autoevolution
 

Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979

HONDA Civic 3 Doors 1972-1979 22 Photos
HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)HONDA Civic 3 Doors (1972-1979)

Without the success of the first generation of Civic, there was hardly a future for the small Japanese brand, and none of the F1 victories and the VTEC crazy wouldn't exist.

The 1972 Civic was available in a few body versions, including a four-door, a station-wagon, and this 3-door version. The oil crisis, the new taxes, and regulations and the hunt for fuel-efficient vehicles raised the world's demand for this kind of city vehicles, which could run a month with a tank full of gasoline.

The 3-door Civic was small but still provided room for four people inside, especially if they were under average. For two adults and two kids in the back, it was perfect. Due to its large window surface, it looked like it almost didn't have a B-pillar. The round headlights and the black grille resembled the H-letter at the front of the car. In the back, there was an option for a lift-glass or a tailgate that opened downwards. It didn't look silly at that time.

Inside, Honda chose to put good-looking materials, including wood-trims on the dash and doors. With its simple yet effective instrument cluster, the driver could read the revs and the speed at a glance. Most of the other useful information was accompanied by red, green, blue, or amber lights. From the safety point of view, the first-generation Civic featured front seatbelts, which were not mandatory. On the options list, Honda offered a semi-automatic transmission, a rear window wiper, and air-conditioning.

With a big experience in the motorcycle industry, Honda insisted on producing a small-displacement engine. The result was a tiny 1.2-liter unit that offered up to 75 hp! It was huge for those times. Later on, Honda offered a 1.5-liter engine.

HONDA Civic 3 Doors 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
  3 gasoline engines
  • 1.2L 4MT FWD (60 HP)
  • 1.2L 4MT FWD (76 HP)
  • 1.5L 5MT FWD (70 HP)

HONDA Civic 3 Doors
1.2L 4MT FWD (60 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.2L 4MT FWD (60 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1170 cm3
Power:44.1 KW @ 5500 RPM
60 HP @ 5500 RPM
59 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:68 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
92 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:96 mph (154 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):11.3 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
DIMENSIONS
Length:139.8 in (3551 mm)
Width:59.3 in (1506 mm)
Height:53 in (1346 mm)
Front/rear Track:51.2/50.4 in (1,300/1,280 mm)
Wheelbase:86.5 in (2197 mm)
Ground Clearance:6.9 in (175 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.45
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:88 lbs (40 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:24.5 mpg US (9.6 L/100Km)
Highway:30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km)
Combined:25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km)

HONDA Civic 3 Doors
1.2L 4MT FWD (76 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.2L 4MT FWD (76 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1170 cm3
Power:55.9 KW @ 4000 RPM
76 HP @ 4000 RPM
75 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Torque:75 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
101 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
DIMENSIONS
Length:139.8 in (3551 mm)
Width:59.3 in (1506 mm)
Height:53 in (1346 mm)
Front/rear Track:51.2/50.4 in (1,300/1,280 mm)
Wheelbase:86.5 in (2197 mm)
Ground Clearance:6.9 in (175 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.45
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:88 lbs (40 kg)

HONDA Civic 3 Doors
1.5L 5MT FWD (70 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.5L 5MT FWD (70 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1170 cm3
Power:51.5 KW @ 4000 RPM
70 HP @ 4000 RPM
69 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
DIMENSIONS
Length:139.8 in (3551 mm)
Width:59.3 in (1506 mm)
Height:53 in (1346 mm)
Front/rear Track:51.2/50.4 in (1,300/1,280 mm)
Wheelbase:86.5 in (2197 mm)
Ground Clearance:6.9 in (175 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.45
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:88 lbs (40 kg)
  report a mistake on this page