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Honda S600 - high-speed bonsai sports car from Japan

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Created on August 28, 2011

Reading time 6min

Written by:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Balz Schreier

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Bruno von Rotz

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Archiv

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Balz Schreier

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Bruno von Rotz

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Archiv

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Die Front erinnert an Fabrikate aus England

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Mit nur 1,4 Meter Breite kommt man überall durch

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Hübsche Erscheinung

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Relativ schmuckloses Heck

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Kompakter Sportwagen mit 3,3 Metern Länge und 1,4 Metern Breite

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Honda-Schriftzug auf dem Heckdeckel

Bild von Partner Planai Classic 2025 Inline 1

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Sportrückspiegel und Markenschriftzug

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Raddeckel im Stil der Sechzigerjahre

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Stahlfelgen mit Radkappen beim S 600

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Zweiflutige Auspuffanlage

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Den S 600 gab es als Cabrio und als Coupé

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Gute Platzverhältnisse für den Piloten

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Die Hand fällt automatisch auf den kleinen Schalthebel

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Die wichtigsten Instrumente immer im Blick

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Roter Bereich ab 9'500 Umdrehungen, beim Fahren ist man nur allzuoft in diesen Regionen

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Drehzahlmesser bis 11'000 Umdrehungen - wo sonst gab es das in den Sechzigerjahren

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Zusatzschalter im Sechzigerjahre-Stil

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Der aufwändig Gebaute Doppel-Nockenwellen-Vierzylinder von der Seite gesehen

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Der Motor dreht bis 9'500 Umdrehungen und höher

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Kleine Landstrassen sind die ideale Umgebung für den kleinen Honda

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Platz für Zwei

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Viel Chrom im Frontbereich

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Titelbild einer Verkaufsbroschüre von 1966

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Honda S 600 (1966) - der Wagen für den modernen Business-Man

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Cabrio mit mehr Fahrspass - Werbeaufnahme aus einer Verkaufsbroschüre von 1966

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Honda S 600 (1966) - viel Platz im Kofferraum - Werbeaufnahme aus einer Verkaufsbroschüre von 1966

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Titelbild einer Verkaufsbroschüre von 1966

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Bild aus einer Broschüre von 1966

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Honda S 600 (1965) - auch die Dame scheint sich an diesem Cabrio bei einer Ausstellung zu freuen

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Strichzeichnung des kleinen Sportwagens

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Honda S 600 (1965) - Profilaufnahme

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Werbeaufnahme

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Honda S 600 (1965) - Werbeaufnahme vom Coupé

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Honda S 600 (1965) - Werksaufnahme von 1965

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Honda S 600 (1966) - ideales Auto für junge Paare

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Honda S 600 (1966) - macht wohl glücklich

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Honda S 600 (1966) - ob es ein Hochzeitsgeschenk war

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Honda S 600 (1966) - scheut sich vor dem Winter nicht

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Honda S 600 (1965) - Armaturenbrett eines Ausstellungsfahrzeugs

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Tarzan und Jane im Honda S 600

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Honda S 600 (1966) - Blick in den Motorraum

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Honda S 600 (1966) - auch im Winter und mit Skiern auf dem Dach praktisch, das Coupé

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Summary

In 1965, the small Honda S600 sports car made its first appearance in Europe and was unveiled in Frankfurt. As a convertible, hardtop convertible or coupé, the Honda demanded high revs and correspondingly noise-tolerant owners. Those who were not afraid to demand 8,000 rpm and more from the engine made smooth progress, as racing successes in the small displacement classes proved. Today, the S600s are among the absolute rarities and are traded at correspondingly high prices. Our report tells of current driving experiences, the history of these sports cars and the technology used.

This article contains the following chapters

Entry into sports car construction in 1962
Small and light
High liter output
Revs, revs
Loud but hearty
Inspiration from motorcycle and racing car construction
Nevertheless, stable and durable
Impressive driving performance ...
... and an "accidental" class record
And today?
Not a special offer
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

You feel like you're in a racing car when you drive the ultra-compact Honda S600 at speeds of over 8,000 rpm and rush from bend to bend. The fact that the performance is no longer record-breaking from a 21st century perspective and the drive via chain to the rear wheels is more reminiscent of pre-war vintage cars does not detract from the enjoyment. Honda surprised everyone at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show with a small sports car that was delivered with an engine of 356 cm3 and 34 SAE hp or 492 cm3 and 40 SAE hp (at 9,000 rpm). In addition to the racing car-like revs and the modern overall design, the idea of transferring the power to the rear wheels by chain was particularly astonishing.

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