The Ancestors of the S2000 (photos)

1. The S500

Considered the first mass-produced Honda, the S500 was a benchmark setting car. Unlike most of the competitors for its time, Soichiro Honda took on a different approach designing its engine. The aluminum dual-overhead-cam straight-four managed an impressive 9,500 RPM redline. To put into perspective, standard Japanese engines from the 1960s followed suit with a basic cast iron block, with one or dual carburetors. Although the S500 was initially planned with a 354cc 33 hp engine, the idea fell through and instead Honda opted to use the larger 492cc and 531s (44 hp) variations. The engine had a respectable top speed of approximately 80 mph, all the while weighing only 1600 lbs. 

The body of the S500 was subtle in presence. Soichiro took a lot of inspiration from some of the European cars of the time, in fact, stark similarities could be seen between it and the Innocenti Spyder. Though that was all it shared, as the performance capabilities of this small unassuming car was sure to separate it from the crowd. 

Its independent rear suspension used torsion bars in the front, with diagonally attached coilover shocks on each rear side. It featured a unique a straight axle chain driven design, that actually split the power out into two separate shafts that stemmed from the differential–similar to how a motorcycle powers its rear wheel.  

The pursuit of more power eventually led Honda to design a larger engine, revitalize the style and introduce the Honda S600. 

Production Numbers:

1,336 Units

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2. The S600

Through the innovations and evolutionary breakthroughs of the times, Honda subtly introduced the S600 mere months after the S500. Its styling was very similar to its predecessor, with the most major changes seen in the front-end and newly designed fastback trim. It used a larger 606cc engine which produced 57 hp at 38 ft-lb torque. Soichiro originally wanted to use this car to break through US sales, but it never really made it and instead was sold through the European and Canadian markets. 

Pound for pound, the S600 definitely managed to define the versatility of a sports car. It weighed 1576 lbs or 1609 lbs for the fastback trim. Very similar in size to S500, the increase engine displacement boosted its top speed to approximately 90 mph, hitting 0-60 in just under 18 seconds. In regular Honda fashion, the engine had a redline at 9500 RPM. 

The rear suspension had a straight axle connected to independently sprung rear wheels using roller chains as the connection. It prevented against camber issues and while different, was limited in how much power it could handle. It's worthy to note, this system was changed out for a live axle setup with the release of the S800. 

It seemed the S600 took the world by storm, establishing Honda as a respectable automobile manufacturer. Another fun fact to note is that the versatile design of the S600 wasn’t just inspiration for your beloved S2000 but also used as a basis for several other creations, such as the Prelude and Civic CRX. 

Production Numbers:

13,084 Units

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3. The S800

The engineers must have been working round the clock, as the next generation, Honda S-Class debuted just two years after the S600. Raising the engine output to 791cc or 70 hp at 48.5 lb torque at 6000 RPM, kept Honda in the spotlight. The car was a new type of perfect, with its small lightweight chassis, an incredible top speed of 100 mph and a 0 - 60 time of 13.4 seconds, car buyers were quickly falling for the S800s charms. 

Just like the S600 it was available in two trims, a coupe or roadster and weighed approximately 1588 pounds. Its simplistic styling was often compared to other smaller cars, such as the B.M.C midget, but that all changed once folks got behind the wheel. The S800 looked like the Midget but accelerated like an MG MGB, and it was sold for a couple hundred less. While earlier models used the same chain driven, independent suspension system from the S600, those built after 1967 had used a completely revised system utilizes a conventional drive shaft, Panhard rod, and live axle rear end. 

As sales began to dwindle again, Honda started work on the S800M variation. It was meant to include extra features, such as side markers, that would have been positioned to sell at the US market. However, car plans for the US would fall through, until the debut of the Honda N600 sedan. S800 production ended in 1970.

Production Numbers:

11,536

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4. Sport Study Model (SSM) Concept

It wouldn't be until almost 30 years later when your beloved S2000 were first released to the public. But, before it made it to the showroom floor, the idea was first presented at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, under the name “Sport Study Model”. The car was a bit different then what we have right now. 

Its most notable differences were the lower positioned headlights and interior. Like something out of a comic book, the interior featured two individual cockpits, used an ignition card key system and had a completely digital LCD display. When powering on, the CPU would perform a diagnosis check on the vehicle’s essentials and then give a green light for ignition. (Check it out here)

It was powered by a 2L, five-cylinder VTEC engine and had a claimed top speed of 155mph. Needless to say, fans were instantly made and Honda got the green light to proceed with production.  

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