When Honda marked its 50th anniversary at the turn of the millennium, it did so by launching a sports car that felt pointedly old-school even back then.
The Honda S2000 arrived without turbochargers, computerised traction control or indeed any driver aids. Instead, it offered a high-revving four-cylinder engine, a manual gearbox and perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
Twenty-five years on, the S2000 stands as one of the clearest expressions of Honda’s engineering excellence – and a car with performance measured in feel as much as in figures.
Peak power at 8,300rpm
The raw numbers were arresting enough. The 2.0-litre F20C engine produced around 240hp, but the real party trick was the way it delivered it: building pace relentlessly to an 8,300rpm crescendo. It remains one of the most power-dense naturally aspirated engines ever made. And crucially, it was paired with a six-speed manual gearbox whose short, mechanical shift still sets a benchmark.
The example offered here, which will cross the block at the Iconic Auctioneers’ Race Retro sale in February 2026, is an S2000 GT from the final year of UK sales.
Finished in Moonrock Metallic with a black leather interior and red stitching, it has a subtle, understated specification. The original black soft-top is joined by a factory hard-top, complete with a stand and cover. The car retains its original 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
Only two previous owners
Specification highlights of the S2000 GT include Xenon headlamps, push-button start, digital instruments, air conditioning and the original CD stereo.
Importantly for collectors, the car remains completely unmodified. With many S2000s altered for track use or drifting when values were at their nadir, originality has become an increasingly valuable quality.
Registered in May 2009, the Honda remained with its first owner until the summer of 2025 – an unusually long custodianship that speaks volumes about how it was regarded. Bought by the current vendor as a gift, it is now offered for sale after limited use, having proved a little too focused for everyday duties.
Auction in February 2026
The S2000 has covered just 16,356 miles from new. It has always been maintained within the Honda main dealer network, with a fully stamped service book and invoices to cover 16 consecutive services.
The history file is comprehensive, including owner’s manuals, a leather document wallet, two keys and past MOT certificates. With production ending in 2009, UK-supplied S2000s with this level of provenance are rare.
For many, the appeal of the S2000 stems from its clarity of purpose. Compact, finely balanced and mechanically honest, it offers a driving experience that feels refreshingly direct by today’s standards. In final-year spec and preserved in original condition, this example captures that spirit better than most.
Check out the Iconic Auctioneers online listing for more photos and information. Happy bidding!
ALSO READ:
2009 Honda S2000 review: Retro Road Test
