A Sentimental Honda Civic Restoration

[Brigsy]

Just caught up with this one, Civic looks great, well done.

 

Rover 100 is worth saving if the price is right.

[Tickman]

I wasn't a fan of the Rover 100 when I had one when new but whatever you decide it will turn out great if you put half as much effort into it than the civic.

[delux]

I think the Civic is great. I would think its worth saving, was a decent car when new, still usable and (cos of your efforts) you know you will be driving about in one of the nicest ones.

The Metr...Rover 100? The automotive version of rigor mortice. I dont think its worth saving and I think your attention to detail and effort would be a waste on such a car. 

That said, its just my opinion and this would be a pretty crap forum if people only worked on cars I thought were worth it!

I respect anyone who knuckles down and fixes up old cars whether I like them or not and the best thing you can do is decide yourself. 

Everyone has their own opinion and if you do save the Rover 100 I'll still read it!

[Matty]

Restore the Rover 100 shell then put an 1800 vvc in it. Now that'd be quite the thing. Looking forward to a Vitesse thread. Dad and Uncle ran them when i was a kid so many fond memories.

[Brigsy]

4 hours ago, Matty said:

Restore the Rover 100 shell then put an 1800 vvc in it. Now that'd be quite the thing. Looking forward to a Vitesse thread. Dad and Uncle ran them when i was a kid so many fond memories.

1800 vvc conversion all day long, go well with them in. 

[Matty]

5 minutes ago, Brigsy said:

1800 vvc conversion all day long, go well with them in. 

And the lad obviously has the talent to make it happen. I love it when a plan comes together 

#hannibel 🤣

[Arthur-walker]

Just caught up on this, absoutley stunning.  You'd never know this was your first ever restoration, you're a pro!

[Roverjoe]

Cheers for the thoughts guys, ill have to have a proper word with the boss next week and see what he says, if its just bodywork ill take it on but if it has multiple mechanical issues i might leave it as i dont really want to spend an absolute fortune on it as i have the Triumph Vitesse to do up as well. Main things would be to just get the MOT things sorted, a good service, the Rust and just tart it up a bit underneath and give the paintwork a good cut and polish to see how it comes out. 

We have a Christmas party soon so ill bring it up then. 😁

[High Jetter]

5 hours ago, Roverjoe said:

We have a Christmas party soon so ill bring it up then. 😁

I think we have a vomit emogee 😀

[Roverjoe]

Hi Guys Following the Success of this Thread ive now opened up a new one for my Triumph Vitesse Restoration. If youre interested in seeing what ill be doing next feel free to follow it Im really looking forward to getting this one back on the road and hopefully itll be a little bit easier than the Honda. I will not be closing this Thread as i still have lots to do with the Civic for Show Season. I need to get the Rear Quarter done (AGAIN) as it decided to react over winter with the cold weather so im going to get it sent in to do the paint properly while i focus on this. Then Mainly Engine Bay work and Interior Work. Alongside front suspension. I do aim on taking the Civic to FOTU 2026 so them small jobs need to be done for July!

In other news heres the link to the Vitesse Thread! Hopefully ill see you guys over there

 

[High Jetter]

Following with interest!

[Roverjoe]

Big update, I’ve only gone and got it! The Metro/100 is confirmed. I was incredible lucky and I’m very grateful that I got given this car by my boss. He gave me the keys and I’m now waiting on the paperwork and some other bits. Overall I’ll be honest it’s not that bad I was expecting worse underneath but the rust only seems to be at the rear arches and sills. There’s other mechanical jobs that need doing. Headgasket for one and Suspension etc but that’s all doable.  I’ll probably do this alongside my Triumph. It’ll more thank likely be a shorter and simpler project to get back on the road which is nice. It does turn over and fire up but does die after a couple seconds so that needs investigating first before anything. Oh and also a good wash!   

[stuboy]

well done and good luck

[High Jetter]

Yeah, a coupla weekend's work 🤣

[mercedade]

if it's anything like my old one of a similar vintage, check that you can knock off the immobiliser properly.

They are legendarily effective, and seemingly impossible to 'crack' if they go out of sync/lose codes etc.

[Imhotep]

Could be as simple as a dying fuel pump/stale petrol if it’s been sat. Get some fresh E5 in there and see if it’ll fire. 
 

Suspension, a few places can still pump them up, might be worth seeing if you have an MGR specialist local, or anywhere that specialises in just MGFs should be able to help too. 

[Carl1981]

If you just pump the suspension up, and the spheres are dead, the car will ride terribly.

new spheres are the best way to go if your going to enjoy what was probably the metros best feature.

[Roverjoe]

Any way possible to refurbish the current spheres or are they sealed? I know the hydrogas has two compartments?

[High Jetter]

53 minutes ago, Roverjoe said:

Any way possible to refurbish the current spheres or are they sealed? I know the hydrogas has two compartments?

Yes, Ian and Dawn Kennedy seem to be the experts on this https://hahsltd.co.uk/

[Roverjoe]

Thats good to know, ill see what they're like when driving. if they're hard over bumps and such ill get them redone.

[High Jetter]

The way it sits suggests inflation is needed

[Roverjoe]

Hi Guys another Update on the Honda, Ive been buy gathering bits for the Engine bay, I got myself some Wrinkle Paint, New Dome Nuts, Washers and Gaskets for the Rocker Cover as it was in Major need of a Refurbish. I got some paint stripper, removed the old paint, sanded it down, degreased and painted. Im honestly shocked how well it came out considering ive never used the stuff before. 

I do plan on getting other parts sorted in the engine bay, ideally new Bolts, Brackets need to be painted, Ideally i want to repaint the slam panel and front section behind the bumper and get a new Radiator and Condenser at some point.

I really want to try and transform this engine bay the best i can. Ideally id love to remove the engine and paint the block but its a lot of work.

[Roverjoe]

Hello guys new Civic update, ive been busy after work and whenever i get chance, stripping down the front end of the Civic to get it all refurbished. I’m painting the front slam panel and crash bar alongside fitting new stainless bolts and a new radiator and condenser. Really looking forward as this will improve the front end dramatically. Still however I would love to get the engine all painted too but maybe that’s for another day

[vtec-e]

That's a great job you are doing! My paintwork and general body condition on my old starship mileage Civic belied its mileage, I think they age quite well. Good luck with the next stage.

[2flags]

When I first started as a driving instructor, we had the Rover Metros. GSI114 are what we had. They drove beautifully, much better than the Corsa I tried. Was a proper little pocket rocket. Handled well too. I have fond memories of those cars. When you do get it going, be prepared to be stopped at every filling station by someone telling you that their granddad, dad, mum or nan had one. 😁

[BenRMG89]

Read this from the beginning this evening. What a great thread! I wish I had even just a bit of that ability. The work on the Civic so far has been fantastic!

[Roverjoe]

On 26/04/2026 at 22:18, BenRMG89 said:

Read this from the beginning this evening. What a great thread! I wish I had even just a bit of that ability. The work on the Civic so far has been fantastic!

Cheers for the Kind Words, I think some of the photos have got lost along the way for some strange reason, i may have to reupload them. but yeah shes back on the road, just need to finish the front suspension now!

[Roverjoe]

No ideas why some of the photos decided to be upside down but anyways, the front end is all fully painted and put back together now. Here’s some photos of the work carried out. All the rust was stripped back and hydrate 80 applied followed by some grey primer then base then lacquer. New Radiator and Condenser installed alongside new stainless steel bolts and refurbished brackets. Even did the bonnet latch! Extremely happy with this. Just need to slowly but surely do other things under the bonnet to make it even tidier. I’d love to remove the engine to paint the block but that’s for the future I think. I don’t think this car will ever truly be finished, there’s always something to make better on it but that’s all apart of the fun! 

[rm36house]

39 minutes ago, Roverjoe said:

No ideas why some of the photos decided to be upside down but anyways, the front end is all fully painted and put back together now. Here’s some photos of the work carried out. All the rust was stripped back and hydrate 80 applied followed by some grey primer then base then lacquer. New Radiator and Condenser installed alongside new stainless steel bolts and refurbished brackets. Even did the bonnet latch! Extremely happy with this. Just need to slowly but surely do other things under the bonnet to make it even tidier. I’d love to remove the engine to paint the block but that’s for the future I think. I don’t think this car will ever truly be finished, there’s always something to make better on it but that’s all apart of the fun! 

Wow, great job Sir! What do you use for primer, paint aplication?

[vtec-e]

That's a great job you have done. Really wish I still had my '97 Civic, even though it was only a low spec 1.5 ....