Project Simplyhonda's 1979 Honda Civic 1200

[simplyhonda]

Well, it hasn't even been a week since I got my front mats. Then, out of the blue, some guy I didn't even know contacted me on facebook. and said he had a set of
rear mats for me! I couldn't believe it. So I drove down about an hour from the house to pick them up. I was very pleased with what I got.

[simplyhonda]

Read through many posts on here trying to determine the best windshield seal combo. I just placed order for these. I'll let you know how it works out!

Seal:
https://www.autopartswarehouse.com

Chrome:

[simplyhonda]

Seal and trim came today. Everything looks good. The chrome trim is awesome. Used it to fix my ugly door arm rest inserts that I didn't know what I was going to do with. It came in 20' roll so there is still plenty left to do the windshield later! Got it Turned out awesome! Of course there are pics. Little details baby

Before:

New Vs. Old

After:

[simplyhonda]

Just a couple of more days then it's off to paint!

;

Did some more work on molding in my front lip with fiberglass. Still not there yet.

Also picked up a little baby Civic on line auctions for $4. Got it ready for the paint shop too. Paint to match!

Little Civic on big Civic!

[simplyhonda]

Bought paint today! I also almost finished up fiberglassing in the front lip.

[simplyhonda]

I spent a long weekend doing the paint. My buddy was nice enough to let me use his garage. So I loaded up Saturday morning and headed over. Final sand, wash, wipe down and tape-up took the better part of the afternoon. The paint didn't cover great. I got six coats on Saturday evening before I closed up shop for the night. Right back at it sunday morning. Sanded from the night before with some 2000 paper to get out some trash and imperfections and hit it with another two coats. I probably could have kept on and on but I ran out of paint. Followed it up with four coats of clear. Then I let it dry for a couple of hours and trailered her back home. It turned out pretty good. Not a $1,000 paint job but no budget Maco job either. Being a bit of a perfectionist I found this whole ordeal pretty tedious and don't know that I'd ever be satisfied. So I'll roll with it. And without further a due I present pics!

Loading up!

Taping

Base - B15M Montparnasse Blue

Clear:

Vola!

Also the toy!

Finally couldn't resist sticking on my new OK decal from
torparts.com/OK-Honda-Decals-2-OK-Honda-Decals-2.htm
Original style inside decal. Quality is fantastic!

And...

[simplyhonda]

Got the rear put back together today With my NOS hatch letters & repainted Civic badge.
Also installed the nice set of tail lights I acquired. I love the reassembly. It's like a giant model car!

[simplyhonda]

Well, front lip turned out OK. not 100% happy, may look for alternatives in future junk yard runs. It was a lesson in fiberglass and paint skills, but overall it turned out decent. The front view is a little rounded for the lines of the car, but whatcha gonna do?
On a lighter note, I got it inspected, tagged, and on the road. I drove it 53 flawless miles around town, to work, and back. The smells and sounds of a vintage vehicle cannot be matched. It is what puts hair on our chests and lets us live to fight another day. I had that old VW bus, which was a lot of fun, my Dad has a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 he has had since 1970. And I have had friends with old mustangs and whatnot. It matters none. The smell of rich fuel & nostalgia cannot be matched. I felt so free and clear headed on my drive home. Was able to get her up to somewhat comfortable 71mph on the highway. It will take some driving and learning the vehicle to get comfortable, but day 1 was a blast! I had to do a lot of talking about it at work, gas station what have you, but that is what makes the hard work all worth wild. I love what I do and am proud of the things I accomplish. This is what it is all about! OK, I'll shut up from ranting and show a couple of pics.

Front view. Kinda mean, don't you think??

Side view:

At Work:

[simplyhonda]

Some pics from today. Put 208 miles on it this first weekend. Car drives fantastic! 29.4 mpg on first fill up.
Got my Enkeis mounted up too with some Nexxen 185/60/13

Time to close some wheel gap!

[simplyhonda]

I used to be a member of a VW bus club. They got together over the weekend and I took the civic out there. Everyone loved it!

Naping in the Civic

Telling all about it!