My 1975, 1169cc motor, 3
door, with optional 2 speed 'Hondamatic' was delivered new to Mrs. Mary Letch of
Enfield, Essex by Garret Lane Cars, London on 9th August 1975. Cost £1150. (at
today's exchange rate US$759) Extra's specified were 'Hunter Blue' Metallic
Paint and Hondamatic transmission.
Wisely, Mrs. Letch also had
the car Ziebarted (rust proofed) from new and this has helped keep the car in
this original condition. Most UK Civics, and most 1970's Japanese and indeed
Italian cars succumbed quickly to
UK winters with our habit of adding lots of salt to our roads when icy and
the cars poor, from thefactory
rust proofing. This car has covered only 45000 miles since new.
There were three models
available in the UK in 1975. Two and three door models with 1169cc engines and a
larger bodied 5 door with a 1500cc CCVC engine. The Civic Station Wagon offered
to North American and Australian customers was never sold in the UK.
These early cars came with
few luxuries, no rear window defogger or Radio, but it did offer such
unprecedented small car luxury (in austere-car
mad 1970's Britain) as standard head restraints, a glove compartment,
back up lamps and carpets!! Owners of contemporary, similarly priced Ford and
General Motors products in the UK could only dream of such opulence!
This Civic was purchased by
me in 2002 from the Guru and owner of a
fleet of Civics in the UK, Paul Preston. It its outstanding, original
condition.
For British purchasers of
the Civic with its very unfamiliar two speed, semi automatic 'Hondamatic'
transmission, the owners manual told you how to use it. 'star' Range - Normal
Driving In this position the Hondamatic transmission gives exceptionally smooth
starting and acceleration for in-town and highway driving. 'L' Range - Low.
Shift into 'L' when starting condition is adverse or when rapid acceleration is
needed for freeway entrance, etc. It is also used for stronger engine braking
when descending a steep grade, or for increased power when climbing a hill.
There are so few left on the roads in the UK that it never
fails to attract attention on the street or at a Gas Station
