Classic ATV Auctions
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• YEAR: 1983
• MAKE: Honda • MODEL: ATC70 Christmas Giveaway • TITLE: Never Titled • VIN REPORT: Clean • LOCATION: South Wales, NY 14139 • RESERVE: YES • CURRENT BID: $6700.00 • HIGH BID USER NAME: Jwr76 • AUCTION START: 11.08.2021 • AUCTION END: 11.29.2021 SOLD POST AUCTION:
$8,000 USD |
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Legendary ATV Society is pleased to announce the exclusive auction listing for this unbelievably rare, unrestored, low hour example of the 1983 ATC70 Christmas Giveaway model - often referred to as a "Christmas Special". Introduced by Honda in a promotional marketing campaign at their dealerships in the Fall of 1982, The Honda Holiday Giveaway ran from November 25th through December 19th 1982. The promotion included a 1983 giveaway calendar for signing up, the chance to win a Kick N' Go Scooter or what has become one of the most sought after minis Honda has ever produced, rivaled only by a later promotional Holiday giveaway in 1986, featuring a Z50.
This particular ATC70 while not retaining any of it's original documentation has had a verbal story chain following it since it left it's original owner who is reported to have won this machine at a dealer in Central NJ, the likelihood - although unconfirmed, indicates that it came from Freehold Honda. Now residing with its fourth owner - the story is as follows: After winning this ATC70, the first owners child rode it only a few times in a small backyard and then was sold several years later around the mid 80's to a buyer who purchased it for his daughter whom ended up expressing no interest in the ATV activities, ultimately leaving this Christmas wonder sitting in his garage for the next 30 years under a sheet. In recent years the second owner reached out to the current owners friend who purchased the machine, rebuilt the carb, and once running then traded it to the current owner for several dirt bikes.
Having been barely ridden or operated since Christmas of 1982, this special little unit is as close to new condition as anyone will likely find for being close to 40 years old -
with a key indicator being the original tires showing close to no ware, along with fully intact factory original hand grips showing little to no wear. Primary contact points when riding as well as undercarriage still retain close to perfect paint coverage, Foot rests do not appear scuffed, nor the shifter rubber - plastics and paint work display their factory shine, the chrome appears to have its original mirror finish, hardware and axle still show their trademark factory zinc plating as well as the wheels retaining a nice glow in the cloud silver paint. Original graphics and info stickers are all still present. No restoration work, touch ups or refinishing was performed on this machine, and is being shown in it's authentic original state.
with a key indicator being the original tires showing close to no ware, along with fully intact factory original hand grips showing little to no wear. Primary contact points when riding as well as undercarriage still retain close to perfect paint coverage, Foot rests do not appear scuffed, nor the shifter rubber - plastics and paint work display their factory shine, the chrome appears to have its original mirror finish, hardware and axle still show their trademark factory zinc plating as well as the wheels retaining a nice glow in the cloud silver paint. Original graphics and info stickers are all still present. No restoration work, touch ups or refinishing was performed on this machine, and is being shown in it's authentic original state.
Being reported to be in perfect functioning factory condition – bike runs and idles perfectly, 4 speed semi auto shifts smoothly, brake is tight, Factory original fenders are complete and without breaks, Original Ohtsu Wamulass tires have no damage or dry cracking and hold air as should. Tank is clean with no leaks. While being in excellent original condition, this machine does show some subtle signs of age and ware. The overall patina of the machine does at points show some very subtle oxidation, as normal for an unrestored machine of this age. Fenders do show some light scuffing and scratching - Several sticker have a slight lift or peel in several sections ( all pictured ). The only maintenance reported was done after it's 30 year storage - with the following being performed by a professional ATV tech: Tank Cleaned, Carb rebuilt, New OEM Honda fuel lines, and air filter installed, OEM Honda recoil gasket installed after points were cleaned. Lost to time is the abbreviated "tool kit" that these machines are known for - but other than this small detail ( OEM Socket and Bar are still available from Honda ) this winter wonder has really done the impossible by surviving it's 38 year journey relatively unscathed by time and abuse.
The rarity of the 1983 Honda ATC70 Christmas Giveaway is largely understood to be factored in the concept that one machine was given to each dealer in 1982 - and there were roughly 1,000 Honda dealerships in operation at that time here in the United States. It it speculated that around 1800 total units were produced, with the other 800 seeing foreign markets - the rarity of original unrestored examples of this machine though is something entirely different. Due to the fact that these machines were given away, most did not see a potential bright future, and nearly all samples that do appear on the market currently have been heavily used with reproduction or non factory parts present in almost all cases - making this specific unit an ultimate collector piece, while tracking in near perfect sync with seasonality! Once again this unique time capsule will hopefully see another Christmas, under another Christmas tree - making the provenance and history of this machine all the more special.
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