Summary of S-car Production

October 1962

Three types of the S360 were produced, each with a 'short body', less than 3 metres with 12x4" wheels. One being a fibreglass body with space-frame chassis, a second having a box chassis with alloy body and the third being all steel and box ladder-back chassis.

October - December 1963

136 S500 convertibles were produced, similar but longer than the S360.

January - March 1964

The S500 convertible continues in production while the S600 convertible is introduced into production in March 1964.

September 1964

Production of the S500 stops after a further 1,227 have been made giving a total of 1,363 S500's.

November 1964

With the demise of the S500, a deluxe model of the S600 is introduced called the SM600. Also introduced for the first time is a coupe model in both standard and deluxe form called the S600C and SM600C. By the end of the year 3,983 AS285 chassis had been produced. So in 1964, 5 different S-models were on offer.

 

Honda S600 engine and gearbox on display at the Museum of Victoria 1983

August 1965

Production of the S600 and SM600 ceases, but the S600C and SM600C continues into 1965. During 1965 8,779 AS285 cars were manufactured.

October 1965

The first S800 is manufactured (the S800C and SM800C) in coupe form only. Only coupe models were then being manufactured, i.e. AS285 and AS800.

 "Red 800" Convertible

January 1966

Saw the introduction of a further four new models; the S800 and SM800 chain drive convertible which continued in production until May of that year, and the S800C and SM800C shaft driven models. So in January 1966 there was a choice of eight different models; S600C, SM600C, S800C and SM800C (chain), S800 and SM800 (chain), S800C and SM800C (prop). Things were getting hectic.

May 1966

The chain drive S800 and SM800 were made prop-drive like the coupes and by August 1966 the S600C and SM600C came to the end of their production run. A further 314 AS285 coupes were made in 1966, bringing the total to 13,076. So by the end of 1966 only four models were now on offer; the S800, SM800, S800C and SM800C all being shaft driven, and a total of 2,895 AS800s had been manufactured. Production was now stepped up and a clear run of 4,750 AS800s were produced in 1967, yet somehow a further eight AS285s were made in 1967.

February 1968

Saw a further change of model to the S800M and S800MC, only two models now being on offer for export while the S800MC was available only for the export market. Production figures for 1968 were 3,026 but by the end of the year production was being scaled down.

By 1969, only 583 cars were manufactured and in May 1970 production stopped when only 152 cars had been produced that year.
A total of 11,406 AS800s were made contrasting with 13,084 285s and 1,363 AS280s.