Honda Beat

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Launched in 1991, the cute little Honda Beat convertible was designed to comply with tough Japanese restrictions relating to the size and power of cars that could be used in urban areas without incurring punitive tax, insurance and parking charges (compliant vehicles being classed as ‘kei’ cars).

The last model to be approved by the legendary Soichiro Honda before he died in 1991, the Beat was powered by a three-cylinder 660cc engine that produced 64bhp. In typical Honda fashion it was a high-revving unit (redlined at 8,500rpm) that eschewed turbo charging in favour of a clever MTREC (multi throttle responsive engine control) system with individual throttle bodies for each of the cylinders.

Allied to a 5-speed manual gearbox and a kerb weight of just 760kg, this gave the car an electronically limited top speed of 84mph with the 0-60 dash being completed in just 9 seconds and 50+mpg economy. Although this performance was quite adequate for most users, what really impressed road testers of the time was the go-kart like handling which meant you could hustle the car along twisty lanes without ever needing to hit the brake pedal.

Only 33,600 Beats were made in total before production came to an end in 1996, with just 60 of these currently registered in Britain, meaning that you are most unlikely ever to see one coming the other way.

Imported to the UK in October 2002, this particular car has had just three owners over here and has been in the current ownership for the last two-and-a-half years. With only 108,500kms on the clock (67,400 miles), we are told that it comes with a comprehensive service history from new although you may need at least a smattering of Japanese to decipher the first 52,000 miles of it!

Looking very cheeky in bright yellow with white alloy wheels and a grey/black zebra striped interior, it is said to be in exceptionally clean condition throughout with a nearly new black soft top, a handy boot-mounted luggage rack and a recently replaced exhaust. It is also said to be in very good mechanical order and a real hoot to drive.

Supplied with a good history file including various invoices and old MOTs, it also retains its original handbooks and service book and two keys, with tax until February and MOT until June 2015. Fun to drive, easy to park and cheap to run, this rare and well-maintained little sportscar looks most appealing at the sensible guide price suggested.