While it had already made a name for itself in motorbike racing, Honda Motor Company introduced the Sport 800 (S800) at a time the brand was still finding its feet in the automobile world. Since most automobile enthusiasts weren't familiar with the Honda brand, the S800 sold less than 12,000 units before halting production in 1970. Let's give you a brief history of the Honda S800.

Honda kicked off its "S" regime with the S360 Roadster, which debuted in 1962 at the Japan National Auto Show. It was refused a Kei car certification and markets outside Japan, especially the United States. Most weren't exactly impressed with the 360-cc (0.36-liter) DOHC inline-four cylinder engine tucked away under the hood of the S360.

Hence, the Honda S-series went through several iterations - S500, S600, and S800 - to appeal to other markets besides Japan. Expectedly, the successors to the S360 had larger cylinders and increased displacement.

Finally, in 1965, the Honda S800 showed up at the Tokyo Motor Show as the successor to the highly successful (by Honda's standard) S600. The S600 had sold 11,284 roadsters and 1,800 coupes between 1964 and 1966. Although the S800 packed a punch with a 791cc straight-four (4-cylinder) engine and up to 9,500 rpm, it didn’t fare much better in sales than its predecessor after topping off at 11,536 units between 1966 and 1970. After the last S800 left the Honda factory, a sports car wouldn't wear the stylized “H” logo until 30 years later - the 2000 Honda S2000.

In other words, the S800 is a very special edition of the Honda S-series. Therefore, we will be checking out some of the best features found in the model, with a special focus on the 1968 version.

Related: A Detailed Look At The Honda S600

Best Features Of The 1968 Honda S800: Dynamic Powertrain

Honda S800 BH Auction
Via BH Auction

Redlining at 9,500 RPM, the Honda S800 was one highest revving sports cars ever made. Equipped with a small but powerful 791 cc naturally-aspirated (no-turbo) 4-cylinder gas engine, the S800 paid homage to Honda’s roots in motorcycles and small, powerful internal-combustion engines.

One of the reasons the first S-series didn’t do too well sales-wise was because the European market thought them conforming and lacked innovation. The S800, with its punchy small engine, changed that view.

Notably, the 791cc mill wasn't such a striking feature, except that Honda paired it with a twin-cam roller-bearing power unit, setting a precedent in production cars. This was- and still is- what's most impressive about the last Honda S-series of the Cultural Decade.

Furthermore, the S800 had a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) powertrain distribution system accompanied by a 4-speed Manual gearbox, front-wheel disc brakes, and rear-wheel brake drums. Speaking of brakes, the S800 is fitted with a Fujikagaku diaphragm-clutch, which is more compact, lighter, and delivers higher torque transmission capacity.

The torsion bar between the vehicle's frame and the control arm improves handling and stability. The gears transmit all ratios between the input and output shafts through the all-indirect gearbox. It can travel up to 3000 miles before you need to replenish the sump to supply the gearbox with oil.

Its power-to-weight ratio of 91HP-per-tonne allowed the S800 to go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 14 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 100 mph. The Honda S800's engine could deliver a sweet 49 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm and 71 horsepower at 8,000 rpm.

The 1968 Honda S800 Has An Amazing Handling

1968 Honda S800 - Front Quarter
Honda

The main sad part of the S800's story is that it never made it to America, although the company made changes in preparation for the American market.

For example, Honda switched the S800 from chain drive to drive-shaft and the independent rear suspension system to a live axle rear diff and rear suspension setup. The next step in the S800's modifications was the introduction of the rear disc brakes and front brake drums. At this point, the S800 offered more predictable handling to appease the British market.

Still targeting the American market just two years before closing the chapter on the S-series, Honda introduced the S800-M with significant configurations that included dual-circuit brakes, exterior side marker lights, and mounted interior door handles. The S800 would have enjoyed far better success with access to the U.S. market.

Related: These Are Some of the Most Reliable Car Engines Ever Made

The 1968 Honda S800 Features Quite An Alluring Aesthetics

Honda S800 M Coupe
Via BH Auction

The Honda S800 is classified as a sports car and came in two body styles; the 2-door roadster and the 2-door coupe.

The 13-inch tires look disproportionately big considering the body size of the S800. The body is 131.3 inches long, 55.24 inches wide, and 48 inches tall. It had a 6.3 inches ground clearance. The body dimension, Cabrio-style design, and tire size makes the S800 look both bulky and pretty at the same time.

Unlike the later 1969 edition, the blinkers are set in the grille of the car, which doesn't seem to enhance the aesthetics of the grille very much. However, the S800's turn signals give off a powerful light visible from a decent distance. Plus, the transparent paneling of the hood improves visibility when driving in reverse.

Honda_S800M_(1968)_Cockpit
Via PekeFon- Wikimedia Commons

As a true-to-form Japanese sports car, the Honda S800 comes equipped with peculiar paraphernalia, such as Stanley lamps, 12 mm NGK spark plugs and two twin-choke Keihin carburetters.

Although the Honda S800 never made it officially into the United States, it was available in Britain and sold for 780 British Pounds, according to an ad in Motorsport Magazine in 1967. That’s approximately $17,000USD in today’s money, although it is unlikely an S800 owner would be willing to part with this modern classic for such a relatively small amount.

In case you’re wondering, the S800 didn’t make it into the US in time due to new safety and emissions regulations. Summarily, the S800 is a true icon that set a precedent in how fast a production car can go in such a small body.