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Honda made its fortune building motorcycles, so it came as no surprise that its first car, the tiny S500 of 1962, was heavily influenced by motorcycle engineering. Its DOHC, hemi-head, 531 cc engine had a roller bearing crank and four carbs. Maximum power - 44 bhp - came at a screaming 8000 rpm, virtually unheard of in a road car. The S500 also had chain drive to its independently sprung rear wheels, again redolent of motorcycle practice. Discs on the front wheels hinted at the S500's cost-no-object specification, although the separate chassis was somewhat backward, even in the mid-'60s. The S500 became the 606 cc S600 in 1964 and finally the 1965 S800, the best-known variant.
When the S800 became available in Britain in 1967, it had conventional propshaft drive to the rear wheels and an ordinary live axle located by trailing arms and a Panhard rod. It was good value for money, under-cutting the Mini Cooper and Triumph Spitfire, and was praised for its remarkable acceleration - given the engine size - slick gearchange and excellent 30 mpg economy. Handling was predictable, the ride firm.
S800 production continued until 1970, by which time Honda was making serious inroads into the economy-car market with the N360 and N600. It would be the last Honda sports car for many years.
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