Honda S600 If you and I were strolling through a peaceful neighbourhood early in the morning, the sun barely stretching across the pavement, and a small, sparkling red roadster pulled up beside us with a soft purr, I guarantee your head would turn. Not because it’s loud, intimidating, or monstrous — but because it carries an aura that modern machines can’t replicate. That little gem would be the Honda S600, a car that looks like it’s smiling at you, inviting you for one more drive, one more memory, one more story.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Honda S600 |
| Production Years | 1964–1966 |
| Engine | 606 cc Inline-4 (dual overhead cam, 4 carburetors) |
| Power | 57 hp at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 52 Nm at 5,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Top Speed | 145 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | Approx. 12–14 seconds (period estimate) |
| Weight | Around 715 kg |
| Chassis | Steel ladder-frame |
| Suspension | Independent torsion bar (front), chain drive with trailing arms (rear) |
| Variants | Convertible, Coupe |
| Fuel Economy | 12–15 km/l (real-world classic driving) |
| Seating | 2-seater roadster |
| Brakes | Drum (early), disc/drum (later updates) |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm |
There are cars you admire from a distance, and then there are cars you feel the moment you sit inside. The Honda S600 falls firmly into the second category. It doesn’t need theatrics to win your heart. It doesn’t need massive horsepower or aggressive styling. All it needs is a stretch of open road, clear weather, and a driver willing to appreciate the magic of simplicity. For a machine born in the 1960s, the Honda S600 still carries a freshness that surprises you — like a song from a different era that somehow never went out of fashion.
Exterior: A Classic Smile Frozen in Metal
There is something disarming about the way the Honda S600 looks. It’s small, sure, but it carries the charm of a vintage watch — precise, elegant, and full of character. The front fascia is where the magic begins. The rounded headlamps sit like a pair of bright eyes, giving the car a friendly, almost playful expression. The grille is minimal but purposeful, with chrome surrounds that glisten under sunlight.
The body lines are smooth and honest, like the designers carved it by hand while listening to jazz. It’s a car that doesn’t try to look aggressive or fierce. Instead, it looks welcoming, curious, alive. Step around the side and you notice how compact it really is — almost like the roadster equivalent of a mischievous puppy ready to sprint.
The convertible soft top folds neatly, giving the Honda S600 the perfect roadster silhouette. Whether you look at it from the front, the side, or the rear, it carries a harmonious balance that modern sports cars often struggle to achieve. Everything feels intentional. Everything feels human.
The rear is short, tight, and beautifully sculpted. The small tail lamps and chrome bumper finish the look with a hint of European inspiration — no surprise, as Honda wanted this car to appeal to Western markets. In many ways, the Honda S600 looks like the child of a classic British roadster and Japanese precision engineering. It’s adorable, but never childish; elegant, but never pretentious.
Interior: Simplicity Woven with Purpose
Step inside and the cabin makes you smile before you even touch anything. The Honda S600 interior is a time capsule, but one that still feels perfect even today. There is no excess, no distraction — just a driver, a passenger, a steering wheel, and a promise of joy.
The thin-rimmed steering wheel fits your hands like it was built specifically for them. The long, slender gear lever stands proudly, ready for your next shift. The seats are simple but surprisingly supportive, holding you firmly even as the car dances around corners. The dashboard is clean and analogue, featuring gauges that look like they belong on a vintage aircraft.
Everything is designed to feel mechanical, tactile, and direct. You don’t scroll through menus. You don’t search for features. You don’t fight the car. You just drive — and the Honda S600 becomes an extension of your body.
The cabin isn’t big, and it isn’t covered in luxury materials. But what it offers is priceless: a feeling of presence. You are not insulated from the world. You are connected to it. The wind touches you. The engine speaks to you. The road whispers through the steering column. It is pure, delightful minimalism.
Features and Tech: The Magic Is in the Mechanics
In an era where cars practically run on software, the Honda S600 is refreshingly mechanical. The features list is short, but what it lacks in gadgets, it makes up for in engineering soul.
The highlight is the chain-drive rear axle system — a genius piece of engineering where each rear wheel is driven by its own chain enclosed in an oil bath. This unusual setup provides superb power delivery and helped keep the car’s rear independent suspension light and responsive.
The dual overhead cam engine is another marvel. For a tiny 606 cc motor, producing 57 hp at 8,500 rpm was nothing short of mind-blowing in the 1960s. Even today, that high-revving character feels special.
There’s no infotainment, no cruise control, and certainly no digital displays. Instead, the tech is in the precision tuning, the featherlight chassis, and the unmatched sense of involvement.
Engine: A High-Revving Symphony
The true heart of the Honda S600 is its engine — a small but fiery 606 cc inline-4 that behaves less like a conventional road car motor and more like a miniature motorcycle engine. This is unsurprising, considering Honda’s background in racing and motorcycles during that era.
The engine loves to rev. It doesn’t come alive until you cross 4,000 rpm, it starts singing at 6,000 rpm, and it feels euphoric all the way to its astonishing 9,500 rpm redline. The sound is pure mechanical music — a crisp, lively buzz that feels like a celebration every time you shift gears.
It’s not about raw power. It’s about thrill, character, and sensation. Driving a Honda S600 is like playing a string instrument — every rev, every shift, every input feels like you’re part of a beautifully crafted performance.
On modern highways, it may not outrun many cars, but that’s not the point. The joy comes from the journey, the engagement, the laughter that escapes your mouth when you push it through a winding stretch.
Driving Dynamics: A Light, Playful Dance
The Honda S600 feels like a feather on wheels. Its lightweight chassis and independent suspension give it handling that surprises you every single time. You don’t steer it — you guide it with your fingertips. The response is immediate, honest, and refreshing.
Through corners, the car feels like it has a mischievous personality. It wants to turn. It wants to play. It wants you to smile. The steering is direct, the feedback is clear, and the balance is beautifully natural.
Modern cars grip the road with brute force. The Honda S600 grips it with finesse. The dance between throttle, steering, and road unfolds with elegance, making every drive feel like a personal conversation between car and driver.
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Despite its age, the car remains surprisingly composed. The chain-drive rear suspension, though unconventional, delivers a uniquely smooth and agile feel. You learn to trust it quickly — and once you do, the car rewards you with confidence.
Comfort: Raw but Real
You don’t sit in a Honda S600 expecting plush lounges or pillow-soft cushioning. What you get instead is a raw, honest driving position that keeps you deeply connected to everything around you. The seats are comfortable, the driving posture is natural, and the suspension is firm but friendly.
The cabin is noisy, the wind is loud, and the engine hums like a little rocket — but that is the charm. The noise is not a disturbance. It is a soundtrack. The vibrations are not flaws. They are feelings.
Driving the Honda S600 for long distances feels like going on a nostalgic adventure. It’s comfortable enough to keep you going, and engaging enough to keep you excited.
Safety: Basic but Trustworthy
The Honda S600 comes from a time when safety meant strong metal, smart engineering, and attentive driving. There are no airbags, no ABS, and no driver aids. Instead, you get predictability, control, and a lightweight structure that behaves exactly the way you expect it to.
It rewards careful driving and punishes carelessness — but in a way that feels fair. The car encourages you to respect the road, observe your surroundings, and drive with intention.
Price and Ownership Experience: A Classic Worth Loving
Owning a Honda S600 today is like owning a piece of living history. Prices vary depending on condition, but classic car enthusiasts know its true value isn’t measured in money.
It’s measured in smiles.
It’s measured in weekends where you take the roof down and rediscover the joy of simple driving.
It’s measured in the crowd that gathers wherever you park it — not out of admiration for a flashy badge, but out of genuine curiosity and affection.
Maintenance requires care, but parts availability is surprisingly good because of Honda’s global community. Once restored, the car is reliable, fun, and utterly lovable.
Verdict
The Honda S600 proves something that many modern cars tend to forget: speed is fun, but sensation is unforgettable. Power is exciting, but personality is timeless. And design matters, but spirit matters more.
This car isn’t about winning races or dominating highways. It’s about reminding you why driving matters. It’s about giving you a reason to wake up early on a Sunday just to take the long way home.
If you want a machine that makes you feel alive — not with brute force, but with delicate charm — the Honda S600 is one of the best driver’s cars ever created.
FAQs
Is the Honda S600 still fun to drive today?
Absolutely. Its lightweight design, high-revving engine, and playful handling make it delightful even by modern standards.
Is the Honda S600 reliable?
With proper maintenance and good restoration, yes. Honda’s engineering from that era was remarkably solid.
Is the Honda S600 a good collector’s car?
Yes, it is highly desirable among classic enthusiasts due to its rarity, charm, and historical value.
What makes the Honda S600 unique?
Its chain-drive rear axle, motorcycle-inspired high-revving engine, and beautifully compact design set it apart from every other roadster of its time.
Can the Honda S600 be used regularly?
It can be driven often, but it’s best treated as a classic weekend car to preserve its condition.