Project Simplyhonda's 1979 Honda Civic 1200

[simplyhonda]

This story begins with me going to look at a 91' AWD wagon I found on Craigslist. I didn't need the wagon or any car for that matter but the ad looked good & price was reasonable plus it was my birthday and it seemed like a fun road trip for the day. When I got there, the wagon was junk. The old guy that had it was really cool though. He had the 91' I went to look at and a cherry 85' RT too. We got to talking for a while. While talking with him I spotted an old civic sitting down in his field. I asked him about it and we went to look. What I found was a super solid 1979 civic 1200. It has zero rust, straight body panels, owners manual, and original key! I asked him if it ran, and he said it did last time he tried (about two years). After dropping a battery in and a little starter fluid - she fired right up without even smoking! I had to have it. I talked it out of him for a cool $900. I drove it 60 miles home with hardly any brakes, had to e-brake it most of the way but I made it home! Got to love Honda! The only other problem it has is a replacement fender and a little bent front end. He did this when pulling it with his motor home and it fell off the tow bar. No biggie. Odometer reads 49,000 don't know if it has rolled over but considering it's condition, it's doubtful. I believe I got a pretty good deal.I couldn't wait to get started on it. Here are the pics the day I got it! 8-)

So the cleaning & restoration began. I started by removing and scrubbing the interior. It got new carpet and some plastic panel repair. From there I moved on to freshening up the wheels, repainting the valve cover, sanding her down and fixing minor dents etc... It has been slower going than I wanted but I am taking my time with the build. Between work & family I don't have the time or budget I wish I had to work with!

I have also been collecting parts her & there along the way. Here are some cool things to go back on after paint. So much for Painting those wheels.
I scored a set of 4x120 13" Enkei Meshes. With stickers still on the inside rim!


Rear Bumper Over Rider

NOS rear mud flaps

Beautiful tail lights / Compared to my old ones

Deluxe Gauges & NOS trunk letters!

Here is the manual & key that came with the car!

That is all for now! Stay tuned for more!

[DOHCIVIC]

WoW nice

[simplyhonda]

WoW nice

Thanks man! I'm the guy that talked to you a while back & We met at ECHM - I had the VW bus for sale, Finally sold it!
Now I can focus on my civic!
Here's a pic I took on the way home from ECHM!

[simplyhonda]

With limited parts & whatnot, I decided to disguise the beat up front end. I snagged this front lip off a 90's Jaguar at the local junkyard for $16. I cut it in the middle and shortened to fit! Very pleased with the results so far!

[simplyhonda]

I've also been restoring my grill.

[Thor]

Absolutely stunning find.
Great refurbishment as well.
Looking forward to the finished article.
£600 that's a steal over here. Mind, Slim's got close with a couple of his purchases.

[Justin@work :)]

Glad you made it over.. You will find lots of useful info here

[simplyhonda]

Got the Deluxe gauges installed. It sure was hard to cut up the wood paneling that had been preserved for 33 years. I was pleased wit the end result though.
I love how these complete the dash. I am going to hold off on installing the tachometer because I want to make some glass faces. Plus I just got in on the group buy for the
aluminum trim rings. Man those look sharp! I don't have a glass circle cutter - may have to invest unless someone out there has one already & wants to cut me a set.

[simplyhonda]

I'm pretty meticulous when it comes to the small things. I started by taping the whole cap, Then I just used a hobby knife to cut out the area to be sprayed. I used brake caliper paint because it flows real smooth and dries nice & hard. It takes a little time to get it right. I'm pleased though.

[Thor]

The whole letter and raised sides should be chrome, not painted to the flat top only, also the vertical edge of the rim should be chrome.
Basically the masked areas are too small, compared to OEM.