1977 Honda Accord 1.6L 5MT FWD (80 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Honda opened a new chapter in its evolution when it launched the first generation of the Accord in the spring of 1976, a car that offered more than any of its direct competitors.

The Accord’s story began in the early ‘70s when Soichiro Honda asked for a car class above the already developed and launched Civic. To do that, the automaker put Hiroshi Kizawa, former manager of development for that car, in charge of the new project, code-named 671. Due to limited resources, he had to use as many parts as possible from that small-sized hatchback, which it did. Then, there were other requests that complicated things, such as the power steering or air conditioning. These features were usually found in luxury cars in those times. The result was a three-door hatchback, which Honda unveiled in May 1976. Sales exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. Initially, the automaker hoped to sell 4,000 units per month. Still, in just three months, it had to ramp up production, re-fit the Saitama Factory, and increase production to over 11,000 units. In the same year, Honda started to export the Accord in the U.S., where it sold 18,643 units until 1977. That was just the beginning since, in 1977, the Accord filled the driveways of another 75,995 customers.

Kizawa had to come up with a design idea that would create a connection with the Civic but also look and feel like a larger vehicle. As a result, the first generation of the Accord came with a quad-headlights design and a black plastic grille with egg-crate styling that sported the CVCC chromed badge, which represented the engine’s type. The chromed bumper featured rubber endings and trims and had built-in energy absorbers for improved safety.

From its profile, the three-door hatchback wasn’t that impressive. However, the long doors and the tall greenhouse with ample glass areas promised an airy feeling inside the cabin. Honda adopted flush door handles and a chromed door mirror on the driver’s side. Kizawa feared customers might feel unsafe with a glass above their heads, so it asked for a longer roof that covered the rear seats. As a result, the tailgate had to have a steeper angle and was fitted with a standard window defroster and wiper. At the back, the large rectangular taillights and the chromed bumper with rubber trims created a composed look for the 1977 Honda Accord.

However, the interior was one of the strongest selling points of the car. Honda created a tray-type dashboard with storage areas on the passenger’s side. The driver enjoyed unusual features for a car from those times. Besides the speedometer, tachometer, and other usual gauges, the Accord also featured three lights that reminded the driver to rotate the tires and change the oil and the oil filter. Furthermore, below the dashboard, Honda installed a stereo and a climate control unit with available air conditioning. To clearly differentiate the interior colors from the Civic lineup, the automaker installed retractable seatbelts that matched the cabin’s upholstery. Behind, on the bench seat, two adults could sit comfortably, and they even had flip-out windows that helped them get more fresh air.

Under the hood, the 1977 Honda Accord started its journey with a small-sized, 1.6-liter engine fitted with a three-barrel downdraft carburetor and the automaker’s CVCC fuel system that helped the car obtain excellent fuel efficiency for those times. Honda paired it with a five-speed manual transmission, while a two-speed automatic, called Hondamatic, was available. Another significant improvement was the fully independent suspension with McPherson struts in all corners, which improved comfort and speed cornering.