I’ve said for a while that first-generation Honda CRXs are among the leaders of the emerging class of 1980s collector cars. As Gen Xers and the early part of the millennial class begin to seek out their first (or third) project cars, fans of import makes will likely have sharp memories of the CRX earning heaps of praise from road test editors of their youth. This 1985 CRX is the hotter “Si” model and benefits from a recent engine rebuild. Find it here on KSL.com for $3,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader slimwhitman for the find. The seller obviously has a thing for first-generation CRXs, as there’s another example hiding out in the garage. As a closet enthusiast for the CRX lineup, I can tell you this example sports the optional alloy wheels; rare and spendy OEM mudflaps; the correct Si badges on the rear; and nicely preserved two-tone paint, another CRX staple of the first-gen models. Rust also appears to be non-existent.
The seller says the engine is freshly rebuilt with less than 10K miles on the rebuild. Everything remains stock inside and out, and the only non-functional item is the A/C. For a car like this, if that’s the last item to repair, you can bet I’d do it and hopefully drive another $2K out of the asking price. Given the scarcity of a rust-free CRX Si and the nationwide desirability, there’s no telling if a buyer from Florida might be in the mix for a car like this – if it has functional A/C.
Honda always made fantastic bucket seats, and these appear to be in wonderful condition. The factory manual transmissions were also some of the best of the era, and I’m sure this CRX shifts with the best of them. Although I love Honda’s hot-hatch, I’d still fancy a Prelude from the same era if I’m buying a mid-80s Honda – but a clean example like this would be hard to turn away if it was down the street from me. Which 80s Honda would you take home?
These are amazing cars, back in the day they could piss in the tall grass, run with the big dogs. Fast,nimble and great brakes with fuel economy to boot. Im glad to see there is intrest in them.
I don’t want to be one of those guys who critiques everything but if you ordered a 1985 Honda CRX SI, the wheels you got were these, they were not optional. The funny thing is, I’ve driven Honda’s my entire life and I am not a huge fan of this year in the CRX. I don’t know what it is because I love 1980s Honda Accords, civics Etc especially preludes, but for some reason the CRX just doesn’t do anything for me until the body style change in 1987-1988. Don’t get me wrong! This is a beautiful car and was so well preserved I can truly appreciate it’s Rarity….great write up Jeff!
I’ve always owned American made muscle cars, but I would love to get my hands on this Honda. I imagine it would be a blast to drive, and I would use it for my daily commute. (which is 72 miles round trip, I need the MPG’S !) Good luck to the new owner and please keep it just like it is, you don’t see many like this anymore.
The title says survivor-rebuild.
It has to be one or the other, it can’t be both.
I drove one of these 26 000 miles coast to coast to coast over six months. Incredible gas mileage, staggering in fact – pushing 65 mpg in some places. The CRX was only worth having if it was an SI, oh and skip the ’84 that didn’t have the manual choke! Great handling car and well behaved on the highway considering it’s size. I’d still rather have a same generation Prelude SI, esp. the Special Edition.
When I joined the PD as a patrolman in the early 80’s making no money nessitated a second job 5 days a week. I detailed and did new car get ready for a dealership group near NYC. Two cars that I absolutely loved were the CRX Si ( black with all options & accessories added)and a Chrysler Conquest TSI. The Si was fun,affordable and a blast to drive. The Conquest is in my garage. To find a good low mileage Si might be a needle in the haystack but I am looking….
Thanks Walter for your comments and service !
wow a white crx in the garage also, maybe a mugen?
The pictures aren’t recent. I live in Northern Utah about 60 miles from the seller and we don’t have any snow yet, at least not in the 1-2 foot accumulations shown in the pictures. It bothers me when sellers can’t be troubled to take current pictures of their cars.
The white one in the garage appears to be an HF from the wheel covers.