Honda S600: the first mass-market Honda car and its chain-drive rear end

The Honda S600 is an automobile manufactured by Honda and launched in March 1964. It was available as a roadster resembling the Honda S500 and as a fastback coupe introduced in March 1965, making it the first Honda offered in two trim levels.

Honda S600 at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the S600.

History of the Honda S600

Engine and drivetrain

The S600 was powered by a DOHC water-cooled four-cylinder inline engine with four Keihin carburettors, enlarged to 606 cc from the S500’s 531 cc. It produced 57 hp at 8,500 rpm and gave a top speed of 90 mph. A four-speed manual transmission drove the rear wheels through a hypoid differential and chain final drives for each rear wheel, with each wheel driven by a single or dual chain depending on production date. The chains ran in pivoting, sealed cases with oil-bath lubrication and adjustable tensioners, and those cases served as trailing arms for a fully independent, coil-sprung rear suspension. The front suspension was also independent, with A-arms, longitudinal torsion bars and rack-and-pinion steering. The car had 13-inch wheels and finned aluminium drum brakes.

The first mass-market Honda

The S600 was the first mass-marketed Honda car. It was first offered only in right-hand drive but soon became available in left-hand drive for export markets; a few pre-production S500s were built in left-hand drive, with two or three shown in early sales brochures. The S600 was the first Honda car sold in Europe. It was never officially sold in the United States, though a small number were imported privately through Canada, Okinawa or Guam.

Trim levels

Both the roadster and the coupe were available in standard trim and with a special upgraded package. During production up to 1966 the styling stayed much the same, with the most notable changes to the front grille, bumper and headlights.

Design and features

• Chain final drives: one chain case per rear wheel, doubling as suspension arms.
• DOHC four with four carburettors: 606 cc and 57 hp at 8,500 rpm.
• Independent suspension: torsion bars at the front, coils at the rear.
• Aluminium drum brakes: finned for cooling.

Honda S600 versions

• S600 roadster (1964): the open car.
• S600 coupe (1965): the fastback, 15 kg heavier.
• Special package: the upgraded trim available on both bodies.

The S600 continued Honda’s 1960s roadster line and was followed by the Honda S2000 decades later; it also led to the N360. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.

Sources

• Honda S600, English Wikipedia: engine, drivetrain, suspension, markets, trims