It all started with an imaginative young boy’s dream who was helping his dad in his bicycle shop. Because of that dream, Soichiro Honda created his empire from building motorcycles and developing engines. Soichiro didn’t stop from just being a motored bicycle builder, he moved up and accepted the challenge on building automobiles. One of his greatest achievements is the Honda S series.

the popular white and red combo.

Everyone knows about the Honda S2000, but not everyone knows of it’s ancestors, the s500, s600, and s800. In 1962, Honda started producing the s500 within Japan. By 1964, they started the S600 and a year after, export of the S600 began in 1965 to Europe, Australia and Canada.  No S600s were sold in the US.

if you think the CR-X is small, check out the s800.

Honda built 3,912 roadsters in 1964, with production climbing to 7,261 convertibles and 1,519 coupes in 1965. The s600 was dropped in 1966 to give way to its successor the s800.

s800 participated in automotive racing events

It was the last time that honda built a roadster until the s2000. Personally, I think Honda built the Sport Roadster series to be different than other builders and move away from the current norm. It’s impractical, a man’s toy built for fun, just like the s2000. Recently Honda built a sport hybrid, totally contradicting? Well, this is why we love Honda. Soichiro Honda’s dream not only led him to building motorcycles, but took him even further as one of the most unique and innovative auto builders in history.

white and crimson red

-mark@mayday