Honda S500
Honda S500 was built in 1963 1964, as a 2-door roadster. Powertrain: 531 cc DOHC I4. Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Size: 3,300 x 1,430 x 1,200 mm (L x W x H).
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. The picture illustrates the body shape, not this car; a photograph is added when a licence-safe one exists.
Overview
The Honda S500 was the second production car model manufactured by Honda (and its first passenger automobile), released in 1963, following the T360 truck into production by four months. It was a larger-displacement variant of the S360 roadster which, though developed for sale in 1962, was never produced.
Design
Like the S360, the S500 used a high-tech engine developed from Honda's motorcycle expertise. It was a dual overhead cam straight-4 with four Keihin carburetors and a 9500 rpm redline. Originally intended to displace 492 cc, the production version was 531 cc and produced 44 hp at 8000 rpm. At the time of its introduction, its dimensions and engine displacement were larger than established kei car regulations.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Against the other convertible models in this database (8 with this body type). Computed from the dimensions in the specifications, so it changes as the database grows.
- 30 mm above the median of 1,400 mm, and wider than 63% of the 8 other convertible models in this database.
- 180 mm below the median of 2,180 mm, and shorter than 100% of the 8 other convertible models in this database.
Who it suits
- Drivers buying for enjoyment rather than space: coupes and roadsters trade rear space for style and handling.
Check before you buy
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
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Can I import a Honda S500 from Japan?
By production year alone, Honda S500 is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Honda S500?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 531 cc DOHC I4.
How big is the Honda S500?
3,300 mm long and 1,430 mm wide and 1,200 mm tall, on a 2,000 mm wheelbase (2-door roadster). For container loading, use the container packer.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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