The Honda S500 was Honda’s first mass produced car that was launched in 1963. Launched as a sporty styled two door fastback coupe its small size proved an instant hit with the Japanese Market.

Honda S600

Honda had plans to become as big in cars as they were in motorbikes so it is no surprise that the first Hondas featured a lot of technology borrowed from their motorbike division. Both the S500 and the S600 featured chain drive to the rear wheels. The S500 featured a 531 cc DOHC, in-line 4 cylinder engine with four carburetors that was increased to 606cc for the S600.

The S600 that was first released in 1964 was an improvement over the S500 that also saw the introduction of a Convertible. The S600 was also the first Honda car to be exported from Japan.  

The first exported Honda’s were not really well known for their quality and their quirky chain drive won few friends outside Japan, When the S600 was replaced by the S800 in 1966 the chain drive system was abandoned in favor for a traditional live rear axle.