Honda S2000's Seeds Were Planted Nearly 60 Years Ago

Going Back

Honda has produced a scant number of pure sports cars in its history, but they've undoubtedly been great ones. That includes the S2000, of course, a car whose seeds were planted decades before it came along in 1999. In fact, the model's original predecessor, the S360 prototype, debuted in 1962 and led to a series of models refined multiple times until the automaker simply quit making sports cars for three decades.

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Honda S360

Honda made a name for itself as a motorcycle manufacturer long before it even considered building a car, so it's no surprise that this fact heavily influenced its first four-wheeled creations. The S360 roadster, which debuted at the 1962 Japan National Auto Show, was no exception, thanks to its tiny 360cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, manual transmission, and chain drive. Regardless, the S360 never made it past the working prototype stage.

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Honda S500

The Honda S500 debuted alongside the S360 as a more powerful variant, and Honda quickly determined that it would be more appealing to international markets. The two cars were otherwise pretty much identical. The S500 featured a 531cc DOHC four-cylinder that produces 44 horsepower and revs to 9,500 rpm. With a curb weight of just 1,500 pounds, it was good fun, especially since the S500 also rides on a fully independent suspension.

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Honda S600

Honda upgraded its tiny roadster in 1964, giving it a 606cc inline-four with 57 horsepower. Thus, the new model was called the S600. Most everything else remained the same, but this was Honda's first truly global model, offered in both left and right-hand drive. A fastback coupe variant also went on sale beginning in 1965.

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Honda S800

The last version of the original S debuted in 1966 - the S800. The updated model featured a 791cc engine producing 70 horsepower but with a lower 8,500 rpm redline. The top speed was an impressive 100 mph. Early S800s retained the original chain drive, but later models utilized a traditional driveshaft and rear axle. The S800 went away after 1970, however, and Honda wouldn't build a proper successor for 30 years.

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Honda S2000

The automaker made up for the lost time by introducing the S2000 at the 1999 Tokyo Auto Show as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration. It also joined the NSX as the only true Honda sports car in production at the time, though at a more affordable price. And just like its predecessors, the S2000's name came directly from its displacement - 2.0-liters, or 2,000cc.

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Proper Successor

Unlike most modern do-overs, the S2000 is a perfect reincarnation of the models that came before it. Lightweight, fun, and with a fantastic high-revving engine, these cars are known for their no-frills, driver-focused experience. So the only question left to ask is, when will we see a proper successor to the latest Honda S roadster?

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