JDM 1981 3dr HB GX Restoration Pics (56K? might be OK)

[epic1400cs]

Here are some pic of JDM 1981 3dr HB restoration project in progress by my friend in Japan. He owns this car 20 years and has done 200,000 Km (125,000 mile) so he has decided to do full restoration but in over 2 years . This is because he needs the car as daily driver also spreading the cost over 2 years....

The blue one on the left is his car before restoration and the beige one is his mate's car.
http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Other/Don/AC051117.JPG

They have done engine and transmission in Spring last year as below.
http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AC_20.JPG

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AC_35.JPG

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AC_41.JPG

Now they have been working on the body sice around this Christmas.
http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060215_05.JPG

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060215_14.JPG

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060310_02.JPG

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060310_01.jpg

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060323_04.JPG


For more picture of this project, here is the link. Although the text are in Japanese, the page are mainly pictures so no worry.

Engine Restoration - 1 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AcRes_01.htm)
Engine Restoration - 2 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AcRes_02.htm)
Engine Restoration - 3 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AcRes_03.htm)
Engine Restoration - 4 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AcRes_04.htm)

Parts Collection (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res051108.htm)

Body Restoration - 1 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060210.htm)
Body Restoration - 2 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060212.htm)
Body Restoration - 3 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060215.htm)
Body Restoration - 4 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060219.htm)
Body Restoration - 5 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060224.htm)
Body Restoration - 6 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060305.htm)
Body Restoraiton - 7 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060309.htm)
Body Restoration - 8 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060310.htm)
Body Restoration - 9 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060312.htm)
Body Restoration - 10 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060318.htm)
Body Restoration - 11 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060323.htm)
Body Restoration - 12 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060328.htm)
Body Restoration - 13 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060331.htm)
Body Restoration - 14 (http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Res060401.htm)

By the way, it is great idea that we have 1st gen and 2nd gen section now. I have some friends who own 1st gen and we exchange quite few infos to help each other. In 5 years or 10 years time, both 1st gen and 3rd gen will be classic and both of us will need to help each other keeping our car anyway its good to start today.

[87accordHB]

wow...im ..speechless. Im about to do the EXACT same thing! lol. POST ALL INFO YOU GOT ABOUT disassembly of the 1g hatch, im about to restore a 80 hatch 5sp. Awesome pics!

[epic1400cs]

wow...im ..speechless. Im about to do the EXACT same thing! lol. POST ALL INFO YOU GOT ABOUT disassembly of the 1g hatch, im about to restore a 80 hatch 5sp. Awesome pics!
Oh, I hope I didn't steal your idea! :) jk. The link I posted are the all I know of. They are from my friend's own website about his 1st gen. I dont know so much about the disassembly of 1st gen but getting new parts seems to be a bit of problem. He managed to find a parts car in very good condition, that was lucky, but the weather strip need to be brand new. It is amazing Honda in Japan doesn't have much stock anymore but in US there seems to be still many available. 1st gen were all made in Japan I thought but may be you guys love 1st gen more than Japanese people! Do you know any shop that have some weather strips for 1st gen? Please let me know if you do.

[Hazwan]

damn I need more pics!!

too bad the page is in japanese

edit: damn I want that dash! I found one while back at the junkyard, too bad theres a small crack near the glovebox. mine need replacing sooo bad

[carotman]

WOW!

Too bad I can't understand japanese, The guys did a really nice work!

I will try to find some weatherstrip for them. Maybe we can get a parts exhange network. I'll need a few things for my B20A :D

[epic1400cs]

Mmmm, it is pity that I dont have much time to translate the text. When I have time I will try to translate.

[Cheeseburger]

thats so fucking cool!!!

[epic1400cs]

It is an update - they has started reassembly of the car. Engine is in, dash is in, suspensions are in and now waiting some more bits to arrive. I have added some links so please have a look. Thank for you guys help for the parts info. In the end time run out and they have decided to reuse some weather strip but they can replace them in the future.

[bullard123]

Wow that looks very good!

[HondaBoy]

that car should be quite the acomplishment when its done. looks good whats been done.

[Isma]

Holy Jumping Jesus!!! Wtf!!! awesome!

[2ndGenGuy]

Thats incredible. Its a TRUE restoration! Its great to find someone so hardcore.

[epic1400cs]

Finally his restoration project has been completed!!

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060401_03.JPG

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060401_02.JPG

Also I have added 3 more pages of link to the first post so please have a look.
Obviously he is very very delighted with the completion of the restoration and he descibed that he has lost his words when he drove his car again...
Also, he has set up First Generation Honda Accord Owners Club in Japan recently.

First Generation Honda Accord Owners Club (http://www.geocities.jp/first_generation_accord/Index.htm)

It is again Japanese text only site at the moment however, in the future there might be english translation who knows...

[speedpenguin]

Wow, gorgeous!
I like the wheels, as well. It's really something to see someone restore a car like that in Japan. It's very difficult to keep cars for more than a few years over there because of insurance issues. That man has earned my respect.

[carotman]

This car is just beautiful!

[2drSE-i]

absolutely stunning. when i saw the words restoration i had no idea. this is my first time ever visiting this section of 3geez but im glad i did......amazing.

[Ichiban]

my...christ...!

my 1g is gonna get the treatment now, i almost gave up on it. gotta finish the 2g and the chev (again)

[Hazwan]

damn thats sweet!

[snoopyloopy]

that is a work of art. when hondas can get in the route 66 parade out in san bernardino, it'd be sweet to see something like that. not that i don't like the other classics that show up.

[epic1400cs]

Wow, gorgeous!
I like the wheels, as well. It's really something to see someone restore a car like that in Japan. It's very difficult to keep cars for more than a few years over there because of insurance issues. That man has earned my respect.
According to my friend that is the OE alloy wheel and he had 2 sets. He had restored one set by hand - sading down and painted black.
Yeah, they say that since last year or so, if the car is older than 10 year, the owner need to pay more car tax than normal. Also, if I remember right, if the car is older than 10 years, you need to go through a test every year instead of every 2 years. The main problem is this tuning up/rapir and a test normally cost like $1000-$2000 in total so real pain for old car owners.

[denhonda]

Brilliant resto, well done to him!

Go to admire older car owners in Japan, they do seem to have it tough over there with the regulations and exhorbitant taxation... based on ill advised environmental policies!

[speedpenguin]

Brilliant resto, well done to him!
Go to admire older car owners in Japan, they do seem to have it tough over there with the regulations and exhorbitant taxation... based on ill advised environmental policies!
Actually, it's mostly based around the economy. It's designed to get Japanese citizens to buy new cars every few years.
These policies are based around electronics as well. There is a new bill being proposed (and protested) that will essentially forbid anyone from buying or selling electronic devices over 3 years old.
If they don't put these bills in place, people won't have to buy as much.

[epic1400cs]

I have translated this whole thread into Japanese for Mr Saito, the owner of this restored Accord. He would like to say thank you to all of you..
"Thank you very much for looking through this thread. I didn't imagine that there would be so much positive comment and complement from many people. I would like to say thank you very much for all of your comment and support. I am hoping to set up my 1st gen Accord website in English version so that we can offer some useful information about our car from Japan where the 1st gen was originally produced."

[Hazwan]

I have translated this whole thread into Japanese for Mr Saito, the owner of this restored Accord. He would like to say thank you to all of you..
"Thank you very much for looking through this thread. I didn't imagine that there would be so much positive comment and complement from many people. I would like to say thank you very much for all of your comment and support. I am hoping to set up my 1st gen Accord website in English version so that we can offer some useful information about our car from Japan where the 1st gen was originally produced."

please do! the more site about 1geez the better!

BTW is that steering wheel stock?

[epic1400cs]

BTW is that steering wheel stock?
Mr Saito said

"Yes, it is the genuine one. This type of steering wheel is for GX and GX-L (in Japan). I have never seen this one in any other type of 1st gen (in Japan). Other parts are also original parts except electric fender mirrors that are from parts car."

[speedpenguin]

I want fender mirrors so bad!
I'm glad Mr Saito got to hear our comments, he needs to know the respect he's getting.
I hope you have the english site up soon

[wizzfish]

I'm bumping this age old thread, but are you aware of how he made that grill?

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_2nd/Ac_060215_10.JPG

Was this the OEM one in japan?

[A18A]

WOW that's a awesome project..... are those OEM wheels? those look like the type wizzfish wanted to know about...

damn i must have missed this thread from when it was first made

[seancornelis]

Wow is that an Accord overhead console sitting next to it? I knew they were an option on the 1g Civics but I've never seen one that looked like that.

[2ndGenGuy]

The body color on those bumpers looks nice too. And I love that black interior. Man these guys are doing it right. It looks like they have a plethora of NOS parts over there. I wish we had that access here. I'd love to get all new parts for my 81 to make it really look nice.

[offthahook]

I noticed they painted the chrome on the bumpers, too. It looks good, but I prefer the shiny chrome myself. They did it right though for sure. That is some dedication right there. Can't wait to see the website when in gets in English. Much respect.

[2ndGenGuy]

Much respect indeed... check this out all finished. That car is a beauty. Love that setting too.

http://dorakumasami.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Accord/Res/Res_1st/AC050430.JPG

That car looks right at home. :)

[epic1400cs]

Wow, this thread is alive!

I'm bumping this age old thread, but are you aware of how he made that grill?
Was this the OEM one in japan?
Yes, as far as I understand. He took it from parts car which is 4dr saloon.

WOW that's a awesome project..... are those OEM wheels?
They are OEM option in Japan. He renovated with sand paper by hand!

The body color on those bumpers looks nice too. And I love that black interior. Man these guys are doing it right. It looks like they have a plethora of NOS parts over there. I wish we had that access here. I'd love to get all new parts for my 81 to make it really look nice.
Actually, 1st gen is much rarer in Japan than in US.
In order to find these parts he had to buy them from an island in north end of Japan about 700miles away close to Russia.

I noticed they painted the chrome on the bumpers, too. It looks good, but I prefer the shiny chrome myself. They did it right though for sure. That is some dedication right there. Can't wait to see the website when in gets in English. Much respect.
Early type has chrome plated bumper and later type, his car, has painted bumper in Japan. Yes, I can see his amazing dedicaiton. He is lucky as he could find great mechanic who happen to be ex Honda mechanic knowing 1st gen very well.

[speedpenguin]

Love that restored Accord. I've been wanting to see it finished!

[wizzfish]

Wow, this thread is alive!
Yes, as far as I understand. He took it from parts car which is 4dr saloon.



I am going to kill myself doing it, but time to talk to people I know about getting one of those grills....

edit:

Funky Monkey says (4:28 PM):
hmm its discontinued from honda and i just checked a bunch of junkyards and shops.. nothing


and so my failure starts :(

[79cord]

Regarding the bumpers I'm surprised that his car also has the US style reinforced bumpers -with underslung indicators where the earlier Japanese (& '3rd market' {non USDM or JDM}) Accords had the indicators mounted within the bumpers. I'm assuming this was a model year change too-or to distinguish upper spec models -I forget were the GX spec. ranked in the JDM model range offhand . (-My Prelude has some rubber overriders like his).

The Japanese cars seem to have followed the USDM spec more closely than the '3rd market' cars.

Love the cloth they used with his late JDM black interior as well.