Honda Civic VTi-S Jordan

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Widely regarded as one of the most reliable machines on Planet Earth, the original Honda Civic was launched way back in 1972 and has remained in production to this day, simply getting better, faster, more luxurious and, remarkably, more economical with every passing facelift.

The sixth generation (as here) ran from 1996 until 2000 in a bewildering variety of trim, drivetrain and engine options to cater for a vast worldwide market, scooping up any number of awards along the way including getting on to Car and Driver magazine’s annual ‘Ten Best’ list for the sixth time since 1985.

Brilliant car though it undoubtedly is, a Civic would not normally make it into these hallowed pages unless it had something rather special about it, which this one does. It is one of only 500 made in 1999 to commemorate the alliance of Honda (Mugen) with the Jordan F1 team. All had Sunlight Yellow paintwork, with Jordan F1 decals on the sides and rear and a Type-R bodykit (minus the boot spoiler and front grill). The interior was trimmed in black and yellow leather with Jordan’s ‘Buzzin Hornets’ logo embroidered on seats and carpets and a signed Eddie Jordan plaque bearing the specific number affixed to the centre console.

Based on the Civic 1.6 VTi-S (EK4 3-door model) and riding on 15” alloys, it was powered by a 160bhp B16A2 multi-point fuel-injection twin-cam 1,595cc 16-valve VTEC engine [try saying that after a couple of pints - Ed]. Allied to a 5-speed manual gearbox and packing a 160bhp punch, it could snap through the 60mph mark in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 130mph and up to 40mpg economy. 

As the signed dash plaque confirms, this car is number 253 of the 500 and was first registered in January 2000 as a demonstrator at Saunders Honda of Chester. In November 2000 it was sold to its first private owner from whom the vendor acquired it in April 2003 with a mileage of 32,865. Mainly kept indoors in a heated showroom ever since, it has still only covered some 40,800 miles and comes with a good service history comprising 8 stamps to date, the last only 800 miles ago in 2007.

Fitted with a new battery, spark plugs and plug leads shortly before the auction, it is said to drive very well with an MOT until April 2016. Surely as good an example as you could ever wish to find, it looks cheap as chips at the modest guide price suggested. Your only problem will be weighing up the urge to drive it against the desire to keep the mileage down as a sure-fire collector’s car of the future…