Though I need a car project like an extra armpit (I already have a delightful Goggomobil), I've coveted Honda N600s (sorry, don't care for the Z600) since the '70s. There's a cheap one close to me on Craigslist [http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/XXX-XXX-XXXX.html] but the rust on the front fender sends up red flags. What should I look out for if I get up the nerve to visit this one?
Thanks!
Mark Nelson
What to watch for in an N600
-
scottwalters32
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2013 2:25 am
Re: What to watch for in an N600
Hi Mark,
I don't have a lot of experience restoring these (Z600 Major Engine Work is in progress), but I'll chime in anyway.
First, them's fightin' words! Seriously though, everyone has their favorite of the two, and I think that's accepted and respected.
It being $800 rather than $2000 or even $3000 probably won't save you much money. Transporting one cross country probably isn't cost effective either, but I see a lot of N's and Z's around $1,500 that were running somewhat recently and have a good body but still needs lots of work (typically minor engine stuff, steering, and brakes). If you see one of those in your area, grab it.
The floorboard seems to be the first thing to go, so the fender rust is a red flag. People do amazing things with welded in patches if that's your cup of tea.
Look at the total miles. These little air cooled high RPM engines really don't like to do more than 75,000 miles or so, from what I've seen and read. If it needs body work but it is low milage, then the engine is probably full of good parts. I've been buying a new (used) everything, one by one, as far as engine internals go.
Your best bet might be to get one low milage engine and one rust free body and then figuring out steering, brakes, interior, trim, etc.
Hoping the guys with experience chime in, but I thought I'd say hi.
Cheers,
-scott
I don't have a lot of experience restoring these (Z600 Major Engine Work is in progress), but I'll chime in anyway.
First, them's fightin' words! Seriously though, everyone has their favorite of the two, and I think that's accepted and respected.
It being $800 rather than $2000 or even $3000 probably won't save you much money. Transporting one cross country probably isn't cost effective either, but I see a lot of N's and Z's around $1,500 that were running somewhat recently and have a good body but still needs lots of work (typically minor engine stuff, steering, and brakes). If you see one of those in your area, grab it.
The floorboard seems to be the first thing to go, so the fender rust is a red flag. People do amazing things with welded in patches if that's your cup of tea.
Look at the total miles. These little air cooled high RPM engines really don't like to do more than 75,000 miles or so, from what I've seen and read. If it needs body work but it is low milage, then the engine is probably full of good parts. I've been buying a new (used) everything, one by one, as far as engine internals go.
Your best bet might be to get one low milage engine and one rust free body and then figuring out steering, brakes, interior, trim, etc.
Hoping the guys with experience chime in, but I thought I'd say hi.
Cheers,
-scott
On 0,
k8zhd@...
wrote:
> Though I need a car project like an extra armpit (I already have a delightful Goggomobil), I've coveted Honda N600s (sorry, don't care for the Z600) since the '70s. There's a cheap one close to me on Craigslist [ http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/XX ... XX.html%5d but the rust on the front fender sends up red flags. What should I look out for if I get up the nerve to visit this one?
> Thanks!
> Mark Nelson
-
kingtrans2003
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:13 pm
Re: What to watch for in an N600
�
The Cheap thing is why i sold all my 600's. Sold my last 71' Z600 for $2500 with enough parts to put together 2 more cars. Sold my last 72' N600 for $10,500. You can see why on You-Tube, Rat Rod Honda. Though i wouldn't mind doing another Rat Honda (channeled next time) sometime in the future.
Right now i'm on a 27' Ford Coupe Street Rod (maybe with a N600 steering wheel).
It's just metal. Fix-Em the way you want.
KingTrans-KingsKlassics ---Happy Thanksgiving----eat more turkey!
On Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:58:13 -0800 (PST) scott@...
writes:
Get Fantastic Amenities, low rates! Kitchen, Ample Workspace, Free WIFI
extendedstayamerica.com
The Cheap thing is why i sold all my 600's. Sold my last 71' Z600 for $2500 with enough parts to put together 2 more cars. Sold my last 72' N600 for $10,500. You can see why on You-Tube, Rat Rod Honda. Though i wouldn't mind doing another Rat Honda (channeled next time) sometime in the future.
Right now i'm on a 27' Ford Coupe Street Rod (maybe with a N600 steering wheel).
It's just metal. Fix-Em the way you want.
KingTrans-KingsKlassics ---Happy Thanksgiving----eat more turkey!
On Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:58:13 -0800 (PST) scott@...
writes:
Extended Stay America> Hi Mark,
> I don't have a lot of experience restoring these (Z600
> Major Engine Work is in progress), but I'll chime in anyway.
> First,
> them's fightin' words! Seriously though, everyone has their favorite of the > two, and I think that's accepted and respected.
> It being $800 rather
> than $2000 or even $3000 probably won't save you much money. Transporting one > cross country probably isn't cost effective either, but I see a lot of N's and > Z's around $1,500 that were running somewhat recently and have a good body but > still needs lots of work (typically minor engine stuff, steering, and brakes).
> If you see one of those in your area, grab it.
> The floorboard seems to
> be the first thing to go, so the fender rust is a red flag. People do amazing > things with welded in patches if that's your cup of tea.
> Look at the
> total miles. These little air cooled high RPM engines really don't like to do > more than 75,000 miles or so, from what I've seen and read. If it needs body > work but it is low milage, then the engine is probably full of good parts.
> I've been buying a new (used) everything, one by one, as far as engine > internals go.
> Your best bet might be to get one low milage engine and
> one rust free body and then figuring out steering, brakes, interior, trim, > etc.
> Hoping the guys with experience chime in, but I thought I'd say > hi.
> Cheers,
> -scott
> On 0, k8zhd@... wrote:
> Though I need a car project like an extra armpit (I already have a delightful > Goggomobil), I've coveted Honda N600s (sorry, don't care for the Z600) since > the '70s. There's a cheap one close to me on Craigslist > [http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/XXX-XXX-XXXX.html] but the rust on the > front fender sends up red flags. What should I look out for if I get up the > nerve to visit this one?
> > Thanks!
> > Mark
> Nelson
Get Fantastic Amenities, low rates! Kitchen, Ample Workspace, Free WIFI
extendedstayamerica.com
Re: What to watch for in an N600
Hi Mark,
As always, you can spend a lot for a nice example up front and have nothing to do but drive it, or spend a little and experience the adventure of restoring some poor old thing.�� In this case youre not just buying a car, youre buying a hobby.� $800 sure could be a nice price if the engine is truly around 30k miles and has been treated reasonably over the years.� Fenders are not plentiful, but not impossible to find (see link below) Ray Cave can probably set you up.� Of course whats lurking behind those fenders could be another story.
There are a million other issues that COULD come up as you know.� I recommend paying the car a visit and give it a good looking over (and under).� $800 is not a bad admission price.� And its LOCAL for goodness sake.� Hopefully youll have fun making it great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-600-SEDAN ... dd&vxp=mtr
Steve www.honda600coupe.com
As always, you can spend a lot for a nice example up front and have nothing to do but drive it, or spend a little and experience the adventure of restoring some poor old thing.�� In this case youre not just buying a car, youre buying a hobby.� $800 sure could be a nice price if the engine is truly around 30k miles and has been treated reasonably over the years.� Fenders are not plentiful, but not impossible to find (see link below) Ray Cave can probably set you up.� Of course whats lurking behind those fenders could be another story.
There are a million other issues that COULD come up as you know.� I recommend paying the car a visit and give it a good looking over (and under).� $800 is not a bad admission price.� And its LOCAL for goodness sake.� Hopefully youll have fun making it great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-600-SEDAN ... dd&vxp=mtr
Steve www.honda600coupe.com