Honda Civic CVCC, Metallic Orange

Honda's first Civic ran for seven years before the company revamped it in 1979, and in that time a small car launched in July 1972 as a two-door and a three-door became a range that passed a million built within four years. Its CVCC engine used a combustion system that needed neither a catalytic converter nor unleaded fuel to meet changing emissions rules, and Honda states that it complied with the American Clean Air Act standards for 1975. Buyers could also choose the Hondamatic, a two-speed semi-automatic gearbox, and this car has one: the badge sits on the tailgate beside the CVCC Civic script, and the selector stands on the floor between the seats.

The paint is a metallic orange, paired with a cream interior: cream seats and cream door cards, set against a black dashboard with a woodgrain strip and a black three-spoke steering wheel. Bright trim runs along the waist and around the windows, a Honda CVCC badge sits on each front wing, and the steel wheels are silver with red-centred hub caps. Bumpers with black overriders front and rear frame the round headlamps and the CVCC grille. The car stands on an orange stitched base, its engraved plaque reading 1973 Honda Civic CVCC, Limited Edition, one of 50.