Description
Outstanding & completely original UK-supplied 1990 Honda CRX 1. 6i-VTEC. 150BHP 16v D. O. H. C 3 door sport coupe. 5 speed manual gearbox. Bright Rio red with black leather sports interior. 122000 miles complete with ‘beyond incredible’ documented history , showing 25 services & four cambelt changes. 4 previous owners. Garaged & cherished from new.
Back in the sporting heydays of the 80s & 90s there was a plethora of deserving hot hatches and sports coupes to choose from. Many were great and received deserving accolades. But one car which originally appeared in 1984, almost unnoticed was Hondas , 1. 5i Civic CRX. Whilst being a little firecracker, it wasn’t until 1988 & the arrival of the greatly enhanced MK2 CRX that model finally cut through. In one swoop the new CRX with its low nose, sweeping roofline and distinctive split rear glass made most other cars look from a different era. An almost cult fan base began to emerge…If you knew…you knew!
All CRX’s are great cars, but Honda being Honda had even more instore . Its engineers had been working on an engine that produced exhilarating performance and yet retained super economy. Wisely in the UK they chose the CRX to showcase its prowess. 1990 saw the introduction of the first electronically controlled variable valve timing powerplant. Honda named it VTEC, the legend was born, history was made. The CRX sporting reputation for obvious reason went stratospheric.
In VTEC guise it sprints to 60 MPH in a little over 7 seconds, rockets on to a top speed of 140mph, furthermore it redlines at 8000 RPM. Most other cars of the period and even today, run out of zoom well before , whilst the incredibly CRX surges on. The addictive engine sounds fierce as it is powerful as the VTEC kicks in around 5500 rpm. Unlike some later VVT engines the CRX power combined with its super lightweight, makes for an engaging drive well below these RPMs, Indeed, it pulls without strain from 20mph in 5th gear. Driven in this style ensures MPG easily into the 40s good for a sports car in the 90s and still great today!
Its high performance is matched by equally superior handling, with four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension & its ultra short wheelbase, the CRX is supremely agile but also gives the driver confidence in the car’s roadholding capabilities.
The CRX VTEC interior was and still looks way ahead in terms of design, style and function. Original damage free black leather , red stitched seats, door cards, steering wheel and gear stick, make it a very upmarket sporting environment. The CRX logo stitched onto the front seats adds to the racing tone; the low slung wraparound dashboard provides an almost spaceship like feel , to pilot the car from. Many nice touch features were included from the electric sunroof which looks amazing when retracted, through to electric windows & mirrors.
One more remarkable factor is its hidden practicality. As a diminutive 2 +2, it can travel 4 people, with the rear seating folded, it has a remarkable loading capacity. Possibly why so many were driven as daily drivers and still can be.
Whilst HONDA latterly introduced the innovative hybrid CRZ as a potential spiritual successor, many hoped for, in reality it only gave a slight economical advantage, but lacked the CRX thrills and performance. It did however introduce a new audience to the CRX as comparisons were inevitable.
Quite simply there was nothing else that looked like a MK2 CRX, drove like it, or delivered so much in many areas. Looks, performance, quality, engineering, innovation, practicality, economy, reliability and with such ease of use. One reporter when questioned as to why a CRX is so good against the competition, encapsulated it quite simply as ‘it’s CRXiness’.
With legendary liability, this CRX starts, drives and performs as it did back in 1990. All gears and clutch engage smooth and light, VTEC engages at 5500, & there are no unwanted dashboard lights or over heating. Electrical items including fan heater all operate correctly as do all its features & function.
Having been garaged from new this has helped protect & preserve its highly rare superb condition. As an unmodified example , The VTEC alloys, rear colour matched spoiler , oval exhaust & correct decals further add to it’s desirability.
Equipment & key information
• UK B16A1 150BHP ENGINE
• 5 Speed manual gearbox
• Rio Red Paintwork in superb original condition
• Black red stitched leather seats, gear knob, steering wheel and door panels, all damage free
• Colour coordinated rear spoiler
• Original 14 inch five spoke alloys with correct centre caps and premium tires
• Electric tilt/ slide fully retractable sunroof
• Anti-Lock Brakes
• Electric windows & wing mirrors
• Fox guard immobilizer with certificate
• Original stereo cassette player with premium sound system
• Honda CRX over mat carpet protectors and central console rubber protector
• Original sales brochure, document holder and manuals
• 2 fully stamped service books
• 122000 miles with detailed service records for 25 services & four cam belt changes
• Huge historic file of documentation including TAX discs, brochures & even supplying dealer promotional duster!
• Accident / damage free
• 4 owners
• V5 present owned for 5 years
• 2 sets of fully remote central locking fobs with keys
Only two recorded occasions for MOT failure broken coil spring and faulty number plate light.
Current MOT will be renewed and service conducted prior to sale.
The opportunity is now here for a new custodian to own an amazing example of a completely original standard unmolested CRX VTEC . Maybe for the first time or maybe to satisfy a longing for one, that was enjoyed many years ago. CRX VTEC was the shape of things to come back then and for many , still is...
Genuine car for genuine buyers only. More photos will be taken once weather improves.
