Renovation of Honda’s 1965 F1 Overalls for Their 60th Anniversary

You’re clearly a car lover, or you wouldn’t be reading this. Whether you’re passionate about clunkers, everyday cars, exotic vehicles, or any other quirky segment of the automotive world, it’s reasonable to presume that you value car culture. But what precisely does car culture entail, and how far does it extend? I won’t indulge in an enthusiast’s manifesto just a few days into the new year—it’s too soon for all that. Nevertheless, I will recount one of my favorite discussions about car culture from 2025, and I must say, one of the highlights was how unexpectedly enjoyable it was.

I’m referring to Patrick Calello and his venture, Honda Vintage Culture. There’s a strong possibility you’ve encountered his brand through social media advertisements, or you might have noticed it mentioned as a sponsor on one of the top racing podcasts, Beyond the Grid. Or, perhaps, you haven’t heard of it at all. If you stick around, however, you’re about to discover what sets Patrick apart as a genuine innovator in car culture, and why he’s one of the most enthusiastic racing fans I’ve had the pleasure to meet.

Beyond his background, I’m also going to share a story that honestly deserves to be told. It pertains to Honda’s 60th anniversary of its inaugural F1 victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, and how Patrick and his team meticulously recreated some of the original attire worn by that crew for a unique celebration in Mexico last year, which I was fortunate enough to attend.

From Designing to Licensing

I touched base with Patrick following Monterey Car Week in 2024, when I covered the story of Honda’s first victorious F1 car completing an exhibition lap at Laguna Seca. Some of the crew accompanying the car from Japan donned some of his creations, which sparked our conversation. Nonetheless, he’s been producing amazing items since childhood. From experimenting on his Macintosh computer to creating logos for recording artists at 15, he enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University to study graphic design, industrial design, and business. Oh, and he boasts owning over 40 Hondas and Acuras.

After successfully launching a line of wooden car toys called Automoblox—some of you may have played with these during your childhood—he partnered with Honda on a new model. Ironically, it was with one of Honda’s more mundane vehicles that his journey into licensing and creating exciting products with the Japanese automaker truly began.

“When I started college, I toyed with the idea of actually becoming a car designer,” Calello recounted. “I had a subscription to Car Styling Magazine, the car industry’s go-to design publication. They were around $25 per issue back then. I outgrew that, but later on, through Automoblox, I could return to those aspirations and ideas about car designing, leading to Honda.

“My concept or proposal was: ‘Imagine how amazing it would be to get into American homes!’ These large corporations invest substantially to connect with consumers, heavily spending on TV and other platforms, right? So, what if someone who purchased a new Honda Odyssey also received an Automoblox Odyssey? What if an Automoblox Odyssey came as an addition to the car?

“An exciting aspect of that Automoblox endeavor was that Honda provided me with the CAD file for the Odyssey, like a year and a half before anyone had even laid eyes on it! The project ultimately didn’t materialize, but the overarching idea was to introduce the Honda brand into American households and engage consumers with the brand; that’s really my forte,” he elaborated.

In some discussions, Patrick mentioned that he eventually recognized a demand for apparel that Honda enthusiasts could wear to showcase their admiration for Honda, but in a manner that felt thrilling. Interestingly, he articulated it by saying, “I wanted a fan to sport a Honda shirt or hoodie, but I didn’t want others to question why someone was seen in an Accord or Odyssey shirt or hoodie. It needed to emphasize Honda’s cool factor, so I honed in on its impressive racing history.”

Consequently, Patrick’s offerings, which you can explore here, encompass vintage Acura t-shirts, HRC jackets, old-school F1 merchandise, and even wall art. If you’re a Honda/Acura aficionado, or simply a car enthusiast in general, you’ll likely appreciate a lot of these items. And no, this isn’t a paid promotion.

But that’s where his journey began, leading up to 2025, when he aimed to create some extraordinary merchandise for the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix.

A Honda Fiesta

Honda clinched its first Formula 1 victory back in 1965 at what was then the Mexican Grand Prix—now referred to as the Mexico City Grand Prix. American driver Richie Ginther steered the Championship-White, V12-powered RA272 to triumph, marking the first-ever F1 win for a Japanese brand. It was a monumental occasion for the company, which had primarily concentrated on motorcycle racing until then.

To honor this significant achievement, Patrick began working on several distinctive, limited-edition designs inspired by the attire worn by the 1965 team.

“I reached out and said, ‘Hey, the 60th [F1 anniversary] is approaching, and I’m here to assist you,” Calello told me. “I gathered around 30 to 40 original images of a Honda team jacket from the ’60s, focusing specifically on 1965. So, I crafted the [replica] jackets, and they asked if I could have them ready for the race.

“Following the jackets, the idea for polos emerged, allowing executives to wear them in Mexico, and we pulled that together excellently. However, the highlight of the project is the coveralls, and my passion for them spans all the way back to the start. I recognized the necessity for thorough research,” he added.

You can observe in the photographs below that Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe and HRC President Koji Watanabe are wearing those shirts and jackets. Additionally, you can see the RA272’s crew sporting the correct, period-style replicas of the coveralls and caps.

“I got in touch with Motorsports Images and obtained a license from them, which allowed me to delve into their archive photographs. I probably reviewed tens of thousands of images, and the instant I came across these 1960s overalls, I thought, ‘These are amazing. This is exceptionally impressive.’ The team utilized these coveralls from 1964 to 1965. Through my research, which includes many books on Honda, I discovered that the same overalls were also worn by the motorcycle team. They had been using them since the ’50s—likely around ’58 or ’59—with the only difference being the phrase car racing team on the sleeve for distinction,” he shared.

“Eventually, a Honda contact within the licensing group showed me a photograph of these coveralls displayed in the museum [in Motegi]. They were encased, and I thought, ‘Oh wow, this is amazing.’ I received access to their archives, and they brought these coveralls out for me. Most were no longer displayed in the museum, but they allowed me to examine them up close. I took countless photos, hoping to someday recreate them. They even presented two Senna suits, but they couldn’t take them out of the airtight bag they were stored in—but to hold those, phenomenal.

“I intended to use the images for reference and to align the fit with the standard coveralls currently used in America. Thus, my first prototype was derived from a common brand’s pattern, and I didn’t love it. I then took a second trip to Japan, captured countless additional photos of every minute detail, and recorded hundreds of measurements to replicate the exact pattern. They placed the artwork on the rear—the Honda Motor Tokyo—and the detail on the sleeve, on a flatbed scanner for me, ensuring the art is genuinely identical. In fact, the artwork on the originals is so aged that it’s slightly imperfect, but I opted to reproduce it just as it is. Back then, the local firm sewing these used whatever lettering from local mechanic shops, so there were no CAD files. Moreover, determining the precise color was challenging, as many images are in black and white—this also applied to the actual materials; what they were—cotton, etc.,” remarked Calello.

“I compiled an extensive array of measurements for everything—how wide the stitches are, the stitch pattern, including details like the exact sizes of the buckles and straps. I’m delighted with how it turned out and with having a solid partner in my suppliers, as they crafted an extraordinary pattern in a tight timeframe.”

With former Red Bull Racing driver Yuki Tsunoda behind the wheel, the RA272 captivated the audience in Mexico, revving up to its 13,000-rpm redline on the same track where it made history 65 years prior. It served as a beautiful reminder that Honda is and will always be a manufacturer with racing in its roots, particularly open-wheel racing in its most intricate and competitive form.

Regarding Patrick’s creations, they also mesmerized the crowd, providing the entire event an essence of authenticity and nostalgia. Had those mechanics and executives worn different attire, it simply wouldn’t have felt as memorable. And, indeed, it truly was a unique experience, particularly for me, the author, who hails from Mexico City.

“I’m extremely thankful for my contacts in the licensing department for their support,” said Calello. “Additionally, the team at the Honda Heritage Collection Museum was outstanding. They have been incredibly encouraging. We arranged for the coveralls to be delivered via air freight to Japan on schedule, and, as you saw, the executives brought them to the track in Mexico and were thrilled.

“I couldn’t achieve this without Honda’s enthusiasm, and I’m immensely grateful for that. Honda has been showcasing my gear when they operate other vintage machinery, including Nigel Mansell’s ’80s Williams F1 car. Sharing this story is important because none of Honda’s rivals in Asia can convey a similar narrative. Hyundai cannot invent a history that doesn’t exist, and certainly none of these Chinese companies can. I believe it’s crucial to leverage this brand equity for enthusiasts’ future,” he stated.

Bravo.

Contact the author at [email protected]