A-O-Kei
In March 1967 Honda announced its first 4-wheel passenger vehicle in the Japanese 'kei' class: the N360.
It was an instant hit thanks to its quirky body shape and extremely roomy cabin despite being limited in size by 'kei' regulations.
The 354cc 4-stroke 2-cylinder engine had an output of 31hp which dwarfed those of its 2-stroke competitors in the era,
providing the car with an impressive top speed of 115km/h.
In January 1970, a minor model change updated the car to the N III 360, with the dog clutch replaced by a fully synchronized 4-speed unit,
and an updated front end with new frille and hood bulge. At the rear, turn signals and reverse lamps were enlarged.
These modifications ensured that the N III 360 remained one of the most complete cars in the Japanese 'kei' class,
which experienced a boom at that time. |