In case anyone needs reminding, this year is the 50th anniversary of the iconic Honda Monkey. Less well known outside of Japan is that it is also the final year. Honda have announced they won’t be making anymore due to the financial cost of making an engine that meets increasingly restrictive emissions regulations. So unless we see a Mohammed Ali-ian comeback, that’s it for the Monkey.

Honda ceased production of its larger tanked big brother, the Gorilla in 2007, so the original mini-bikes are going to get harder to come by. All is not entirely lost, however. We’ve managed to snag this incredibly striking 1999 model in chrome.

In the interests of being completely open, I try my best to highlight any defects in our bikes, and this Gorilla is not perfect. There is some slight surface rust on the wheels. And.  .  . nope, that’s it. This is a genuinely stunning piece of miniature Honda engineering in remarkable condition. Mechanically it runs like a dream and the chrome looks pretty much as it did the day it left the factory.

We come across a handful of chrome Monkeys and Gorillas in Japan every year and most of them have lost some of their lustre – the sunlight and humidity can be harsh. This one is very, very special.

Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on a literally brilliant piece of motorcycle history.

A truly spectacular chrome Gorilla. 6,717km - 4,171 miles.