Honda Salutes their Formula One History with a Special Edition S2000

Honda has created a special new limited edition S2000 to honor their near 40+ year history in Formula One. The limited edition of 50 cars will prominently feature the actual signatures of Honda F1 drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barricello on the numbered faceplate of an upgraded audio system as well as upgraded leather and an exclusive pearl white paint job.

In 1962, Hideo Sugiura, a manager at Honda’s Saitama Factory, received an unofficial order from research director Yoshihito Kudo, “We are planning to compete in F-1. I want you to oversee the project.”

“What is F-1? I have seen some photographs about it before, but I don’t know what it is. Please tell me what F-1 is,” asked Sugiura.

“I don’t know, either,” replied Kudo. “It doesn’t matter. Everyone’s a beginner, at first.”

Using a 2.5-liter British F-1 machine, the Cooper Climax, the Honda research team set out design their first F1 car. Less than two years later, the prototype (pictured) rolled out on to the track, ready to go. There was a simple entry in the head engineer’s journal that day:

“The old man is happy.”

It only took one year for Honda to get to the winner’s circle, taking the checkered flag at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. It was the first of many, many more to come.

Now, 43 years and hundreds of victories later, Honda is a major force not only in Formula One, but also dominates many other race series around the world. The F1 limited edition S2000 is a tribute to Honda’s many years of successful road racing competition.

Don’t rush off to your local dealer to place that order just yet… we’re afraid that this limited edition will only be available in France, Italy, and Germany.