Enter the S2000. Launched in 1999, it was everything a fast Honda should be; fast, practical and bulletproof. To quote Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara “You will be surprised to know that we had very little input from the marketing people. This was a deliberate move, as we wanted to create something to please us as an engineering team, rather than try and please everyone.”

​​Stringent emission laws and a hefty tax levied on large displacement engines in Japan led to groundbreaking developments at Honda. High performance, small displacement engines was the name of the game. There’s even an entire car culture surrounding the movement – Kei cars. Physically small in stature with a 660cc limit, capable of producing as much as 63bhp from factory in naturally aspirated form – and that’s before they started strapping turbo’s to them!

By mounting the engine behind the front wheels and sending power down to a Torsen limited slip differential, Honda achieved a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Honda’s own proprietary variable valve timing system – designated V-TEC, works witchcraft on the naturally aspirated in-line 4 cylinder 2.0 litre F20C engine. Revving to a staggering 9000 rpm and an impressive 240bhp and 208 N⋅m of torque, the V-TEC engages at the 5,500-6,000 rpm range, booting an otherwise sedate and frugal 2.0 litre engine into a chest beating rampage. All this, whilst being more reliable than gravity!

Journalists praised the S2000’s minimalist styling, value for money and entirely useable power – the F1 inspired digital dash was another nice nod to their Formula 1 roots. The only real criticism highlighted the tail happy nature of the car. Well, what did we expect from the lead designer of the NSX and Integra Type R? This slippery roadster was, in true Honda fashion, further improved upon in 2004 with the face-lifted AP2 generation of the S2000.

​​The AP2 facelift was launched in 2004 and along with some minor cosmetic changes to the lights, the AP2 saw the wheels grow to a staggered 17 inches and a revised suspension geometry set-up, including a more rigid front subframe and new dampers and spring rates to reduce the oversteer and improve stability.

Purchased new for a very reasonable £22,923.00, this Nurburgring Blue AP2 S2000 has spent its entire life as part of a large collection. The S2000 has been garaged and on battery maintainers when not in use and taken out only for spirited blasts through the mountain roads.

Prior to delivery the S2000 will pass through our workshop and undergo a thorough list of pre-sale preparation work, including:

Carry Out Major Service, Change Brake Fluid, Change Coolant, Carry Out A/C Service, Replace All Tyres, Replace N/S/R Wheel Centre Cap, Carry Out Wheel Refurbish, Repaint Front Bumper.

In addition to carrying out these service items, the vehicle will undergo our full future-proofing program. The underside will be thoroughly washed clean of contaminants, before a final application of protective clear cavity wax to ensure the bodywork is protected before being carefully reassembled and enjoyed for years to come.