Honda began life as a company making motorcycles after World War II. Japan needed something small, cheap, and reliable to get around, and motorcycles fit the bill well. Soichiro Honda saw the market opening up for automobiles, though, and ventured out into four-wheeled transportation with the T360 kei truck. “Kei” is a class of car for ultra-tiny vehicles in Japan. Honda branched out and gave us the S500 roadster, which still today gives some of the best exhaust notes money can buy. This, the Z600, came just before the iconic Civic and helped put Honda on the map. You can find a pair here on craigslist.
Neither of them are in fantastic condition. One looks like it was maybe silver at one point, and the other looks like it was a festive shade of yellow. These cars, when properly restored, are a head-turner, and that yellow paint doesn’t hurt its curb appeal. Under the hood, assuming these are US-market cars, you’ll find a 598cc inline two-cylinder engine producing just 36 horsepower. It only weighs 1,300 pounds, though, so that 36 horsepower is probably more than enough. Once you get either of them running, of course.
Inside is not much better than the outside. The upholstery and weatherstripping both are all but gone, there’s a good coat of rust visible on the gearshift, and there’s a thick coat of dust and grime on just about every surface. These are project cars; don’t expect them to be show-worthy right out of the gate. The plus side is: I’m not noticing any structural rust around the windows or doorsills, all of the glass and trim pieces seem to be present, and they aren’t exactly complex or large machines–they can be worked on fairly easily.
Honestly, with the price of used Hondas being confusing as of late, a pair of kei cars significant to Honda’s history as a car manufacturer for less than the cost of your average EK Civic is a fantastic deal. Especially since you can probably cobble together one working Z600 out of the two donors. Parts car and a driver, both projects. When the world is full of people driving classic Corvettes, you could do worse than a bright yellow Honda kei car powered by a motorcycle engine. That’s guaranteed to turn a few heads.
The original ‘Smart’ car. (And you couldn’t pay me to ride in either.)
I remember looking into this car in 1973 … its, on the lot, sticker price was `1600$ … it was this or the Vega … I made the wrong choice.
Not a “motorcycle engine”! While it shared some design features with one, it was a purpose built car unit. What Honda motorcycle engine has fan-forced air cooling, a differential and “H” shift pattern?
Fun, if a bit flimsy little cars. Bought mine from a salvage yard and resurrected it. Back then (1987) one could still buy parts at the dealer for them. Mine topped out at 70 mph and averaged 50 mpg.
Sure was nice they took the time to give them a quick wash and tire pump, but they’ll need to come up with more dough if they want them removed from their property
I bought a nice one of these a while back. Right next to it in the same garage was an outrageous full custom Cadillac lowrider. The seller made me a deal I couldn’t refuse and I bought both cars. The Caddy was resold to a TV/movie props business, and I was shocked to see it featured in this commercial for Progressive Insurance: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7v7u/progressive-name-your-price-tool-swag
Sweet. Does your little Honda run/drive?
I remember when these cars hit the Oldsmobile dealership that my parents dealt with; I was about 14. We took a ride with a sales guy, who said they had “basically motorcycle engines”, so of course then I thought they were extra cool.
Looks like two parts cars to me. I don’t think you could cobble together a full car between the two of them.
Those knobby tires are a first for me.
What are you supposed to do with them, trail ride?
Tractor tires are probably easier to find than tiny, little passenger car tires.
I think the tires were 12″? My CVCC Civic had 12″ers. Tired most likely unobtainable any longer. Put Hayabusa motors in them!
Tires were 10″ just like the original Mini. My friend sold Z600s at a Chevrolet dealership. Out the door price was $1967 with tax and all fees. Quaker State offered a 50,000 warranty if you had all oil changes done with their products.
I didn’t buy, as I wanted a Mercury Capri,(German Ford) V6 4 speed. I kept it a year until someone made me an offer. I then bought a used orange Z600. Wipers were great for the passenger; as they still had the right hand drive orientation. Owner’s manual said one should ” Tootle one’s horn trumpet at pedestrians.” These were not as tinny as the first generation Civics. The first Civics evaporated in the Ohio salt..
My wife had one when we met. My wife was religious about buckling up in that car and used to nag me to as well as she was afraid in even a minor fender bender we would die. I remember digging out the belts in my 71 pontiac catalina before the first time she rode in it. Funny thing was she had no interest in belting up in my land yacht and snickered when i fastened mine so behind the seat they went. That was great cars we got many years and miles out of it trouble free until the earth reclaimed it.
Located in Stockton, CA