The Honda PA50 `Hobbit’ Moped, 1978

Honda Hobbit Ad 1978

Honda Hobbit PA50 1978

The Honda PA50 was produced in the US from 1978 through 1983, where it was marketed as the Hobbit. That’s how popular Tolkien was at the time. The official mascot you see in the ad was not Bilbo, of course, but Honda Harold. How the company managed to trademark ‘Hobbit’ is beyond me. The references in the ad are unmistakeable allusions to the Shire and its residents—“bright happy Hobbit hops,” “a love of comfort,” “a very agreeable nature,” “a mighty friendly helpful fellow to take on your travels.”

The moped was called the Camino in the UK and Europe, where it was produced first (1976) and continued to be produced until 1991.

(Images via eBay and Wikipedia)

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