1967 HONDA T500

When Honda debuted the T360 mini-truck in June of 1963 it became the company’s first ever production automobile, beating the Honda S500 Sports by four months. The T360 was powered by a mid-mounted, double overhead cam engine with a 9,000 rpm redline – an unusual specification for a work vehicle. The Honda T500 as displayed was the more powerful version of the T360 that was intended for export markets, it was powered by the larger 531cc inline-four cylinder engine, a slightly detuned version that powered the S500 sports car. As with its smaller-engined forebear, the Honda T500 is fitted with a DOHC inline-four cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission with power transmitted to the rear wheels. The T500 on display was one of four T500s imported to Tasmania by Honda Dealer Lloyd Campbell.