Lot number	65
Hammer value	N/S (est. £3,500 - £4,500)
Description	Honda Beat
Registration	TBA
Year	1993
Colour	Yellow
Engine size	660 cc
Chassis No.	PP11027802
Engine No.	E07A
Documents	V5C; MOT January 2017; service history

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.

Dating from 1993, this particular Beat was imported to the UK in February 2000 and only has some 105,000kms on the clock (65,200 miles). We are told that it comes with a good service history from new although you may need at least a smattering of Japanese to decipher the first 7 years of it!

Looking very cheeky in bright yellow with a grey/black zebra striped interior, it is said to be in exceptionally clean condition throughout with a nearly new black Mohair soft top, a recently replaced exhaust and black Compomotive Evolution alloys. 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 an MOT until January 2017 with no advisories recorded. 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.

Please note that the personalised number shown is not included and will be replaced by an age-related plate prior to the sale.