[Roadsters] not a Datsun: Jay Leno’s Honda SM600 on My Classic Car

[Eric G]

I had an S600 years ago.  At the time, as a poor student in Canada I 
wished that I had the new Datsun 2000 instead, with its big power, 
5-speed and synchro into first gear (which the S600 didn't have) but 
there was absolutely no hope.  I bought the Honda for $90 with the 
engine apart in a box - the pedals were so close together that the 
previous owner got his right foot caught under the brake pedal when the 
gas was at the floor in first gear.  The tach apparently went all the 
way round close to RPM and then there was a noise..... I picked bits of 
piston ring out of the alloy head while doing the repairs.
It had a roller crank, spaghetti header to a dual exhaust, 4 CV-type 
carbs, twin cams, wet liners, adjustable torsion bar front springs and 
IRS with the two chain cases driven from the fixed rear axle, and no it 
wasn't like any motorcycle engine Honda ever made.  The gearbox had an 
oil pump for lubrication, and with a redline of 9500, it made me feel 
like racerboy even though I wasn't really going very fast.  I sold it 
for a ridiculously low price that I'm embarassed even now to reveal....

Somewhere in a basement I still have some S600 parts, but now I'm a 
diehard Datsun guy....

Regards,
Eric in Townsville
'70 1600 rhd SP311-06003 (Oz)
'67 2000 lhd SRL311-00183 (Canada)