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Let me begin by throwing some specs at you. Zero-to-sixty in 6 seconds; 240 horsepower; close ratio, 6-speed transmission; 11.0:1 compression ratio; 9000 rpm redline. Sound like some exotic, twelve-cylinder hardware from Ferrari, Alpha Romeo, or Maserati? Try a four-cylinder from Honda. Honda took its racing experience and wrapped it all up in a tight little package – the S2000. This little roadster is a genuine SCREAMER. When most engines would end up with lots of loose pieces rattling around the crankcase, this little rocket is just putting out peak horsepower (at 8300 rpm). Honda really bent over backwards to offer something really different in a compact sports roadster.
The 1:24 scale die cast of the Honda S200 that’s offered by Ebbro (as part of its Premium Collection) provides a lot of bang for the collecting buck, especially at its lower price point. Designed for the Japanese market (the steering wheel is on the right side), in my estimation, it reflects on the Japanese collector’s expectations. First, the finish is flawless – metallic silver with a shine that looks a foot deep – a far cry from the many dull metallic finishes I’ve seen on some other past images. The seams around the doors, trunk and hood are close. Under the hood you’ll find all the exquisite details you could shake a stick at. Now, here’s where a few differences occur. Though the interior detailing is up to mint standards for the most part, the seats and convertible boot aren’t soft plastic. There are no working suspensions and the steering wheel does not turn. However, the wheels can be turned directly by hand. You can see the calipers through the spoke wheels as they rotate and Ebbro’s even simulated scoring on the rotors. Undercarriage detailing is also good, showing off the monocoque chassis well. The windshield, headlight, and taillight covers are crystal clear. One interesting feature is the way the doors are hinged. They use a simple clip that avoids moving the doors away from the body when you open them, as do dogleg hinges. In addition to giving a more natural “look,” the clip also helps the door to snap solidly shut. It’s an inexpensive compromise that works well, looks good, and makes you wonder why the mints haven’t thought of it. In fact, everywhere you look, the quality and attention to detail in this image belies its lower price. Ebbro is to be commended.
Honda really went the extra mile to produce a genuinely competitive roadster. They even avoided a dippy name for it, settling instead for S2000. Ebbro has done justice to this audacious little car by producing a quality image not on the top of the Mints’ to-do lists. Kudos go to Legacy Motors as well for bringing gems like this to the collector. If you love the car, you’ll love the image. After all, how many Hondas do you have in your collection?
(08/15/2003)
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