Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion - My 1965 Honda SM600 Coupe

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My 1965 Honda SM600 Coupe

Hello everyone!

I thought I would post some photos up of my 1965 Honda SM600 Coupe and hopefully update throughout the minor restoration stages. I bought it from a lady that owned it for 27 years. She was driving it up untill 2001 then it sat under her carport. I spent a good two months deciding whether to buy it. The deal was done in April, and the keys were handed over. It starts up great, however needs a really good tune etc as it can't rev past 5k when driving. Still needs a lot of work on odd things here and there but hopefully will be on the roads shortly.

Here are a few photos. The photos where taken a few days after I bought it. I apologise for the large photos!

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030822.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030821.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030827.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030825.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030839.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030838.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030845.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030844.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030847.jpg

https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1030866.jpg

Modified by Ztlohmak at 9:10 PM 7/2/2007

Re: My 1966 Honda SM600 Coupe (Ztlohmak)

beautiful https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif was it resprayed or am i just seeing things in the last pic ?? it looks like there is over spray on the muffler tips

i really like how the tailights are half and half like that https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif

Re: My 1966 Honda SM600 Coupe (phatboycrxhf)

Love the coupe version..

Re: My 1966 Honda SM600 Coupe (Ztlohmak)

What a beautiful car, and such a rare one. Only 281 S600 coupes were made in 1966, and of those, I can only imagine how many were given the "SM" badging. I thought reverse lights were standard on the SM's, maybe someone removed them at some point in it's life?

Re: My 1966 Honda SM600 Coupe (Ztlohmak)

i love this section of the forums. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

anything done to the car, as far as restoration work, some refurbing?

Re: My 1966 Honda SM600 Coupe (doublethink)

I just noticed this section since I havent been here in a while. Your car is HOT! Very clean and rare

That car is very nice.

such an elegant design, the long hood to the rear hatch style cabin.

really awesome good luck on the restore

very very nice, curious, how much you pay for that thing.

Thanks for all your comments!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phatboycrxhf »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">beautiful was it resprayed or am i just seeing things in the last pic ?? it looks like there is over spray on the muffler tips

i really like how the tailights are half and half like that </TD></TR></TABLE>

You are correct about it being resprayed and the over spray on the muffler tips. Who ever did the paint, did not do a great job I have to admit. On the underside of the hood - the paint is all cracked. But hopefully when the money comes around after I get the engine running smoothly I can start thinking about the body work.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublethink »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i love this section of the forums.

anything done to the car, as far as restoration work, some refurbing?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I took the Master Clutch and Brake Cyclinders and the Clutch Slave away to get refurbished.
https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1040130.jpg
https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1040132.jpg

I recently freshened up the wheels, gave them a coat of paint.
https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1040127.jpg

Coated the spare tyre carrier with rust converter and painted it with gloss black to protect from further rust - Temporary solution as its under the car...no one can see it https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif
https://i189.photobucket.com/albums/...k/P1040129.jpg

I had a problem with the brake pedal sticking right down...its a good thing if you don't want the car to move. I pulled the pedal assembly down and took it all apart. The pedal shaft was covered in a thick grime. Used a wire brush drill attachment, came up looking brand new. Works like a treat now.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smithenhiven »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What a beautiful car, and such a rare one. Only 281 S600 coupes were made in 1966, and of those, I can only imagine how many were given the "SM" badging. I thought reverse lights were standard on the SM's, maybe someone removed them at some point in it's life? </TD></TR></TABLE>

The second owner attached some reverse lights to the rear bumper, as they couldn't get a roadworthy without them (You can see them in the photos). Other then that, I really don't know. I read from http://www.hondas600.com that the SMs included, special paint colors, exclusive badging, a standard radio and speaker, a special antenna in the passenger side sun visor, standard reversing lights, a standard cigarette lighter, a standard heater, better cushioned seats, and a detachable seat track for quick removal of the passenger seat.

My car however doesnt have
* Reversing lights
* cigarette lighter
* detachable seat track for quick removal (not that I can see anyway),
* and heater? (Not that its needed in our weather)

It does have
* SM badging
* Standard Radio and Speaker
* Adjustable antenna that can be raised and lowered by a switch next to the radio.
* Better cushioned seats? (No idea. I wouldn't know the difference.)

I'm only a Honda newbie. I have so much to learn about these cars. It's going to be good fun experience, I hope.

nice, glad to see you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty.

im curious and its hard to tell in the pictures, how long is the wheelbase of this car, is it tiny?

Re: (doublethink)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublethink »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice, glad to see you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty.

im curious and its hard to tell in the pictures, how long is the wheelbase of this car, is it tiny?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The Wheelbase is 2000 mm (79 in). https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmileo.gif

Getting your hands dirty is the fun part https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif

I hope to own one of these some day. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ztlohmak »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The second owner attached some reverse lights to the rear bumper, as they couldn't get a roadworthy without them (You can see them in the photos). Other then that, I really don't know. I read from http://www.hondas600.com that the SMs included, special paint colors, exclusive badging, a standard radio and speaker, a special antenna in the passenger side sun visor, standard reversing lights, a standard cigarette lighter, a standard heater, better cushioned seats, and a detachable seat track for quick removal of the passenger seat.

My car however doesnt have
* Reversing lights
* cigarette lighter
* detachable seat track for quick removal (not that I can see anyway),
* and heater? (Not that its needed in our weather)

It does have
* SM badging
* Standard Radio and Speaker
* Adjustable antenna that can be raised and lowered by a switch next to the radio.
* Better cushioned seats? (No idea. I wouldn't know the difference.)

I'm only a Honda newbie. I have so much to learn about these cars. It's going to be good fun experience, I hope.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hope it's not a "regular" s600 badged as an SM then (although the "SM" parts that your car is missing could have easily been removed/replaced/changed throughout it's life, so it very well may be an SM just missing those things). The sad thing about these cars, there's no real way to tell through the VIN, or any other means if it's a true SM or not. But that's all minor details, the car speaks for itself, and it's absolutely beautiful.

One thing I was curious about though, are you absolutely sure it's a 1966 model (does your VIN coincide with the 66 VIN span?)? Some 65 cars never got sold in the year 65, so they'd stay on the lot and get sold in 66, where some dealers would title them as 66's since that's the year they were sold. There's alot more cars out there titled as 66's than there actually are 66 S600's. But I'm hoping it's a true 66 car.

Re: (smithenhiven)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smithenhiven »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I hope it's not a "regular" s600 badged as an SM then (although the "SM" parts that your car is missing could have easily been removed/replaced/changed throughout it's life, so it very well may be an SM just missing those things). The sad thing about these cars, there's no real way to tell through the VIN, or any other means if it's a true SM or not. But that's all minor details, the car speaks for itself, and it's absolutely beautiful.

One thing I was curious about though, are you absolutely sure it's a 1966 model (does your VIN coincide with the 66 VIN span?)? Some 65 cars never got sold in the year 65, so they'd stay on the lot and get sold in 66, where some dealers would title them as 66's since that's the year they were sold. There's alot more cars out there titled as 66's than there actually are 66 S600's. But I'm hoping it's a true 66 car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ah ok, How do I find out that information of what number 1966 Vin span started and ended.

Modified by Ztlohmak at 5:26 PM 7/2/2007

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ztlohmak »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ah ok, How do I find out that information of what number 1966 Vin span started and ended.

Modified by Ztlohmak at 5:26 PM 7/2/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

Here's the VIN span for the 1966 S600's.

Roadsters:
AS2851009275 to 1009384

Coupes:
AS285C1001540 to 1001821

Hopefully yours falls within that VIN range. If it doesn't, it'll be a 65 that falls within this range:

1965 Coupes:
AS285C1000020 to 1001539. Still rare no matter what way you look at it, it's either 1 of 281, or one of 1,519 made.

Actually, if it is a 66, it'll be one of 280 (or less), because 66 Coupe number 1716 is confirmed dead, I found it's vin tag in a batch of parts I bought https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

Do you need a copy of the Shop manual and/or Part manual? I have both on CD, and it would be no problem for me to make a copy for you, just pay for postage.

Jason.

Re: (smithenhiven)

My car falls under the 1965 category AS285C1000020 to 1001539. Now it has been confirmed I have a beautiful 1965. I feel like telling the owner of 27 years they actually had a 1965. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif. I wonder out of the 1800 coupes, how many still remain.

Is it possible to edit the title of the thread?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ztlohmak »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Is it possible to edit the title of the thread?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Done https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: (smithenhiven)

Check out what I just found, two rubber flex joints at a decent price:

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co...62072

Re: (smithenhiven)

That is a decent price, thats around $145 AUD. I will definitly keep an eye on them. If I remember correctly the other website had them for $195 AUD each ($390 for both). So if they stay below $390 its a good price...I guess you could say. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif

I'm getting an education in here. Never even knew these things existed.

very clean. i love it

Re: (burnitdown)

https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmileo.gif wow. I never seen nore heard of the coupe before. Considering its in pretty good condition how much did you pay for it? If you don't want to tell thats cool I'm just curious before I'm really starting to get the bug for these old classic cars.