1966 Honda S600/800

Lot details
Registration No: FHJ364D
Chassis No: A52851008951
Mot Expiry: Feb 2011

The property of Jenson Button

The S600 may have been Honda's first mass market car, but by the time of its launch in 1964 the company was already the world's largest producer of motorcycles and renowned for its race-winning engines. Small wonder then that the relatively benign-looking, two-seater S600 featured technology developed on its Grand Prix-winning two-wheelers. While its British rivals still relied on cast iron OHV engines, the baby rice rocket was powered by an all-aluminium, DOHC, 606cc, four-cylinder unit that revved to an (at the time) astonishing 8,500rpm. With over 80bhp per ton on tap, the Honda's performance was more than a match for that of the more established Sprites and Midgets of the day.

At launch the model was offered in Roadster form only, but a year later the range was swelled by a Fastback Coupe. Over the three years of S600 production Honda is understood to have built a total of 11,284 Convertibles and 1,800 Coupes. The last 500 examples were fitted with the more powerful 791cc engine of the upcoming S800.

The right-hand drive car being sold is one of the latter - a S600 Roadster with 70bhp S800 engine, it left the factory bound for New Zealand in 1966. What makes the two-seater yet more rare and desirable is that (a) it has covered just a few thousand miles from new (current odometer reading 2,982) and (b) for the last two years its fourth keeper has been the reigning F1 World Champion Jenson Button. Although sparingly used in the current ownership, the Honda is accompanied by a DVD showing 'JB' twirling the steering wheel to good effect as he spears through the countryside above Monte Carlo - footage that was aired on an ITV show ahead of the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix

According to Jenson's father John, the coachwork and paintwork are original (apart from the finish on the nearside front wing which they had resprayed), the gearbox and interior trim are "nigh on perfect" and the engine is "just run in". The car also has a new battery.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has a current MOT certificate expiring February 2011.