VIDEO: My friend Paul tries out the Smart Car for the first time

[NukleoN]

In 1971 Honda introduced the 600 sedan (first pic) and coupe (second pic). This car was tiny, with a mere 600cc chain-drive engine.




Back then, people were driving huge cars and trucks powered by cheap, leaded gas. I am sure the people driving these tiny Japanese cars took a lot more heat than we do now, and just look how much smaller those cars are, with less power.

From UrbanRacer.com,

'Equipped with an air-cooled, two cylinder 598cc (36.5 cubic inches or .6 liter) engine that produced 36 hp, the Z600 was still sporty - by early 1970's standards anyways because of a feather-like 1,300 lb curb weight and advanced performance features. The engine already featured an overhead camshaft design. The Z600 also came equipped with front disc brakes, a fold down rear seat, an overhead control panel, bucket seats, shock resistant ride, and a radio antenna that could be adjusted by the driver (sound familiar Honda owners?).
The car also came equipped with a four-speed syncromesh transmission and a 'luxurious interior'. Available in a palate of colors that numbered four - Blue, Olive Green, Orange, and Yellow, the Z600 was first available only in the western states of California, Oregon, and Washington'.

It can be tough to drive a smart when we get negative attention, but at least the paradigm shift has already ocurred here once in the U.S. It just seems it's happening again after the SUV craze and high-gas prices drive people back toward fuel economy.

[NeWave]

That honda sedan.. there's a 1972, same orange color over at our honda dealership (Frank Leta). THat dealer has been around since then too. I saw that and laughed, after thinking the smart was small.. and those tires! 10 inch rims!

[Terry Stibal]

I drove one of the coupes (second photo) back when they first came out, accompanied by a girlfriend who could be the girl's twin in the photo of the sedan above.

It had a very sporty ride, and tremendous pickup when you put your foot into it. However, the transmission shift pattern was too sloppy to suit me (I who owned an Opel GT at the time. Also, Michelle (the twin to the gal above) much preferred the zippy looking Opel GT to the rather pedestrian sporty Honda.

Still a nifty little car, though, and it could be "boosted" quite a bit (and with minimal effort) with over the counter parts, this according to Motor Trend - motorcycle shocks, carburetor upgrade, and a few other tweaks. The twin articles on the stock cars and the "sportified" coupe were tilted "Mass Transit" and "Rapid Transit".

[NukleoN]

I really want to see a Honda 600 coupe next to a Smart car! Oh, I remember seeing an orange Honda 600 Coupe just like the ones pictured above in my neighborhood when I was in third grade. I loved how small it was and the orange color, even at that young age. (I was already a serious Hot Wheel collector though, so I paid attention to cars).

[desert877]

One thing I love about my smart is watching peoples reaction's to it.
Its a car that brings smiles to peoples faces. Just by the looks of it. When people get up close and look at the car, peek inside their reactions is to smile, even laughed in amazement of it and, that one that one of the many reasons why I love my smart!!!

[BobDiaz]

desert877,

In about 6 months my friend Paul pays off his second car and it will prove interesting to see if he follows through on getting a Smart Car or not. If he does, I'll make a second video....


Bob Diaz

[Kermit]

I wonder how many people have directly contributed to the sale of a smart?

I let one couple (good acquaintances) test drive mine quite a while back. They ended up buying THREE! after the test drive. One is a bare bones no options Pure that the wife uses as a winter car (I added a Radio 9 to it for her),other 2 are Passion Coupes. That one time I know I directly contributed. There was also a couple who said I let them sit in my car a year and half ago and they have since bought one.

[Z06-LITE]

In 1971, I bought a new Honda 750/4 motorcycle and a new Honda 600 sedan. I actually paid a few dollars more for the motorcycle than the car.