A featherweight S800 M coupe with big revs and a fresh restoration is hitting the auction block in Japan soon
You might not see many Honda S800 M Coupes on the road today, but for enthusiasts of small, lightweight Japanese sports cars, this one is worth a closer look.
Compact and characterful, the coupe version was built with exports in mind and found itself lining up against the likes of the Austin-Healey Sprite and Triumph Spitfire. It’s arguably more engaging than anything in Honda’s current lineup.
Read: The Honda S800’s Little Gem Of An Engine Could Rev Up To 9,500 RPM
This tiny sports car is set to cross the auction block in Japan this January, with the option for international export still on the table. Originally built for the Belgian market, it eventually made its way back to Japan , where it received a full, detailed restoration.
Thanks to this restoration, the car looks just as good now as it would have when it left the factory in 1968, so it’s perhaps little surprise why it’s expected to sell for between 7-9 million yen (equal to around $44,000 – $57,000 at current exchange rates).
Tiny Engine with a Big Personality
Power comes from a minuscule 791 cc (0-.8-liters) naturally aspirated inline-four, rated at 69 horsepower when new. Modest by today’s standards, yes, but enough to send the S800 up to 99 mph (160 km/h). Numbers aside, the experience is where it shines.
What sets this engine apart is its high-revving character, a trait that came directly from Honda’s background in motorcycle engineering. The S800’s engine could spin well past 8,500 rpm, with some versions reportedly touching 9,500 rpm. It’s a rev-happy little thing, eager and unafraid of its redline.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that the S800 is very, very light. In fact, it tips the scales at just 1,587 lbs (720 kg), so we’re sure it must be an absolute joy to drive along a mountain road. Coupled to the small engine is a four-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels.
Then there’s the design, which is an unfiltered dose of 1960s charm. Despite its tiny engine, the S800 wears a surprisingly long hood, marked by a noticeable bulge on the passenger side. Chrome details are everywhere, framing the headlights, lining the grille, and wrapping around the rear bumper. It all sits on a set of small, gorgeous black wheels that suit the proportions perfectly.
The odometer reads 66,438 kilometers (41,282 miles), which is extremely low considering the car’s age. That, combined with the restoration, makes it an attractive option for collectors or anyone looking to own a piece of Japan’s sports car history.
For those of you with a thing for tiny engines and screaming redlines, this little Honda might just be your weird dream car. Check out the listing over here before someone with better taste gets there first.
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Brad Anderson’s lifelong affair and fascination with cars started young. Before even graduating high school,… Read full bio

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