Japan vs Japan — 1963 vs 1964
| S600 S800 | S600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 70 hp | 57 hp |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft | 38 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 791 cc | 606 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 13.5 sec | 13.0 sec |
| Top Speed | 100 mph | 90 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 19.0 sec | — |
| Weight | — | 1,620 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Length | 3,335 mm | 3,300 mm |
| Units Produced | — | 13,084 |
| Value (Excellent) | $80,000 | — |
| Collectibility | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Rarity | 8/10 | 5/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1963 Honda S600 S800 brings more power, higher top speed to the table, and the 1964 Honda S600 answers with quicker acceleration. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
Few model names carry as much weight as the Honda S600. The 1963 and 1964 iterations represent different chapters in this storied nameplate's history, each reflecting the priorities and technologies of its era. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1963 Honda S600 S800 producing 70 hp and the 1964 Honda S600 delivering 57 hp. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Honda S600 uses a Inline-4 DOHC 16V displacing 791 cc, while the Honda S600 relies on a Inline-4, DOHC with 606 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1964 Honda S600 edges ahead at 13.0 seconds versus 13.5 seconds. Each of these machines offers a unique window into the era that produced it, making both worthy of consideration by collectors and drivers alike.