Honda has established itself as a well-rounded automaker in the US. This reliable Japanese automaker has been known throughout history for making some of the most fun-to-drive cars in the world. It was never about outright performance and numbers for these dudes, but about the feels. Well, and this started way back in the 1960s with a bold new car - The Honda S500, that kick-started the Honda passenger car business.

When Mr. Soichiro Honda saw Nissan garnering fame far and wide with its Fairlady, he decided to make a move. Technically the first 'car' was a Honda T360 Kei class pick-up truck. But it was with the S500 that Honda forayed into the passenger car segment.

But the Honda S500 took the world with awe with its ridiculously small form factor and insane driving finesse. Mr. Honda and his team used 15 years of their expertise in the motorcycle world to create something unique on 4-wheels. And boy, did it make a lasting impression and became the root of the automobile empire that Honda has created today.

The first passenger car from Honda was the 'microscopic' S500 - a car responsible for Honda's high-revving fame.

Honda Rushed Into Creating Their First Passenger Car - The S500

Honda S500 honda logo close up view
Via: Secret-classics.com

During the 1950s, the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry issued an appeal to help boost the economy. They wanted all major Japanese automakers to develop a 4-seater passenger car. Mr. Honda was very much interested and founded an in-house team with just 50 members to do the same. All was going smooth, with the final prototype - TAS260 ready for the final stages of testing before production.

But in 1962, Soichiro Honda had to fight another hurdle. The Japanese government passed a law that would allow only a maximum, of 3 automakers to build cars. So, Mr. Honda had to rush through things and bid to be one of the 3. But that law didn't come into being, but sure helped the world get the fabulous Honda S500 a lot sooner; in 1962.

531 cc. Inline-4 Engine With A 9,500 Rpm Redline - That's F1 Car Territory Of The Time

Honda S500 engine bay view
Via: Secret-classics.com

Their 'motorcycle' formulae are clearly visible with the Honda S500's engine. When competitors were still clinging onto cast-iron cases for the engine, Honda went revolutionary and made an aluminum engine. The 521 cc engine was a DOHC unit with hemispherical combustion chambers and roller bearing crankshafts.

All of these complexities helped it rev its heart out and had a redline of 9,500 rpm. It churned out 44 hp and came with either a 4- or 5-speed synchronized gearbox. The engine was topped with a dual-overhead-camshaft connected to 4 Keihin carburetors that were used in motorcycles and marine engines of the time. It was an insanely light car with just 1,500 lbs.

Related: Honda Bids Adieu To S660 With Modelo X Version Z

The Revolutionary Honda With A Never-Before-Seen Suspension Setup

Honda S500
via Secret Classics

There were a lot of revolutionary bits in this tiny Honda but nothing as impressive as its suspension system. The front suspension was standard with upper and lower A-arms and had torsion bars as springs (only seen in Chryslers of the time). The impressive bit was at the rear, as Honda managed to make an independent rear setup using conventional parts.

A solid differential was mounted forward of the wheels with swing arms attracted to either end of the axle, just like on a motorcycle. The wheel was mounted on the swingarm and power was transmitted through a chain in sealed cast aluminum cases, that had coilovers. This was an ingenious method of achieving independence at the rear.

The Honda S500 Interior Was Tiny But Spacious!

Honda S500 came in a red interior, a ballsy move by Mr. Honda
Via: Secret-classics.com

Honda S500 had a surprisingly large cabin, comfortable for 2 grown adults. No one would have expected that from a car that would have been smaller than a Mazda MX-5 Miata, of current times.  The S500 was only offered in RHD as Honda didn't have plans to make it global (yet!). It was all about function in the cabin. No fancy gizmos, and just the basics.

Honda S500 instrument cluster close up view
Via: Secret-classics.com

The wooden steering wheel added a classy touch to this sporty coupe and had a rather crude look all around. A very hilarious reason for the cabin being covered in red upholstery was Mr. Honda's revolt against the Japanese government's order on reserving the colors red and white for police, and other emergency services. But he fought out of it and showcased the S500 in white exterior and red interior at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1962.

Related: The Honda Element SC Was A Completely Unique SUV

Honda S500 Joined The Sportcar Palette With the Likes Of MG Midget And Triumph Spitfire

Honda S500 side view
Via: Secret-classics.com

The car was tiny but had a lot of resemblance with the British likes of MGs and Triumphs. There wasn't any direct design similarity with the Brits, but the compact 2-door, soft-top roadster layout was quite common in the European countries back then. There wasn't any unique feature on the outside, just that it looked cute!

Then Came The S600 And S800: Same Body But With More Power And Hardtop

Honda S600 hard top front third quarter view
Via: Silodrome.com

The S500 was succeeded by the Honda S600 which had a bigger 606 cc engine with 57 hp and a top speed of  90 mph. And Honda also introduced 2,000 hardtop fastback models as well with the launch of the S600 in 1964.

Honda S800 front third quarter view
Via: Automobilemag.com

Honda was enjoying the recognition it was getting and decided to dial things up further. The S600 was succeeded by the Honda S800 that was the most powerful iteration of the S line-up. It packed a new 791 cc engine that pumped out 70 hp and had a redline of 10,000 rpm!

Since then, it was after 30 years that the Honda S series was given a fitting successor with the Honda S2000. But soon after, they went numb and we believe that now is the perfect time for an S2000 successor to carry on the S500's legacy.

Sources: Global.honda, Autozine.org, Secret-classics.com, Honda-tech.com, Hagerty.com, Curbsideclassic.com

Next: 10 Japanese Classic Cars Every Gearhead Should Drive At Least Once