| Honda S500 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1963–1964 1,363 produced |
| Assembly | Hamamatsu factory,[1]Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car Kei car |
| Body style | 2-doorroadster |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout |
| Related | Honda T500 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 531 cc DOHC I4[2] |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm (78.7 in) |
| Length | 3,300 mm (129.9 in) |
| Width | 1,430 mm (56.3 in) |
| Height | 1,200 mm (47.2 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Honda S600 |
TheHonda S500 was the second productioncar model manufactured byHonda (and its first passenger automobile), released in 1963, following theT360 truck into production by four months. It was a larger-displacement variant of theS360roadster which, though developed for sale in 1962, was never produced.
Like the S360, the S500 used a high-tech engine developed from Honda'smotorcycle expertise.[3] It was adual overhead camstraight-4 with fourKeihincarburetors and a 9500 rpm redline.[2] Originally intended to displace 492 cc, the production version was 531 cc and produced 44 hp (33 kW) at 8000 rpm.[2] At the time of its introduction, its dimensions and engine displacement were larger than establishedkei car regulations.
The S500 used a four-speedmanual transmission. A four-wheelindependent suspension was also novel, withtorsion bars at the front andchain-driven,coilover-sprung[2]trailing arms at the rear.
The car was priced at $1,275 in 1963. An optional fiberglasshardtop was also available. 1,363 S500s were produced from October 1963 through September 1964.
The S500 saw competitors during its introduction, such as theDatsun Fairlady, theToyota Sports 800, and theDaihatsu Compagno.
