One of the earlier Hondas that Tomica released, the Honda S800M wasn’t the first model to carry Tomica No. 23 on its box. That 1/51 scale model became the basis for dozens of variations for decades.

Originally published: October 4, 2003
Updated: January 1, 2025

As of January 2005, the Hondacurator Collection had the following Honda S800/S800M by Tomica:

1:51 Honda S800 by Tomica

The most major variation is whether the convertible top is up or down. In the models with the top down, the windshield header has the accessory wind blocker cast into the windshield header – painted black in most of the more recent top-down models. In the top up versions, the convertible top is of the 3-part window type.

In the most detailed variations, the headlight trim rings are painted silver, the side and rear marker lights are painted orange and “HONDA” in stenciled on the trunk lid. Some models have some of these features – in combination or standalone. Most models have chrome grille and headlights – which are really the same plastic casting. The details are more likely to appear on the more recently manufactured cars. The Tomica S800Ms are either made in China or Japan – with no discernable differences in the casting, finish or level of detail.

Interestingly, some of the S800s have a black anodized base which results in the bumpers also being black.

Regular

Yellow/black roof on red – first release

This is an early issue yellow S800 with a red interior. It comes in a T-29 black/yellow box.

Red/black roof on ivory – first release

This first release that had a production for about 3 years was introduced to Tomica’s roster in July 1980.

An early version in red with an ivory interior and a matte black roof.

Cream/black top on red

A cream colored S800 with a red interior and a glossy black roof.  Made in Japan, the red interior and glossy black roofs are the earliest S800s to be produced.  Typically, they came in T-29 black/yellow boxes.

Cream/black soft-top on red

Here’s a variation with a matte black (almost crinkle finished) roof

Cadmium yellow/black roof on red – regular issue?

This is an early issue cadmium yellow S800 with a red interior. It comes in a T-29 black/yellow box.

Yellow/white roof/black base on black – regular?

The black/bronze anodized base versions of the S800 seemed to be the second issue of the car from Tomica.  Still Made in Japan, these came in T35 marked black and yellow boxes. These came in yellow/white, light blue/black and silver/black – all with white wheels.

Blue/black roof/black base on black – regular?

Orange/black roof on black – Tomica Amusement

This is late issue keychain version of the S800 with painted taillights and headlight trim. As with most of the later issue S800s, this one is made in China also.

Events

Blue – Kuji I (2000)

A 30th Anniversary lottery version of the S800.

Red/white – Tomica 30th Anniversary Mini Expo Ikebukuro 2000

Prior to the Tomica’s main expo in Tokyo later in the year, a mini one was held in Ikebukuro where this red/white version of the S800 was the commemorative issue.

Blue/white – Tomica 30th Anniversary Major Expo Tokyo 2000

Here is the later August 2000 release of the S800 commemorating Tomica’s 30th Anniversary at the Tokyo (major) Expo.  Made in China, this model came in a special 30th Anniversary box as well. Silver headlight trim, painted taillights and 30th Anniversary markings in addition to the blue and white color scheme distinguish this from the typical S800 from Tomica.

Grey/white roof on black – Tomica Expo Osaka 2003

A newer issue commemorating Tomica Expo Osaka 2003.

Disney Series

The S800 was one of the Honda models included in Disney’s series of cars depicting various characters.

Red “Mickey” – Disney Series

In December 2006, a red S800 featured the popular Mickey on the D-30 release’s very colorful design – likely the most colorful adorning a Tomica Honda S800 or likely any S800.

Boxed Sets

Raw Bronze – The Honda set

In the “The Honda” set, Tomica released 3 cars (Fit, NSX, S800M) that were brush nickel finished.  The S800 and NSX were from the Tomica Limited series will a lot of additional details including special wheels and tires.  Notice the details on the chrome wheels!

Black/green roof on white – Special Model Set No.6

This black S800 was part of the Special Model Set No. 6 together with 3 other black-colored cars include a Honda Vamos.

Red (racings stripe/circle)/black roof on black – Toys R Us exclusive

Toys R Us released a pair of Hondas boxed together including an NSX and an S800. As with most of the Toys R Us exclusives in the modern era, there’s quite a bit more detail than in prior S800 releases.

Red/black roof on black – Legends II set

The S800 from the Legends II set has silver windshield and headlight trim but lacks any other detail.  Comes with 5 spoke wheels.

White – Tomica Event Model

A combination release in the same box with the S2000 commemorating the

Yellow/black roof on black – Powered by Honda set

This is later issue yellow S800 with a black interior made in China. In addition to the painted silver headlight trim, trunk hinges, gas cap, corner markers, this version also has painted door handles!

Honda Direct Marketing

The Honda Direct Marketing versions of the Honda S800 came with additional painted details such as the headlight trim, trunk/boot hinges, gas/petrol caps, rear taillights, corner markers. The HDM boxed cars were made in Japan and came in yellow, white, silver and red.  There was also a met. red with a grey roof.

White No.1/Black roof on black – Honda Direct Marketing

A racing version of the S800 with black wheels that came made in Japan in a HDM checkered box. As with HDM versions, painted details abound on this car – though the hinges, gas cap and “HONDA” on the trunk are in black.

Yellow/black roof on black – Honda Direct Marketing

White/black roof on black – Honda Direct Marketing

Silver/black roof on black – Honda Direct Marketing

Red/black roof on black – Honda Direct Marketing

Red/grey roof on black – Honda Direct Marketing

Yellow /top down/black – Honda Direct Marketing

The Honda Direct Marketing version of the top down S800.  It has all the same painted details as the top up version and in addition has a black wind visor on the windshield header.

Red/top down/black – Honda Direct Marketing

Light yellow No.25 – Honda Direct Marketing

A tan colored racing S800 with a black interior and a body colored roof. The tampoed markings are highly detailed including the “Honda” and “H” logos on the side of the fender. This Made in Japan model came in a HDM brown checkered box.

Toyota Automotive Museum

A Honda S800 from Toyota!  This model was only available through the Toyota Automotive Museum.  The distinguishing feature are black colored front grilles.  These made in Japan S800 from the TAM came in both yellow and red.

Red/black roof/black interior – Toyota Automotive Museum

Yellow/black roof/black interior – Toyota Automotive Museum

Red No.53/black roof on black – Kawaguchiko Motor Museum custom

A Kawaguchiko Motor Museum version of the Honda S800 in red with Team SS and museum markings.

Red/black roof on black – Japanese Automobile Museum

A red, made in China, S800 with a custom box for the Japanese Automobile Museum (Nihon Jidōsha Hakubutsukan).

Black – Apita Exclusive

Coming soon!

Ikeda Exclusive

Silver/black roof on black – Ikeda exclusive

The silver version has white wheel.

Red/open top on black – Ikeda exclusive

A special edition Honda S800 – with it’s roof cut off – making it an open air roadster. Interestingly, nothing needed to be done to the interiors to make these open air versions.

Yellow top down – Ikeda exclusive

The Ikeda custom version top down S800 came in both yellow and white.

White top down – Ikeda exclusive

White No.10/white roof on black – Ikeda exclusive

A pair of black and white race S800 – both numbered 10 and have bronze anodized bases.

Black No.10/black roof on black – Ikeda exclusive

Metallic brown/white roof on black

A Made in Japan version in metallic brown and a tan roof.

White No.54/white top on black – Spoon Sports custom

A Spoon special edition of the S800 in race trim has chrome lipped wide race wheels extending beyond the fenders!  Decorated with “Motoland” and “54” markings, this made in China version has a track that is certainly wider than the regular Tomica S800. The additional race markings are good.  The interesting feature on this version is the pained rear window with a strip that in the middle left unpainted to match/extend the red strip that runs longitudinally through the center of the car.  The headlights and front grille are black even though the base is bare metal.

White/black top on black – Hamamatsu Sports Car Club custom

A special “Sting” version in a specially marked box from the Hamamatsu 60’s Sports Car Club.

Yellow No.2 – Ito-Yokado exclusive

This yellow, race-inspired S800 carrying No.2 was exclusively available through the Ito-Yokado stores. The base and hence bumpers are black metal.

White/black/white roof on black Police – TBD

A Police version of the S800.  Packaging unknown, though judging from the bronze anodized base plate, it is likely this made in Japan version came in a black/yellow T35 box.

Green/white roof on black – TBD

A later issue made in China version with painted headlight trim.

Garage Suzuki customs

A number of Garage Suzuki editions of the Honda S800. The distinguishing feature of the Garage Suzuki editions are the Garage Suzuki logo on the trunk/boot lid. Some have body colored roofs and some have racing stripes that run the length of the car. So far, these have been made in Japan S800 and normally come in plain brown boxes.

Red/black roof (logo on trunk)- Garage Suzuki custom

Red/red roof (white stripe, logo on trunk)- Garage Suzuki custom

Light blue/black roof on black – Garage Suzuki

Red/red roof (license plate on hood)- Garage Suzuki custom

Blue/black roof on black – Garage Suzuki

Blue (white stripe)/black roof on black – Garage Suzuki

Blue (yellow stripe)/black roof on black – Garage Suzuki

Red/red roof on black – Garage Suzuki

Red/black roof on black – Garage Suzuki

Red/black roof (license plate on hood)- Garage Suzuki custom

Variation with painted license plate on bonnet.

Red with white stripe/black roof on black – Garage Suzuki custom

Yellow No.5/yellow roof on black (Variation 1) – Thank You Kids custom

Here are 3 variations in the custom “Thank you kids” version. They all come in identical boxes with variations in the hood and roof decals. The uniqueness of this custom version are the black wheels and yellow bases.

Yellow No.5/yellow roof on black (Variation 2) – Thank You Kids custom

Yellow No.5/yellow roof on black (Variation 3) – Thank You Kids custom

Tomica Construction Factory

In 2006, Tomica released a set of Tomica Construction Factory commemorative versions of the S800 in Red, Blue and White with white stripes. Except for the wheels/tires, the details are of Limited-level quality. There were also 3 possible interior colors for a total of nine combinations. The Hondacurator Collection has 3 of the nine – all with black interiors.

Red on black – Tomica Construction Factory

White on black – Tomica Construction Factory

Blue on black – Tomica Construction Factory

Blue on red – Tomica Construction Factory

incoming….

White open top – Garage Cafe 51 custom

Unsure when this was released but the model uses the chopped-top version of the S800 casting. This is a simple rendition without much detail aside from the Garage Cafe 51 logo on the trunk lid.

Tomica Limited

Part of a set of 4 Hondas (2 S800 and 2 S2000). The limited series cars came in nicer display boxes with a metal name plate and lots of painted details. The main difference are the accurate wheels. Painted details are plentiful in this version.

Red – Tomica Limited

A red S800 was introduced in the Tomica Limited series. 

Yellow – Tomica Limited

A limited-edition version of the S800 in yellow.

Blue (Limited spec) – Toys Dream Project

A blue S800 that came in a ChoroQ – Tomica set. This S800 is the higher detail version.