Jay Leno Reviews 1964 Honda S600 Frankenstein Rat Rod: Video - Top Speed
" He never says exactly how much he paid for it, but the words "dirt cheap" did come up. About the only thing he did to alter the look at all was to add a roll bar behind the driver’s seat. That driveshaft links to a BMW rear end, which in turn (by way of two more adapters) connects to a pair of Mazda Miata axle shafts. The chassis from the axle shafts out, including the front suspension, is almost pure Miata. As is the steering, and everything else that makes the car turn and stop. The only exceptions are the motorcycle front and rear shocks, which you’ll notice aren’t oriented vertically as in the Miata. That was probably mostly a concession to fitting them under the Honda’s short panels, but couldn’t have hurt handling response any. All in all then, this "Honda" might best be thought of as a Mazda Miata, only 30 percent smaller, with pushrod suspension and 50 percent more horsepower. Make that about 100 percent more horsepower, after the nitrous system Matt dropped in on top of the 160 horsepower he already had. Bench-racing then, this S600 should be good for about 4. 5 seconds to 60 mph, mid 12-second quarter-mile times and a 180-plus mph top speed. At least, 180 mph for anyone suicidal enough to try it in a car whose wheelbase is almost as short as its driver is tall. Source: www.topspeed.com
