Back in the day, a bunch of my friends had beater civics they all drove around. It quickly became a game of “Bumper Snivics”. I as a passenger one day, and stoppe at a light, and we got a love-tap from behind. Senior citizen in the car next to us gasped an looked shocked. The look on her face when my driver put it into reverse an slammed him right back was… indescribable.

@InsideOfMyOwnMind

2 жыл бұрын

Great story. Got a good lol from it.

@ryurc3033

2 жыл бұрын

Me and my friend both had caprice classics that were pretty rough around the edges, and would push each other around in the parking lot. One of te best times of my life. And I had no idea

@RodThorell

2 жыл бұрын

We did the same in the mid 80’s with VW Rabbits

@vaalrus

2 жыл бұрын

@@RodThorell Lol. I was the odd one out, as I was the only one with a Rabbit. Swapped that for a Scirocco that I still have today. It might even run with a new fuel pump and relay. :)

@fanatic26

2 жыл бұрын

Been there done that except out junkers were some busted up Isuzus and Geos. We would turbo swap them and blow them up all the time screwing around so it was a common sight to see one of us pushing anothers busted ride home one bumper tap at a time lol

Friend of mine's father had about five mid-seventies Civics that he kept running during the mid eighties. Fun little cars.

@16driver16

2 жыл бұрын

I think most owners seem to have several

Bring this one back when he combines the two. It's definitely worth another looksee.

@davesgarage78

2 жыл бұрын

Will do. I'll maybe even put updates on my own channel occasionally

Thanks for going along with me to get the car JR, maybe I'll be inclined to start uploading some Civic restoration content to my channel

@koolaid53

2 жыл бұрын

That would be a hit I'd bet!

@glassvial

2 жыл бұрын

This comment should be pinned.

My buddies parents had a 75 with the Hondamatic 2 speed automatic. Eventually they gave it to him and we installed a system in it with 2 10 inch woofers to the rear panels in the back under the windows and tweeters up front with a decent amp. It was like riding around in a koss headphones with awesome bass. It actually ran really smooth and had surprisingly good power for what it was. Cool little death trap that got great mpg.

@icemachine79

9 ай бұрын

I'd say it was less of a deathtrap than its contemporaries like the AMC Pacer or Ford Pinto.

That Civic is a year younger than me, and probably in better shape! Can't wait to see what you are able to do with this. Nice to see some less than desirable cars being cared for because that's history some of us want!

@rxtuninginc8444

2 жыл бұрын

Same here. 78. Back when I was about 19 my friend had picked up a 1978 Civic just like this one, same color too but it was a manual. He showed up one day when I was working at a car dealership as a car Detailer I walked out of my bay and the racket the engine was making I said turn it off, turn it off!. Checked the oil and there was nothing on dipstick.... I went into the shop and pumped some oil into a jug and went and topped it off. Took probably 3.5 litres. It was quite a bit quieter on startup but I told him the damage might already be done. Sure enough, 10 minutes later he was back.... on foot. He made it about 700 feet from the dealership and it had thrown a rod. Ended up scrapping the car. Was a shame because it was in great shape otherwise. I still to this day don't understand why he wouldn't have checked the oil when he went and looked at it to purchase, as part of the typical once over you give a potential purchase to determine what state the vehicle is in. Or at least check everything before you start driving it around. Stupidest way to ruin an engine in my opinion and so easy to prevent.

I had one of those in white with a 4-speed stick when I was a teen. My sister passed it to me. it was truly a fun car that almost didn't need any gas and it took a beating 'cause I was a teen. I miss it a lot.

@theoriginalskinsey

Жыл бұрын

Definitely amazing on gas! I had a five speed, a lot of fun to drive as a teenager

@vickilund7206

15 күн бұрын

I had a white 79 4-speed that took a lot of abuse and kept on trucking

My step dad had one in the early 80's. He hit a kangaroo and it came through the windshield and wrote the car off from the inside. It smashed every window, dented every panel and then just climbed out the hatch and bounced off.

@chipfukmaster5928

2 жыл бұрын

That story and the video of the guy punching the kangaroo are just about the most Australian things in the world.

It's amazing how quickly Honda's evolved. My wife had an 83 Civic hatch that appearance wise looked very similar to this one, but had a bigger engine with a 5 speed that could easily cruise the interstate. Still probably wouldn't reach the optimism of the speedo, but could take us to college and back with no sweat.

@alskjflaksjdflakjdf

2 жыл бұрын

The transmission makes a huge difference. I did a road trip in a 79 with a manual and it was able to keep up on the highway. Not fast, but livable.

@blueridgebikeman

2 жыл бұрын

I had an 82 hatchback 5-speed. GREAT car. Sadly, I ran him headfirst into a telephone pole at 35 mph. I walked away but the car was kaput.

@stevecoffman6480

2 жыл бұрын

I had the 83 with the 1500 with a stick and it would do 130mph all day long. I don't know if the 1300 will do that.

@icemachine79

9 ай бұрын

I had a 4-speed 1200cc Civic from 1975 that could maintain 90mph even uphill. Amazing vehicle. I miss it sometimes. Of course, it took about 20 seconds to reach 60mph and another 20 to reach 90. But that wasn't bad for a then-26-year-old car with a motorcycle engine and no overdrive.

@vickilund7206

15 күн бұрын

In 1980 the car made a dramatic leap forward with electronic ignition and a bigger .. engine and of course the carburetion choke was automatic and not inside the cabin

Neat old car! I used to drive an ‘82 Honda Prelude some 30 years ago. Kinda wish I still had that car. It was a sweet ride in high school and college. 🇺🇸🚜👍

In their day, the 79 manual trans Civic and Accord got killer gas mileage, which was important during our 2nd gas crisis. Hondas and VW Rabbits were selling like hot cakes. We even had inflation back then, just like today. No need for any trips to 'Mexico' for this car.

@herbiehusker1889

2 жыл бұрын

@Jim jibroni #FJB

@ripvanrevs

2 жыл бұрын

My girlfriend in high school had one and would get near 50 mpg. There were so many around, you had to make sure you got in the right one in the parking lot!!

Nostalgia for 2 gear manually shifted auto, needing to do points and always knowing we were going to die if ANYTHING hit us... I would buy that today! ...goood scary times

So hard n the Ridgeline! I’m on my second one and I thing it’s the best designed and built truck for 95% of what anyone needs a truck to do. Got 50% of my origami purchase price back on trade, 8 years and 120k miles later!

I had a Ridgeline and loved it! Plenty of truck for most people and you get Honda reliability with it.

I'm a Honda and bmw guy..I cry inside with joy when I see the original civics

A friend had a '78 Civic 1200 that he put a quarter of a million miles on before he replaced it (with another Civic).

I LOVE that car! You NEED to do a restoration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the early 90's I had a one similar to this, but thank god with a 4-speed. It was fun to drive and I would swear the interior was some sort of TARDIS like alternate dimension because it was so spacious. It might be an urban legend, but I think the trans in this is functionally the same as the one in the CB750 Hondamatic.

@icemachine79

9 ай бұрын

I had one too around the same time. It was fun to get to 70mph in 3rd gear.

I live in Central California and there is a renaissance of these little cars here. Mid-70s Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Datsun cars are creeping out of the baseboards in the dry months. A buddy of mine has a ‘75 Datsun 510 wagon that is an absolute showstopper.

That white Chevy was all about the swagger! Can’t wait to see this little civic!

I love how JR always buys the most clapped out pile, and is like “maaan this things sweeeet” lmao

@DUMBERTHANYOUTHINK

2 жыл бұрын

Lol that's not clapped out

@thomasgodfrey758

2 жыл бұрын

And JR didn’t buy it

This was my first car in 1995. Baby blue, but 4 speed manual. 1200CCs of pure awesomeness. Drove across country in one in the middle of summer, no AC. Good memories.

Had one of these in the late '90s. First car I owned that started up when I wanted it to instead of when it felt like it. Made me a life long Japanese car fan. It never broke either, just succumbed to rust as most Hondas do.

I passed my drivers license in a 74 Honda with that type of car. Thanks for showing and brining back some teenage memories.

Takes me back!!! Had a '73 [!!] Civic with a 4-speed. It ran really good, could smoke it's tire off the line, no sweat! Front fenders were rotted on the tops; bought NEW fenders but had to cut them off because rot on bolts. No problem!! WELDED the new ones on!! Painted it dark silver. First car I ever painted, came out pretty nice. I drove the WHEELS off that thing!!! We get a lot of snow in Chicago from time to time; I took great delight in parking it ON TOP of snow piles left from plowing. But this thing HATED to start in the cold. No problem! One-legged push off the snow, she's rolling down the snowpile, choke full on, dump the clutch in second....popped off every time!!! I really miss that car, so much FUN!!!

That was my 1st car... way back in 87, had a 77 Civic, w/the Hondamatic. Don't knock it too much, back then I pegged the speedo on mine. Not for long, but it did better than a 100mph on the CT highway I was on. Tore a piston rod on that. Also learned the value of the Oil light. Replaced the cylinder head on that and got a higher compression to boot. Also did the impossible and buckled the wheel bearing. Impossible because at the time the wheel bearing was warrantied for life. Good times, and step dad was Honda mechanic so all of it was a side bit of fun for him. And compared to today, soooo easy to work on.

Ahh... the memories. In 1979 we had a white ‘78 civic with blue vinyl interior. 4 spd. No options. We would travel on vacation from NC to FL. My sister and I were small enough that we would sleep back to back on the folded down rear seat back wedged against out suit cases in the trunk area...and with 2 dogs curled up asleep in the rear floor boards. As a parent I can’t imagine doing that, but that’s how it was back in the day. We once did the same trip crammed into a Porsche 924! My parents were insane.

I love it. Old school Honda's never die.

Crazy... I just picked up a 1981 Honda Civic wagon. Neat little cars - It's great to see their day arriving for collectability!

CC says, "I'm watch Jericho". Go Jericho go! Ha

Brings back memories. I remember seeing these on the road all the time in the late 1970s and into the 1980s, then I guess they rusted away and got scrapped, being looked up as disposable cars. I got a beater 2 door hatchback 1983 Civic around 1996, so the second generation, but similar, and even then, it was a rarity on the roads. Nice to see a few of them are still left, hope this one gets restored to its former glory.

HEY, Show Love for the 2007 Honda Ridgeline. Had mine since March 2007.

The Honda episodes are some of my favorite.

@WatchJRGo

2 жыл бұрын

I really love this old thing! 🍻

Hondamatic, no need to use low unless you need to accelerate quickly. They had a brilliant torque converter that made up for the lack of gears and automatic shifting. People who had those cars in the 70s loved them. One has to remember the speed limit was max. 55 over all states so this transmission actually did a great job.

@JuiceSpringsteen88

2 жыл бұрын

I wonder if you could replace the cv axles with a couple small planetary overdrive units to increase the top speed, while still keeping the car relatively original.

@andrewthompsonuk1

2 жыл бұрын

@@JuiceSpringsteen88 perhaps, I think it's possible to fit the 3 speed Hondamatic (had L * OD) from the next shape Civic or an accord to one of those. We have now become used to cars where engine noise is not the loudest noise at speed.

@KiwiCatherineJemma

2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewthompsonuk1 Thank you Andrew ! I was wondering if someone would mention that MANY of the HOndamatics are actually 3 speed, but they are just not labelled in a traditional manner. Watching this video, no label was clearly visible, not sure if it's just the camera never got a steady focussed view, or if the upper decorative label was faded or missing. Yes people should be aware that a Hondamatic gearshifter may be labeled "L" (low or first gear) : * (Star, which is second gear and used for inner city driving) : and "OD" (for overdrive, equivalent to the highest gear other auto or manual cars have). So yes when exceeding 44mph or 70 kmh on a flat road definitely put it into "OD". Was this particular Honda Civic one WITH or WITHOUT the "OD" third automatic gear ? That would certainly reduce engine revs at open road highway speeds.

@andrewthompsonuk1

2 жыл бұрын

@@KiwiCatherineJemma as far as I remember the OD was never on the Mk1 Civic? I think it was a MK2 feature. I was impressed by the fact you could still start off from rest on the steepest Wellington streets in * in the Mk2. Not that you were supposed to. The Hondamatic was almost a household name in New Zealand in the 80s. Despite the not self shifting I still liked driving them.

I can't believe Uhaul actually rented him a trailer; around here they won't even talk to you unless you are towing with a 3/4 ton, no matter how small the car being hauled may be.

Great video from JR.

I really hope you keep us updated on this one.

My dad had one of those in the mid 80s. It was black and absolutely perfect, as if it had just left the showroom. This could be a good money-pit project. You already in have the K-motor experience. Make it magical!

JR That's my dream car!! No joke. Also like you using the Ridgeline to pull it. Thanks for the great videos.

“How dare you -THIS IS AN ‘81 CIVIC!” 😂😂😂😂

@ethanf2351

2 жыл бұрын

No this is a 1st gen civic, 1981 was the 2nd gen civic.

@soberlife

2 жыл бұрын

Hahahaaaa

@InspiredJJ

2 жыл бұрын

@@ethanf2351 it's a line from a movie 👍

@atomant6465

2 жыл бұрын

It’s the first gen, second one was bigger

@gutterguy720

2 жыл бұрын

Employee of the month.

Finally, you got a great little car, or David did any way. I had a white 78 and loved it. Even drove it 125 miles when I sold it with almost no hiccups (just needed a bit of oil and antifreeze). Love these old Hondas! I have a brown '82 Civic that's my baby now.

Great find!!

Super cool ! All this time and it's still running and driving.

This is the new coolest car in the fleet!!! It's just gotta be.

Excellent Borat drop. Verrry niice.

My first car!!! Loved it

Nice always good to see a real old civic get a video

What a gorgeous little nugget. That Core 2 Duo jacket was also absolutely fabulous

I love it! my first car was a 78 5 speed purchased in 1990!!! I could reach out the passenger side window to extend the antenna from the drivers seat while going down the road!

I went to school with a guy 6'4" 275 lbs who drove one between MD and UVA, he loved it. He didn't sit into it he wore it!!

Love these little Hondas! My first car was a 1977 Civic white with tan interior this one brought back some memories.

We had a few of those little Hondas , great cars they were. Our 78 was a 1200 5 speed with gauge package. Moms 75 was a 1500 hondamatic. I got it up to 100 on the freeway but it took awhile! LOL

This sooooooooooooooooooo awesome! Back in the day, two of my good friends had these Civics and they were so much fun!!!!

I had one of these and a 79' prelude. So much fun!!! Perks of working at a honda dealer as my first job in the late 90's. First car was also a EF civic.

JR, I like that you're into such a wide variety of vehicles.

I had a 1976 CVCC Civic 4 speed manual. Loved that little car. Wish I could find one it would be a blast to drive again

Great find! Good friend of mine in high school had one and we used to go everywhere in it.

Had one when I was 18 years old man I regret getting rid of it such an awesome car

I’m watching that trailer and I just hear The Bee Gees You Should Be Dancing in my head. 🤣🤷‍♀️

Omg the sound of that motor brings back memories!

Really cool! I didn't know they had them back then

Back in the day, several friends of mine had these early Honda Civics and used them as daily commuters. In upstate NY on snowy days, these cars alway made it to work. The Chevys, Fords and Chryslers would be all over the road. I drove a Chevy Vega back then and I was glad to have an excuse to NOT make it into work. LOLS

Nice Guy, perfect voice!

Awesome Core 2 Duo Jacket!

A factory fresh Honda Civic with gold rims. This car is a weapon with class.

I bought a new 1978 Honda Civic hatchback. It had a manual transmission and it was an excellent car. It came with nylon tires, so I quickly had them replaced with Michelin tires. It was comfortable and extremely reliable.

For My youngest daughter's first car we bought her a used 79 Civic, same color. No CATconverter because the CVCC engine met emissions standards 15 years ahead of time. Incredible fuel economy with her standard trans.

This is the car that began Americas love affair with Honda.

Awesome. Still goes down the road no problem

This brings me back to my younger days. Nice find

Brings back memories! I had a pretty orange one with Recaro seats back in the early 80's. I traded it for a Kawasaki 750 motorcycle. They were both great vehicles. IIRC the struts in mine worked.

I had 5 of these cars. 78’s and 77’s. Automatic and 4 speeds. They were so much fun and cheap. Like $50. I got an engine from a late 80’ accord eventually. It was a ripper. Super quick. I could smoke crx‘s and newer civics all day long. I miss those cars.

That hood looks so sweet

I had a high-school buddy who drove a 1978 Honda. That Hondamatic transmission baffled him. I remember that it seemed to run forever on 5 gallons of gas!

My dad was a Honda mechanic until he retired recently. I grew up around these and not going to lie..I kind of want one now

Not even sure VGG would drive that home. So cool. We had a 1980 Accord hatchback. Loved that thing. Wish I still had it. 😊👍👍

In 1972 Honda added the Coupe to it's car line in America. Within a few months I bought one in Monterey, CA. It was a 600cc, air cooled, 2 cylinder. It had a 4-speed trans and 10" wheels. It would run 60 mph all day long unless you got into some real hills. I drove it all over California about San Francisco south. Went to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in it. Brought it home to Alabama when I got out of the Army in 1974 and after about a year sold it. I have been kicking myself ever since. It was a great little car. I would love to get one and put it back into like new condition. The only time I see them anymore is when someone had restored one. The two colors you usually see are the orange and yellow. Both colors make for an easily seen car, even one that you look at the door handles of an old style VW bug when you are sitting in the driver's seat. If you ever get a chance to get one to work on - do it. It would be fun to watch you do a restoration on one.

One of my all time favorite cars...congratulations

Love these old projects cars we all grew up with.

+1 for the borat impression! VVEERRYYY NICCEEEEE

My dad had a 77 4 door hondamatic civic. This brings back memories.

My buddy had an silver early 80s Civic, similar body style. It was a blast!

2:56 I had a '75 Honda Civic 1200cc and got it up to 100MPH... downhill. 90 uphill, 95 straightaway. Don't underestimate that 1970s Japanese engineering.

Nice! I have not seen one of those since the early 90's. Hope we get to see the finished project once David's done with it.

@davesgarage78

2 жыл бұрын

I'll try to keep updates posted on my channel

Ahhh dream civic right there!!

Very cool 👍 love those old Hondas

This was the first car my mom ever bought. Pretty cool to see one still going!

Quick facts: My first Honda was a 1978 Civic CVCC with a 1388cc engine. You have to shift the trans all the time. The trans was a 2 step operation like your friend said. The final gear ratio is 4.10 to 1 which is why the engine screams but efficient actually. I drove mine from Buffalo to Cape Cod a bunch of times with no problem, 400+ mikes one way. Car needed leg room for anyone over 5'-6". Mines was the same brown color. I had a recall for fenders rusting, but I had mine undercoated so it didn't affect me. Hope this helps and enjoy the ride! BTW, the car car with a full size spare and never needed unleaded gas!

This thing is awesome!

I bought one new in 1978.1200 cc 4 speed.30 mpg.$4000 with taxes and tags.After driving undependable junk for years,that car was wonderful.

That's awesome, love these first gen civics

Love it. The first civics I remember as an 80s kid.

Nice throw back , I you find an old Celica please do a video on it. Thanks for awesome content.

@koolaid53

2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to see that too! My first car was an 81 Celica ST, I so wish I still had it!

Stoaked to watch this JR - Thanks for watching my content and making a project out of one.

That was my first car! 1978 model year. Awesome little car

I want the Civic. What I really want is another 79 Prelude, but the Civic will do.

my first car was a 77 Honda Civic with 4 speed manual, lot's of nice memories! i still dream about it from time to time😊

Brings back memories I bought a 78 honda civic from my boss in 1983 loved it😍

Nice! My Dad had a 78 Accord. That one was totalled, so he then got an 80 Accord, which I learned to drive on. ☺

I had an '81 Civic with the 1.3L 4-cyl and 2-spd Hondamatic. Great little car.