These days, the term “old school” is being used liberally in the import-tuning world. While the Mazda RX-3, 3TC-powered Toyota Corollas, and any Datsun are still the original old school members for any import performance enthusiast – cars like the second generation Acura Integra and the fourth generation Honda Civic are suddenly graying in the beard and being included in the club. Even performance parts like the original RS Akimoto intake and wheels like the Sprint Hart CP’s are considered “old school”.

While the designation of what is old school and what is not depends primarily on when you started getting involved into the scene, nobody will disagree that there is definitely a group of cars, and maybe even parts, that are candidates for an “old school” classification. Old School Files is a new, regular feature that will put the spotlight on some of the candidates that we think should be included in the membership.

Like what we spotlighted? Don’t like our choice? Have your own suggestions? Send us your thoughts (at letters@urbanracer.com) and we might even publish it for our next installment.

‘Back in the day’ as they would say - before the S2000, before the NSX, before VTEC, heck before even the Civic – Honda was an upstart car company that started by building motorcycles. This all changed rather rapidly, and impressively, mainly because of a little car equipped with CVCC technology appropriately called the Civic. The Civic shined in the U.S. during the seventies because it was a perfect fuel sipping, emissions role model of a car to ride out the gas shortage years.

But this Old School spotlight isn’t on the CVCC Civic (we’ll save that for a later feature), rather its on an obscure cousin that basically led the way for the Civic’s design and layout – the Honda Z600. Also known as the Honda AZ600 or the 600 Coupe, the Z600 would never be called a coupe by today’s standards. Introduced into the U.S. market in August of 1971, the Z600 was a diminutive car with a three-door hatch configuration – a layout that has become classic key feature for millions of Civic hatchback owners.

Its heritage can be directly traced to the Japanese Market Honda N III 360, a 2-door sedan with a 354 cc engine, with which it shares its platform and engine. The N III 360 was exported with a 598 cc engine as the Honda N600, or Honda 600 Sedan – the first Honda to be offered in the U.S. The Honda Z appeared in Japan as a 1970 model but changed dramatically in late 1971 after adapting the floorpan and engine of the Honda life. This affected the exterior appearance of the car because it pushed the front axle forward to the edge of the car’s front end in order to accommodate the changes.

According to the original American Honda Motor Co. Press Release, The Z600 was shown to the U.S. press for the first time at 1971 Dealer Conventions throughout the U.S. Honda touted the Z600’s combination of economical virtues and sporty characteristics.

“…the 600 Coupe maintains maximum space utilization, four passenger capacity and tight maneuverability, while looking like a sports car,” states the Press Release.

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.

The Z600’s reported top speed was a, probably hair-raising, 75 mph and it gave you back 40 miles for each gallon of leaded gas that you poured in. For under $1,700 dollars, you (or your parents really) could have bought into the sensible dream. U.S. print advertisements from the era lightheartedly played up the sporty sensibilities of the Coupe.

“Oh, It doesn’t have automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a 400-horsepower engine. But which would you rather have? Automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a 400-horsepower engine? Or Michelle and Tammy and Alison?” asked the ad text with the Z600 posing with Three’s Company era beauties in the background. The ad does list a 4-speed syncromesh transmission, a tachometer, and a “racing mirror” as standard equipment.

According to the Honda Fact Book, around 15,000 Z600’s were made between 1971 and 1972. The introduction of the Honda Civic in 1973 made the Z600 obsolete, but before that happened, 40,586 Honda 600’s (including sedans) made their way into American garages.