Project 1974 Honda Civic 3dr Portuguese Version

[Kaizen PT]

Hi all,

This is my 1974 3dr Honda Civic that was assembled in a Portuguese factory called Movauto. It’s a SBC model with the EB1 engine.

Needs some easy repairs to be road legal but overall it´s in good shape. It´s the standard version with no accessories at all.
The interior has been re done to an even more basic feature by the previous owner. In the future I would like buy the original interior panels.

It was re-painted in the late 80´s from burgundy to this lighter red . My goal is to paint it in Sunset Orange.

Civic MK1

This is the actual shape but for now I will just paint the rear bumper.

I believe it will have Deluxe gauges, 3 spoke steering wheel and a factory radio... sooner or later!

Deluxe gauges

The EB1 engine is going strong. Brake booster and 5 speed gearbox are the upgrades in mind.

[Kaizen PT]

The standard trim and the re-done interiors make an original spec restoration too expensive.
As I have another car from this era, this Civic is the ideal base to upgrade it to a sporty version, using only Honda parts from the 70´s, and be used to regularity rally´s and inspiring drive.

Road holding while maintaining comfort and a tune up on the engine will be just fine.
Most of the process is not clear yet!

Colour: RS orange. YR22 right?

Interior: 3 spoke steering wheel, Deluxe gauges. The front seats may be upgraded to classic bucket seats.
I like these ones:

I´ve seen that the Honda N360 uses seats that look a like, would like to "test" them!

Wheels: Accord MKI 13" or Watanabe RS8 13".

The restoration process will be done after finding all the parts needed, like weatherstrips, and after test/mount all the goodies in mind.

[Kaizen PT]

Wanted to have some fun this week with the Civic. I have NO experience with body or mechanical repairs (just the basic DIY) but tried to make it look better in an effort to make it road legal.

After removing rust. No holes, just superficial rust.

Front before

Front after

Rear before, with some superficial rust below the tail light.

Rear after. Looks nice :-)

Rear bumper removed

Rear bumper primed

Rear bumper back on the car

[Kaizen PT]

in the long run those bumpers deserve real chrome.

True. I have a set of NOS to fit, but will only do it after the restoration.

I´ll fit some of the other upgrades I have in mind to check if everything is plug and play.


Anyone knows if late Civics' brake booster will work on this? Mine doesn´t have as you can see on engine bay photo.

[Kaizen PT]

Thor, thanks. Discs at the front and drums on the rear.

I found Brembo discs and Ferodo pads and drums, and also Goodridge stainless brake lines in the UK. guess they would make a nice upgrade.

[Kaizen PT]

Hi,

I´ll be looking for a good set of these bumpers and send them to Thor. He might make replicas out them. I don´t think that I will find more than 1 or 2 pairs in fair condition.

The ones on the car I´ll use them as "just in case" spares.


It seems i´m going to get some japanese wheels next month :-)


About the colour, the RS orange might be the Sunset Orange YR22, anyone can confirm this?

[Kaizen PT]

Luckily I was able to get a set Watanabe RS 13" 4X120 wheels from Japan through a friend.

Fitted them with 175/60 Toyo Proxes CF-1 and the road holding and fun improved a lot.

Drained the gas tank and replaced the oval fuel filter which wasn´t easy to get.

[Kaizen PT]

Replaced the control arm

and disassembled the interior to search for rust spots, but the result was this:

I guess no need for sandblasting! :p

Passed MOT and now it´s driving time. 8)

With friends coming along

[Randy]

@Kaizen PT I really like these bumpers, I wonder if anyone had made them in fiberglass reproduction?

Nice Work