The Honda Accord arrived in 1976 (aka Honda Inspire in Japan) as a mid-size automobile. Its worldwide popularity grew, especially in the U.S., where it would become a best-seller year after year in the 1990s. This edition from 1979 looks like a time capsule piece, yet the car may have 150,000 miles, new paint, and an engine rebuild. Located in Miami, Florida, this Japanese jewel is available here on Hemmings, where the asking price is $8,900. Bravo to “Curvette” for this cool tip!
Early Accords were sold as 3-door hatchbacks with the popular 4-door sedan arriving a few years later. The inline-4 in these cars carried CVCC badging, which stood for Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion, a process developed by Honda. The 1751-cc engine in the seller’s car was rated at 72 hp with a 5-speed manual transmission and delivered decent performance and good gas mileage.
The seller’s listing is confused about the mileage. The car is advertised as having 49,000 miles, yet we’re also told the engine was rebuilt at 99,000 miles. So, does the car really have more like 150,000 on it? That may not matter a great deal if the power source was refreshed along the way. There is no rust on the Honda, and the beige paint has recently been reapplied. The interior is said to be impeccable, which is a testament to the materials Honda used, if original.
We’re told the Accord has been recently serviced, but what does that entail? For certain, that includes new brakes, tires, and head gaskets (did the old ones leak?). Also, a clutch kit has been installed, but what about the rest of the transmission? All-in-all, this looks like a solid ride, the kind that enabled Honda to claim such a large footprint in the U.S. market.
Someone sure wants to capitalize on the 5 digit speedo, 150K EASY, or more, especially from the Shunsine State. Engine rebuilt at 100K, seems typical, I know, many say my Honda has umpteen million miles, and that is entirely possible, but for many unaware of how an engine works, 100K unmaintained miles is all you get. Mostly head gasket from overheating, or belt breaks, interference motor is toast.
The Accord to most, was the Civic on steroids. Looked similar, but just a bit bigger. The Accord was probably THE most important car to get Honda out of the econobox group. They knew there was a bigger calling. Honda has sold an astonishing 18 MILLION( as of 2020) Accords in the US, and still with passenger car offerings limited, remains the #1 all time seller. It’s unusual to see one of these without the fenders dangling and doors falling off. Amazing find, no doubt.
One more thing, it should be noted, and I’m very proud to say, this particular Accord was made in Japan, but since 1982, the Accord has been made in Marysville, Ohio and employs between 4500-4700 AMERICAN workers. It’s NOT a foreign car anymore,,,dad,,, in fact, just the word “foreign” doesn’t seem to apply anymore. Honda continues to sell between 150,000-200,000 Accords every year. Way to go Ohio!
This car reminds me of Pulp Fiction. “I had to crash that Honda, baby.” LOL