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VITAL STATISTICS: HONDA CIVIC (1ST GEN) A real practical classic from the land of the rising sun and its market contenders that ﬁnally came to battle HERITAGE CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE

VOLKSWAGEN POLO RENAULT 5 Also Market Contenders Speciﬁcations Buyer’s Guide Price Guide included... Interesting Fact www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk HONDA CIVIC

Average Price £3,000 for a good condition

Written By Tim Bishop © Copyright of Paul Sullivan (Flickr) A move in a HONDA CIVIC (1ST GEN) different direction. Years Produced 1972 - 1979 In many ways back in the late sixties and early seventies the 0-60 mph 13.5 sec Japanese car manufacturing industry revolutionised the inter- Top Speed 90mph national car market by exporting small economical modes of transport to the masses. These cost effective mini cars Power & Torque 68bhp / 72lbft grabbed the attention of many, especially in the states as an Engine 1335cc / 4cy / 12v ideal run about for those on a budget. As attention grew Honda upped the ante by producing the Civic Drive-train Front engine FWD available in three and five door models concentrating not only Gearbox 4-speed manual & auto on economy and practicality but also style and engineering. The Civic was a success and paved the way for Honda in the Weight 735kg early days. Today the humble Honda Civic 1st generation like many Japa- nese classic has a cult following internationally and in the UK. In fact the Japanese classic car scene is growing all the time with its own weekend classic events and car meets becoming more and more popular. At last cars like the Honda Civic are finally becoming recognised for all the right reasons. Japanese Classic cars can be difficult to value. It really depends on who is buying the car. In the right circles prices are increas- ing all the time as desirability and enthusiasm ensues. PRICEPrice GUIDE Guide LAUNCH 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Concours £999 £3,000 £3,500 £4,000 £4,500 £5,000 £6,000 Excellent £2,000 £2,500 £3,000 £3,000 £4,000 £4,500 Good £1,500 £1,500 £2,000 £2,500 £3,000 £3,000 Fair £500 £750 £1,000 £1,000 £1,500 £1,500 TRIUMPH TR7 www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk Buyer’s Guide

any cars from the 1970’s experience major rust issues and no more so than cars designed for warmer and dryer climates. The Japanese car is probably one of the worst Also check underneath as wintery British weather and all M when it comes to the dreaded red stuff. In that salt on our roads can prove devastating if the car hasn’t fact the Honda Civic was built with no provision for rust been looked after. what so ever. As you can imagine the UK’s inclement Be vigilant with the cars history and check it all tallies up weather was just waiting to bite holes in the poor civic. with services and MOTs. Honda engines of the 1970’s are Buying a first generation Honda Civic in the UK today isn’t basic and reliable so providing there is good service history going to be easy and finding one without rot is even harder. things should prove OK. Obviously be thorough when checking the bodywork not Always take the car for a test drive paying particular atten- only for corrosion but for any accident damage that may tion to any noises and the gear changes. Test the brakes have been repaired badly. whilst driving and make sure all the electrics work correctly. INSURANCE Low cost classic car motoring means or more cars. We include both our in discounts our annual fully Compre- you won’t pay a fortune for your house agreed value service and hensive policy proves excellent value insurance. At Heritage Insurance with salvage retention should the worst for money. Here are some typical 50 years experience behind us, we happen at no extra cost, and with examples of how little your insurance offer a tailor made package for one limited mileage and club members could be. Let’s take a look at some typical insurance quotation examples for the Honda Civic

Annual premium All example quotations are based on a Honda Civic with agreed value at Aged 30- £98.37 £4,000. These quotations have been based on fully comprehensive cover with Aged 45- £85.23 £100 accidental damage excess. The vehicle would be garaged overnight. Aged 60- £85.23 The owner would be accident, claim and conviction free wanting a limited All annual premiums are subject to individual criteria. mileage of 3,000 per year with full use of a main car that would be used as a daily drive. Still want a super saloon but not sure which one? MARKETLet’s take a lookwww.heritage at one carinsurance.co.uk of the Vauxhall Carlton CONTENDERSGSI 3000 market competitors:

BMW 5 VOLKSWAGEN Price Series E34 Guide£1,798 POLO MK1 Launch Price © Copyright of Elmar (Flickr) Need Classic car insurance?£5,000 Excellent German Call Heritage car insurance£3,500 The current simplicity at its 0121Good 248 9229 best classic car VOLKSWAGEN POLO VW’s Polo was aptly launched at the Price Guide:right time with the hatchback being the Years Produced 1975 - 1981 market will car to own. Compared to Yearsits brother Produced the 1987-96 Golf, this practical classic tends to be 0-60 mph 16sec Launch Price £16,450 give you’re seen as an under achiever for what Top Speed 90mph seems to be no apparent reason. Today this means there are somePerformance fine exam- Power 0-60& Torque mph 9.5 sec/ Top Speed40bhp 137mph / 55lbft Excellent £3,500 plenty of ples of standard models for sale without Engine 1043cc / 4cy / 8v any intrusive modifications unlike the Drive-train Front engine FWD Golf of the same era. Easy to maintain choice Goodif you £2,500 Power & Torque 168bhp/164lb-ft with only rust being its true enemy, the Gearbox 4-speed manual looking for some- VW Polo is indeed gaining in interest. Weight 865kg

Engine 2494cc straight six 12 valves thingBMWs with 5 Series a E34 bit came inof many guises nostalgiaback in the late 1980’s from and the Vauxhall Carlton GSI 3000 rivalled the best of them. For the same money Drive-train Front engine RWD thethe 1970’s.BMW was out powered Let’s and lacking in interior speciﬁcation. What’s more the E34 is now lagging behind when it comes to classic car price rises as take a look at some Transmission Five speed Manual its still sitting at the bottom of the depreciation alternativescurve. that will definitely take you

LaunchGuide Price

Excellent £854

£4,000 Good £2,000

© Copyright of Spanish Coches (Flickr) Super chic French innovator Renault was one of the first to manufacture a small hatch back with great success in the early seventies. Soon other car maker’s replicated this with great success, however it took them a few years to catch up. The Renault 5 caused a sensa- tion when it was launched in 1972, stylish and practical with a superb range of options. What more could a Parisian want...tres bien! RENAULT 5

Years Produced 1972- 1984 0-60 mph 18.9sec

Top Speed 85mph © Copyright of Gilberto (Flickr) Power & Torque 42bhp / 61lbft Overview © Copyright of Cristiano Deana (Flickr) Engine 1298cc / 4cy / 8v The practical car of the past is very much the classic of today with plenty of Drive-train Front engine FWD choice for the nostalgic enthusiast. Also there’s a large community out there involved in a wide range of seventies classic cars, so support comes in abun- Gearbox 4-speed manual dance. Cheap to run and maintain these commuters of yesterday are great Weight 785kg fun to own and an investment for the future. HOME Cover for accidental damage INSURANCE Cover away from home 0121 246 5053 High risk valuables cover nteresting Fact I The first generation Honda Civics were notorious for rusting in less than three years from purchase where salt was used on the roads in the winter. The Hondas were so vulnerable to corrosion that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also issued a safety recall. This was because the car's lateral suspension arms, front crossbeam, and strut coil spring lower supports could weaken with exposure to salt. At the time, Honda's rust recall was the largest safety action among all the brands imported into the U.S. Civics became known for their "typical Honda rust" in the used car market.

GET A QUOTE WITH HERITAGE Get A Quote with us for your classic car today. Got more vehicles in your household than drivers? Our multi car insurance could be just right for you. Call us on 0121 248 9408 and reference: ROTY15

Mark Wilkinson (Managing partner of Heritage Classic www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk Car Insurance) says: “The Japanese classic car scene is certainly one to watch with many of Join Us For Classic these interesting production models never being considered as true clas- sics by the “elite establishment”. As Car Updates times change so has what is considered classic by the enthusiast, and the land of the rising sun has finally been recognised for its stylish and innovative designs” Appendix www.carandclassic.co.uk/cat/3/501/ www.classiccarshq.co.uk/ads/sale-honda-civic-mk1-first-generation-1979 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_(first_generation) Read our reviews https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_5 www.carandclassic.co.uk/classic_cars.php?- make=36...5%20mk1 cars.trovit.co.uk/used-cars/renault-5-mk1 www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/43/polo/ https://www.gumtree.com/volkswagen/uk/polo+coupe