One to Buy: 5000 mile Berlina Black 2002 Honda S2000
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During its early days as an auto manufacturer, Honda focused on the production of two small displacement models: the T360 mini truck and S500 Roadster.
Unfortunately, the S500 and its successors, the S600 and S800 (that latter of which was also offered in Coupe trim) proved commercially disappointing and Honda elected to switch focus to economy cars like the Civic that ultimately saved its car building division.
However, company founder Soichiro Honda was an avid motor racing fan and, with his auto making firm now a sound financial footing, more and more performance models began to emerge following the dawn of the 1980s.
Initially, Honda’s sporting revival was centred around some spirited Hot Hatches that very much captured the mood of the era. The revolutionary Ferrari and Porsche-rivalling NSX then followed in 1989 along with the open top 700cc Beat in 1991.
Tellingly, to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a car builder, Honda elected to revisit its roots and created the firm’s most successful two-seat Roadster of all: the S2000. Production ran from 1999 until 2009 by which time a little over 110,000 units had been completed.
Set to go under the hammer at Mecum’s Indy sale on May 15th is a super example of the S2000 breed: chassis ‘8886’ Configured in arguably the best colour scheme for one of these cars, Berlina Black with matching upholstery, this best of breed machine from 2002 has covered just 5000 miles from new.
