Newb - possibly oldest accord still driving?

[kidcrash603]

Hi!

Stumbled across this site while searching for bits and pieces for my '76 accord. I've been reading posts on the site for the last hour straight and decided I better say hi.

My Accord is the '76 CVCC 5 speed. I found an article online about a guy with possibly the oldest accord in existence and it lists his VIN. Imagine my shock to realize my VIN is 4,023 cars EARLIER than his!

When I hit my 5 posts (and get some sleep), I'll get some pics up for you, but here is the next shocker.... I've only got 70,000 original, verified, miles on it!

It's very solid, but the interior is very dry and cracked. Paint is faded and peeling in some spots. I've got work to do to restore it right, but I'm excited to have found this site as a resource!

[obdriver6]

:welcome: Sounds like you may have found a hidden treasure and definitely post pics when you can.

[RAZR]

Wow great find definatly post pics ASAP.

[kidcrash603]

The best part is, a friend of mine is into 80s vw rabbits, and I had found one for cheap that I was picking up for scrap, so I brought him along when I picked it up. On the way home from picking up the rabbit, we saw an old auto shop that had a couple of 2nd gen vw jettas parked outside, so we decided to pull in.

[kidcrash603]

As we pulled in, he says "hey, look at that old scirocco!!", but as we got closer we realized it was a Honda.

This mechanic got it from the original owner, and it's been parked at his shop for almost 2 years. He's done all repairs to the car for its whole life, except what the owner did himself, so he knows the car and mileage well.

[kidcrash603]

I fell in love with it instantly, and as I looked it over, my excitement only grew.

Surface rust along the front of the hood, surface rust along parts of the back hatch, and some punkyness at the bottom inside of the hatch (easily patched), and the bottom of the passenger front fender is rusted off, again an easy fix.

The floors and undercarriage are surprisingly solid, paying testament to how much time this car spent in the south and garages. The owner was in the military, and towed this car behind a motorhome when he travelled, as well as spending at least 2 tours in Virginia.

[kidcrash603]

It was last on the road in 1990, and when I bought it, it hadn't been run in just over a year. With a battery and some ether, it actually started right up, although I couldn't test the transmission due to having an empty clutch hydraulic system.

Plans are to restore/repaint, custom close to stock interior with newer materials, find some really great old wheels or send my steelies off to a company I found that makes custom 3pc wheels with your originals.

I'd also LOVE to find a roof rack and bumper overriders!

[kidcrash603]

Now for pics!

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/253dca87.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/baf7d0ab.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/df1c836e.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/7e23f19d.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/aa48a9f3.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/8b52d4f3.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/e54be5e3.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/76%20Accord/5ba18ad1.jpg

[-$MOKIN-]

super cool

[87roach]

Awesome, can't wait to see what you do with it.

Welcome to the site!

[gfrg88]

wow. looks in decent shape actually!! Can't wait to see more updates!

:welcome:

[Dr_Snooz]

Welcome from California!

[A18A]

hatchback version of hazwans car in the making

[bryan6732]

Welcome from The Netherlands.
Your car looks great for it's age! :)

[kidcrash603]

Thanks everybody for the welcome!

[charliekuney]

Wait, so how "low" is your vehicle identification number?

[kidcrash603]

Se-j1006991

[obdriver6]

Nice find! Body looks in good shape and it definitely needs a new interior but hope it turns out how you want it.

[mintygreen81]

Hi!

Stumbled across this site while searching for bits and pieces for my '76 accord. I've been reading posts on the site for the last hour straight and decided I better say hi.

My Accord is the '76 CVCC 5 speed. I found an article online about a guy with possibly the oldest accord in existence and it lists his VIN. Imagine my shock to realize my VIN is 4,023 cars EARLIER than his!

When I hit my 5 posts (and get some sleep), I'll get some pics up for you, but here is the next shocker.... I've only got 70,000 original, verified, miles on it!

It's very solid, but the interior is very dry and cracked. Paint is faded and peeling in some spots. I've got work to do to restore it right, but I'm excited to have found this site as a resource!



if we all wont by our 5 digit odometers i would win with 10,000 miles. lol but trust me there is at least 170k on your car just judging by the wear on the drivers seat and the break pedal. but none the less its a awesome find.

[kidcrash603]

If you read the rest of my posts in this thread you'll see how I know the mileage.... Not to mention the fact that most of the damage to the drivers seat happened when I sat in the car for the first time. Everything was so dry it instantly tore.

The car has been parked since 1990, and spent most of its registered life either towed behind a motor home or sitting in a driveway on a military base.

[kidcrash603]

Time to bring this thread back from the dead!

The accord has sat in storage as I recovered from a major back surgery on 1/17/12. Last week I was able to start getting into it.

Previous owner had told me there was a problem with one cylinder and that it would foul a plug, and he would just change it out and keep driving. So I knew I had to do a little investigating to see what was up with the car.

Here's a couple of posts with pics that I recently shared on a local enthusiasts forum.

Got the air cleaner off, then the valve cover.

Did a compression test, down the line from drivers side to passenger side.
Readings were: 120, 120, 5, 120

Did a leakdown test on the low cylinder, it won't build enough pressure to test, but I can feel the air coming out the tailpipe.

Checked the rockers and valve springs and everything LOOKED ok. Pulled the rocker assembly off to check the cam, and those lobes don't have any unusual marks or anything.

Next step is to pull the head I guess.

Here's a few pics:
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/89e71b45.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/2eb83e47.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/b37e7e82.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/5ec31873.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/8f1a93e2.jpg

[kidcrash603]

Went and worked on the Accord again today.

Got 6 gallons of varnish drained out of the gas tank, got the entire exhaust off, and pulled the carb off and the head.

I also found out what's wrong with it. The cylinder that had no compression has a busted exhaust valve. There's a chunk missing from the valve. It must have gotten blown out the exhaust because it isn't in the cylinder and it didn't mark up the cylinder or the piston. The cylinders still show factory cross hatching and the head gasket was original, so the 70,000 original miles claim is looking even stronger. Timing belt was also original.

I need to get a valve, a head gasket, and a carb kit to go further, plus about 200ft of new vacuum line.

First time I've had it on a lift. Underside is SOLID.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/f3594236.jpg

Front and rear struts look new.
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/29c4ad23.jpg

Bottom end
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/25be015f.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/59d9e6c8.jpg

Valves
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/37709fce.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/fd4729d8.jpg
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/jandsautotoo/d97d343f.jpg

[gfrg88]

Nice to see you getting work done on her! Shave the head down a bit while you're at it to gain some power :)

[Rendon LX-i]

Nice . Seems like a valve is chipped/burn thus losing your compression . Welcome an great work

[A18A]

wonder how the valve broke. the car looks in better condition than a lot of accords that's 20 years newer!

[lostforawhile]

If you read the rest of my posts in this thread you'll see how I know the mileage.... Not to mention the fact that most of the damage to the drivers seat happened when I sat in the car for the first time. Everything was so dry it instantly tore.

The car has been parked since 1990, and spent most of its registered life either towed behind a motor home or sitting in a driveway on a military base.

that explains the rust on the front hood edge, being towed around behind the motor home, all the salt and crap would land on the front edge of the hood causing it to rust. Do you know if it was towed on four wheels or on two? if it was towed on four it may have worn out front bearings by now, if it was towed on the back wheels worn out rear,not a major issue either way, I understand about the seat, I have a chair at work made out of one of those seats exactly like that one, and it's dry rotted all to hell

[kidcrash603]

Not sure on how it was towed but the impression I got was that it was flat towed, so all 4 wheels on the ground.

My first priority is to get it to a point where it runs and moves under its own power again, so I can start to identify other problems. Then, drivetrain and interior come out so it can go to my body and paint guy. While he's working on the shell, my interior guy will use the old interior to make a new one, and re-dye the faded plastics.

And I'll be working on cleaning up the engine and trans itself, polishing what I can and painting the rest.

[obdriver6]

Its good to see the 1g getting some love!

[MessyHonda]

wow nice find. im sure that car will clean up real good.

[2ndGenGuy]

That's a great find! Looks like it's in good hands too, with someone doing it up right! Can't wait to see your progress on this. I'm guessing that since that camshaft hasn't worn off, it probably really hasn't rolled over the 100k mark.

[borewicz]

nice colour hehe

dirty centre like on the bus : Rofl:

[SylusMk2]

nice car man looks almost like a twin of mine

[kidcrash603]

My headgasket arrived today and my exhaust valves are on the way. Gotta strip the accessories off the head and get it over to my machine shop for a work over.

[spinelli]

nice accord man that thing will kick but once its up an on the road. i also have a wierd addiction to 80's vws.... i have a 1983 rabbit hatch with 79,000 miles on it

[charliekuney]

How was the mileage verified?

[Gasdreamz]

How was the mileage verified?

Read his very first post. It explains it.

[kidcrash603]

I've run into a few snags in my recovery from back surgery and I'm considering selling the old girl. Any thoughts on value?

In my head I put a $2500 number on it, but I haven't decided if I think it's worth that or if it's just because I don't want to sell it...

[charliekuney]

Hi!

Stumbled across this site while searching for bits and pieces for my '76 accord. I've been reading posts on the site for the last hour straight and decided I better say hi.

My Accord is the '76 CVCC 5 speed. I found an article online about a guy with possibly the oldest accord in existence and it lists his VIN. Imagine my shock to realize my VIN is 4,023 cars EARLIER than his!

When I hit my 5 posts (and get some sleep), I'll get some pics up for you, but here is the next shocker.... I've only got 70,000 original, verified, miles on it!

It's very solid, but the interior is very dry and cracked. Paint is faded and peeling in some spots. I've got work to do to restore it right, but I'm excited to have found this site as a resource!


Read his very first post. It explains it.

Says is quite different from explains.

Still wondering. :)

[88Sleeper]

You know, all of this talk and fuss over a 1g is starting to make me depressed that I don't have our old 1981 accord anymore =[

Stupid mommy made my dad junk it 10 yrs ago.... I cried then, but I might go cry some more right now :crying: had 165k and barely some dots of surface rust when they crushed it

[kidcrash603]

Says is quite different from explains.

Still wondering. :)



This mechanic got it from the original owner, and it's been parked at his shop for almost 2 years. He's done all repairs to the car for its whole life, except what the owner did himself, so he knows the car and mileage well.


It was last on the road in 1990, and when I bought it, it hadn't been run in just over a year.


If you read the rest of my posts in this thread you'll see how I know the mileage.... Not to mention the fact that most of the damage to the drivers seat happened when I sat in the car for the first time. Everything was so dry it instantly tore.

The car has been parked since 1990, and spent most of its registered life either towed behind a motor home or sitting in a driveway on a military base.

In addition, pulling the valve cover to find an unworn cam, and an original timing belt, then pulling the head to find factory cross hatching on the cylinder walls and the original head gasket, all help the 70,000 mile claim.

[charliekuney]

This mechanic got it from the original owner, and it's been parked at his shop for almost 2 years. He's done all repairs to the car for its whole life, except what the owner did himself, so he knows the car and mileage well.

Completely overlooked this, lolol. There's a 1G here with nice seats in a junkyard, although the interior is tan not tan/red.

[redaztec]

Nice find!

[kidcrash603]

I've run into a few snags in my recovery from back surgery and I'm considering selling the old girl. Any thoughts on value?

In my head I put a $2500 number on it, but I haven't decided if I think it's worth that or if it's just because I don't want to sell it...

Anyone?!?