1964 Honda SM600

[Morris Minor]

Seems a few reasons for the rear suspension. It's gets the (heavy) diff closer to the center of the car - better weight distribution and a shorter drive shaft (important for 9,500 rpm red line). It also affords independent suspension and constant camber articulation at that (but not sure if latter is an advantage).

Looks like a lot of unsprung weight.

[hotrodalex]

Looks like a lot of unsprung weight.

I believe the axle/differential housing is sprung weight and half of the chain housings are also sprung.

[FoMoJo]

I believe the axle/differential housing is sprung weight and half of the chain housings are also sprung.

Makes sense...



I would wonder about the stress on the sideways chain housings during severe cornering.

[FoMoJo]

Seems a few reasons for the rear suspension. It's gets the (heavy) diff closer to the center of the car - better weight distribution and a shorter drive shaft (important for 9,500 rpm red line). It also affords independent suspension and constant camber articulation at that (but not sure if latter is an advantage).

I'd think that more weight to the rear would make for better balance.

[Soup DeVille]

I'd think that more weight to the rear would make for better balance.

Car that small, weight of the driver makes a big difference.

[FoMoJo]

Car that small, weight of the driver makes a big difference.

Good point.  Looks like they'd be sitting on top of the rear axle.

[280Z Turbo]

Makes me want an S2000 even more.

Too bad they have tragically high prices.

[Morris Minor]

Too bad they have tragically high prices.

A colleague of mine had an S2000 & got rid of it after a year. It was not a good choice for rush hour commuting in big city traffic.

[280Z Turbo]

A colleague of mine had an S2000 & got rid of it after a year. It was not a good choice for rush hour commuting in big city traffic.

Nothing is good for that.

[Rich]

Thanks Morris for posting that. That sound. Mmmm mmm

[Morris Minor]

Nothing is good for that.

For the commute: deadly dull hybrid appliance with a good sound system.
S2000 for the weekends.

[Raza]

For the commute: deadly dull hybrid appliance with a good sound system.
S2000 for the weekends.

Sounds miserable. All that ends up with is you no longer having a weekend car because your bloodspawn needs room in the garage for his art projects and participation trophies. Then it's "I used to have a sports car" then after a while it becomes "I used to be married" and "My kids used to talk to me" but also "but now I have a 911 with a race car transmission; it's great, it shifts by itself".

[Rupert]

Sounds miserable. All that ends up with is you no longer having a weekend car because your bloodspawn needs room in the garage for his art projects and participation trophies. Then it's "I used to have a sports car" then after a while it becomes "I used to be married" and "My kids used to talk to me" but also "but now I have a 911 with a race car transmission; it's great, it shifts by itself".

[Rupert]

Too bad they have tragically high prices.

They were heading in a good direction a few years ago, but it seems like they're on the upward track now. I'm thinking more about Boxsters, but I know that really, I'm committed to the 944 4 lyfe at this point.

[280Z Turbo]

They were heading in a good direction a few years ago, but it seems like they're on the upward track now. I'm thinking more about Boxsters, but I know that really, I'm committed to the 944 4 lyfe at this point.

Don't Boxsters have some kind of bearing failure issue?

[Rupert]

Not sure. Initial stages of thinking about them.

[hotrodalex]

I was vaguely thinking about a 914 until I saw some prices. Might as well save up a little bit more and get a 911/912.

[Rupert]

For the 914/6? 914/4s are often pretty cheap.

[MX793]

For the 914/6? 914/4s are often pretty cheap.

Yeah, I thought the 4-banger models were still pretty cheap.  The 6 cylinder models are significantly more rare (and higher value).

[hotrodalex]

For the 914/6? 914/4s are often pretty cheap.

When I looked a week ago the 914/4s were mostly in the $20k range. I just looked again and saw some in the $10k range, which is around what I'd pay. The dream is alive.

[Rupert]

I see them in the $4k range in good driving shape all the time. Where are you looking? Hemmings?

[hotrodalex]

The Samba. I'm sure craigslist would be a bit cheaper.

edit: I'm also pickier about condition when it comes to imports. An old muscle car can be in terrible condition but I know my way around them more, so it'd be less of a chore to restore.

[Soup DeVille]

The Samba. I'm sure craigslist would be a bit cheaper.

edit: I'm also pickier about condition when it comes to imports. An old muscle car can be in terrible condition but I know my way around them more, so it'd be less of a chore to restore.

914s are basically flattened Beetles though.

[Xer0]

A bit of a thread revival, but it fits.  Dude took a junker S600 without a motor and put in the engine/trans from a CBR1000RR.  It's so freaking sweet, and it apparently cost the guy less than 5k.  I would love to be able to do something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsbfzmPCYX4

[MX793]

A bit of a thread revival, but it fits.  Dude took a junker S600 without a motor and put in the engine/trans from a CBR1000RR.  It's so freaking sweet, and it apparently cost the guy less than 5k.  I would love to be able to do something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsbfzmPCYX4

Awesome.  I wonder if he found a way to give the car a reverse gear.

[Secret Chimp]

I don't think the gearbox will be long in that car. Whenever Jay got on or off the gas there was a big clacky thunk noise.

[MX793]

I don't think the gearbox will be long in that car. Whenever Jay got on or off the gas there was a big clacky thunk noise.

Likely drive line slack.  Though I do have to question how well a gearbox designed to propel a 700 lb GVWR motorcycle will hold up to pulling around a car weighing at least twice that.

[Payman]

Brilliant... this is right up my alley. I can't imagine any mega$$$ sportscar being as fun to drive at legal speeds. I recently saw an MG Midget for sale nearby for $800... not running but decent body/chassis. That plus a $1000 used sport bike would make a great project. I even like the ratty look of this 600... I think I would keep the Midget body the same way.

[Payman]

Another fun project would be a Fiat 800 (mid-engine) with a 700-1000cc snowmobile engine. Saw a 1000cc Thundercat for sale (~170 hp) for under $2k.

[Payman]

Perfect.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MG-Midget-convertible-/331569650830?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d33175c8e&item=331569650830