HONDA S500, S600 AND S800

NUMBER BUILT: approx. 15,000

WHAT IS IT? Honda’s second entry into the four-wheel market was their S500, a pretty, two-place roadster powered by a jewel-like 531cc engine. It only produced 44 horsepower, but could rev to 9500 rpm. The resulting effect was like a slowmotion Formula 1 car.

Honda offered the S500 for the 1963–’64 model years, but the idea didn’t die: the S600 and then S800 took production through 1970, adding more displacement plus, eventually, an available coupe body. Of all the models offered in the range, the S600 is the most common–relatively speaking, of course.

PLUSES: Technically superior to the competition. Funky, early-Japanese styling. Great engine. Is the Japanese collector market poised for another burst?

MINUSES: Parts availability is tough. These are not fast cars, and the S500 and S600 feature an unconventional chain drive.

COMMON EQUIVALENT: Triumph Spitfire, MG Midget or Fiat 850.

FINAL WORDS: These Hondas are the super-cool alternative to the usual British and Italian suspects.

PORSCHE 914

NUMBER BUILT: 118,978

WHAT IS IT? In 1970, through a strange partnership with Volkswagen that quickly turned ugly, Porsche put a low-priced model on the market. The Porsche 914 featured a mid-mounted Volkswagen engine, a Targa top and trunks both front and rear. Even though the 914 outsold the 911, only recently have the Porsche faithful started to pay much attention to it. (The rare six-cylinder cars, too expensive when new, have been collectible for years, leaving the rank-and-file 914 on the sidelines.)

PLUSES: Tons of trunk space, robust construction and opentop motoring without the usual associated headaches. The five-speed transmission delivers terrific highway cruising.

MINUSES: The mid-engine layout created an awkward shift linkage, while that VW engine is rather low-revving. The 914 can also rust, especially around the battery box.

COMMON EQUIVALENT: MGB, Triumph TR6, Alfa Romeo Spider. Maybe a Porsche 912.

FINAL WORDS: Even though 911 prices have stabilized a tad, the 914 still offers a great, low-cost alternative. We’d recommend a 2.0-liter car. Bonus points for hounds tooth seat inserts and a ‘70s-tastic colorway.