Honda S800

Honda as a car manufacturer in the early 1960s was just like we would now report that Volkswagen is going to produce motorcycles ...

Japanese car industry

We switch back to mid 1955, the moment when the Japanese government unveiled a plan to rejoice the world with a 'volkswagen'. It had to be a four-seater who had to be able to reach 100 kilometers at top speed and the consumer could not cost more than 150 Yen. A challenge for the Japanese industry and in October 1955 was introduced to the Suzuki Suzulight and in only 1958 the Subaru 360.

Honda S360

Honda hired an extra 1957 engineers who had to work on 'a car' in a newly built workshop in 1958 and 1963. Honda's big boss Soichiro was somewhat reluctant and had to make sure that 'his car' would succeed on all fronts. Prototypes were built, extensive test programs were completed. Honda's first car was the T360 introduced in June 100. No, not a four-seater, not a 'Volkswagen', but one that could reach 250 kilometers per hour. It was a pickup, which was only available in an unstable, light blue color. As a drive, the AK356 four-cylinder power unit with double overhead camshaft and a displacement of 30 cm, good for 8.500 hp at 5 rpm! However, on June 360 the year before, senior management and a selected group of Honda dealers at the Suzuka circuit had already been able to get to know the SXNUMX, an 'open' sports car that also contained that engine. Despite the cheering mood, that little thing never went into production.

Honda S500

Four months after the pickup production ran smoothly, it arrived out-of-the-blue suddenly the Honda S500 in the picture. Ready for production. The trolley was initially equipped with a water-cooled 492 cm four-pits with double overhead camshaft, which could be powered by four carburetors at 9.500 revolutions per minute, but was soon replaced by the same engine with a capacity of 531 cm revving at 8.000 revolutions. delivered 44 hp to the asphalt per minute. With a curb weight of 680 kilograms it was possible to achieve a top speed of 130 real kilometers per hour. The driver had four manual gears at his disposal, the rear axle was driven by a chain and therefore no differential ...! From October 1963 until the end of September 1964 only 1.363 units were built.

Honda S600

Direct competitors (?) Were the Datsun Fairlady, the Toyota Sports 800 and the Daihatsy Compagno. In March 1964 the world was introduced to the successor ... the S600, which was available as a convertible, but also as a beautiful fastback coupe. The engine capacity was meanwhile screwed up to 606 cm which is still equipped with four carburetors that was good for 57 hp and a top of 140 kilometers per hour. The first mass produced Honda automobile was delivered from 1964 to mid 1966 11.284 times as a cabriolet and 1.800 times as a coupé.

Honda S800

The Honda S800 came into view. For the first time to be seen at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1965 they had good hope with this the Austin-Healey Sprite, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire and Fiat 850 Spider on sales figures to be able to beat ... Despite the fact that the Honda S800 - initially still with 'chain drive' - was named the fastest production sports car under the 1.000 cm, it was not possible. Beginning 1966, the Honda S800 became available. After only 11.536 copies, in May 1970 fell the curtain for the Honda convertible and the world would have to wait thirty years for the next Honda convertible. That became the S2000 that came on the market in 2000. Therefore, a Honda S500, S600 and a S800 is an extremely rare and in any case very special car. Produced in small numbers, 'discovered' too late, plagued by parts scarcity and natural rust. In the 1960s, an engine that could run more than 7.000 revolutions per minute in a 'normal' production car was at least as rare as the manure of a rocking horse, the teeth of a chicken!