The car that put Honda on the map

by David Burrell Some might claim that Honda’s 1963 S500 sports car was its first non-commercial automobile.  In some ways, that’s right. ...

by David Burrell

Some might claim that Honda’s 1963 S500 sports car was its first non-commercial automobile. 

In some ways, that’s right.

But, the S500 only sold in Japan, and in small numbers: 1363.

The road car that really put Honda on the world stage, and made everyone take notice, debuted in March 1964, at the same time as the company announced its entry into Formula One.

And that car is the S600 roadster.

With styling based on the Austin Healy Sprite, Honda started with a blank sheet of paper when it came to the S600’s engineering and power plant.

Unlike other Japanese auto makers, such as Isuzu, Datsun and Hino, Honda had not been licenced to build copies of UK and European cars.

Its technical expertise came via motorcycles, which were taking America by storm in the early 1960s. 

That’s what made this first Honda such an intriguing car.

The S600 used a dual overhead cam, in-line four-cylinder engine to which four Keihin carburettors had been strapped.

At just 606cc and rated at 57bhp/42.5kW it revved to an impressive 8500 rpm, 

The engine’s crankshaft used needle bearings, a common practice on high-revving motorcycles.

The power reached the road via a four-speed manual transmission linked to two separate enclosed chains that drove the rear axles.

Up front the suspension was fully independent.

Coil springs and an anti-roll bar kept the rear off the ground.

Finned drums on all four wheels provided retardation.

The S600 was the first Honda car sold in Europe. 

It was also available in Australia and Canada.

However, Honda’s objective to sell in the USA was thwarted by the engine’s small size.

Early tests on San Francisco’s hills proved too challenging for the engine which lacked hill climbing torque.

Locally, Honda was not reticent in promoting the S600.

It gave one to top rating 1960’s Sydney radio personality Ward Austin to drive around in.

He and the yellow car were featured in the Woman’s Day magazine 

During its 1964 to 1966 production run Honda built 11,284 convertibles.

A fixed roof coupe joined the range in early 1965, selling 1800 examples.

Sales success eluded Honda in the USA until 1973 when its new Civic was launched at the same time as the first middle east oil supply crisis.

Well built and with an engine that met US clean air regulations without the need for a power sapping catalytic converter, the Civic was the right car at the right time.

Fifty years after the S600’s release Honda had built over 20 million cars in its USA factory.

David Burrell is the editor of retroautos

 

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