1968 Honda S800 Roadster - Lot 124

1968 Honda S800 Roadster - Chassis n° 1006073 - French registration At the end of the 1960s, Honda, still a young automaker, was seeking to assert its know-how in the field of lightweight sports cars. Building on its success in motorcycle racing, the brand transposed its expertise to the automotive world with an innovative approach. Introduced in 1968, the Honda S800 is a perfect illustration of this spirit: an elegant, sharp little roadster designed to rival British models such as those from MG or Triumph. Its 791 cm³ four-cylinder engine, directly inspired by racing, is capable of over 9,000 rpm and delivers 70 hp. Combined with a weight of around 800 kg, it reaches speeds approaching 160 km/h with remarkable agility. The S800 is also the first Honda model to be widely exported to Europe, marking a key stage in the brand's international development. The model presented here, with its red bodywork, has benefited from an early restoration. Although the work file is not available, the car is in beautiful condition: the paint retains a nice sheen, the adjustments are correct and the overall presentation is homogeneous. The interior, characteristic of the S800, retains its metal dashboard, Japanese Jaeger meters and bucket seats with clean upholstery. This model, emblematic of Honda's rise to automotive prominence, offers an attractive blend of lightness, mechanical precision and typical late-1960s styling. 1968 Honda S800 Roadster - Chassis no. 1006073 - French registration document In the late 1960s, Honda, still a young car manufacturer, sought to assert its expertise in the field of lightweight sports cars. Building on its success in motorcycle racing, the brand transferred its expertise to the automotive world with an innovative approach. Unveiled in 1968, the Honda S800 perfectly embodied this spirit: a small, elegant and refined roadster designed to rival British models such as MG and Triumph. Its 791 cc four-cylinder engine, directly inspired by competition, is capable of revving to over 9,000 rpm and delivering 70 hp. Combined with a weight of around 800 kg, it can reach speeds of close to 160 km/h with remarkable agility. The S800 was also the first Honda model to be widely exported to Europe, marking a key milestone in the brand's international development. The example shown here, with its red bodywork, has undergone a vintage restoration. Although the work history is not available, the car is in good condition: the paintwork retains its shine, the fittings are correct and the overall presentation is consistent. The interior, characteristic of the S800, retains its metal dashboard, Japanese Jaeger gauges and bucket seats with clean upholstery. This iconic model, symbolic of Honda's rise to prominence in the automotive world, offers an attractive combination of lightness, mechanical precision and style typical of the late 1960s.