1991 Honda CRX – Classified of the Week

If, like us, you simply love the pure pleasure of driving then you have a number of options when it comes to picking a suitable steed to speed around in. Cars like the original Golf and Peugeot 205 GTIs, the Mazda MX-5 and Lotus Elise regularly feature in “top drivers’ cars” lists and that comes as no surprise. If you’ve ever driven any of them then you’ll know why they are so reverential, but there’s another less recognised but equally impressive mile muncher from the east that slots neatly in between those hot hatches and two-seater sports cars we just mentioned. A lot rarer too but ticking every box when it comes to the grand spectrum of gratifying driver engagement the Honda CRX is a true modern classic now, a fact that is reflected in the direction prices for these quirky but excellent little firecrackers are heading. Spoiler alert: it’s up.

Despite sharing its underpinnings with its big brother the CRX is much more than just a mini Civic. Much more. Featuring a monocoque design with torsion bar and semi-independent suspension and powered by a choice of eager, revvy engines the CRX was a lightweight, front-wheel drive 2+2 bundle of fun that captured the imagination of punters and journos alike. The car was released in 1984 amidst the hot hatch movement and although the motoring world wasn’t quite a dystopian nightmare at the time, George Orwell’s “two plus two equals five” adage from the book does seem rather relevant as the individual virtues of the Honda CRX when combined created a synergy on the road that produced an incredibly capable little car that looked great, handled exceptionally well and went like a scalded cat.

A completely redesigned, second generation model came out in ’87 and was much improved over the original version. Suspension was now a fully independent, double wishbone setup and the car was slightly bigger overall, allowing for more assured handling as well as increased interior space. Additional engines were also added at this time, the fruitiest of which was the B16A. A 1.6-litre, 16-valve DOHC VTEC four-cylinder it provided more power at high RPMs thanks to that variable valve timing and lift electronic control wizardry. With 150bhp on tap in a car that weighed about as much as a toasted teacake the second iteration was quite something with a top speed of 130mph and a 0-60 dash of under 8 seconds.

The JDM models – a group to which this particular example belongs – had an extra ten or so horsepower along with optional sunroof and limited slip diff which makes them the most exciting of the bunch. Not only is this example the top of the pile in terms of performance it also received a whole host of restoration work just two years ago. With a rebuilt engine and respray in original Moondust Pearl it currently presents excellently, both mechanically and aesthetically. The engine refresh, care of Torque Performance in Auckland, came to the princely sum of just over 7,000 New Zealand dollars (which is where the car was exported to before being purchased by the current owner and imported to Ireland in January 2021), which is around £3,500. The car is wholly original, aside from an air induction kit to help the engine breathe a little better and completely rust free and as straight as an arrow.

The interior is beginning to show a little age in a few places, mainly in the form of wear to the leather seat bolsters but it’s far from basket case territory and is a small price to pay for an otherwise wonderfully presented and mechanically sound top spec, second generation Honda CRX. The JDM world is crammed full of iconic and venerated classics and the humble little Honda CRX, in our opinion at least, is a paid up member of that club and deserves to be held in the same high regard as its more well-known and powerful brothers and sisters. It wasn’t around for long but it made quite the lasting impression on the motoring landscape so if you truly enjoy driving then this rare Japanese pocket rocket should definitely be on your radar.