The Honda S600 has arrived home

The seller was able to deliver

The builder had fit a Chevrolet V8 engine with triple carbs and a Ford 9″ rear axle when in high school back in 1977 or so. It looks like there wasn’t even room for a radiator so he didn’t fit one. I guess you could get away with that if you only used it on short trips. Jerry can for a tank. It would have been a bit of a death trap though as he tossed in this seat and a milk crate without bolting them down in anyway and it had the holes in the floor!

So I’ve got some cleaning to do obviously to see what I’m working with. The floors and trunk are mostly gone but oddly the actual body is very solid so far. Probably left in long, wet grass for a while. Some old beer bottles plus an old generator - probably not worth anything.

here is a fun size comparison.

For some reason this car looks like a full-size version of nearly every modified slot car I've ever seen (especially the old Thunderjets).

shame to see what was such a pretty car hacked up like that

Remember, it's safer to get thrown out in a crash.

Gruesome .

One redeeming feature of the past hack-job mods is that little "speedster" windscreen, which is kinda neat.

There's one for sale where I live but the guy wants 8000 for it and it needs everything. I like yours better!

What are your plans for it?

Bryce

Luke wrote: Gruesome . One redeeming feature of the past hack-job mods is that little "speedster" windscreen, which is kinda neat.

That looks like it was taken from a 1960's 14' boat.

OP, It is a project with a lot of possibilities and no matter what you do with it, noone can really claim that you messed up a classic. You can always blame that on the PO.

My plans? Probably toss in a simple rwd/4cyl drivetrain, give it some floors that sort of thing. Maybe a rwd Corolla, Chevette, etc. We'll see how it goes.

I took off the nasty hood blister tonight. I think it looks better. I realized the previous guy welded the rear right to the frame - no rear suspension what so ever - must have been a real handful. Looks like my Triumph Spitfire gas tank will work with the loss of some trunk space. My Datsun 210 radiator will not - too tall.

will miata suspension/drivetrain fit under it?

would be pretty baller if you could stuff a F20C under there...

There is a guy who made a Miata fit. He couldn't use the the subframe as is - too wide. Width is just over 50" at the rear.

The F20C does fit - others have done it. Doesn't fit my budget though.

here is our progress from yesterday. Mostly cleaning but still. My oldest boy helped out and I taught him how to drill out pop rivets. He also cleaned the windshield and fiberglass seat. I took out a whole yard bag full of dirt and plant debris from the interior.

The builder was fond of wood for making body panels. These were the "structural" ones holding up the plywood. It is gone to the trash now.

Even better there was stiff carpet acting as the trunk floor!

What was left of the steering wheel. There is several interesting articles online on how to make the wood ring. I might attempt it - we'll see as it looks like a lot of work.

here is one - http://www.mgexperience.net/article/diy-wood-steering-wheel-1.html

The trunk lid as well as many of the wood body panels. Some old beer bottles as well. There is an old Chevrolet generator tucked in there too.

Sorry for the poor photo. I've got the hood blister off. The stock hood was cut then bent upwards to hold the blister one.

I intend to fix and but will wait until I have my engine in as it may need a smaller and nicer blister. Does it look better or worse with it gone? :)

Check out the rear non-suspension - yes - just welded solid to the frame. With this + short wheelbase + Chevy V8 = wild ride back in the day! Definitely going to rework this.

It looks way better without the hood blister.

That hard-mounted rear end is amazing. I have never seen a car with no rear suspension.

Nashco wrote: What are your plans for it? Bryce

Why do I picture you sitting behind your computer screen, sqeezing your hands, with a very scary laugh?

From you, Bryce, that's a very interesting question I would ask you.

some kind of FWD hybrid, RWD trans axle project, maybe?

Oh, and powertrain wise- the recent showing on Top Gear UK theme- what about a motorcycle motor matched up to a RWD trans? Like the "Morgan" trike that Hammond had? That would be pretty darned appropriate....

alfadriver wrote: Why do I picture you sitting behind your computer screen, sqeezing your hands, with a very scary laugh?

Who....me...? I...um....noooooooo.

Nashco wrote: Who....me...? I...um....noooooooo.

Why are you guys calling that "thing" from the hood, a "blister"?

There was nothing "blister" like about it, that looked more like a full on malignant tumor! Thank you for getting rid of it!

Ahem.

EFI 13B up front.

944 transaxle in the rear.

Miata uprights and brakes all around.

Urine resistant paint in the floor pans.

dculberson wrote: That hard-mounted rear end is amazing. I have never seen a car with no rear suspension.

Go to a drag strip and look at all the dragsters and funny cars

What in the....

What in the....

That would be AWESOME with a Honda bike engine. A CBR600 mill would be quite fitting...though a VFR V4 would be too cool.

Also, it does look a lot better without the blister.

Not much time last night but the boy and I got car on jack stands and wheels off. There was a air pipe added to the front drums to deliver air in an attempt to cool them better I guess.

Front drum brakes - stock Honda S600. Rather stylish looking for drums.

The rear - I may have to modify the rear frame to add some clearance for suspension. It will be a crap job to get this axle separated from the frame.