Honda S500
Encyclopedia
The S500 was the first production car
from Honda
, released in 1963, following the T360
truck into production by four months. It was a larger displacement variant of the S360
roadster which, though developed for sale in 1962, was never produced.
Like the S360, the S500 used a high-tech engine developed from Honda's motorcycle
expertise. It was a dual overhead cam straight-4
with four carburettors and a 9500 rpm redline. Originally intended to displace 492 cc, the production version was 531 cc and produced 44 hp at 8000 rpm.
The S500 used a 4-speed manual transmission
with chain drive
at the rear wheels. A four-wheel independent suspension
was also novel, with torsion bars in front and diagonal coilover
shock absorber
s at the rear.
The car was priced at $1,275 in 1963. An optional fiberglass hardtop
was also available. 1,363 S500s were produced from October 1963 through September 1964.
Čar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
from Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, released in 1963, following the T360
Honda T360
The T360 was a pickup truck from Honda. Introduced in June 1963, it was Honda's first production automobile.The T360 used a 356 cc AK250E series DOHC straight-4 engine also found in the Honda S360 roadster prototype. The mid-mounted unit propelled the truck to a top speed of . The engine...
truck into production by four months. It was a larger displacement variant of the S360
Honda S360
The Honda S360 is a sports car with a engine manufactured by Honda. It was one of the first automobiles created by the company known for their motorcycles...
roadster which, though developed for sale in 1962, was never produced.
Like the S360, the S500 used a high-tech engine developed from Honda's motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
expertise. It was a dual overhead cam straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
with four carburettors and a 9500 rpm redline. Originally intended to displace 492 cc, the production version was 531 cc and produced 44 hp at 8000 rpm.
The S500 used a 4-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
with chain drive
Chain drive
Chain drive is a way of transmitting mechanical power from one place to another. It is often used to convey power to the wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and motorcycles...
at the rear wheels. A four-wheel independent suspension
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
was also novel, with torsion bars in front and diagonal coilover
Coilover
A coilover is an automobile suspension device. "Coilover" is short for "coil spring over strut". It consists of a shock absorber with a coil spring encircling it. The shock absorber and spring are assembled as a unit prior to installation, and are replaced as a unit when the shock absorber has...
shock absorber
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
s at the rear.
The car was priced at $1,275 in 1963. An optional fiberglass hardtop
Hardtop
A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
was also available. 1,363 S500s were produced from October 1963 through September 1964.