Civic

Civic

The Honda Civic is a series of models that have been in production since 1972. Norway was the first country in Europe where the Honda Civic was introduced. The enthusiasm and willingness to persevere in the Norwegian import company Hasco Motor under the management of Hanne Skotvedt may have contributed to Honda's success in Europe.

The Civic was the model that made Honda expand into a worldwide car brand and today the 6th best selling car in the USA. But it could have flopped.

The decade that disappeared in rust

A grass green car is either an exotic sports car or a car from the 70s. I quickly saw what it was. An "Ur-Honda" - Honda Civic generation 1. I love taking pictures of special vehicles I come across along the roads and streets. There have been thousands of photos, but no Civic 1 - until now. How is it that one of the world's best-selling cars has become so rare?

If one were to summarize Japanese cars from the 70s, it would have to be that they were well put together and easy to screw on afterwards. The downside was rust. Cars without Tectyl or Dinol treatment had to change screens and channels after a few years on the road. That's how they disappeared one by one - including Honda's first Civic model.

Many became Honda saviors

I like to admit that I like Honda better than many other car brands. My attitude towards Honda was formed in the 70s, partly influenced by the Norwegian investment led by Hanne Skotvedt, and partly by how the car brand was received in the USA. The Norwegian advertising slogan "With Honda at heart" was brilliant. Honda-saved car owners often drove around with "I *love* my Honda" stickers on the back of their cars. It was not just about good marketing, but also good cars.

Started with Kei Cars

Until the Honda Civic came on the market, Honda had only produced tiny cars which in the 60s were sold through selected motorcycle dealers. "N600" and "N360" were almost like microcars with 2-cylinder, air-cooled engines. In Japan, the N360 could be registered as a tax-friendly "Kei Car". The cars could also be delivered in a sporty variant "Z600" and "Z360" - as well as utility vehicles such as "T600" and "T360". Eventually, a dealer network was established for the cars, but production was not large. Honda still produces Kei Cars for the Japanese market.

Honda's first proper car was the Civic. It was the one that made Honda expand into a worldwide car brand and today the 6th largest in the USA.

It could have flopped

I have been told that the first cars that came to Norway were catastrophically bad. Each car had to be reviewed in detail before being released to customers. According to newspaper clippings from 1973, Norway was the first country in Europe where the Honda Civic was introduced. The import company Hasco Motor then consisted of 12 people, led by Hanne Skotvedt who was the country's only female - and certainly the youngest - car importer in Norway. In retrospect, one can of course speculate whether Honda would have achieved such rapid success in Europe without the great enthusiasm and willingness to stand up from the Norwegian team.

Honda Civic (source: the advertisement on Finn.no)

The Honda Civic was also surprisingly well received in the USA. In 1973, the world was hit by the "oil crisis", which created a market for small cars such as the Civic. It became a car that could be used without shame for daily "commutes" to and from work. It wasn't that the car press never found anything to fault the cars, but the cars that were tested were put in a good light. You could say that the USA really pressed Honda to its chest.

Honda Civic 1

The very first Honda Civics could be had with 2 or 3 doors. Of course, it was the variant with 3 doors that became the most popular. The first series, the SB1, had a 1170 cc engine. The following year came the SB2, which received a larger 1,2 liter engine (1237 cc) which accompanied the model throughout. This engine - and a larger 1,5 liter engine - could also be had in CVCC version. This was a Honda specialty with a two-part injection chamber – one small chamber with a rich mixture and a larger chamber with a lean mixture. This meant that the cars could long satisfy American emissions requirements without a catalytic converter.

Otherwise, it is worth mentioning that the Civic is equipped with independent suspension both front and rear, disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear. All engines were either delivered with a 4-speed manual gearbox or a 2-speed automatic transmission solution, called Hondamatic.

For sale

The pictured green car was first registered in Bodø and was last delivered to a car dealer in Trondheim before it has now been transferred to a car company in Trøgstad, Østfold (see advertisement) The car has, among other things, been in the same family for 21 years. Stated mileage is only 71 km. A rare good copy. 000 model with 1979 liter engine, 1,2 hp and Hondamatic. On the downside, the seller states that there is rust in the ducts. You can also see that the car has not been professionally painted and that it must be produced under EU inspection. The price of 56 is nothing to talk about. A nice winter project that can provide a nice time travel for those who still remember the 45s.

Honda has produced a real treat for people who are looking for a nimble and sporty small car. The Civic gives the impression of being a lot like a car despite its modest external dimensions. – Aftenposten 5 June 1973

See

Sales ad pictured car
Honda: Announcing the Civic 1972
Honda.no

The sixth generation Honda Civic has turned 20 years old.

Externally, American Civics differ from Japanese ones by a different design on the mirrors, and a different composition of rear lights. White parking lights have been retrofitted to European standards. — Who would have thought this car is 20 years old?

I think the design has stood the test of time very well. The most beautiful of them all is the 2-door coupe, followed by the 3-door hatchback. Civic as a 4-door sedan, does not look as modern.

After 20 years, you know a lot about the car's quality. The British-made Civics made many friends, because the cars seemed half a class bigger than the Japanese ones, and could be had both as a 5-door hatchback and station wagon. Moreover, they were better equipped. But today there are hardly any left on the road due to rust.

Japanese Civics (1996-2000) are still a fairly common sight along the road. Almost all have some surface rust in the transition between the rear fender, wheel arch and bumper. It is also not uncommon for rust to form in the rear wheel arches and under the doors. Engine-wise, most Civics are motorized with either a 75-horsepower 1,4 liter engine, or a 90-horsepower one.

The appearance of the sixth generation of the Honda Civic has withstood the test of time exceptionally well.

"My" Civic is taken from the house's own garage. It goes by the nickname "Bulkisen" because of all the parking dents that have been caused by careless youth. It is an American version, manufactured in Toronto, Canada. The American Civics received more thorough galvanization, and coped with rust better than their Japanese relatives. The base engine in American Civics is a 1,6 liter SOHC engine with 16 valves and 106 HP. Torque of a modest 103 Nm at 4600 revolutions. The same engine is found in almost all American Civics from this era, as well as in the Civic-based HR-V from the same era.

I like how the taillights are connected to the rear window, and the large roof spoiler.

In the United States, the Civic 6 ended up at the top of sales, right behind favorites such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It is still frequently sold as basic transport for people who need affordable and reliable transport. Almost all have completed 100 miles both 000 and 1 times. In Norway, the importer, Skotvedt, brought in 2 American models, - 2 door coupé version and the first generation HR-V which was based on the Civic 2. Both models had the Civic's 6 liter 1,6 HP engine.

The most beautiful Civic 6 is undoubtedly this Coupe variant. They are designed and manufactured in the USA with the same spec as "my" Civic.

106 HP sounds like a lot considering that the car only weighs 1040 kg. Nevertheless, the engine does not feel particularly sporty, as the power is delivered quite high up on the rev scale. Accelerations between 60 to 80 km/h are done most quickly in 2nd gear. Nevertheless, you rarely need to push the engine. Therefore, the car uses incredibly little petrol.

The low seating position gives the feeling of sitting close to the road. You get a bit of a go-cart feeling. A bit primitive compared to modern cars. You feel very well what the wheels are doing through the steering wheel. In addition, the chassis lets a lot of noise into the passenger compartment when it is working. Nevertheless, the car is surprisingly quiet at speed. The go-cart feeling is present when you put the car hard into the bends. It rolls little and therefore feels safe, but the retrofitted cheap Chinese tires let go of the roof quite easily, especially on autumn slippery roads.

106 HP at 1040 kg is still good, but does not invite sporty driving.

The Honda 6 is a car model that I can safely recommend as a car for under 30. They can withstand high mileage. Should you find a car with 000 km on the odometer and little rust, you have a friend for many years with whom you can drive many thousands of kilometres. The Civic 100 is easy to tinker with, and many examples can probably be tampered with by young, overzealous and inexperienced mechanics. Avoid cars with a high plastic factor in the form of spoilers and the like, especially if the work is not done professionally. If you want a fun project, the Civic 000 is a grateful object, not least because of the many custom parts that can be bought.

If you're looking for a Honda Civic under 30, you can also afford the Civic 000 (7-2001). It is not a bad car, but is known for more small problems than its predecessor, especially cars from 2006-2001.

In Terje's cars, cars under 30 will occasionally appear. Why 000? There is a price limit that everyone can afford, without mortgaging the farm and land. If you want to, you're allowed. But remember that even if the prices are low, the cars don't have to be boring or politically correct. On the contrary. Maybe a hobby project? - or a car just for fun?