Honda N600 Standard
The Honda N600 holds an outsized place in automotive history as the car that introduced Honda to the American automobile market. When this tiny, front-wheel-drive two-door sedan arrived in the United States in 1970, it was one of the smallest cars ever sold in America. Yet its air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, which revved with the enthusiasm of the motorcycle engines that Honda was famous for, hinted at the engineering philosophy that would eventually make Honda one of the world's most successful car manufacturers.
The N600's engine was a marvel of miniaturization. The air-cooled 598cc SOHC twin-cylinder unit produced 45 horsepower - a figure that required the engine to spin at 7,000 rpm to achieve. The engine's motorcycle heritage was evident in its willingness to rev, its chain-driven camshaft, and its characteristic buzzy exhaust note. Despite producing less power than most lawnmower engines by today's standards, the N600's minimal weight of just 483 kg meant it could keep pace with traffic and even surprise larger cars in city driving.
The N600 was designed as a kei car for the Japanese domestic market, where diminutive dimensions and tiny engines qualified for tax and insurance benefits. The car's engineering reflected Honda's philosophy of extracting maximum performance from minimum resources - the same approach that had made the company dominant in motorcycle racing. The front-wheel-drive layout maximized interior space, while the all-independent suspension provided handling that was far more sophisticated than the car's humble price tag suggested.
In America, the N600 was priced at just $1,295 - roughly half the price of a Volkswagen Beetle. While its tiny size and modest performance limited its appeal, it attracted attention from budget-conscious buyers and those fascinated by its technical novelty. Honda followed the N600 with the larger Civic in 1972, which was better suited to American driving conditions, but the N600 had served its purpose as Honda's American market beachhead.
The N600 also had a surprising motorsport career. In the Mini Enduro series and various grassroots racing events, the N600's light weight and willing engine made it competitive against cars with significantly larger engines. The car's front-wheel-drive layout and balanced handling provided a platform that rewarded driver skill over brute power.
Today, the Honda N600 is a charming and increasingly collectible piece of automotive history. Surviving examples are rare, particularly in good condition, and the car's significance as Honda's first American automobile gives it historical importance that transcends its humble specifications. The N600 demonstrated that Honda's engineering excellence was not limited to two-wheeled vehicles, and it launched an automotive empire that would eventually challenge the world's largest manufacturers.
Finding an N600 in good condition is the primary challenge. Check for rust throughout the body, which is common on surviving examples. The air-cooled twin-cylinder engine should run smoothly without excessive noise. The chain-driven camshaft requires regular adjustment. Check for oil leaks, which are common on older Honda engines. The 4-speed manual should shift cleanly. Parts availability is extremely limited - Honda enthusiast clubs are the best source. Matching numbers and original condition dramatically affect value.
The N600 was produced from 1967 to 1972. It was Honda's first car sold in North America, arriving in 1970. The Japanese-market N360 used a smaller 354cc engine to comply with kei car regulations; the N600 with its larger engine was the export version. Production was at Honda's Suzuka factory.