1981 Honda Accord Sedan 1.6L 5MT FWD (80 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The second generation of the Accord continued the successful story of this nameplate and was available with unusual features for those times.

Honda launched the second generation of the Accord in September 1981 in all markets: Japan, the U.S., and Europe. For North American customers, the Japanese automaker started the production of the Accord in its fresh factory in Marysville, Ohio, which was an important step for Honda. However, customers still had to wait for weeks or months due to the high demands of this mid-size sedan that was fit for families and very budget-friendly, especially on fuel consumption. The phantom of the second oil crisis from 1979 – 1980 was still present, and the prices were still high. As a result, the four-door vehicle, with its fuel-efficient engines, became even more attractive. Like its predecessor, the cabin of the 1982 Honda Accord Sedan was attractive and roomy enough for a family of four, while the long list of options was even more impressive. On top of that, the car could be equipped with a device called an Electro Gyrolocator, which served as an in-car navigation system, a first in the automotive industry.

Depending on the market, the second generation of the Accord Sedan came with four rectangular headlights or two wide ones. The U.S. customers got the former version due to Federal lighting regulations, while the rest of the world received the latter. The grille between them was squared and adorned by chromed slats while the H-badge took center stage. In addition, the automaker installed corner-mounted turn signals. On the bumper, Honda placed another set of blinkers, while on the apron offered as an option a set of quartz fog lamps.

From its profile, the 1982 Honda Accord Sedan looked nothing like its Hatchback sibling. It was still wedged-shape, like most other cars from that era, but with a straighter windshield. The squared-looking greenhouse was well-balanced and provided better access thanks to the similarly-sized front and rear doors. In addition, the automaker installed flush door handles on all vehicles. Unlike its predecessor, the car came with rearview mirrors on both sides, not just on the driver’s side, with electric controls (called remote control). At the back, the deck was almost flat, and Honda offered an option for a chromed rack for extra luggage storage. However, the automaker didn’t forget to lure its customers with safety features, so it added large taillights, with a clear delimitation between the reversing, the turn signal, the parking, and the brake lights.

Inside, the velour-covered seats were considered a feat by customers, and Honda knew how to attract buyers. In addition, it offered a choice of floor mats with colors that matched the rest of the upholstery. Fronting the driver was a new, squarish-looking instrument cluster, where the automaker installed large dials for the speedometer and tachometer while the fuel and temperature gauges were between them. Furthermore, a dial with red lights showed which door was opened or closed. That was a feature unavailable on most other vehicles on the market, regardless of the brand or segment. For its customers’ entertainment, Honda offered eight different sound systems, starting with monoaural radios, while at the other end of the scale was a digital stereo with radio and auto-reverse tape. Among them were also a few options for 8-track players.

Under the Accord’s hood, Honda installed a range of gasoline engines ranging between 80 PS (79 hp) and 97 PS (96 hp), depending on the market. All versions were paired as standard with a five-speed manual, while a three-speed automatic was available at extra cost. The automaker continued its idea of using independent suspension in all corners with McPherson struts, carried over from the previous generation of the Accord.