Filed under: Time Warp, Economy, Etc., Hatchbacks, Honda
Oldest Accord ever still running strong - UPDATE
MotorTrend.com discovered Ben Johnson who traded his Pontiac GTO for a Honda Accord back in 1977 and never looked back. The Goat had been eating a hole in Johnson's pocket because of the era's high gas prices, so he picked up one of them new fuel-efficient 1976 Honda Accords, which was the first model year for what has become one of the best selling vehicles of all time.
The amazing part is that Johnson is still driving his Accord after 30 years and almost 300,000 miles. Of the 13 million Accords sold over the years, Johnson believes his to be the oldest one still in operation. His VIN number proves it's older than the one Honda itself has housed in its Tokyo museum. He's also learned that only models built near the end of the first model year were exported to markets other than the U.S., so it's unlikely there exists an older example outside of this country.
Being a car nut, Johnson has modified the Accord a bit with an aftermarket stereo, high-performance shocks and tires and a custom carburetor system. He'd also consider selling the vehicle, but only to a museum or similar organization that would display it as part of an exhibit on how rising energy costs can change the nation's buying habits, just like they did back in 1976.
[Source: MotorTrend.com]
UPDATE - Johnson purchased his Accord in 1977, not 1967.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bill 12:39PM (7/03/2006)
That mileage isn't really that high for the car's age.
I had an 83 Civic, bought it with 100k miles, sold with 205k, and it was still running well (but using a little oil) and delivering about 37 MPG city. I wish I could find it, because I'd buy it back in a heartbeat.
I always thought old Honda's were special. After the 1990's, I just lost interest in them.
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simpsky 12:41PM (7/03/2006)
That car definitely belongs in a museum, as it is the only direct evidence we have of time travel. After all, he was able to get that '76 accord in 1967.
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asolar 12:53PM (7/03/2006)
Is that a mirror by the front wheel?
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gkz 12:53PM (7/03/2006)
Honda should buy it back from him to use in advertising before putting it in their museum.
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JC Whitless 12:57PM (7/03/2006)
I remember 1967 as well. I picked up my AMC Pacer and
drove to themovies with my girlfriend to watch Taxi
Driver..../and yes, that is a mirror/my 63 chrysler has
the same feature DS and PS
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Sam 12:59PM (7/03/2006)
What's really amazing is how Johnson "traded his Pontiac GTO for a Honda Accord back in 1967" for a 1976 Accord!
I'd use my Time Machine for something far more important than bringing an Accord back to '67, like preventing the rise of disco!
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Jason 1:00PM (7/03/2006)
Using the same time travel device, I could pick up a 2015 Accord...TODAY. *dramatic music*
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Art Bjornson 1:05PM (7/03/2006)
Photo is of Japanese version. Note steering wheel on right side.
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Corey W. 1:13PM (7/03/2006)
My 86 CRX had 180K by 94, interior was failing part but engine and tranny was perfect. I have no doubt it would have gone 250+
Bill, I also wish I'd never sold mine....
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scooter 1:15PM (7/03/2006)
I had 1979 2dr. LX, 2-speed semi-automatic (Hondamatic)that burned a quart of oil every 500 miles. It was rough around the edges when I got it in 1986 and I think I only had the pleasure of driving it from about 110k miles to 125k before it had to be retired. That 2-speed transmission was AWFUL. So clunky that in stop and go traffic I just left it in 2nd gear and puttered away from a stoplight at what was probably 0-20 MPH in 20 seconds. I was 16 and really wanted a Honda...I should have saved more money and been a little more discriminate. The 1981 Accord 5-speed I replaced it with was a much better car, but died a tragic death when I went out bar hopping and refused to let an overheating engine ruin my night. I recovered from my hang over, but the Honda never recovered from the fused metal bits in her guts.
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Graham 1:34PM (7/03/2006)
I wonder if autoblog even reads the comments to see when errors are pointed out to them...
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Lithous 1:36PM (7/03/2006)
"Anything else wouldn't be as spirited and roadworthy as mine is now."
So the owner is basically telling us that the car really isn't that great on it's own to last so decently but that he kept exceptional care of his. OK, so there really isn't much of a story here. He kept great care of his vehicle and it lasted a decent amount of time and has by no means record setting miles.
With his military connection mentioned in the article, I am wondering if he told the U.S. military he wouldn't fight unless he could use the more efficient AK-47? Remember the jamming problems the M-16 had compared to the AK-47 back in the 1970's? Yes, I'm sure he insisted on it that way.
BTW, I curious where I can find crash test ratings for the 1976 Accord?
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Chris 1:49PM (7/03/2006)
I saw a Honda 600 coupe (first produced in '65) at my local Park & Ride last week. Fantastic looking for being as old as it is.
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PJ 1:51PM (7/03/2006)
-----^
You *know* that if this article was about a one-owner Chevette with 300,000 miles on the clock, he'd be using that as evidence that GM builds world-class machines. Match that, Honda! Ha!
But it's true that 300K isn't much for a car that's 30 years old. I had a 1991 Volvo 740 Turbo with 200K on it that ran strong as well... the key is simple attention to routine maintenance.
Ironically, my parents' experience with early Hondas was anything but fortunate. They bought a CVCC in 1977, which went kablooey within five years because local mechanics hardly knew what it was, let alone how to keep it properly tuned.
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R-Dog 2:01PM (7/03/2006)
I bet the dude would feel like an a$$ if he found out how much that GTO he traded in would be worth now.
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Lithous 2:34PM (7/03/2006)
I love hating on foreign cars. I need a life.
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Troy 2:40PM (7/03/2006)
We've got a Civic on display at the local dealership with over 700,000k on it. Its a late 80's model so this guy couldn't have drove much.
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Lithous 3:20PM (7/03/2006)
R-Dog,
I'm pretty sure a museum or Honda would be glad to pay a good sum of money to have this car.
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rw 4:36PM (7/03/2006)
Whatever he bought he sure in the hell would have a ton of cash for a GTO.
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Phil L. 4:49PM (7/03/2006)
I'm not surprised the drivetrain is still going strong at 300K. However, I wonder how much rust has taken its toll. Hondas of that vintage were noted for rusting.
A friend's '86 Accord had 360K on the clock when he finally gave up; the rust holes were numerous, significant and getting larger every day. He actually drove the car to the wrecking yard - but worried something important would finally fall off.
Years ago, I did some rust remediation on another friend's 2nd-gen Civic ('80 to '83). It was a losing cause: The screwdriver kept sinking through what at first appeared to be solid metal, revealing yet more rot. He drove it for a year or so more - but he moved to PA for grad school, and it couldn't pass PA's inspection (the car only about 8 years old at that point).
Honda's mechanical reputation has managed to overcome years of poor corrosion protection - witness the annoying spot that always seems to rust just behind the rear wheels on 4th gen Accords ('90-'93). Given Honda's reputation, you'd think such lapses would have been a thing of the past well before the early 90s.
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