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Survivor 1976 Honda Civic CVCC for sale on Hemmings.com, in wagon form no less. For the uninitiated, CVCC stands for "Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion" and allowed the little four-cylinder to meet emissions regulations without a catalytic converter. From the seller's description:
This very rare 1976 Honda Civic CVCC wagon was discovered in great falls, Montana. I purchased it out of an estate. The owner had passed away and it was stored for many years. I've spent the last year bringing this iconic Honda back from its slumber. Following is a short list of the work performed to insure its next owner has a fun and enjoyable driving experience. FIVE BRAND NEW TIRES, NEW TIMING BELT, NEW CRANK SHAFT AND CAM SHAFT OIL SEALS, OVERHAUL BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDERS, WENT THROUGH ALL ELECTRICS AND LIGHTING, ADJUST CLUTCH, FLUSH RADIATOR AND REFILL WITH FRESH FLUID, CHANGE OIL AND FILTERS, REPLACE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD A BAD SECOND GEAR SYNCHRO WITH A CORRECT NEWER USED UNIT, CLEAN AND REBUILD CARBUERTOR, CLEAN AND DETAIL VEHICLE, THIS LITTLE HONDA RUNS AND DRIVER GREAT, HANDLES WELL AND STOPS ON A DIME, IT SHIFTS THRU ALL 4 GEARS UP AND DOWN AND INTO REVERSE AS NEW. IT WILL CRUISE ALL DAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND GET CLOSE TO 40 MILES PER GALLON DOING IT! THIS IS ONE FUN DRIVER AND TRY AND FIND ONE ANYWHERE ELSE!
1976 Honda Civic
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I turned 18 in late 1977. Ordinarily it would have been just another birthday, especially considering I had my driver’s license less than a year, but it was significant in that I was hired as a valet parking attendant at The Manor, a well-known fine dining restaurant and caterer - that doubled as a very popular wedding venue - located in West Orange, New Jersey. It also meant I could leave behind yard work, dog care, and the sporadic odd jobs of scooping ice cream and delivering newspapers.
The Manor sat on an extensive mountainside property adjacent to a wooded reservation and a golf course, so it was a great place to work outside in the fresh air. Visitors entered the property through tall gates and navigated a tree-lined driveway that led to the grand entrance of the pillared Georgian mansion. Valet parking was free and not required. If visitors opted for valet service, vehicles were driven from the main entrance to either an upper or lower lot. The farthest parking spaces were more than a quarter mile away from The Manor’s front door.
I had been into cars since childhood, so this was a magical job. I was part of a crew of six or seven that worked for tips, and we wore orange coverall uniforms so that we were easily seen at night. We routinely parked and returned more than 400 cars on a busy Saturday, with parties in the afternoon and then again at night, together with public dining.
Jockeying cars for position in shrinking lanes during return rush times made me a better and more precise driver. Another benefit was that I developed a higher appreciation for well-designed dashboards, budding smart controls, and quality upholstery. I preferred gauges to warning lamps, and I intensely disliked the flashing green and yellow dashboard fuel economy indicators that seemed unwelcome in luxury cars. The only way to make the annoying indicator stay green was to coast.
As a crew, we elbowed each other to park the hot imports, such as BMW’s 2002, Datsun’s Z variants, the first Honda Accords, Toyota Celicas, and less frequently, Volkswagen Sciroccos. These were all well-equipped, light, quick, and easy to park. It was also possible to shift them into higher gears for test drives by taking the long way around to the lower back lot. As far as I knew, none of us ever got a Porsche 911 out of second. Our boss knew the joyride risk, so we had to keep numbered dashboard tickets in sequence for assigned spaces that discouraged long drives around the property.
Photo: Hemmings Archives
I have many fond memories of the job. To start, the things people left in their vehicles were nothing short of amazing. There were open bills with private information in plain view, and mail of every other conceivable variety, as well as checkbooks, laundry, arts, and crafts in all stages of non-completion, sticky food wrappers, and other trash. I also quickly learned that a tip amount didn’t always correspond to the expense or condition of the car after one guest left a caged guinea pig in his 1967 Pontiac Le Mans when he arrived late for a wedding reception. Aside from needing to be washed and vacuumed, that car was quite fragrant. It was a dry day, so I lowered the side windows, and we took turns checking the pet as we ran to and from other vehicles. Later, the guest told me he was glad the party was over and was eager to reunite the guinea pig with his young daughter. Having noticed us checking on the pet, the car owner gave me the biggest tip I ever got to fetch a car.
Another unusual thing happened while parking a 1975 Buick LeSabre sedan. Two people got out and went inside for dinner and as I got in immediately noticed the aroma of freshly baked bagels emanating from two gigantic bags that took most of the rear seat, nearly reaching the headliner. After parking the car, I was spooked by a low voice from the far-right of the back seat that asked, “Howee doin’?” I had not seen the slight fellow partially hidden by one of the tall bags, and all I could ask was if he intended to go inside. He said he didn’t want a fancy dinner, just a nap. He offered bagels to the entire crew, which were delicious, and stayed in the car and slept for two hours.
Rare cars would roll up on occasion, including one almost everyone guessed was a Maserati, though I recognized it as a Facel Vega. The exhaust growl of the Chrysler Hemi V-8 was positively rhapsodic, and the grand tourer had polished wood throughout its interior. We parked it in a special spot on an outer aisle near the front door and overheard customers speculate what it was while waiting for their own cars. When the tweedy owner eventually came out, my boss, Ray, was determined to sound smart and amuse himself. He conspicuously and formally signaled, “Christopher, the Facel Vega, please.” Seeing where we placed his pride and joy, the owner gleamed. He may have enjoyed that moment more than his dinner.
Another story involved a regular customer’s Cadillac Seville during lunch hour, when Ray often let me work alone so he could get a break. Two County Sheriff’s detectives stopped to tell me they were looking for two inmates who had escaped from the local penitentiary wearing–what else–orange coveralls. They were last seen running on the neighboring golf course. Of course, we always left keys in the ignition of parked cars. The detectives asked how many cars remained from lunch, and whether I could account for each. To my dismay, the Cadillac (one of only three cars left in my charge) was gone! The owner was very classy when the detectives needed his license plate number and unselfishly said he was glad I had not run into the thieves. Luckily for me, the car was recovered unscratched at a nearby shopping center, but we never heard if the thieves were caught.
I rarely drove a car onto the open road, but one exception was a permanent resident’s 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. The luminous dark red sedan was overdue for its annual state inspection and the owner’s wife “volunteered” me to drive it to the inspection station in the next town. The engine was so quiet and vibration-free that I had to concentrate to hear it. The interior was beautifully appointed with the finest leather I had ever seen or touched. Intuitive controls were set in burled walnut. In my opinion the steering wheel was somewhat primitive and too hard for an ultra-luxury auto, but it was a minor nitpick since the car was a magic carpet. It literally floated when put in drive. As expected, there were no buzzes, squeaks, or rattles. It handled well and predictably with adequate road feel, despite its considerable weight. Power came immediately at the slightest touch, suggesting ample reserve, and the Rolls-Royce stopped on a dime.
Photo: Hemmings Archives
Admittedly, I was very nervous driving it, even when it seemed other drivers stayed out of the way once I reached a multi-lane avenue. The inspection station was in a not-so-nice area on a narrow, bumpy street, and being near closing time the station was busy. I had to get in a line that snaked around the block and all I could do was hope nobody hit the darn thing.
As I crawled to the entrance, the inspection staff was laughing and pointing at me, still wearing my orange coveralls: “Hey kid, how did you get out of jail and where did you get that car?” Fortunately, my uniform sported a company crest. Seeking mercy, I said it was the boss’ car. Then the Rolls failed its emissions test. Adding to the insult, the dented, oxidized Volkswagen Beetle behind me passed with flying colors. In those days, a sticker with a big red circle signifying failure was affixed to the windshield’s lower left corner. You couldn’t miss it.
I finally relaxed when I pulled the Silver Shadow into the familiar driveway without incident. To my surprise, the owner’s wife was happy to see that the car failed, because now she could get it tuned up without further debate. Apparently, her husband was always working and neglected his cars. We were reminded of that later when we had to jump the battery in his seldom-driven Jaguar XJ12. The next time I saw the Rolls it had a proper inspection sticker.
After parking cars for eighteen months, I transferred inside to become a bartender as my college days progressed. I missed handling the cars, but not enduring cold winter nights or donning those orange coveralls. Over the years I have almost always insisted on parking my own car, but when valet parking is unavoidable, particularly in a city, I tip in advance. It’s remarkable how a few dollars will often gain a spot close to the attendant’s booth, sometimes with a safety cone next to our car.
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Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
Some of the world's most desirable exotic cars, from the Lamborghini Miura to the C8 Corvette, have had their engines in the middle. The reason is simple: Putting the mass of the engine near the center of the car leads to balanced handling. Few of us can spend the six or seven figures it takes to put one of these in our garage, but there are more affordable ways to enjoy the mid-engine experience. From the Hemmings Marketplace, here are a dozen sports cars priced at $30,000 or less, each of which is ready to be driven, shown, and enjoyed. We can't think of a better way to celebrate the return of summer than by putting one of these in the driveway.
If we've somehow managed to overlook your favorite, please comb through the Hemmings Marketplace to find the mid-engine vehicle that calls your name, and share it in the comments below.
1984 Pontiac Fiero 2M4, asking $16K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>The first mass-produced, mid-engine sports car to come from an American manufacturer, the Fiero stirred up a lot of excitement on its arrival in 1984. Its original mission was to serve as a fuel-efficent, fun-to-drive commuter car, and so it was powered by a 2.5-liter, fuel-injected Tech IV four-cylinder engine, coupled with a four-speed transmission. Innovative composite body panels kept dents and rust at bay.</p><p>This example shows just under 24,000 miles, and was purchased by the seller from the son of the original owner. American Racing five-spoke alloys, wearing BFGoodrich tires, have been substituted for the originals. The coupe was being offered through a Hemmings Classified Ad, with an asking price of $16,000.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1984-pontiac-fiero-morgantown-pa-2749591" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1984-pontiac-fiero-morgantown-pa-2749591</a></p>
1986 Pontiac Fiero GT, asking $13.9K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Pontiac unlocked the performance potential of its Fiero coupe with the launch of the V-6-powered GT in 1985. Boasting 140 hp, the fuel-injected, 2.8-liter V-6 was mated with a five-speed Getrag transmission. A fastback restyle arrived in late 1986, with flying buttresses inset with glass, aerodynamic front and rear fascias, and diamond-spoke alloy wheels that gave the coupe an exotic look.</p><p>According to the seller, this example is believed to have covered 48,000 miles since new, and remains in "excellent" condition. We found in in the Hemmings Classified Ads, with an asking price of $13,900.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1986-pontiac-fiero-denver-co-2761053" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1986-pontiac-fiero-denver-co-2761053</a></p>
1987 Toyota MR2, asking $17.5K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Hot on the heels of Pontiac, Toyota launched its wedgy, two-seat middie in 1985. Its 1,587cc twin-cam inline-four engine was rated at 112 hp, making the lightweight coupe fairly quick by contemporary standards. Lift-out T-tops and distinctive alloy wheels set the little Toyota apart.</p><p>This example was listed in Hemmings Classified Ads with an asking price of $17,500. According to the selling dealer, equipment includes air conditioning and an AM/FM/cassette player. In photos, its condition belies the 180,000 miles on its odometer -- but then, that's not unusual for a 1980s Toyota.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1987-toyota-mr2-lake-mary-fl-2735500" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1987-toyota-mr2-lake-mary-fl-2735500</a></p>
1991 Toyota MR2, asking $28,995
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Toyota's mid-engine sports car got bigger, softer, and more powerful for 1990. U.S. versions got a 2.2-liter twin-cam four that made 130 hp, helping to offset the car's additional 400 pounds, and were equipped with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.</p><p>According to the seller, this five-speed is a 22,000-mile example that has been loved and cared for by its one owner since new. The stripes are described as period correct, and professionally installed. We found this MR2 as a Hemmings Make Offer listing, with a $28,995 asking price, </p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1991-toyota-mr2-508910" target="_blank">hemmings.com/listing/1991-toyota-mr2-508910</a></p>
2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder, asking $24.8K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>The third generation of the MR2 was designed from the ground up as a folding-roof convertible, sold here as the MR2 Spyder. An all-alloy, 1.8-liter, twin-cam four provided 138 hp, and for the first time could be coupled to an SMT automated manual transmission, or a five-speed manual. </p><p>This example, offered with an asking price of $24,800 as a Hemmings Classified Ad, displays just 4,540 miles from new. Its equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a five-speed manual, an AM/FM/CD player, ABS, a tilt steering wheel, and more. The only extra-cost options are a carbon-fiber dashboard and floormats.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2001-toyota-mr2-spyder-naperville-il-2677748" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2001-toyota-mr2-spyder-naperville-il-2677748</a></p>
1991 Honda Beat, asking $14.5K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Sold exclusively in Japan when new, the kei-car Honda Beat was powered by a three-cylinder, 660-cc, fuel injected engine rated at 63 hp, plenty to handle the two-seater's 1,700-pound curb weight. The only transmission available was a five-speed, while air conditioning, power windows, a front stabilizer bar, and halogen headlamps were standard equipment.</p><p>This example shows 33,685 miles from new, and wears a set of white Volk Racing Wheels. We found it as a Hemmings Classified Ad listing, with an asking price of $14,500.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1991-honda-beat-kenosha-wi-2751465" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1991-...</a></p>
1970 Lotus Europa S2, asking $24.5K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>The fiberglass-bodied Europa was a trailblazer, being not only Lotus's first mid-engine car, but also the first British production car with a mid-engine layout. The Europa Series 2, introduced in April 1968, added a number of key refinements, including opening electric windows, adjustable seats, and a polished wooden dashboard. A few S2s were federalized for export to the United States, and equipped with a modified version of the Renault 16TL's 1,565 cc four. </p><p>This example has been modified with an upgraded Weber carburetor and intake manifold, and exhaust header. The seller notes that the odometer shows 17,134 miles, though there's no indication that this is total mileage. We found this Lotus through a Hemmings Classified Ad, with and asking price of $24,500.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/lotus/europa/2566812.html" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/lotus/europa/2566812.html</a></p>
1976 Lancia Scorpion, asking $20,996
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Sold in its native land as the Montecarlo, but rebadged as the Scorpion here to keep GM's lawyers from the door, Lancia's seldom-seen mid-engine coupe featured coachwork by Pininfarina and a twin-cam four derived from Fiat's 124 unit. Modifications for sale in the U.S. included pop-up headlamps, 5-mph bumpers, and emissions controls that cut the engine's output to 81 hp.</p><p>According to the seller, this example has an upgraded interior, as well as an exhaust header and an upgraded exhaust and cold-air intake. Total mileage is reported as 63,464. We found it as a Hemmings Classified Ad, with an asking price of $20,996.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1976-lancia-scorpion-reading-pa-2780100" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1976-lancia-scorpion-reading-pa-2780100</a></p>
1987 Bertone X1/9, asking $29,900
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Created as the successor to Fiat's rear-engine 850 Spider, the X1/9 shook up the world of affordable sports cars when it was launched in 1972. Behind the seats lay a carbureted, 1.3-liter, SOHC four tied to a four-speed gearbox, later upgraded to a fuel-injected, 1.5-liter four and five-speed. Bertone took over production of the car from Fiat in 1982. </p><p>According to the seller, this example showed just 15,000 miles when it was subjected to a full, nut-and-bolt restoration that included a bumper delete and aftermarket wheels. We found it among the Hemmings Classified Ads, with an asking price of $29,900.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1987-bridgeport-ct-2703741" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1987-bridgeport-ct-2703741</a></p>
1974 Porsche 914, asking $22,995
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>The successor to Porsche's "entry-level" 912, the 914 was created in a joint venture with Volkswagen and introduced to the public in late 1969. The 914 was constructed and trimmed by Karmann, while the much more costly, six-cylinder 914-6 variant was finished by Porsche. For 1974, the 914 was offered with a 1.8-liter four, or, as here, a 2.0-liter four, mated to a five-speed manual.</p><p>This 37,000-mile example is presented as an all-original car, and is being offered with its original bill of sale, owner's manual, and service receipts. Factory options include chrome bumpers, a vinyl-covered roll bar, and 5.5-inch alloy wheels. According to the seller, this 914 has new tires, and has been recently serviced. We found it in the Hemmings Classified Ads, with an asking price of $22,995.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1974-porsche-914-indian-harbor-fl-2780495" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1974-...</a></p>
1999 Porsche Boxster, asking $24,995
<p>Porsche once more tapped into its mid-engine legacy with the 1996 introduction of the Boxster, Zuffenhausen's first all-new sports car in nearly 20 years. Though it was intended as an "entry level" product, the Boxster was equipped with a six-cylinder, water-cooled, 2.5-liter engine making a healthy 201 horsepower. Known internally as the 986, the roadster was available with the Tiptronic five-speed automatic transaxle with shift buttons on the steering wheel, or a five-speed manual. </p><p>This example, found in the Hemmings Classified Ads, is a two-owner car that has covered just 18,000 miles since new. Both the paintwork and the interior are original to the car, as are the paint-matched fiberglass tonneau covers, front spoiler, and rear wing. The original window sticker and bill of sale are included.</p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1999-porsche-boxster-elkhart-in-2772487" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1999-porsche-boxster-elkhart-in-2772487</a></p>
2008 Porsche Cayman, asking $29K
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>The second generation of the Boxster provided the basis for the new Cayman coupe, which first went on sale in 2005. A 295-hp, 3.4-liter flat-six was the only engine offered, until a base model with a 245-hp version of the six was added to the lineup in the summer of 2006. The new coupe benefitted from the second-generation Boxster's upgrades, including new front-end styling and a variety of engine and chassis upgrades.</p><p>This example, found through the Hemmings Classified Ads, is a Cayman S equipped with the Tiptronic S five-speed transmission. Features include an upgraded sound system, automatic climate control, self-dimming mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers. </p><p><a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2008-porsche-cayman-bettendorf-ia-2782320" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2008-...</a></p>
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