HONDA CIVIC HISTORY

It seems incredible that 33 years have passed since the first generation Civic was launched, back in 1972. Today, the most successful automobile built by Honda accounts for roughly 1/3 of total Honda sales worldwide, is built in 11 countries and sold in no less than 160 countries. Below is a list of the 'magnificent seven' Civics, whose considerable impact on the automotive industry has often arisen from Honda's policy of regularly introducing new technology into the mass market via this iconic range.

1st Generation - 'First Civic' (1972-1979)

The original Civic was launched in 1972 at a time when Elvis Presley was at the top of his career and in a world that was still in awe of the space missions that had put Man on the Moon three years earlier. The Civic was Honda's vision of an affordable yet comfortable and fun to drive car.

Between 1972 and 1979 over 2.1 million units of this lightweight, compact car were produced, mainly in 3 and 5-door body styles. 2-door, 4-door and wagon bodies were also built off the same platform. Engines ranged from 1.2 to 1.5 litres.

The Civic had four strut suspension and a front engine/front wheel drive layout. Using the advanced and typically innovative CVCC or Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) engine, it was the first car in the world to pass the pioneering US 'Muskie' Clean Air Act and achieved the highest fuel economy ratings issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency for four successive years. Technically it proved to be an affordable and easy to use compact vehicle.


2nd Generation - 'Super Civic' (1979-1983)

The arrival of the '80s brought a sense of value to the most developed countries in the world, most of which were already acquainted with Honda's acclaimed compact car. Diana and Charles gave the world a fairy tale wedding to dream about the following year and by then, sales of Civic were well under way and had passed the 2.5 million milestone. 3, 4 and 5-door versions were sold in all the major markets and engines ranged from 1.3 to 1.5 litres but the technical highlight was provided by further development of the CVCC engine for even higher combustion efficiency. A catalytic converter was also added.


3rd Generation - 'Wonder Civic' (1983-1987)

The 3rd generation was launched against a backdrop of huge changes in the USSR under Gorbachov as well as the first true global music concert, Live Aid. The 'Wonder Civic' evolved around a design concept called 'Man-Maximum, Machine Minimum', with the customer as the focus and served by the vehicle. 3 and 4 door body styles were the dominant models, but the platform gave rise to the sporty CRX and the Shuttle - a forerunner of modern MPVs. There were 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6-litre petrol engines serving different priorities. Technically, the 12 valve light alloy engine further improved fuel efficiency whereas the DOHC 16 valve engine helped to make the Civic a sporty contender particularly with the CRX. Over 1.8 million 3rd generation Civics were built and sold, taking the cumulative figure beyond 5 million. At this time Honda also returned to the world of F1.


4th Generation - 'Grand Civic' (1987-1991)

This Civic saw the introduction of four-valve-per-cylinder engines across all models. For the first time the double wishbone suspension system used on the Accord and Prelude was incorporated front and rear to provide excellent stability and handling.

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