Honda Civic (first generation)

The Civic was largely developed as a new platform, and was the result of taking the previous Honda N600 and increasing the length, width, height and wheelbase. The engine displacement was almost double the N600 {{convert|599|cc|CID|1|abbr=on}} at {{convert|1169|cc|CID|1|abbr=on}}, with two more cylinders and mounted transversely while using water cooling, benefiting from lessons learned from the Honda 1300. The straight-four engine produced roughly {{convert|50|hp|kW|abbr=on}} and standard features included power front disc brakes, vinyl seating, reclining bucket seats, and a woodgrain-accented dashboard. The hatchback version added a fold-down rear seat, an AM radio, and cloth upholstery. The car had front and rear independent suspension. A four-speed manual transmission was standard. Options for the Civic were kept to a minimum, consisting of air conditioning, a two-speed semi-automatic transmission called the Hondamatic, radial tires, and a rear wiper for the hatchback. The car could achieve {{convert|40|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} on the highway, and with a small {{convert|86.6|in|mm|abbr=on}} wheelbase and {{convert|139.8|in|mm|adj=on}} overall length, the vehicle weighed {{convert|1500|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.

The Civic was one of the first Honda cars to be sold in Britain when it was launched there in 1972, at a time when the sale of Japanese cars from Honda's competitors Nissan and Toyota were soaring. Its compact design and economical engine ensured that it sold well in Britain in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis.{{cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufacturers/honda/11505217/A-history-of-the-Honda-Civic.html?frame=3250963 |title=A history of the Honda Civic |date=March 30, 2015 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=7 August 2019}}

The four-door sedan version of this body style (basically identical to the hatchback but with fixed rear window and opening lower trunk lid) was never available in the United States, and the five-door hatchback did not appear until 1978, just before the introduction of the second generation model. The five-door had been presented in Japan in September 1977, with the four-door sedan being retired in June 1978.

The Civic's smaller size allowed it to outperform American competitors such as the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. When the 1973 oil crisis struck, automobile buyers turned to economy cars. Good fuel mileage benefited the standing of the Honda Civic in the lucrative U.S. market. In the United States after 1976, the advertising campaign used to introduce the Civic was, "Honda, we make it simple." (replacing the tagline "What the world is coming to.") The tagline (also known by the WMIS acronym) was later used with other Honda motor vehicles until the 1984 model year when the company revamped its product lineup.

For 1974, the Civic's engine size grew slightly, to 1237 cc and power went up to 52 hp (38 kW). In order to meet the new North American 5 mph (8 km/h) bumper impact standard, the Civic's bumpers grew 7.1 inches (18 cm), increasing overall length to 146.9 inches (373 cm).{{cite web|title=Generations |work=Edmunds |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=68272 |access-date=2006-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901183628/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId%3D68272 |archive-date=September 1, 2006 }} The CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine debuted in 1975 and was offered alongside the standard Civic engine. The optional 53 hp (39 kW) CVCC engine displaced 1488 cc and had a head design that promoted cleaner, more efficient combustion. The CVCC design eliminated the need for catalytic converters or unleaded fuel to meet changing emissions standards,{{cite book |title=Honda Civic That the World is comeing too |date=1975 |publisher=American Honda Motors, Inc. |url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/February%202020/1975%20Honda%20Civic/slides/c4.html}} unlike nearly every other U.S. market car. Due to California's stricter emissions standards, only the CVCC powered Civic was available in that state. This created a sales advantage in Honda's favor in that CVCC equipped Honda products afforded the buyer the ability to choose any type of fuel the buyer wanted, and due to emissions equipment not being damaged by using leaded fuel, the buyer could use any gasoline products available. This was also an advantage due to some regions of North America having to ration available gasoline supplies due to periodic shortages at the time.

A five-speed manual transmission became available in 1974, as did a Civic station wagon (only with the 1500 CVCC engine), which had a wheelbase of {{convert|89.9|in|mm|abbr=on}} and an overall length of {{convert|160|in|mm|abbr=on}}. Power for this version is {{convert|75|PS|kW|abbr=on}} in the Japanese domestic market. Civic sales also increased and topped 100,000 units for this year.

1978 brought slight cosmetic changes: the grille was black; the rear-facing hood vents replaced the sideways vents; the tail lamps were changed from 1/3 amber signals to 1/2 amber signals of grooved lens; reverse light was doubled and mounted in the rear bumper integrated with reflectors; and turn indicators integrated with position lamps were mounted in the front bumper instead of in the grille. The CVCC engine was now rated at 60 hp (45 kW).

{{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | width = 220

| image1 = Honda Civic RS.jpg

| image2 = Honda Civic RS rear.jpg

| caption2 = Civic RS

}}

In October 1974, Civic's first sport model was added to the lineup. The Civic 1200 RS was only sold in the domestic Japanese market; its name is an abbreviation of "Road Sailing."{{cite web | url = https://museum.qcar-catalog.com/honda-civ.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170306125312/https://museum.qcar-catalog.com/honda-civ.html | archive-date = 2017-03-06 | title = ホンダ シビック、シティ、小型車 | trans-title = Honda Civic, City, other small cars | language = ja | work = 旧車カタログ博物館 [Old Car Catalog Museum] }} It is powered by a 1169 cc SOHC 8-valve EB engine fitted with dual Keihin CV carburettors, a free-flowing intake manifold, more aggressive cam, high-compression pistons and a unique exhaust header. These modifications bumped up the power to {{convert|76|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5500 rpm and {{convert|101|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} of torque at 4000 rpm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_details1.php|title = Specs 1991 BMW 850i automatic (Aut. 4)}} The transmission was also replaced with a 5-speed manual transmission and the suspension received stiffer springs and dampers for better handling.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28991417/the-1975-civic-rs-is-unnecessarily-excellent/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190926202528/https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28991417/the-1975-civic-rs-is-unnecessarily-excellent/ | archive-date = 2019-09-26 | title = The 1975 Civic RS Is Unnecessarily Excellent | date = 2019-09-24 | last = Bowman | first = Zach | magazine = Road & Track | publisher = Hearst Autos, Inc. }} In total, about 20,000 Civic RS were built in a twelve-month production span.

In October 1975, to meet new stricter emission regulations, the 1200 RS was replaced by the low polluting 1500 RSL/GTL with a 1488 cc CVCC SOHC 12-valve ED engine. The power dropped marginally, to {{convert|75|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5500 rpm, while the torque increased to {{convert|109|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 3500 rpm. These outputs were 2 PS and 3 Nm more than that of the regular 1.5 L models, thanks to an increased compression ratio and other modifications.{{Cite web|url=https://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/auto/CIVIC/19920700/cv20-009.html|title=Civic 1992.7}}

The first generation Honda Civics were notorious for rusting in less than three years from purchase where salt was used in the winter.{{clarify|date=October 2023}} The U.S. importer, American Honda Motor Company, signed a final consent decree with the Federal Trade Commission that provided owners of 1975-1979 Civics with rusted fenders the right to receive replacements or cash reimbursements.{{cite book |title=Automobile Design Liability, Volume 1 |last=Goodman |first=Richard M. |year=1983 |page=106 |publisher=Center for Auto Safety, Lawyers Co-operative Publishers}} In the end, almost 1 million Honda owners were notified that their fenders could be repaired or replaced by the automaker at no charge. About 10% of all Hondas sold were to be inspected by a dealer, and the automaker had 180 days to replace front fenders and supporting parts that showed rust within the first three years of use.{{cite journal |title=Detroit Report |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XBZpIPL1lloC&pg=PA8 |last=Dunne |first=Jim |journal=Popular Science |date=December 1981 |volume=219 |issue=6 |page=8 |access-date=23 October 2010}}

The Hondas were so vulnerable to corrosion that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also issued a safety recall. This was because the car's lateral suspension arms, front crossbeam, and strut coil spring lower supports could weaken with exposure to salt.{{cite web |url=http://www.allworldauto.com/recalls/NHTSA_81V136000_1979_HONDA_CIVIC_recall_1179.html |title=1979 Honda Civic Recall |publisher=All World Auto |access-date=23 October 2010 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707114556/http://www.allworldauto.com/recalls/NHTSA_81V136000_1979_HONDA_CIVIC_recall_1179.html |url-status=dead }} A total of 936,774 vehicles built between 1 September 1972 and 1 August 1979 were subject to extensive repairs since Honda had to replace the suspension components, or the automaker bought back entire cars with serious body corrosion.{{cite book |title=Little Secrets of the Auto Industry: Hidden Warranties Cost Billions of Dollars |last1=Ditlow |first1=Clarence |author-link1=Clarence Ditlow |last2=Gold |first2=Ray |year=1994 |page=84 |publisher=Moyer Bell |isbn=978-1-55921-085-0}}

At the time, Honda's rust recall was the largest safety action among all the brands imported into the U.S.{{cite journal |title=Updates |journal=Car and Driver |page=27 |volume=28 |year=1982}} Civics became known for their "typical Honda rust" in the used car market.{{cite book |title=The Used Car Book: 1993 |last=Gillis |first=Jack |year=1993 |pages=115–116 |publisher=Harper & Row}}{{cite book |title=Used Cars: How to Avoid Highway Robbery |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRWICeGVN_kC |last=Darack |first=Arthur |year=1983 |page=70 |publisher=Prentice-Hall |isbn=978-0-13-940049-0 |access-date=8 October 2014}}

The first-generation Civic – a 1.2-litre, three-door manual, was assembled in 1976 from CKD kits in New Zealand by importer and distributor New Zealand Motor Corporation (NZMC) at its Petone plant near Wellington. This was the first time Honda cars had been assembled outside Japan. The first-generation NZ Civic was also offered with optional two-speed semi-automatic 'Hondamatic' transmission. Earlier cars had, from 1973, been imported assembled by the Moller Group before NZMC took over the Honda franchise but availability was limited due to restrictions on built-up imports. All subsequent Civic generations were assembled in New Zealand until car manufacture there ceased in 1998.

The first-generation Honda Civic entered Indonesian market in 1972 and was imported from Japan through PT Imora Motor. Indonesian government issued a ban on importing fully built-up vehicles since 1974. As the result, the first-generation Civic was assembled in Indonesia from 1975 until 1980 by PT Prospect Motor at Sunter, North Jakarta.

Only 4-door and 5-door body styles were assembled in Indonesia, originally with a 1.2 L engine and 4-speed manual transmission. In 1976, the 1.2 L engine was replaced with a bigger 1.5 L CVCC engine. The 4-speed manual transmission also being replaced with 5-speed manual transmission or 2-speed "Hondamatic" automatic transmission.

File:1976 Honda Civic Hondamatic (38099844461).jpg|1972-1978 export model, except for North America.

File:1977 Honda Civic.JPG|1973-1977 North American specification model

File:CivicRS.JPG|1974-1975 Japanese market Civic RS, similar to 1972-1975 Japanese Civic GL.

File:Honda Civic Hi-Deluxe (rear).jpg|Original 4-door Civic sedan with standard fastback rear with conventional bootlid.

File:197x Honda Civic (first generation) 2-door saloon (02) (33659066146) (cropped).jpg|Civic 2-door sedan

File:1978 Honda Civic HL (8695731206).jpg|1972-1978 export 3-door model with rear hatch opening above the license plate.

File:Honda Civic 1500 1979 (12042083845).jpg|1978-1979 export model

File:Honda Civic pic1.JPG|1978-1979 export 5-door model Civic with rear hatch opening down to the bumper.

File:1978 Honda Civic CVCC Wagon at Hershey 2009, front left.jpg|1977-1979 North American specification wagon

File:Honda Civic CVCC (17747911441).jpg|1977-1979 North American specification rear bumper

File:Honda Civic gen 1 1979 Interior (cropped).jpg|1979 Civic interior

{{Commons category|Honda Civic (1972)}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Honda}}

{{Early Honda vehicles}}

*01

Category:Cars introduced in 1972

Category:Cars discontinued in 1979

Category:Sedans

Category:Hatchbacks

Category:Station wagons

Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles