Honda S600
Encyclopedia
The Honda S600 is an automobile
manufactured by Honda
. It was launched in March 1964. It was the first Honda car to be offered in two versions: as a roadster
– bearing strong resemblance to the Honda S500
– and as a fastback
coupé
(called SM600), introduced in March 1965. During its production run up to 1966, the model styling would remain pretty much the same, with the most notable changes coming to the front grille
, bumper, and headlights.
Powered by a DOHC, water-cooled, four-cylinder inline engine
with four carburetor
s, the engine capacity was increased to 606 cc from the S500
's 531 cc. The engine produced 57 hp at 8,500 rpm and had a top speed of 90 mph (144.8 km/h). With the convertible weighing in at mere 1576 lb (714.9 kg), the extra sheet metal
of the coupe only added 33 lb (15 kg) to the overall weight. Suspension was independent with sealed roller chain
drive to each rear wheel.
The S600 was the first mass marketed Honda car. First offered only in right-hand drive, it soon became available in left-hand drive to appeal to export markets. (There were a few pre-production
S500s manufactured in left hand drive, two or three even being shown in some early sales brochures, but all production S500s were right-hand drive.)
Both the S600 roadster and coupé were available in standard trim and a special, upgraded package called the SM600 which included, among other items, special paint colors, exclusive badging, a standard radio and speaker, a special antenna in the passenger side sun visor, standard reversing lights, a standard cigarette lighter, a standard heater, better cushioned seats, and a detachable seat track for quick removal of the passenger seat.
Production of the S600 was much greater than that of its predecessor, the S500. In fact, of the three production engine sizes for the sports cars, the S600 had the highest figures.
Honda built 3,912 roadsters in 1964, with production climbing to 7,261 convertibles and 1,519 coupes in 1965. Production dropped off in 1966 (as they were shifting to the S800
) with only 111 roadsters and 281 coupes, giving tallies of 11,284 convertibles and 1,800 coupes for the 3 year span.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufactured by 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...
. It was launched in March 1964. It was the first Honda car to be offered in two versions: as a roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
– bearing strong resemblance to the Honda S500
Honda S500
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....
– and as a fastback
Fastback
A fastback is a car body style whose roofline slopes continuously down at the back. The word can also designate the car itself. The style is seen on two-door coupés as well as four-door sedans.-History:...
coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
(called SM600), introduced in March 1965. During its production run up to 1966, the model styling would remain pretty much the same, with the most notable changes coming to the front grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
, bumper, and headlights.
Powered by a DOHC, water-cooled, four-cylinder inline engine
Straight engine
Usually found in four- and six-cylinder configurations, the straight engine, or inline engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row, with no offset...
with four carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
s, the engine capacity was increased to 606 cc from the S500
Honda S500
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....
's 531 cc. The engine produced 57 hp at 8,500 rpm and had a top speed of 90 mph (144.8 km/h). With the convertible weighing in at mere 1576 lb (714.9 kg), the extra sheet metal
Sheet metal
Sheet metal is simply metal formed into thin and flat pieces. It is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking, and can be cut and bent into a variety of different shapes. Countless everyday objects are constructed of the material...
of the coupe only added 33 lb (15 kg) to the overall weight. Suspension was independent with sealed roller chain
Roller chain
Roller chain or bush roller chain is the type of chain drive most commonly used for transmission of mechanical power on many kinds of domestic, industrial and agricultural machinery, including conveyors, wire and tube drawing machines, printing presses, cars, motorcycles, and simple machines like...
drive to each rear wheel.
The S600 was the first mass marketed Honda car. First offered only in right-hand drive, it soon became available in left-hand drive to appeal to export markets. (There were a few pre-production
Pre-production car
Pre-production cars are vehicles that allow the automaker to find problems before a new model goes on sale to the public. Pre-production cars come after prototypes, or development mules which themselves are preceded by concept cars...
S500s manufactured in left hand drive, two or three even being shown in some early sales brochures, but all production S500s were right-hand drive.)
Both the S600 roadster and coupé were available in standard trim and a special, upgraded package called the SM600 which included, among other items, special paint colors, exclusive badging, a standard radio and speaker, a special antenna in the passenger side sun visor, standard reversing lights, a standard cigarette lighter, a standard heater, better cushioned seats, and a detachable seat track for quick removal of the passenger seat.
Production of the S600 was much greater than that of its predecessor, the S500. In fact, of the three production engine sizes for the sports cars, the S600 had the highest figures.
Honda built 3,912 roadsters in 1964, with production climbing to 7,261 convertibles and 1,519 coupes in 1965. Production dropped off in 1966 (as they were shifting to the S800
Honda S800
The S800 is a sports car from Honda. Introduced at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, the S800 would replace the successful Honda S600 as the company's image car and would compete with the Austin-Healey Sprite, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire and Fiat 850 Spider....
) with only 111 roadsters and 281 coupes, giving tallies of 11,284 convertibles and 1,800 coupes for the 3 year span.