MEET THE OWNER - SEBASTIAN SAUER AND HIS HONDA ACCORD SERIES ONE SALOON
27 October 2023
Sebastian has long been an enthusiast of old cars, and he recently sold his 1987 Toyota Celica to buy this incredibly rare machine – “It was a no-brainer!”. His 1978 first-generation Honda Accord saloon is believed to be the only remaining example in Gibraltar.
Honda unveiled the Accord hatchback in 1976 and hoped it would appeal to export buyers – especially in the USA – who wanted the Civic’s virtues on a larger scale. A four-door version followed in October 1977, marking the marque’s first ‘three-box’ model since the demise of the 1300 in 1973. Honda proudly told British motorists, “We’ve given one of the world’s ten best cars the boot”, following a recent survey in Road & Track.
When The Observer tested the three-door Accord, they thought it “the sort of car which rewards eager driving”, with the article headlined “A new winner from Japan”. An Autocar report on the four-door from the 21st October 1978 hailed it as setting “some new standards in terms of ride comfort and quietness for family cars in this class”.
The Honda’s specification - front-wheel-drive, 1.6-litre SOHC engine and five-speed transmission – was certainly far removed from the Ford Cortina Mk. IV and the Morris Marina. The equipment list was another attraction, with £3,999 gaining you a remote control for the boot lid, rear headrests and folding armrests, full instrumentation, and tinted glass. In addition, there was an AM/FM radio and even illuminated ashtrays for “those who want to light up”.
Production ended in 1981 with the launch of the Series 2, and Sebastian is the second owner of his Honda:
It was always garaged, and there are 93,000 miles on the clock. The old owner had it off the road for five years, and it has been really well-kept. There are just some mechanical issues; the brakes, the clutch, the radiator and the cylinders are gone as well.
We greatly look forward to following the progress of the Sauer Accord. Gibraltar has a thriving classic car movement - https://gibraltarclassiccar.com/ -and this writer hopes to visit next year to experience their many fine vehicles. Sebastian’s Honda is a historically important reminder of the model that founded ten generations of the Accord. To quote Autocar of nearly 45 years ago - “It’s the details that count”.
With thanks to: Sebastian Sauer