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.
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