By turniptruck ( - 204.112.189.29) on Thursday, March 16, 2000 - 10:34 pm:

I'm looking to buy a honda civic (a couple of
my friends have 'em and I've heard they're
great, reliable cars), but I don't know what
1200 means. Is there a difference between
honda civic 1200 and a "regular" honda civic?
After you enjoy a good laugh, any candid help
would be appreci

By Tim Harding (Timh) on Thursday, March 16, 2000 - 10:53 pm:

When we say a Civic 1200 we're refering to a Honda civic built from 1973 to 1979 with the (approximately)1200cc engine. These engines have good performance potential. A "regular" honda of that era would be a cvcc model. These cvcc's have a different cylinder head design that is more intended for good mileage and low emissions. Here are some ways to tell the cars apart: If the cars still have their orginal emblems they will say either "1200" or "cvcc." But we're not always that lucky... The exhaust on the 1200 exits the engine on the front side, the cvcc's exits on the back (firewall) side. There are a bunch of other ways to tell. But you're just getting started.

By quikrick on Friday, March 17, 2000 - 02:06 pm:

The Civic CVCC is a 1500cc and has three valves per cylinder, 1-intake, 1-exhaust, and 1-auxiliary intake. Although the 1500cc is bigger, it is not better for power. The CVCC is a bit longer (at the nose)and a bit heavier. A well tuned CVCC is Okay (I guess). The CVCC also came with more options available, plastic wood steering wheel, the later models ('78 & '79) came with a cool tach and speedo. There is much more to tell but I will let someone else talk, perhaps a 1200 guy.

By quikrick on Friday, March 17, 2000 - 02:09 pm:

Oh, The first generation Civic CVCC was only made from 1975-1979

By jon9_10@hotmail.com on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 - 10:17 pm:

dusting old repair manual...
the honda civic 1200
has a 1169cc (74), 1238cc (75-79)
w/ a sohc (single over head cam)
aluminium head and block
which puts out around 52-58 hp
and has a red line of 6000 rpm (useful if you have a tach)
and came w/ a 4 sp. Transmission w/ a final drive ratio of 4.93 or so..
It could also come with an also in auto two speed or three speed not so sure auto guys???
it's late in ri usa... sleep now>>.............

By M&M (209.53.207.250) on Friday, April 13, 2001 - 11:16 am:

ya me again, does this comment about the 6000 rpm ring true with the general population out there? I have a stock 1200 and it seems to be at about the top end with my tach reading 5000. Maybe my tach outta sync? Or can I push it another grand? he he he

By Nikolaj (213.197.5.48) on Sunday, April 15, 2001 - 12:18 am:

I think the engine can handle just about any revs you dare.. It seems to let you down after around 5500 rpm's, but that's the stock engine. I have no tach, but I'm sure I've had the engine well over 7000...
Once heard a tale of 2 carwreckers having a bet over what engine was hardest to wreck. One chose some Opel-engine, the other chose our Civic's. They both started the engines and lay a brick on the throttle, and stood back. After about 15 minutes the Opel engine dies.... After a half an hour they decide to kill the civic, as she is still spinning like crazy with no signs of giving up.
This was shared by some civ-craze carwrecker here in Holland. My experience with the engine makes me believe this lil' story....