- 825
- Charlotte, NC
- CosmicMS3
- I2valve
1970 Honda 1300 Coupe 9 S
First Looks
Like most Hondas, other than the S series and the two Mid-engine models, the Coupe 9 is a FWD car. Despite its looks that resemble other cars of the era available in RWD, the Coupe 9 is different in both its handling characteristics and power output. However, one of the first questions you may ask is Why should I buy this car? The answer is easy, To own a piece of Hondas history. Almost everything about this car screams Honda all over it. Its appearance, dated as it may be, resembles some styling cues still evident in todays Hondas with its center-cab layout, gradually sloping rear window and steel wheels.
Test Drive: Nurburgring: 935.266
As stated before, the Coupe 9 is like most Hondas with its FWD layout. Powering the front wheels is a 1300cc SOHC L4 engine pumping out 115hp and around 87ft/lbs of torque. With a weight of 900kg this Honda would be able to compete in the Lightweight-K cup but its overall length is too long. There are two main problems with this car, the lack of torque and lack of a 5th gear. While on the ring, on many of the uphill sections you will find that the car will either remain at a constant RPM or slowly drop. And while the power output may not be justifiable for a 5th gear with the current ratios, a shorter gearbox with 5 gears would have been sufficient enough to keep the car at high RPMs.
Now for the good stuff. While many GT4 enthusiasts dislike the handling characteristics of a FWD car, I am pleased to say that the Coupe 9 has an identity crisis. The high revving 1.3L gets up to its rev limiter quite quickly which makes powering through corners quite possible. But wait, you might ask, What about understeer? Well although ALL FWD cars will understeer to an extent, the Coupe 9 does this less than others. This is either due to its low power output or superb suspension. While it may be a little on the soft side, the suspension gladly holds the road under most hard driving conditions. However, if you are not careful, the weight transfer to the front of the car under heavy braking has been known to cause the rear end to break loose like many RWD vehicles.
Final Thoughts
At a buying price of only 12800Cr, the Honda 1300 Coupe 9 S should be in everyones personal garage. While it may not be the best car in the world with its scrawny horsepower/torque, like all the cars I have discussed, with the proper tuning it can be very good. A customizable transmission, power upgrades and suspension upgrades can give the car the boost it needs to readily compete in the FWD challenge, not to mention many of the other events that are year specific.
Should this car be in GT4? While my research has shown nothing, (maybe a Honda guru can help) the Coupe 9 S appears to have an early resemblance to todays Honda Accord. So therefore, for historys sake, I say yes that this car is well placed in the GT series. While it may not be the best car to learn characteristics of a FWD machine, the Coupe 9 S shows that all FWD cars are not alike, and need recognition just like other layouts.
First Looks
Like most Hondas, other than the S series and the two Mid-engine models, the Coupe 9 is a FWD car. Despite its looks that resemble other cars of the era available in RWD, the Coupe 9 is different in both its handling characteristics and power output. However, one of the first questions you may ask is Why should I buy this car? The answer is easy, To own a piece of Hondas history. Almost everything about this car screams Honda all over it. Its appearance, dated as it may be, resembles some styling cues still evident in todays Hondas with its center-cab layout, gradually sloping rear window and steel wheels.
Test Drive: Nurburgring: 935.266
As stated before, the Coupe 9 is like most Hondas with its FWD layout. Powering the front wheels is a 1300cc SOHC L4 engine pumping out 115hp and around 87ft/lbs of torque. With a weight of 900kg this Honda would be able to compete in the Lightweight-K cup but its overall length is too long. There are two main problems with this car, the lack of torque and lack of a 5th gear. While on the ring, on many of the uphill sections you will find that the car will either remain at a constant RPM or slowly drop. And while the power output may not be justifiable for a 5th gear with the current ratios, a shorter gearbox with 5 gears would have been sufficient enough to keep the car at high RPMs.
Now for the good stuff. While many GT4 enthusiasts dislike the handling characteristics of a FWD car, I am pleased to say that the Coupe 9 has an identity crisis. The high revving 1.3L gets up to its rev limiter quite quickly which makes powering through corners quite possible. But wait, you might ask, What about understeer? Well although ALL FWD cars will understeer to an extent, the Coupe 9 does this less than others. This is either due to its low power output or superb suspension. While it may be a little on the soft side, the suspension gladly holds the road under most hard driving conditions. However, if you are not careful, the weight transfer to the front of the car under heavy braking has been known to cause the rear end to break loose like many RWD vehicles.
Final Thoughts
At a buying price of only 12800Cr, the Honda 1300 Coupe 9 S should be in everyones personal garage. While it may not be the best car in the world with its scrawny horsepower/torque, like all the cars I have discussed, with the proper tuning it can be very good. A customizable transmission, power upgrades and suspension upgrades can give the car the boost it needs to readily compete in the FWD challenge, not to mention many of the other events that are year specific.
Should this car be in GT4? While my research has shown nothing, (maybe a Honda guru can help) the Coupe 9 S appears to have an early resemblance to todays Honda Accord. So therefore, for historys sake, I say yes that this car is well placed in the GT series. While it may not be the best car to learn characteristics of a FWD machine, the Coupe 9 S shows that all FWD cars are not alike, and need recognition just like other layouts.
