30 years of progress

[KRAZGRL]

A friend came across this old page from a 1977 magazine. I got a chuckle out of it and thought I would share.

The Civic Sedan was getting 50 MPG Hwy and 39 City. While today's Civic Sedan gets 34 Hwy and 26 City.

 

[Battle Pope]

Prodigious weight increase would be the primary culprit methinks. Also, I don't see an image?

 

[Briansol]

its all safety crap... air bags, stronger crumple zones, thicker doors... weight = mpg killer

 

[95b16coupe]

don't forget the stranglehold of emissions also

 

[serrilion]

lol Emissions worse damn thing ever built sometimes

 

[tabKola]

The target consumer hasn't helped either. They want power everything and don't want to drive tiny cars anymore.

 

[KRAZGRL]

haha... I know the weight and emissions are the culprits. But, it's just fun to look at and see the history.

 

[phyregod]

The target consumer hasn't helped either. They want power everything and don't want to drive tiny cars anymore.

False! My crx is too big. I was sitting in it the other day, thinking "look at all this space.. It could be much much smaller."

 

[double0Si]

And what did they make like, 10HP back then?

 

[AHHVTEC]

And what did they make like, 10HP back then?

anywhere from 40-65 lol

 

[78civic]

Thats where Ol Oscar got his start, messing with the old 1200's.
Remember also that the stroked 1200 (1337) were little monsters even beating the VW rabbit gti and Siroco(?) until the crx just blew the competition away, campained by Mugen. And just last year (i think) a 1st gen won in it's class in the pikes peak hill climb!
I've got 2 3/4 civics that are going to be up for sale I was going to swap in the EW4 si motor in my 79.. If I can find the time. These are such light and nimble cars that if you just tune the suspension a little you get great rewards, especially with a 3:1 steering rack.
I even have a 'stock' Honda turbo motor. Just think under 1200cc's, 110hp and almost 50mpg! And this was back in the late 70's/early 80's!! I've got some early rare parts that I really should get going and run..

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