Hot Wheels Japan Historics 4 – ‘73 Honda Civic Custom, Red | Car Culture (Imported)

Description

The Honda Civic made its debut on July 11, 1972, arriving as a compact two door fastback sedan built on an enlarged version of the Honda N600 platform. Sold as a 1973 model in Japan, this first generation Civic laid down the fundamental design direction Honda’s automobiles have followed ever since, giving the company its first major market success competing directly with established compact car manufacturers as sales of Japan’s smaller kei cars began to plateau in the early 1970s. The Civic’s genuinely well timed arrival coincided with the 1973 oil crisis, and its compact, fuel efficient nature made it an instant hit with buyers across Britain and North America seeking a genuine alternative to larger, thirstier cars.

In October 1974, Honda introduced the Civic’s very first sporty variant, the Japan market only 1200 RS, standing for “Road Sailing,” officially describing Honda’s aim to “sail smoothly over long distances on the road.” Only around 20,000 examples of the original RS were built over its twelve month production run, making it a genuinely rare piece of Civic history and effectively kicking off an entire lineage of sporty Civic models that continues today through the modern Si and Type R. Fifty years on, Honda’s RS badge remains a genuine mark of performance pedigree, with the RS name’s origins tracing directly back to this humble first generation Civic.

Hot Wheels celebrates this genuinely foundational Honda icon as part of its Japan Historics 4 range within the Car Culture series, an imported line known for its detailed, adult collector focused castings of celebrated Japanese classics. This casting is finished in a striking Burnt/Vibrant Red paint with detailed headlights, taillights, amber aftermarket style fog lamps, a rear spoiler, and an “RS” logo accent, capturing the compact, boxy proportions of Honda’s first ever Civic at 1:64 scale.

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