NSX,
S-model and the genealogy of HONDA SPORTSchecked
NSX,
S-model and the genealogy of HONDA SPORTSIt is especially difficult to translate this page into English. If you have difficulty understanding the writer's meaning, please E-mail me. Thank you.
What
is HONDA SPORTS ?This year, 1998, is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. Following HONDA's early success as a motorcycle manufacturer, HONDA's first foray into car manufacturing was a sportscar with a twincam engine of only 500cc, that was "like a watchmaker's work". I think this was a remarkable start. Before long HONDA mounted a challenge to the world of Formula-1 with an in-house built machine with a marvelous 1500cc V-12 engine. It is evident from this initial approach that HONDA is different to other run-of-the-mill car manufacturers, and although Honda has grown to be one of the world's major car makers the name 'HONDA SPORTS' still excites car enthusiasts, doesn't it ?
S-series, The foundation of HONDA SPORTSThe S-series debuted June 1962 at the meeting of "Association for All Japan Honda Dealers" at the still 'under construction' Suzuka Circuit. The S360 introduced there was mini sports car with 2 seats and an open roof , and became the standard for light-weight automobile. Soichiro Honda himself drove the car onto the main straight of the circuit. But this S360 was different from the model exhibited at that years auto-show, the S360 in Suzuka was a proto-type featuring a unique body made of FRP, another S360 shown at the auto-show was an example of the first production vehicle and pamphlets were released. These production cars had a steel body, featuring short a truncated tail resulting in a 3-meter body length as standard. At the same time another car was introduced, this was the S500 which had a more normal tail length as standard.
We were looking forward to S360 release, but the model Honda launched in Oct. 1963 was only the S500, and it appeared the same as the model we saw at the auto-show, equipped with an all aluminum DOHC 4-cylinders engine with two valves and slightly wider body work. The engine had grown to 531cc. Only three months later, surprisingly soon the S600 was launched on Jan. 1964. It seemed to clear up to criticism directed at the performance. Price was 509,000 yen (only 50,000 yen higher than S500). Unfortunately this price was approximately double the initial salary of a university graduate.
The 606cc engine produced 57ps, not inadequate when considered in comparison to the body size, speedometer ran to an indicated 145km/h........ S600 was a sales success and production was over 10,000. In 1965 coupe-type added as variation, had a unique roof design called fastback coupe and included a hatch. It was ahead of its time.
S-series was popular and active in entering motor-sports. Ikusawa, one of the most famous Japanese drivers, fought the battle called "legendary famous match" at Funabashi circuit for S600s in 1965. The next in the S-series evolution was the S800. With the bore expanded to 60mm, thin the block and longer stroke, the result was a 791cc engine, 70ps and max speed of 160km/h. S800 had joined the "100 miles an hour club".
Honda is well-known as an automobile maker improves designs often. One of the characteristic mechanisms was changed four months after the S800 was released. The chain drive axle, initially adopted because of the purpose of setting a spare tire in trunk space of the short cut tailed S360, was replaced by an ordinary live axle. I'll try to explain the chain drive mechanism briefly. The power was divided on right and left from differential housing, set further forward than usual, turning the chain in an oil-filled chain case, attached to the end of a short halfshaft, driving the wheels through reduction gears. We can see this mechanism in some prewar cars and some more recent motor scooters.
In '60s Japan was in a boom growth period, and the S800 was in production until 1970. But that was the era which symbolized the phrase "From violent to beautiful", and a backlash occurred because of this advanced growth. Pollution became a phenomenon of general concern. We could not drive a sportscar innocently. At that time, HONDA-SPORTS faded from view.
HONDA continued to develop as general automobile maker and learned by experience from the error of a sedan having an engine cooled by air, and released the new concept car "CIVIC". Everyone could drive this car energetically, but additional model named "RS" lacked impact for us. Many people thought RS meant "Road Sailing". Although originally it meant "Racing Sport", we could not say that at the time. The label "sports" revived by the CR-X as a derivative of the CIVIC. But it was named "ballad sports". I think that Honest craftsmen in HONDA realized the importance of a HONDA-SPORTS revival and so NSX debuted. in 1990.
Personal
theory about HONDA SPORTSA classic car does not mean an old car merely. We ought to realize that only S-series is called "the car of the fame" comparing with other Japanese car, because there is no recognized car as "classic" without S-series to Japanese car. I got S800 when I was nineteen years old. After that time I fell in love with this car. I have been enjoying two S including racing version for 25 years since I got it. I think fascination of S-series is caused by many minuteness in small body. I can feel the breathing of craftsman who made this car. HONDA craftsmen and I own HONDA SPORTS jointly.
I'll comment NSX. I am interested in how NSX succeed to HONDA SPORTS after 20 years blank. Body size is bigger very much and power is four times as strong as S. I cannot enjoy HONDA SPORTS immediately. I thing I cannot reach the truth of it by my skill. But I am confident that I can realize intimate relations of NSX and me associating with this car for a long time. Recently I feel My NSX talk to me something. Because NSX has already joined "the car of the fame".
Introducing
Nozomu Nasu
Born in Tokyo, 1953. I love cars or vehicles since I were child. I've read many special magazines from domestic or overseas. I spent my time to make plastic models and collect miniature cars in boyhood. I got S800M in 1973. I fell into enthusiast of S-series. I established Honda Twincam Club in 1976. I challenge to race in historic car category with S800 racing version. I work at publish company. I supervise "Mallory Park" that is a group planning about automobiles. I got NSX in 1995 and take charge of affairs.
This is an owner's club for S500, S600, S800 owners. Please browse this page.http://plaza3.mbn.or.jp/~htcchome/
