This 1966 Honda S600 coupe was purchased new from Okinawa Honda Motor Co., Ltd. by a US serviceman, who imported the car into the United States following his deployment and drove it for about a decade. After a period in storage, the car was acquired in September 1983 by the selling dealer — Manchester Honda in Connecticut — via the dealership’s then-proprietor, and it has remained on showroom display ever since. Minor maintenance has been completed throughout the years, and work in preparation for the sale has included draining the fuel tank and freeing the brakes. The 606cc DOHC inline-four turns over but does not run, and carburetor service and additional sorting will be required prior to use. The accompanying parts car has been partially disassembled. Wearing an older repaint in red, this Honda S600 project is now offered by the selling dealer at no reserve as part of their Manchester Honda Collection with shop manuals, tools, records, a bill of sale for the parts car, and a clean 1970-issue Connecticut title for the project that lists the car as a 1967 model.
The Honda S600 was introduced in March 1964 in roadster form, and the fastback coupe emerged the following March. A total of 1,800 coupe examples were produced in total, and this one left the factory in 1966 as one of fewer than 300 built during the second and final production year.
The selling dealer believes that car was refinished in red in the early 1980s, though invoices describing the work do not exist. Lighting improvements in mid-2008 included wiring repairs, refurbishing the signal lamps, cleaning contacts and sockets, and replacing fuses. Imperfections are noted, including chips and scratches as well as pitting on the brightwork. The trunk weather seal has deteriorated.
The 13″ steel wheels have a silver finish and bright hubcaps, and they are mounted with older Bridgestone tires. Braking is provided by hydraulic drums at each corner, and the front brakes were freed up in preparation for the sale. The right-front wheel cylinder leaks. Factory components included a double-wishbone front suspension, independent rear trailing arms, and front and rear torsion bars.
Trimmed in black vinyl, the cabin houses a pair of bucket seats with red lap belts. Additional details include a glovebox, a pushbutton radio, a heater, a driver’s sun visor, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. The selling dealer suggests that the floor coverings may be replacements.
Denso instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, an 11k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 31k miles, and the selling dealer estimates that the car has travelled fewer than 100 miles since 1984. The ignition key has broken off in the ignition cylinder, though the selling dealer tells us that it still works.
The 606cc DOCH inline-four features quadruple Keihin carburetors and was capable of 9,500rpm when new. The unit does not currently run, though the selling dealer tells us that it turns over, has compression, and has spark. The fuel tank was drained in preparation for the sale, and recommended work includes overhauling the carburetors.
The engine is connected to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission and dual outboard chain-drive assemblies. The tailpipes were replaced approximately 20 years ago, and signs of corrosion on the undercarriage are noted by the selling dealer.
The accompanying parts car was also assembled in 1966, and it has been partially disassembled, including removal of the engine. The removed parts are said to have been stored indoors, but the remainder of the car has experienced prolonged outdoor storage, and the body suffers from corrosion.
Included materials are displayed in the gallery below.
The parts car does not have a title, and it is offered on a bill of sale only.