Affordable Classic: 1972 Honda N600


Anybody who tells you that you need to spend a bunch of money to drive a nice classic car is full of it. Cheap, but nice, classics are available if you are willing to forget about owning something that all the cool/rich kids want. This next classic might be slow, but it looks rust free, in good mechanical shape, and is offered for a reasonable amount of money. Find this 1972 Honda N600 offered for $6995 in Imperial Beach, CA via craigslist.

From the seller:
1972 honda N600
condition: excellent
fuel: gas
odometer: 1601
paint color: green
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: sedan
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1972 Honda N600 The original Kei Car A rare find. Amazing condition in and out. Original 600cc Air Cooled engine starts and runs great. Being a 1972 our N600 has the higher horsepower engine. Fuel economy of 36 – 40 miles to the gallon . The motoring press loved the N600 back in the day. One drive and you will know why. The car is easy to drive, well thought out and is actually peppy. The Dash mounted shifter is a blast to operate. Our car has no rust perforation and is mechanically sound. Must see and drive to appreciate! The interior is clean and in good condition. The exterior is clean and in good condition. The engine is functioning properly and has no issues.

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Even with these relatively low resolution photos, it looks like there’s massive rust blistering on the lower front corner of the passenger side door that’s been painted over.
Hmm, BMW 700 yesterday, Honda 600 today, so next up:
– Fiat 500
– Moskvitch 400
– Chrysler 300
– Mercedes 200
– Audi 100
– Saab 99
– Olds 98
– Saab 9-7X
– Saab 96
– Saab 9-5
– Saab 94 Sonett
– Saab 9-3
– Saab 9-2X
– Faraday Future 91
– ooh, butterfly
The Audi 90 Quattro is the obvious next one in the sequence, but I’m not sure what to do about 89.
Freightliner with a Cummins ISL 8.9
Mitsubishi Type 89
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Type_89_IFV
(And no, I am not a crazy military gear afficianado. For some reason ‘type 89’ was in my head)
Which then gets us to the Delta 88…
VW 87
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Kommandeurswagen
Toyota AE86
Tesla S 85
Toyota 86
Lozier Model 84
https://youtu.be/YiqJn6epqgY
1916 Overland Model 83
http://www.classiccarweekly.net/2020/10/09/1916-overland-model-83-tourer/
Above Lozier 84 was from 1914
VW Kubelwagen 82 armored car
https://www.car-model-kit.com/german-kubelwagen-type-82-european-campaign-1-16-tamiya
1928 Pierce Arrow Model 81
https://youtu.be/krSdojf3H1o
Audi 80
Toyota FJ79
https://www.google.com/search?q=fj79+pickup
Toyota FJ78 (troop carrier version)
https://www.toyota-gib.com/eng/models/heavy-duty-utility-type/land-cruiser-70/land-cruiser-78-hardtop-6-seater-HZJ78-RJMRS.html
Aston Martin One-77
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_One-77
Leyland P76
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyland_P76
Alfa Romeo 75
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_75
Ford Model 74
https://www.american-automobiles.com/Ford/1937-Ford.html
Lotus Model 73
https://www.supercars.net/blog/all-brands/lotus/lotus-models/lotus-73/
De Tomaso P72
https://detomaso-automobili.com/p72/
Stanley Touring Model 71
http://test.auburnheights.org/collections/automobiles/1910-stanley-touring-model-71/
Volvo V70R
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-volvo-v70r-is-a-subtle-swedish-sleeper/
Nice, Zach! You’re the new other not the other Stan 😉
GAZ 69
https://www.motor1.com/news/97520/soviet-bloc-cars-gaz-69/
1936 Ford Model 68
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/1936_Ford_Model_68_760_Cabriolet_GHL856.jpg
1936 Ford Model 67
http://smclassiccars.com/uploads/postfotos/1935-1936-ford-pickup-truck-hot-rat-rod-patina-barn-fresh-35-36-grille-1937-v8-1.JPG
Volvo (née DAF) 66. Not sure I’ve ever seen this one before. Learn something new every day.
https://www.volvocars.com/uk/about/our-company/heritage/heritage-models/35-66
Factory Five Racing Type 65 Coupe
https://www.factoryfive.com/type-65-coupe/
What a beauty. The wheels remind me of the Pantera Campagnolos, one of my all time non-Saab favorites.
1939 (Porsche) Type 64
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19/monterey/lots/r0031-1939-porsche-type-64/776606
AMG63
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/model/c-class/sedan/c63ws
Maybach 62
https://www.caranddriver.com/maybach/62
1906-39 Detroit Electric Model 61 Brougham
https://drivetribe.com/p/the-horseless-carriage-detroit-SBcdeLYbRkKYvBklnvPLrw
We sure do like Broughams. Brougham, brougham. Except this one goes hmmmmmm. 33-year production run, Elon, so the lesson is to stick with it a bit longer if you want to change the world ‘n’ shtuff.
1912 Peerless Model 60
13.5 liter engine! Largest ever in a production car.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22530/lot/168/
Type 59 Bugatti (ex King Leopold, just for kicks)
https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1934-bugatti-type-59-sports/
Rover P5B 😀
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/cool-britannia-rover-p5b-coup
I dunno O_o
How about this Fiat 500 Spiaggina ’58
https://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/fiat-releases-spiaggina-58-special-series-anniversary-model
I’m happy to accept either in that we almost accepted an 8.9L engine as suitable from Vince
{glances askancely in his direction}
Hard to avoid the Bugatti Type 57
https://www.hotcars.com/remember-the-bugatti-type-57-heres-why-collectors-want-it-so-bad/
Peugeot Type 56
https://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_nl/23992924817
Haynes Model 55 Sport Touring Car
https://www.conceptcarz.com/z19211/haynes-model-55.aspx
Maserati A6G/54GT Zagato Coupe
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/1956-maserati-a6g54gt-zagato-coup%C3%A9
Mercedes Benz AMG GT 53 4-door Coupe
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/model/gt/amg-gt-4-door/gt53c4
Erskine Six Model 52 Royal Sedan
http://www.american-automobiles.com/Erskine.html
New one to me – eventually subsumed into greater Studebaker.
1919 Pierce Arrow Model 51 Limousine
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1919-PIERCE-ARROW-MODEL-51-LIMOUSINE-181224
Volvo V50
https://www.volvocars.com/intl/cars/heritage/heritage-models/68-v50
For 100k clams, it should be very photogenic, but the basic front quarter view looks a little droopy. Can it really be blamed on the EU pedestrian safety rules?
The “100k clams” comment was re the Mercedes GT 53.
I’m underwhelmed by most of their current sedan offerings, at least visually.
Lotus Exige Type 49
https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/2018-lotus-exige-type-49-and-type-79-ar181821.html
Or if 1of 1 is a bit of a limited production run – Lotus Elise Type 49 (100 car run)
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/lotus-announces-type-49-elise
1948 Tucker Model 48
https://d39a3h63xew422.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/09105523/238A0075-1440×809.jpg
GAZ 47
Way more intimidating than the GAZ 69
http://www.sovavto.net/GAZ/47-1.jpg
Bugatti Type 46 … or gaudy VW Bug kit car?
https://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/1/40/60/51/20190325/ob_69b563_bugatti-type-46-superprofile-coupe-193.jpg
Hyundai 45, Rover 45, Yugo 45
https://www.goodwood.com/globalassets/.road–racing/road/news/2019/september/hyundai-45-ev-concept/hyundai-45-ev-concept-goodwood-11092019.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/2004_Rover_45_Connoisseur_TD_113_2.0.jpg/800px-2004_Rover_45_Connoisseur_TD_113_2.0.jpg
https://i.redd.it/fu6m35i4ipt31.jpg
Infinity FX45
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15135691/infiniti-fx45-road-test/
Jinx
Q45 for that matter
1916 Olds Model 44
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/early-muscle-1916-oldsmobile-model-44
1928 Bugatti Type 43 – the first production 100mph car –
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/bugatti/type-43/1928/279972
Audi R8 (Type 42)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_(Type_42)#:~:text=The%20Audi%20R8%20(Type%2042,by%20German%20automobile%20manufacturer%20Audi.
Marmon Model 41, based on(?) or marketed as derived from the inaugural Indy winner –
https://journal.classiccars.com/2019/07/11/marmon-introduced-its-model-41-after-winning-inaugural-indy-500/
Toyota FJ40 / Volvo V40 / Ferrari F40 / pretty much every manufacturer ever Model or Type 40
What I’m learning here is that many early cars were named “Model two-digit-number”. I am interested in these… somewhat. There are extravagant exceptions, of course, but also a lot of sameness until, I would say, the early 60s.
Going down the numbers, the next one where there’s something fabulous is the Alfa 33 Stradale, and it’s no less than one of the most beautiful cars ever made. – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/1968_Alfa_Romeo_Tipo_33_Stradale.jpg
Crossley 25 armored car – https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/8/9/3/1313893-38473-79-pristine.jpg
Citroen DS21 – https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLcRFwNM9stw7M0SaeNTg9GlR-664UFFVtLQ&usqp=CAU
Renault 17 – https://en.renault-club.cz/graphics/gallery/full/970_renault-17-gordini.jpg
DeLorean DMC-12 – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Delorean_DMC-12_side.jpg
… and I’ll leave the single-digits to Zach. That was fun! Look at the linked photos and pages, we have chosen thoughtfully.
Cool “cloverleaf” 3-seater. Every production unit was apparently tested at 80 mph at the Brickyard. Has anyone here ever driven anything like this? How does 80 mph feel in such a delicate (ok, rickety) looking thing?
Hmm. Replies aren’t posting inline. Have they ever?
Cloverleaf comment was re the Marmon 41.
I look forward to your near future purchase of one and demand that I get to go for a ride in it.
Lets see… the final 12…..
Lotus 11
https://driving.ca/lotus/auto-news/news/buy-it-and-add-lightness-snatch-this-1956-lotus-11-le-mans
Jaguar Mk X
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/big-kitty-sleeping
Triumph Super 9 Saloon
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2016-08-20/cars/ref-12-1932-triumph-super-nine-saloon/
Jensen CV-8
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/jensen/cv8/1964/342954
Austin 7
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/classic-cars/104961/austin-7-buying-guide-and-review-1922-1939
BMW L6
https://jalopnik.com/1987-bmw-l6-328837
Mazda MX-5 Miata / Eunos Roadster
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g26111823/mazda-mx-5-miata-history/
Volkswagen Type 4
https://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/guilty-pleasures-volkswagen-type-4
Tesla Model 3
https://www.tesla.com/model3
Citroen 2CV Sahara
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2016/06/02/is-citroens-2cv-4×4-sahara-the-most-innovative-off-roader-ever-built
Honda N-One
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2018-honda-n-one-rs-first-drive-review/
Zero: Any car converted to electric by these guys
https://www.zerolabs.com/
Olds 88
When I was just a high school kid and not the strapping fellow I am now, I was hitch hiking between two towns. It happened to be oh…1971. One of thee stopped to pick me up. I had to FOLD myself up to get into it. So unless you’re a midget …………but beyond that happy to know seven grand mas o menos is now affordable territory.