1977 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback Classic Car Vintage

This little car is an awesome attention-getter! First generation Honda Civic CVCC -- makes mini Coopers look big in comparison.
Lots of work has been done to restore this car including engine overhaul, carburetor overhaul, brakes, tires, seat covers, and more. Except for a recent paint job and a working 8-track tape player, this car is all original. Equipped with AC, but hasn't been charged in 1yr. She starts and runs like a sewing machine.
Hondamatic automatic transmission. ~26 mpg city :: ~32 mpg highway. Less than 100,000 original miles.

[@bernlin2000]

An ACDC 8-Track tape playing in a '77 Civic...I suspect there are very few people left on the planet who can regularly enjoy that experience today 😅 amazing piece of history!

[@ziggymorris8760]

Brings back memories. These cars were engineered so well that the only reason they didn’t last forever was because the body would rust out, but that was only after it had 200-300k miles on it.

[@imsneeky]

in canada they rusted out in 3 yrs lol,but yes,if not the car would have lived forever

[@phootie98661]

I had a 76 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback, it was my first brand new car, 4 speed manual, brown with yellow, red and orange pin striping, it cost $4,200 with tax an licence. I was divorced and living with my dad. My piece of crap Datsun station Wagon I had from my marriage gave up and my dad got tired of driving me to work. I had seen an ad on TV and said to my dad that is the car I would love to have when I can afford it. One day he showed up early to pick me up from work and said I think I bought a car. We went to the dealership and he handed me the keys, I made the payments. I loved that car, and it was so much fun to drive. I gave it to my live-in boyfriend in 1981 when I bought a new Mustang with a T-Top. I know it would do 125 mph, because I had it up that far one time. Sometime long after we split, the ex wrecked it, he said he cried when it happened as he loved the car as much as I did.

[@bobdillaber1195]

I looked at the 72 Civic when it came out. Nope. Then the 73 came out and I said, YEAH !!! Bought a demo from Bud Kouts Chevrolet in Lansing, Michigan. Had 6,000 miles and I paid $2,000 for it. Loved that car and 50 years later my kids still love it and talk about it, almost as if it was an old family member! Me and my small kids drove in that car everywhere for 5 years! After paying $2,000 and driving it 100,000 miles I sold it for $1,000. One of the best investments of my life, and that's a lot because I'm 82. 🙂

[@DIYBFF123]

MY CHILDHOOD! MY MOTHER HAD A 77 CIVIC, SILVER...SHE LOVED IT!

[@Surreyredneck]

That car is the reason I drive a 2019 Accord, Honda’s engineering is top shelf.

[@BKbuilds]

As a owner of this generation of car it's engineering is dog shit the carb was trash the head is retarded expensive to get machined

[@christopherbrennan7747]

Thanks for the memories. I originally had a 1978 Civic Hatchback given to me by a colleague back in 1988. I drove it until 1990 when it got t-boned on my wedding day. During the same time frame I came across two 1977 Civics. One with a decent body and one with a decent engine. I did a swap and had two running Civics for some time. One had a 5 speed manual and the other had a Hondamatic. I really disliked the poor performance of the Hondamatic. Well one day the engine on the Hondamatic seized and when I tried to restart it, it kicked a rod out the side of the block. I was again back to two Civics, one with a decent engine and one with a good body. I did another swap and was down to a 1977 Civic with a trunk (half hatch) and a 5 speed manual. I sent it in for body work and paint and drove it until 1997 (20 years old). By this time the floors had rotted out and I parked it. I bought a two year old 1995 Civic Hatchback and have been driving it until present It's over 22 years old now and still goes like stink. It'll probably exceed the 30 year old mark and still be going. Sorry for the long story but it's been a long history for me with Honda Civics. On a side note: I also have a 1993 Civic Sedan that's still running. I have many more Civic memories to share but I've written enough already. thanks

[@mfnajeeb1907]

Christopher Brennan..sweet memories? Picking up girls on various dates?

[@ziggymorris8760]

Christopher Brennan I got to drive my friends brand new ‘95 Honda Civic back then and I was surprised at how quick that little car was.

[@TheSchmed]

I HAD an ‘84 and ‘92, both rear ended, have a 2008, that is now my sons car. I change the oil and trans fluid, and it stays running.

[@christopherbrennan7747]

An update: I got rear ended in the 1995 hatch about 1.5 years ago. The guy hit me at 70 km/h while I was stopped. It broke the back of my seat and left me horizontal. I'm still hurting from it but I keep going. My son crashed the 1993 hard into a curb on Father's Day. We fixed the major structural damage and he's still driving it. I kept the 1995 hatch for parts and we used some of them to fix the 1993. I miss driving it. It still runs but can never be put back on the road.

[@bonnielamison3412]

​@@christopherbrennan7747 oh no!!! sad to lose a car with memories.. so it made it until around 25 yrs? I actually sold Hondas in 93-95 so I can picture it. Glad you were ok.. My '77 didn't really protect me much during my (head on) but I have a hard head. It would've helped if I'd been wearing my seat belt. I was in college and my Dad had never worn a seat belt in his life prob., so he was like the stubborn almost 60 year old patriarch of our big family.. we said, "Dad, put on your seat belt." He did, for the rest of his 92 years. I got a 1980 Civic sedan in '84, and 1985 Accord sedan in 87? and finally a new 1991 Accord but two years later when I worked at the Honda dealer, I'd fall in love with all the cool used cars too... So I traded in my '91 for a used '91 Accord "special edition", cool color, leather, my first automatic :) In the mid-'90s I was trying to sell the '91 to save money and I bought a perfect condition early '80s Accord sedan to replace iI but I sold that quickly to the used car manager at my old Honda dealer and kept the '91 after all... until my little baby arrived and it was too hard to get him in/out and I went with a used mini-van. Then finally a 2004 Toyota mini-van which has 248K miles now and my husband wants me to get a 2021. Sadly, the Toyota is still going to beat out the Odyssey. So you son's driving the '93 and you don't have a Honda now? You're forgiven.

[@bramvaneden7318]

This brings back memories. My first car was a 1978 silver Honda Civic with a manual transmission. Keep it on the road .

[@randyranson84]

I owned one, a grey hatchback with whitewall tires, I loved that car. I drove it every second weekend from Toronto to Montreal and back 700 miles for over two and a half years and it never let me down, the gas milage was phenomenal. It's a good looking car too, and so easy to park. Honda should've reproduced a newer version but in the same format, at relatively the same price point. Great car, it blew away GM's small car attempts in the 70's, that's why Honda is what it is today, a smart marketing outfit.

[@randykrauch8954]

I purchased my green 1977 Civic in 1980 from a used card lot in Hinesvile, GA for $3,000. Mine too had the Hondamatic two-speed manual shift. I'd forgotten about the chock until watching your video. It came w/ just a single speaker for the radio. Unbeknownst to me, my car had been in an accident and had some Bondo and a complete repaint job. I drove it all the way back to Los Angeles from Ft. Stewart, GA w/ a surfboard on top. In that 2,500 mile drive, it took 3 quarts of oil. I had the car 5 years. On the way back from a Dodger game on the freeway it blew a head gasket. At the time I didn't know what that was, just that I had a bunch of steam blowing out my tailpipe. It warped the block head and I spent $1,800 for a rebuilt engine. By 1985 the transmission was faltering. By that time I had my eye on the new Honda Civic wagon which I purchased for $8,200. My first new car. I got a $500 trade-in allowance for my Georgia Bullfrog Green Civic. Fond memories. Thanks for your great video :-)

[@grantmcgowan8399]

'aint she a peach! Hope she's well and happy in 2020!

[@zingo2664]

an absolute beauty, look after her !!!

[@Virtuoso23]

Built in 1977. Starts as it just left the factory. If everything in this world was built as 70's Japanese products, people would buy a new car every 20 years.

[@retrojoe1590]

My dad had one of these back in the late 80s. It was maroon color with grey trim. We called it "the Grape". Loved that little car!

[@geraldscott9446]

Beautiful car. My first brand new car was a yellow 1977 Honda Civic, but mine had a manual transmission. It was a blast to drive. I literally wore it out. I live in AZ, and it never did rust. I have not been able to locate another one that is not rusted to pieces. My car was called a Civic, it said Civic right on the title.

[@bluzcat007]

I also had a manual yellow 77, bought in 1986. Did yours have the wood steering wheel? I LOVED that car. If I knew then what I know now, would never have sold it.

[@BigRobChicagoPL]

My dad bought a 77 civic when he came to America in 86ish for 1000 and sold it a little later for 500. Fun little car from what I heard but rusted apart from the Chicago winters. He had the manual edition.

[@MrStrocube]

Beautiful little car. Takes me way back. cheers

[@goofydog2]

Had one myself. Stick shift. Great little car took me far and wide with no troubles. I miss it now, so I got a 17' Fiat 124 Spider with paddle-shifters. Wow, neat little car, someday after I get rid it, I'll miss it too. Story of my life. Did that with women for the longest time...

[@saggo1712]

We had 3 CIVICS of the first generation. Brilliant things. The 1500cc Hondamatic was so smooth.

[@Carl_Thompson]

Thanks for posting, this was my very first car back in 1988. I got a 12 year old 1976 UK spec, with stick shift and it had been resprayed from the standard yellow to the same color as the one in this video. Happy memories of being 17 again.

[@highlandoutboards]

Sounds like we have followed similar paths with our Hondas!

[@n2bfw884]

This is a beautiful car.

[@1stgencivic]

Very nice first gencivic with AC too, looks to be in perfect condition for an original.

[@jolivas1437]

Looks like it drives very smooth. What a great looking car.

[@miketheyunggod2534]

Really pleasing to the eye.

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

Awesome video and beautiful car I love it . I wish I could find one

[@billwelch9431]

Great review and nice car!

[@madcrabber1113]

As a kid my parents fit 3 kids and themselves into one!

[@bonnielamison3412]

Thanks for this tour... My 1977 Civic hatchback was also red.. I owned it in college from ''81-'83. Unfortunately, not just for the car but for me, I had a very serious head on collision in August 1983.. I recovered fine but from that point on I have worn my seat belt everyday (I'm not sure it even had them??!!) I was sad at the demise of my little car too though. I stayed with Honda's through many years :) (My car was a manual trans. that I had to have a friend teach me to drive after we brought it home).

[@jamesstuart3346]

I had a 1979 with a 4-speed stick. What a great car!!

[@nelsonaramisalvarado3461]

Mi primer carro cuándo tuve 15 años... Este carro corre como liebre son muy ligeros y me gustaba su tacómetro parecía de motocicleta y lo asombroso es que sus llantas eran rin 12" los primeros autos con bomba de gasolina electrica 😭😭😭 está bomba que la traía bajo el asiento trasero me provocó un corto circuito y en menos de 5 minutos lo incendio en su totalidad, quedó vuelto en llamas y al final era pura lámina acero y el motor todo carbonizado. Me encantaba el carro lo recuerdo con nostalgia. Saludos desde San Pedro Coahuila México.

[@aarfeld]

I remember these cars well and, of course, the general public saw the CCVC designation and took to calling the cars the Civic. Honda eventually had to take notice and formally adopted the name. Succeeding generations of Civics exist to this very day.

[@camd6102]

CVCC = compound vortex controlled combustion. Carburetors were prone to damage from dirt/debris and build up, so clean the carburetor and change fuel filters aggressively or install an aftermarket device.

[@tonycoffee7335]

Looks like Austin. I would love to have an old honda civic.

[@connorolds4933]

By some crazy twist of fate I am the new owner of this car. Had to put a Weber carb on it but she still fires up at the touch of the key and drives like a champ.

[@mnbalfour1985]

In the latter half of 1975, apparently you could get a Honda Civic, namely the GF type Civic, with the 1488 cubic centimetre ED CVCC engine, a FIVE-SPEED manual transmission, four doors, and a back door that wasn't exactly like hatchback back doors but still acted as a back door. This GF version may have only been available in Japan, Australia, Europe, and Britain though.

[@scotttaylor9875]

I learned to drive in one one of the most fun cars to drive 5 sp stick awesome

[@bluesky4385]

The 1977 Green CVCC that I bought in 1978 was a great little car. The only problem I had with the car was I needed 2 water pumps in the 7 years I owned the car.

[@Patsik]

My first car. A 1978....I miss it.

[@MarkAnderson-iv1zt]

I had mine for 350thousand. Gave it to my brother who had it until it fell apart, no real problems other than 2136champa joints.

[@kevinshumelda3708]

I had a yellow 1975 Honda Civic CVCC "'5Spd" which I absolutely loved . Had it from 75-79 ( 44k miles) which I then sold and bought a used 1972 Datsun 240z ( w/88k miles) Big mistake. Truly miss the Honda and not so much the Z which was surprisingly problematic w/88k miles.

[@ZeeMPee]

kevin shumelda do you still have the Z?

[@presidentpoopypants1448]

I had two 79 CVCC civics back in the day.... loved them. Hey did you know you cam put the distributer assembly from a 80-80 and with a little re-wire get rid of the Points (keep the original if you want to put stock later. Runs a little better (at least mine did).

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

When you see how those Civics started out,very small and now they have grown in size.

[@spankthemonkey3437]

Enrique Lopez k swap it

[@jvolstad]

My first Honda was a 1985 CRX HF. Current ride is a 2016 Honda Accord LX with a CVT.

[@expsterm1]

Love these old cars that are simple to drive and maintain, especially the cars with character.

[@bobw9297]

this was my very first car in yellow , bran new , i believe it was $2900.00 cdn all in .I drove it o from tip to tip in Canada

[@anonymousmom2222]

Sweet.

[@kamran102]

Supercool

[@nathandavis6471]

My buddy owns this car now it now has webber carb on it

[@myrieke1]

Nice was my first car at 13 but it was manual

[@lorisilvester8204]

I owned one and changed the hondamatic to a 4 speed manual.

[@jonbush8950]

WANT!

[@toastrecon]

Did anyone notice that the engine bay was designed for right hand drive? The brake master cylinder was on the right side while the drive was on the left. I wonder if they made some kind of linkage system? Looking at 5:00, it seems like the steering box is "remote", as well.

[@wildervasquezs9551]

Lovely! Where did you find all their parts??

[@Motocicleiros]

Man, it takes forever to shift!

[@rickmcinnish3562]

I had a77 I put accord motor in it wish I still had it cost me $700 for car

[@felipeluizfelten]

Whata joy

[@benningtonford9475]

Does anyone know where to get 12 inch tires for one of these? Or a substitute??

[@Creeperboy099]

Now that I think of it, all SOHC 4 cylinder Honda engines sound very similar- this, the A20’s, the F22’s, etc

[@OfficialRingWurmRacing]

yours has ac too!

[@Soggywafflesyrup]

Is this the same car currently for sale on fb marketplace?

[@23ofSeptember]

Does it have a rear naked choke though?

[@noneone8726]

Genuinely tiny car. Back when Japan was starting to take over the world. They were rich once.

[@MaybeMyBad0113]

良い色だ

[@James-xo4uv]

It would of been nice to actually show the 8 track player

[@tonyboroni6949]

why do they all have different bullbars some have plastic caps on the end and light in the bull bar, I got one with plastic cap and different tail light 1978 1.2 liter

[@sadhna.sharma8005]

Tony Boroni t booming if I nub book tagging "

[@stevencorrea7982]

I hope you have the AC repaired in this car.

[@draterlatot825]

Fck beautiful

[@club1fan552]

You didn't have to lift your foot off the gas when changing from low to high (or vice versa).

[@tonyboroni6949]

Not with these gearboxes the Semi auto with different set up there a crotchless manual

[@tonyboroni6949]

they have a motorbike type thing tork converter to help excelarate it so u could even start it off in second gear without it bogging out completely just like a motorbike

[@wyhop6071]

But if you use the choke and race the engine at high rpms when cold, wouldn’t that damage the engine. The oil wouldn’t have circulated that so it’s basically metal on metal until the oil warms up.

[@spankthemonkey3437]

Wyhop sounds like it has a slight nock or piston slap

[@CombatSecurityPolice85]

Do you want to get in a Wreck in that. Good Luck.

[@kalanikaau1]

Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion

[@MiscUBishie]

Now is this car for sale??

[@WW2JeepandRifle]

Yes it is as of Sept 11, 2017. Check craigslist AUSTIN Texas for info.

[@flyhouseoftruth470]

How much you take for it?

[@JoeHynes284]

catalytic converters were not required, the emissions levels mandated required the use of cats on nearly all vehicles. Honda worked prior to 1975 on this while american auto manufactures assumed the standards would not go into effect and had to throw cats on their cars, and drop compression causing the precipitous drop in performance. A Long with the change of measuring horsepower in net verse gross...

[@christhompson4950]

How many gears does that hondamadic have?

[@highlandoutboards]

It has two gears -- not counting reverse.

[@christhompson4950]

highlandoutboards I thought it was like that, it’s just a little weird having a two gear transmission in the seventies.

[@club1fan552]

Low was roughly equal to 2nd gear in a manual, and high (or "Star" range) roughly equal to 4th. If you were in high it would stay in that gear (i.e there was no kick down facility). Starting off in this range was a good way to seriously fuck the transmission and that is how many people drove it. The correct way was to start in low and shift to high at about 20 - 25 mph. Used thus, these Civics performed quite well. Over about 55 mph though, they got a bit noisy.

[@christhompson4950]

Club 1 Fan thanks

[@sadhna.sharma8005]

Chris Thompson accvjmj

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Thanks for telling me the engine is running , twice , I had no idea.

[@TheSchmed]

Should have made a 3rd gear back then.

[@badderthanyou]

Should put ac back.

[@97warlock]

jUST need upgraded suspension & upgraded exhaust imo

[@normandboileau5308]

Est-il a vendre

[@bolivarluzarraga5041]

Calibración de valbulqs

[@spankthemonkey3437]

Hit the nitrous

[@josehawking5293]

Can't have a look in the back?

[@hankkingsley2976]

You really didn't do your homework on this before you did the video did you? Yeah, let's just go out there and shoot a video. What the fork?

[@this5324]

Would consider selling it for 27 thousand the highest I would go is 32 thousand

[@taleeahayward1406]

I have one in better condition in Australia, I will sell for $32k. It’s gorgeous

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Our sewing machine is nowhere near that noisy.