“Lady-owned original California and Florida rust-free” is how the seller describes this 1980 Honda Civic DX hatchback and it looks solid. Well, other than not quite being rust-free, there’s some bubbling rust in the bottom right corner of the rear window trim area, but otherwise, it looks solid. The California and Florida sun wasn’t kind to the interior, or the faded paint, however. The underside does look good other than the usual surface rust.
It also has a few dings, broken lenses, a cracked windshield, scratches, etc. This 12-foot-long car is small enough that you could whip out the bodywork and maybe even the paint in a one-car garage on the cheap. This certainly isn’t a car that most people would bring to a body shop and hand them a blank check (A check?! What’s a check?!) and tell them to make it look like new again. I believe this color is Rhodes Red, one of three reds that the Civic offered customers in this era.
Honda’s second-generation Civic came out for model years 1980 through 1983 and they were a nice upgrade from the previous Civics and the last of the “Civic-looking” Civics, in my opinion. I grew up in the era of the original Civics and although they’re considered crude by modern standards, I still think of cars that look like this when someone mentions a Honda Civic, for some reason. Maybe because a friend in 10th grade got a new first-gen Civic.
This car, despite being almost rust-free – and it does look that way for the most part – really does need a lot of cosmetic work. The seats must be fried as we don’t get to see them at all, at least in the front. The back seat looks good for the most part, other than being fried on the top portion. That can be fixed, of course, and I’d probably do a nice plaid fabric when redoing these seats. The rear cargo area looks decent and could be spruced up with any number of interior “paint” products.
The engine is Honda’s EM-Series 1.5-liter SOHC inline-four with 67 horsepower and 79 lb-ft of torque when new. The DX came standard with a five-speed manual and this one has that feature, transferring the engine power to the front wheels. The seller says it runs and drives great and everything works. It’s listed here on eBay in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, there is no reserve, and the current bid is just $435. Have any of you owned a second-generation Civic, and would you restore this one to its former self if you had a chance?
It’s a cool beater that won’t sell for much money. This is the 3rd time it’s been listed for auction, the first time the high bid was $1,026, the second was $450, neither sale was completed. I’d put a for sale sign in it for a number in between and drive it, winter is coming, it will make for a cheap beater or first car for someone in a budget.
Steve R
Lady owned doesn’t mean what it used to, my wife is in her mid 60s and has always driven her cars like a Ferrari
Florida is not a state I think of as a rust free bastion. Salt air and high humidity.
California though on the ocean doesn’t see the humidity and storms Florida does.
This Honda is definitely not rust free, usually 10% of rust is visible, so keep that in mind if what rust you see. A good $300 beater for sure though.
California cars on the coast WILL rust. The salt is in the air, humidity or not.
How close to the coast? I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are many places if you are mile or less inland from the ocean there is no rust. As for the bay itself, that’s even less. Unless an area is directly on the path of ocean fog that runs along the ground cars are not going to rust due to the proximity to the ocean.
Steve R
Back when small cars were truly small… now compare it to a new civic!
The Civic,,,a Yankee Doodle Dandy like me should be furious, and many were, but I knew better. By 1980, most in denial eventually gave in, and the Civic was the all inclusive game changer, and still is today. The Civic was this much improved car over the 600, and proved, Honda could be known for more than spindly, underpowered tin cans, or motorcycles, an already trusted name, the Civic was born to be a winner. Good,,not great cars, that cam belt thing again, and rust from new, but to most, it delivered outstanding gas mileage, a total “hot button” at the time, hauled 3 co-workers to work, for pennies each, until the fenders fell off, that is. Remember the 1979 Honda front fender recall? You could tell the ones that had it done, new fenders on a rusted body. Remember, many were still upset that THIS is what took the place of the trusty LTD, and even though these were a mere shred of the LTD, the almighty buck won out. 1980 was a pivotal year for Civic, as it was made in the US in 1980, although, if not from Ohio, you probably never knew that.
i had one new in 1980. as long as no one hits you it is a good car. i was hit behind the back wheel and every body panel had big dents in it.
motor was good but the dents were so big it would cost more than a new car to fix them. i would tell anyone not to buy this death trap!
Well, you survived… 😉
yes i did but my girlfriend did not
I had a copy of this except with 1300cc engine and mine was golden colour. Had it for seven years as my 1st car from post military trough university.
These rust really bad, I mean really really bad. As I had no money I had to keep repairing mine. Took it down to parts twice – sandblasted, welded, learned to do leadwork, it ended up being painted three times. I believe I went trough 3 gearboxes. The engine was peppy, economical and it never missed a beat.
Post graduation I moved to better cars and I seem to recall that mine had 320tkm when I sold it to the next owner…
Once tried to find if the car would still exist, but no. Was turned to kettles long ago. RIP RHB-610
I, too, think of these and prior models when Honda Civic is mentioned. Cool car in a very basic way. No more than what was required to perform the task of transport. Affordable and fuel efficient but otherwise very pedestrian. Looks like it was parked almost under a carport.
“… almost under a carport.”
Had to scroll up to the 1st shot to get it. Funny AH!
You win the internets today.
California cars on the coast WILL rust. The salt is in the air, humidity or not.
My son bought a 1980 civic. Ran great and like this one only rusted in hatchback. But the front axles where shot. Bought new ones , changed one. , we could not , I mean not get the other one off to change it. So it sat , for a year , occasionally trying to finish getting it out. He finnally sold it to a friend of a friend , last I heard he couldn’t get it out either
There are no shortage of rusted cars in Florida, trust me. I appreciate the role Civics play in recent car history but for reasons sadly similar to Sterling above, I would not own one.
no, too rabbit, Omni, & gulf alike. Give me a decade and the lower, longer civic w/a more fast-back slant then these boxy hatches. Was the sleek looking one 4th or 5th gen? Back to my familiar SCCA livery comments & multi-component upgrades…
It just occurred to me that the 1986 Hyundai Excel that came to America is a complete knockoff of this car. I never noticed how closely they resembled one another. Hyundai copied popular designs for a good couple decades.
Hyundai and Kia learned well from the Japanese car makers. Make them cheap, undercut prices on the American car makers, and get the automotive press on your side. Winning! Once you’ve solidified your place in the market? Charge what you want.
That’s my dream – to buy an old well-worn Civic from PA!
Auction update: this Civic sold for $3,000!
Good ROI. *grin*