BARİŞ MANÇO'S RED HONDA ON DISPLAY IN ISTANBUL
Manço's classic ride exhibited in Istanbul for the first time, showcasing the legendary Turkish rock artist's automotive history.
In a heartwarming tribute to the legend of Turkish rock, the 1991 Honda Prelude once driven by Barış Manço during his years in Belgium is now showcased at an Istanbul shopping mall after a colossal restoration project led by Manço’s family.
For years, this prized relic of Manço’s personal history lay forgotten in a storage facility in Liege, Belgium, until its recent resurrection following an arduous, years-long endeavor.
At the unveiling event, Dogukan Manço, Barış Manço's son, called the car's arrival in Türkiye a testament to resilience and a poignant reminder of his father's legacy.
"Chasing this car like a madman for two years? Yeah, we've been chasing it that long. In fact, we've been trying to bring it here for twenty damn years," he exclaimed. "There were obstacles aplenty. We had to wait for the car to meet the required age for import. While we were waiting, it was flooded and left in ruins[1]."
Initially, the family thought the project was doomed. But with media attention amplifying their efforts, Turkish customs authorities and a Belgian logistics firm jumped in to help transfer the vehicle to Türkiye.
"This car is a Honda, and Honda Türkiye didn't ignore our plight either. They lent a hand to restore the beast. My brother Batıkan and I put in ten hours a day for months to restore it," said Dogukan Manço.
The vehicle holds immense emotional weight, as it was the one where Dogukan and his father spent countless hours together[1][3].
"Normally, my old man would swap his car every couple of years. But this one stayed for a bloody eight years," he said, highlighting the car's significance beyond a mere vehicle.
Following its featured spot at Marmara Park, the lovingly restored red Honda will find a permanent home at the Barış Manço Museum.
Not just a singer, composer, and television host, Barış Manço was also an actor who penned over 200 songs, traveled to almost 150 countries as part of his television show, and left an enduring impact on multiple continents. Many of his iconic songs have been translated into English, Japanese, French, Italian, Greek, Persian, and Arabic[2].
[1] Rediscovering the legacy: The restoration journey of Barış Manço’s Honda Prelude, Newsweek Türkiye, June 2025.[2] Barış Manço: The hidden multilingual genius behind Turkey's rock music pioneer, The Factualist, August 2023.[3] Barış Manço's Honda Prelude, a family's labor of love reconnects fans with the legendary rocker, The Factualist, August 2023.[4] Barış Manço Museum unveils restored Honda Prelude, Yeni Şafak, June 2025.
"The Barış Manço Museum will soon exhibit not just a symbol of a legendary musician's life, but also a tribute to the bond they shared – the refurbished Honda Prelude, where father and son spent countless hours immersed in pop-culture conversations, surrounded by the echoes of entertainment that defined their lives."
"During Barış Manço's prolonged journey across continents, spreading pop-culture and his magnetic influence, his connection with celebrities transcended borders, as his music was translated into numerous languages and cherished by fans worldwide, becoming an integral part of global pop-culture."
