inside a Nissan Sunny, and Toyota's first licence. What almost nobody points out: Toyota didn't just reject him — it later owned forty percent of his company and demoted him inside his own building, then ended up paying him for the right to use his engine. And his greatest emissions breakthrough was tested in a rival's car, because Honda didn't yet build one big enough to hold it. ⏱ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Fifty rings, three passed 1:45 — Forging school seals and the smell of car oil 3:30 — The investors who said no, and the crash 5:20 — Learning metallurgy at thirty, with the teenagers 7:10 — A wartime owner named Toyota 9:00 — Bombs, an earthquake, and the ¥450,000 sale 10:50 — Five hundred army engines and a hot-water bottle 12:50 — The shed, the chimney, and the partner who saved him 15:30 — Promising to win the Isle of Man while broke 17:50 — The Super Cub: 100 million and counting 20:10 — Formula One, and the desk built to filter him 22:40 — CVCC: passing America's impossible law in a rival's car 24:40 — The cheque Toyota never expected to sign If this story changed how you think about rejection, subscribe — there's more to come. Tell me in the comments: what surprised you more — Toyota's licence, or the engineers who hid their drawings? This video is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always speak to your doctor before making changes to your diet, exercise, medication, or health routine. #Honda #AutomotiveHistory #Engineering #History #BusinessStory #Motorcycles