One thing we can all agree on whether we fancy Camaros or Civics is that period upgrades are cool as heck. Really, any car that was modified in-period and survives to this day with modifications that are otherwise near impossible to replicate are cool as heck. There’s entire stories based on the choice in modifications that can be told, whether someone was building the car that the factory wouldn’t or a vehicle to go to war with at the local drag strip. This 1978 Honda Civic CVCC listed here on craigslist comes with a boatload of racing history in the form of many desirable and long-out-of-production Jackson Racing components.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip. If you are a Honda or Acura fan on any vintage, chances are high that you’ve heard of Jackson Racing. The company began in the late 70s in California and specialized in engine upgrades and related components for Honda enthusiasts tackling local road courses and the autocross circuit. Today, they are mostly known for high-end supercharger set-ups for modern Honda vehicles. While Comptech is currently the tuner of choice for Acura, Jackson Racing is synonymous with Honda. As you can see, this old-school-cool Civic sports a wild widebody kit and American Racing Equipment Vector turbine wheels.
The seller notes this Civic has great local history. It was purchased new at Riach Honda in Seattle and raced at nearby SIR many years ago. While it is a project and a car listed as having “ran when parked,” it remains in incredibly clean condition. The interior obviously had a trick set of Recaro-style buckets at one time, which have been pillaged, but you’re getting so much other amazing components with the sale that you really shouldn’t care. The list includes an entire spare Jackson Racing widebody kit, 1982 dated 13″ SSR Formula Mesh wheels, all extra glass, NOS parts, toys/collectibles, Honda and Jackson Racing brochures, rare parts from Japan, and “…even more not pictured.”
According to the listing, a variety of receipts are included that document all of the engine and suspension upgrades the previous owner performed. The seller doesn’t go into any great detail about those parts, but based on the body kit and wheels alone, it’s safe to say the previous caretaker spent money in all the right places. For some of you, this looks like just an old, used Civic (and it is) but for others, it’s a piece of history. I would imagine there’s even someone out there who can remember seeing this humble CVCC racing back in the day. Do you?
It’s Coo…
“Price is firm.” That always means that the owner still wants it more than someone else does. At $7k, he must really want to keep it.
$500 dollar car with a I don’t want to sell it price but i need to pay the divorce lawyer
Widebody is all the rage these days.
That spare widebody fender set oughtta go on another car that’s painted to match
First I do have to say that widebody kit is pretty unique, especially with those turbine wheels. Reminds me of a mid 70’s AMX. Cute little car.
But where is all the “race” equipment? If this car was raced, shouldn’t there be visual cues of race equipment? 4 or 5 point harness? Roll cage or something? Where are the pics of the Jackson Racing suspension? Aside from the aftermarket air filter, it looks like a stock Honda engine bay. Not even sure this engine has headers? Might be the stock exhaust manifold? Wouldn’t a hopped up engine need a bigger radiator? Looks stock to me. If it does have the engine, transmission and suspension upgrades they state, maybe it might be an ok price…maybe. The widebody/wheel package is unique.
Again, it’s a cool little car but maybe they need to show why it’s worth the $7,000 they are asking for.
Someone will be interested in the car. I don’t know its value, but it doesn’t deserve to be dismissed out of hand. There is a growing segment of the car hobby that is interested in Japanese cars, something like this will peak their interest. A Google search shows that Jackson Racing is still in business, it also shows a couple of these being taken on as projects, including one from an import specialty magazine.
I’ve seen a lot of people on this site say the main reason for buying many cars on featured is they will turn heads at a car show. If the paperwork even remotely backs up the sellers claim, this will actually deserve the attention it will get at specialty meets.
Steve R
I autocrossed and ice raced a 1978 Civic. It was a sedan ( not a hatch for lighter weight) And it had the 1237 as it was also lighter and more rev happy. The worst Finnish was a second place by the now ex-wife. There were times when I pulled into the lot, other cars in my class would leave as they knew they didn’t stand a chance. I have competed with many different cars. (Autocross, ice racing, Pro-Rally, showroom stock, stock car roundy round, etc. ) And I won more trophies with that Civic then all the others combined. I REALLY miss that car! This This was never “raced” no roll bar AND it sits too high. Maybe autocrossed, but because of the widened stance it would have been relegated to another (other than stock) class where it would most likely wouldn’t have been competitive. Cool looking car and if I was in the market I would definitely look into this, just because finding a non-rusty Civic is a rare occurrence. I’m not a fan of the body kit which adds no value to me. The price (which always seems to be the case) is too high. But that never slows me down from dickering.
And you’re good at getting what you need for the price you can afford, Wayne, especially in the automotive world. How many times have we fetched home a new project on a trailer since we met? 😁👍🏻
Was the second place finish the reason for her becoming the ex? Lol!
Sorry, I couldn’t resist! I know that relationships can be difficult, I’ve got an ex in my past too.
Actually no. But funny anyway! We bought the car on a Friday night from a dealer principal friend of mine. On the understanding that he allow me the use of a set of stock steel Accord wheels. (13 inch as the tires I used for ice racing were not made in 12 inch) I managed a pair of Goodyear stores at the time and immediately drove to the store and installed the desired tires on the car. Saturday and Sunday was a 2 day ice event. On Monday I returned the “loaner” wheels to Harry and had him look in the back seat. There was 4 1st place ice racing trophies there. (Std. & ladies class 2 for each) Harry then said, keep the wheels!
Some long legged “LURCH” must have drove it by sitting in the back seat.
Shades of Officer Hightower in the original “Police Academy”?
Nice “race” car with NO racing stuff…
Lol!! I worked at Jackson Racing in the 1980s! I may have sold this body kit and the Weber 33/36 DGV. Small world.