T INY DANCER

Reputedly, only seven, out of a production total of just over 11,000, Honda S600s were imported into New Zealand, and so the owner of this one was pleased when he found this project car. The condition was not great, but then the S600, which marked Honda’s entry into the mass-produced car market, is more than 50 years old now.

Made between 1964 and ’66, the little screamers were powered by a 600cc, fourcylinder, double-overhead-cam motor that sipped its fuel through four carburettors.

Honda’s motorcycle manufacturing experience can be seen in the use of aluminium in the gearbox casing and motor, right through to the engineering of the powertrain — from the little engine, which would rev to 11,000rpm, right through to the diff and chain final drive.

Even though this car had been repowered — with a rotary engine, no less — all the original bits and pieces were there with the car when its new owner purchased it. ‘Originality’ is the key word in this build, with all the parts being carefully either rebuilt or restored, and the car set to be returned to its original condition.

The completed gearbox is sitting on a bench ready to go back into the S600 once it is ready, while the chassis has been stripped ready for media blasting, and the body has been completely rebuilt and awaits its repaint. Even the original stipple paint finish on top of the floor seal has been reproduced.

Once completed, the car is going to look as it did the day it was brand new, even underneath its carpets.