Honda Civic (first generation)

Honda Civic First generation (SB1/SG/SE/VB)

Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Kaengsaeng Jaju (North Korea)
Production	July 1972–June 1979
Assembly	Suzuka, Mie, Japan Petone, New Zealand Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Powertrain
Engine	1169 cc EB1 I4 1238 cc EB2 I4 1238 cc EE CVCC I4 1335 cc EJ CVCC I4 1488 cc EC I4 1488 cc ED CVCC I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 2-speed Hondamatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,200 mm (86.6 in) Wagon: 2,283 mm (89.9 in)
Length	3,551 mm (139.8 in) (1973) 3,731 mm (146.9 in) (1974–1979) 4,064 mm (160 in) (wagon)
Width	1,505 mm (59.25 in) (saloon)
Height	1,327 mm (52.25 in) (saloon)
Curb weight	680 kg (1,500 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda N600 Honda Z600
Successor	Honda Civic (second generation)

The first generation Honda Civic is an automobile which was produced by Honda in Japan from July 1972 to 1979.

Honda began selling the 1169 cc (70 in³) transversely mounted inline-four engine Civic for about US$2,200. The Civic was largely developed as a new platform, and was the result of taking the previous Honda N600 and increasing the length, width, height, and wheelbase. The engine displacement was almost double the previous N600 (599 cc) at 1,170 cc, with two more cylinders added. The car produced roughly 50 hp (37 kW) and included power front disc brakes, vinyl seating, reclining bucket seats, and a woodgrain-accented dashboard which has many similarities to the later Rover SD1. The hatchback version added a fold-down rear seat, an AM radio, and cloth upholstery. The car had front and rear independent suspension. A four-speed manual transmission was standard. Options for the Civic were kept to a minimum, consisting of air conditioning, a two-speed semi-automatic transmission called the Hondamatic, radial tires, and a rear wiper for the hatchback. The car could achieve 40 mpg_‑US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg_‑imp) on the highway, and with a small 86.6-inch (2,200 mm) wheelbase and 139.8-inch (3,550 mm) overall length, the vehicle weighed 1,500 pounds (680 kg).

The Civic was the first Honda car to be sold in Britain when it was launched there in 1972, at a time when the sale of Japanese cars from Honda's competitors Nissan and Toyota were soaring. Its compact design and economical engine ensured that it sold well in Britain in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis.

The four-door sedan version of this bodystyle was never available in the USA and the five-door hatchback did not appear until 1978, just before the introduction of the second generation model. It was presented in Japan in September 1977 and the four-door was retired in June 1978. In the USA, the advertising campaign used to introduce the Civic was, "Honda, we make it simple." The tagline was later used with other Honda motor vehicles until the 1984 model year when the company revamped its product lineup.

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Wikipedia