NEW! Award 117: 1977 Honda Civic CVCC Hondamatic – Sold?

August 23, 2023, Update – We confirmed the listing for this “ClassiFIND” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

When you list a classic or collector car for sale, the words used in your description mean a lot.  The description should match the pictures you post of the car in the ad.  Sadly, the seller of this baby blue 81K original mile 1977 Honda Civic Hondamatic for sale, last spotted in July 2023 on Craigslist in Brentwood, California (San Francisco), used the phrase, “There Are No Scratches Or Dents On This Vehicle!” in their short two-sentence description.

Unfortunately, the feature picture clearly shows a dent in the driver’s side front fender and the lower portion of the door. Would these stop us from buying this survivor-quality example? Of course not. However, the seller’s horrible hyperbole makes us pause to wonder what else they might be exaggerating regarding the originality of their Civic.  The dashboard-mounted fan was clearly not a dealer-installed option that only serves to detract from the interior.

Sadly, the seller is also not being realistic about their asking price. Last offered for $20,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is nearly eight thousand dollars higher than this guide’s 12-month rolling average of only $15,596. While it’s true that several Honda Civic CVCCs have sold for much more than twenty large, they were extremely low mileage, manual transmission models.  The current benchmark the seller did not consider is this White 81K 1977 Honda Civic CVCC Hondamatic, which sold in January 2023 on Bring a Trailer for only $11,050.

By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can get a sense of what comparable examples sold for in the past rolling twelve months:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask is double this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of only $10,500. Not working in the seller’s favor is the fact the downable 2023 Old Cars Guide lists their top value as only $3,000 currently, while the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool does not even consider these cars to be classics quite yet.  With the seller’s ask clearly double the ask of similar examples with comparable mileage, we have no choice but to award this seller our latest “NEW!” (short for “No Effin Way!”) Award for listing their Civic with an asking price out of touch with the condition and mileage of the car.

The 1977 Honda Civic CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) is a classic compact car with a significant place in automotive history. It was part of the first-generation Honda Civic, which was introduced in 1972 and continued until 1979. The Civic CVCC was particularly notable for its innovative engine technology and fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice during a time when fuel shortages and environmental concerns were prevalent.

The 1977 Honda Civic CVCC featured a simple yet stylish design, typical of compact cars from that era. It had a clean, aerodynamic body, smooth lines, a short front grille, and small round headlights. The overall design was practical and space-efficient, which contributed to its popularity among urban drivers.

Inside, the Civic CVCC provided a comfortable and straightforward interior with seating for up to four passengers. The cabin was compact but cleverly designed to maximize space utilization. It featured durable materials and functional components, with a driver-oriented dashboard displaying essential gauges and controls.

The standout feature of the 1977 Honda Civic CVCC was its advanced engine technology. It was powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine equipped with Honda’s CVCC system. The CVCC system was designed to meet stringent emission regulations of that time while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency.

The CVCC system worked by having three combustion chambers per cylinder: one pre-chamber and two auxiliary chambers. The pre-chamber ignited a lean air-fuel mixture, and the resulting flame front spread into the main combustion chamber, igniting the richer air-fuel mixture there. This unique design allowed the engine to run on leaner fuel mixtures, significantly reducing harmful emissions without needing a catalytic converter, and thus could run on cheaper regular leaded gas while it was still available.

Thanks to the CVCC technology, the 1977 Honda Civic CVCC could achieve impressive fuel efficiency for its time, making it an attractive choice for drivers seeking economical and environmentally friendly transportation.

The Civic CVCC was available with either a 4-speed manual or a 2-speed Hondamatic automatic transmission. Its light, nimble handling and compact size made it an agile car suitable for city driving and maneuvering through traffic.

While modern safety features were not as prevalent in cars of that era, the 1977 Honda Civic CVCC had the standard safety features for its time, such as seatbelts and energy-absorbing bumpers.

The Honda Civic CVCC’s groundbreaking engine technology and fuel efficiency set the stage for future Honda vehicles and earned it a reputation for being an environmentally responsible car. The success of the first-generation Civic, including the CVCC model, played a pivotal role in establishing Honda’s reputation as a reliable and innovative automaker, contributing to the brand’s growth and popularity worldwide.

Today, the 1977 Honda Civic CVCC is considered a classic car, and well-preserved examples are sought after by enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate its historical significance and iconic status in the automotive world.

The Bionic Disco YouTube Channel provides this 1976 Honda commercial bragging about how the Civic CVCC was the EPA’s mileage champion that model year:

There’s no question in our minds this 1977 Honda Civic CVCC hatchback for sale with only 81K original miles is a nice survivor example that’s been well maintained.  However, since it’s equipped with the less desirable two-speed Hondamatic transmission, the seller will likely need to come down in asking price in order to find a willing buyer to become the next caretaker.

If you are serious about buying this Civic CVCC Hatchback, you can start the conversation by using the contact information provided by the seller in their Craigslist ad.  When you connect, please mention that you saw their Malaise Era Honda featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or Go: What would you do with this 1977 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback for sale? Please comment below and let us know!