When we think of the Honda Accord, we tend to see the modern, mid-size sedan that seems to do everything well. Is it the most memorable model? No, but that’s sort of the point. It’s built to do what you need it to do without making much of a fuss. However, like all things Honda, there’s still plenty of driver-focused DNA, with a willing engine and chassis, communicative steering, and a wonderful manual gearbox if you can find one. This is a first-generation Accord LX, which offered some subtle upgrades over the base model. It appears to be in remarkable condition and is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,999.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Chuck Foster for the tip. As you can see by this photo, we’re dealing with a seller that likes special Hondas. Not necessarily in terms of sporting credentials or limited production – you don’t see any S2000s or Acura Integra GS-Rs here – but what you do see is a tidy collection of survivors. There’s more than one of these Honda enthusiasts out there, and they seemingly gravitate to the average models that remain in above-average condition. This is because so many Hondas are driven into the ground and used as conventional daily transportation that relatively few survive that aren’t the limited-production offerings.
When Honda introduced the first-generation Accord, it was simply trying to give customers a slightly bigger version of the well-regarded Civic. The Accord LX shown here introduced small upgrades like carpeting on the bottom of the door panels, a Quartz clock, air conditioning, power steering, a side view mirror, a tonneau cover in the hatch area, and upgraded seat fabric. It all appears to be in phenomenal condition in this car, which the seller has refurbished mechanically. The dash appears to be uncracked and the details are just fantastic – from the gauges that retain excellent color to the steering wheel which looks like it never saw a greasy hand, someone loved this Accord.
The first-generation Accord was no powerhouse, but it did feature Honda’s “Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) technology, which allowed the car to meet stringent emissions requirements without a catalytic converter – pretty nifty stuff for a car made in the early 80s. The Accord produced 72 horsepower, which when paired with the manual transmission, was manageable; it also reminded the world at large it was possible to build a mass-production car with strong fuel economy and a wonderful gearbox. All in all, very few of these early Accords are left, and this one looks quite special.
Unless lived in a country that no longer exists, it’s pretty hard to ignore what this car was. Whilst the Civic was groundbreaking as it was, for many, it just wasn’t big enough. Like Subies, you won’t find a low mileage Accord. Very rare, I’ve looked and would love to have one, but I’m not going to SC. to get one. When I moved to my apt. complex in 2017, a disabled woman had a car like this, low mileage, no rust, it sat in that spot for 5 years, easy, and she died and the car was hauled away. I read, these consistently sold in the 120,000+ ish but was the best selling Asian car at the time. It was indeed a Civic on steroids, and like 90% bought another,,,for life. Great cars.
Yes , few of these got preserved because they were designed to be used, and they did that job very well. Nobody thought of these as investment cars, thank god, so if you see one like this, it’s usually because of some strange reason.
Best shifters in the business.
When the Civic came out. Many people wondered why the car shifted so nice being front wheel drive. The reason was a very simple addition to the shifter it’s self. A torque rod attached to the shifter “box” and the transmission. So regardless of the engine position being moved slightly by torque or wheel traction. The shift lever and box were always in the same relationship to the transmission I drove a Civic once that had a rusted out/broken shifter torque rod. It was not nice at all.
This isn’t an LX, those had full velour seat surfaces. This is a “base” model, already well equipped by the standards of the day, with those vinyl bolsters and knit inserts.
What a great survivor car! I do like accords. My late grandmother had a gold early 1980s sedan then a maroon LXi 1989 sedan which my father inherited and drove to over 202,000 miles. The last time I saw one like this hatchback was when my 5 hr drivers permit teacher had one his was silver.
I don’t see anything about the timing belt. So many of these saw an end of life even when the belt broke and the valves got smashed.
You could pick them up for next to nothing and do the head work for a quick buck.
But many just got scrapped.
I drove one for many 10’s of thousands of miles.
It was a wonderful car. Quiet, sipped gas, fun handling.
A fair price, but I wouldn’t drive it a mile without the belt change just based on age alone..
I agree! While there change the water pump too!
Actually, Jay, these had a non-interference motor, and no real damage was done, just shuts ‘er down at the most inopportune time. I do agree, I had timing belts on my Minivans, but I won’t ever own a vehicle with a timing belt. Heck, I was uneasy with my Harley belt drive. I never understood how such an item was so popular, when gears or a chain did just fine for 75 years. It was clearly a ploy to get the car back to the dealer. Most have gone back to chains, but Honda, Subaru and VW still use belts. The bigger issue with Hondas is tissue thin head gaskets.
I had one that was dark marron. We called it the “Grape”. It was a great car for the day! The CVCC engine was very peppy and only sipped the gas. Living in the NE rust did it in before I could. I really liked it!
Great car, a stick and would last me the rest of my life….however I have plenty of cars and looking to down size. The 80’s were a great era for Hondas and Toyotas.. I like them both…….
Car taken down, no longer available. I respect the nostalgia for a car that changed American minds – durable and gas efficient – it would take decades for the Big 3 to follow. On the other hand, would you drive a car today with < 100hp?
Facebook Marketplace says this listing no longer exists. Sold?
Well listing has been deleted so they changed their mind or someone overpaid for a little pizza delivery car
I currently have an ’81 with 65700 on the ODO, My ’78 had no power steering and I loved that. Drove it 350 miles to Dallas with 3 adults and it took 7 gal at fill up. I traded it for a new 1982 Prelude and I got more for trade than it cost to buy new.
I had a silver ’77 with a black interior. It was a great car and was easy on gas and fun to drive. Mine unfortunately succumbed to the Wisconsin winters and rusted out. I still drive Hondas now and have 2 2017 models of a Fit and CR-V. The Fit has a manual gearbox like the ’77 Accord and ’80 Civic hatchbacks that I had. The ’80 Civic also eventually rusted out too. Very versatile cars and lots of fun to drive. The CR-V is like a Cadillac to drive with the bells and whistles and a comfy ride. The newer ones have thumbed their noses at the winter salt (of course I do my best to clean them regularly during the winter months) and love them. I hope whoever winds up with this beautiful time capsule takes good care of it!
My sister had this exact car. Drove it about 250,000 miles before she sold it in 2022 for more than she paid for it in 1978. I believe the only major issue she had was some work on the head at around 100,000 miles.