1969 Honda S800 MK2 Coupe
Few production cars could match the remarkable engineering feat achieved by this diminutive Japanese sports car (it became Honda’s first automobile capable of exceeding 100 mph). The compact coupe featured clean, purposeful styling with minimal chrome and a low-slung profile that emphasized its sporting intentions.
Under the hood sat a sophisticated 791 cc (48.3 cubic inch) four-cylinder engine that produced 70 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. The high-revving powerplant could spin to 9,500 rpm and delivered impressive fuel economy despite its performance capability. By 1969, Honda had replaced the original chain drive with a conventional live rear axle setup and upgraded the car with front disc brakes.
Weighing just 1,742 pounds (790 kg), the S800 MK2 demonstrated Honda’s motorcycle-derived engineering philosophy applied to four wheels. Production concluded in 1970 after approximately 11,500 total units were manufactured, making these lightweight sports cars increasingly rare finds today.
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