Daniel Wu's Show-Stopping Honda S800

Daniel Wu's impeccable car collection really does it for us, in large part because they're builds - not just cars bought off a lot. And they're tasteful to boot. And while his Tanto 510 is a gem, THIS is peak Honda awesomeness. A period correct restoration is one thing, but period correct restomodding is where striking a balance can get tough. And if you watch our SEMA special, you'll know this was Roncar's #1 pick. For good reason.

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[ntxheb]

"I don't like to put radios in my car, I like to listen to the motor." That line right there is what I think makes him one of the best and unique car enthusiast on the scene.

[colkelley]

In 1968 my father spent a few months on Guam working for Lockheed on the fleet ballistic missile submarines. His rental car was a Honda S800 and he loved it.

Flash forward to 1974 and I reported to VQ-1 (Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE) as a Navy Airborne Electronic Warfare Officer. One of the first things I did was start searching for a Honda S800 since, after all, I had learned to drive and had taken my driving test in a 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite.

I found an S800 hatchback in a dirty, rusty color with an engine that had been modified for autocross so it was pumping out 135 HP at 12, 000 RPM. Rev it to 8000 RPM and dump the clutch and you left 75-100 feet of black rubber stripes.

Drove it, started working on the body and the interior and noticed that the clutch was starting to show wear. Took it to the local (and only) Honda dealership for a new clutch.

When I got it back two weeks later it would barely move and the dealership would not talk to me or look at my S800. Took it to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had been severely over-revved and it had swallowed a piston ring.

I contacted the Honda dealership and told them they had to fix it because they readily admitted that their Chief Mechanic had gone to test drive, had missed a shift and revved it to an estimated 14, 000 RPM. They told me to F-off.

They refused to fix it and refused to order the parts for me from Honda. When I threatened to call the Better Business Bureau they wished me a happy trip to Hawaii and the nearest BBB.

I deployed regularly to Japan and found out that Honda had a policy in Japan at the time that they would only provide parts to dealerships and the Japanese dealerships would not then sell the parts to me. My S800 became a permanent paperweight and I had no choice but to scrap it.

I still have a few pictures and some great memories. Now I drive a 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX that has beaten a Ferrari California in a 0-60 head-to-head.

Not bad for age 71.

[AngieMeadKing]

Its so Clean! Daniel has impeccable taste and style. So happy to have met him!

[broskimedula]

Other Hollywood stars: Lambo, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Range Rover...

Daniel Wu: Datsun 510, Honda S800

Proper car guy.

[cadewithac]

Omg that's actually the dopest Honda I've ever seen!!

[pilchard]

I'm from Australia, my eldest brother had 1 600 and 2 800's, he restored all of them, he loved them.

[rob_boss]

This guys taste is incredible, love his cars!

[adamvance]

ok, I'm a gm guy. I love my corvettes and old muscle. This might be the coolest car I've ever seen.

[Jin-Hu]

I feel like we need a Daniel Wu motors channel, he definitely has an eye for this, a real carnnoisseur

[megashocker]

Brings a tear to my eye, the build is just so beautiful. There’s a lot of passion put into this car, hope he enjoys every moment with it. I’m speechless, everything is done so perfectly.

[bradcarpenter]

MAAAD respect for him willingly wanting to wrench on his own car, and such a rare car as well!

[skeet]

That Honda should be in a history museum!!! Absolutely flawless!

[nazdagg]

"don't need a radio, like to listen to the engine". that's a real car nut.

[michaelmarcus]

This man is gangsta, it’s so cool to see a celebrity work on and care about old cars super rad build man

[EvendimataE]

would be nice if car companies can still build cars that look exactly like the old cars, but with modern performance

[musha]

As someone from Hong Kong Daniel is a legend, in both the film and car scene.

[mrbadmojoe]

And here I thought I was maxed out on how much I like Daniel Wu. I stand corrected.

[alsacs]

Amazing restoration and great perspective on reinventing himself after surgery. Daniel is so inspiring.

[kelevra]

If you haven't seen Into the Badlands, you're seriously missing out. Daniel Wu did such a incredible job in that show. Had no idea he was a car guy. Or a cool guy at that. I'm even a bigger fan now.

[joeottsoulbikes]

Such an absolutely beautiful build. I love that he kept this one almost completely stock, just cleaned up the wiring, filled in things the designers did not think about and the subtle mods make it so much more than original.