Honda’s Tiny American Pioneer

The 1971 Honda N600 may be tiny, but its role in Honda’s American story was anything but small. As the first Honda car officially sold in the U.S., it helped establish the foundation for the Civic, Accord, and the Hondas that followed. With dimensions close to an original Mini, the N600 combined a tiny footprint with a 600-cc two-cylinder engine and a surprisingly usable cabin.

This Spring Yellow example is now listed on Bring a Trailer and has recently received an engine rebuild. The factory-rated output was 35 hp, paired with a four-speed manual, which was enough to make this lightweight little car genuinely lively around town.

Honda had already built a following in America through motorcycles, but the N600 was the company’s first factory-backed push into four-wheel transportation. Dealers willing to take the gamble eventually benefited when the Civic arrived.

Could a car this small make a bigger impact today? Would you rather drive this N600 than a modern city car? And is there a more charming way to experience Honda history?