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1964 Honda SM600

1964 Honda SM600 Photo Gallery
 

Honda Motor Company was already well known for its high-performance motorcycles in the early 1960s when company founder Soichiro Honda began developing prototypes for automobiles. Released in 1963, the S500 was Honda’s first production automobile. A sporty two-seat roadster that resembled British racers of the period, the S500’s 531-cc four cylinder engine and rear wheel chain drive were inspired by the company’s motorcycles. Only available in Japan and Europe, thus with right-hand steering, the S500 was packed full of high-tech complexity for its time. Nevertheless Honda debuted the much-improved S600 about three months later.

Legend has it that when Denny Hulme drove an S600 at Nurburgring, he passed 33 cars on the first lap.

The S600 was Honda’s first mass-marketed automobile, and the first to be made available in two versions, convertible and fastback coupe. Powered by a DOHC, water-cooled, in-line 4 cylinder engine with four carburetors, engine capacity was 606 cc, producing 57 hp that redlined between 9,500 to 11,000 rpm. Honda claimed that the S600 could go 0 to 60 mph in 17 seconds, reaching top speeds of over 90, enough to keep up with a Sprite, Spitfire or Elan. The engine was linked to a differential that ran a sealed roller chain drive set-up to each rear wheel, giving it virtual independent suspension.

Honda sold about 13,000 S600s until production ceased in 1966. Sadly, they were never officially imported to the U.S., though a few were brought over, mostly by military guys, who would have paid roughly $1800 U.S. for the car in Japan. Jay was incredibly lucky to run across his SM600 - the M indicating the upgrade package, including exclusive paint colors, and a “high tech” radio antenna in the passenger side sun visor, which doesn’t quite work. Although the car had already been restored, the team at Big Dog Garage decided to do a complete top to bottom restoration when it caught fire while Jay was driving it.

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