Honda Ascot
The Honda Ascot was a name given to two motorcycles and two cars produced by Honda. The motorcycles to carry the name, the FT500 and VT500FT, were produced with the Ascot name between 1982 and 1984. The two automobiles produced as Ascots were built in two generations, the first from 1989–1993 and the second from 1993–1997.
The Honda Ascot Innova is the Japanese-market name for the Europe-bound Honda Accord between 1993–1997. Honda provided this car to the Rover Group, who modified the car to create its own Rover 600.
FT500'82
The Honda Ascot, designated FT500'82, was sold in 1982. Two colors were available: Monza Red and Black. The tank stripes and the "FT500" decal were gray and silver on the red bike; but they were red and orange on the black bike. The speedometer was limited to 85 mph (135 km/h). The headlight was rectangular and so were the instruments. The bike had electric start. The engine was a 498 cc OHC, 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PC0708CM000019.
FT500'83
The FT500'83 was sold in 1983 in one of two colors: Monza Red or Black. The tank and side cover stripes on the red bike were white and blue; but on the black bike they were silver and red. The headlight and instruments were rectangular. The speedometer had a 120 mph (195 km/h) limit. The engine was a 498 cc OHC, 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.
VT500FT'83
The VT500FT'83 Ascot was sold in 1983 in one of two colors: Pearl Siren Blue or Candy Bourgogne Red. The side cover panel on the blue bike was silver, but on the red bike it was black. The gas tank wing decal was 2-tone. The 2-into-1 exhaust system was black chrome. The engine was a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.
VT500FT'84
The VT500FT'84 Ascot was sold in 1984 in one of two colors: Black or Candy Bourgogne Red. The side cover panel on the black bike was silver, but on the red bike it was black. The gas tank wing decal was 3-tone. The 2-into-1 exhaust system was black chrome. The engine was a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*EM100001.