MORE DERIVATIVES ADDED

A few minor facelifts were made and the EB2 was born with an upmarket version, badged HL, and costing around $250 more. The HL had a cloth and vinyl interior, a trendy ’70s vinyl roof, and the 12-inch diameter black wheels were trimmed with chrome. Through 1978 and 1979, the Civics were known as EB3S and four derivatives were assembled. Some had their back seats replaced with wooden decks to be used as commercial vans.

The 1979 facelift saw a plainer grille, with the indicator and parking lights now mounted within the bumpers rather than free-standing on top of the body protectors. Inside, there were only detail changes since the original layout and the clean dashboard design with simulated wood trim were too good to alter. Simplicity was the key, the speedo and second dial housing fuel and water temperature gauges separated by a strip of warning lights. Lift the fronthinged bonnet and the reasonably accessible mechanicals were packed into the engine bay.

In 1973, the first full year of production, a total of 80,000 EB1S were sold worldwide, and during the next few years annual production was around 60,000. Civic’s New Zealand sales reached 50,000 by the time the model moved to the secondgeneration version — so where are they all today? A recent Trade Me search for 1973–1979 Civics revealed not a single car, and only five examples between 1979 and 1989. The majority, it seems, may have simply rusted away, yet apparently the second-generation model was even worse. Sadly, the

EB1 was notoriously bad for rusting; the problem was so bad in North America that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a safety recall on the model. It cited corrosion on the lateral suspension arms, front crossbeam and strut coil spring lower support.

In April this year, at a Webb’s auction in Auckland, an immaculate, unrestored, four-owner Caroline Yellow EB1 with 77,000 recorded kilometres received a top offer of $16,675 — a good price, albeit less than the estimate of $25K–$30K. Honda New Zealand has purchased the first locally assembled EB1, which had done 61,000 kilometres, and this preserved example recently completed a tour of the country, celebrating the model’s half century.

With the arrival of the secondgeneration car in 1980, the Civic became more practical, having a full rear opening hatch and larger dimensions, but it was the initial EB1 that was the first Japanese car set in the classic European small-car mould. The uncluttered, iconic shape of the 1972 Honda looks remarkably timeless, and the car’s complete specifications make the original Civic a memorable small car. It certainly deserves a hearty 50th birthday celebration.

So where are they all today? A recent Trade Me search for 1973–1979 Civics revealed not a single car