1984 Honda Accord LX Sedan: A Rare Find in the Junkyard

1984 Honda Accord LX Sedan: A Rare Find in the Junkyard

The 1984 Honda Accord LX Sedan is a rare gem found in a self-service junkyard near Denver. This particular model is part of the second-generation Accord lineup, which was produced from 1982 to 1985. While these cars were known for their reliability, they were also prone to rust, making it even more unusual to find a reasonably solid example like this one.

The 1984 Accord LX Sedan was assembled in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, as Honda had not yet begun building Accords at its Ohio plant. It came equipped with a 1.8-liter ES2 SOHC 12-valve engine, which produced 86 horsepower and 98.6 pound-feet of torque. Although not a powerhouse in terms of performance, this engine was part of Honda’s revolutionary CVCC system.

The CVCC system, or Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion system, was a stratified-charge design that allowed the Accord to meet strict emissions standards without the need for a catalytic converter. It involved two carburetors in a single unit, with one feeding a lean mixture to the main combustion chambers and the other sending a richer fuel-air mix to smaller combustion chambers. The result was clean combustion without sacrificing performance or fuel economy.

While the CVCC system was successful in meeting emissions requirements, it became increasingly complex as regulations became stricter. By the mid-1980s, the vacuum hose diagrams for U.S.-market CVCC engines were incredibly intricate. Honda eventually transitioned to computerized electronic fuel injection, which offered better control and diagnostic capabilities.

The 1984 Accord LX Sedan had a base price of $10,299, equivalent to around $31,365 in 2024 dollars. It was considered a top-of-the-range model, featuring amenities like an excellent audio system with AM, FM, and cassette capabilities, as well as Dolby and metal capability. Despite its impressive features for the time, the LX Accord pales in comparison to the modern-day Accord EX, which offers superior size, speed, safety, and comfort.

The second-generation Accord was highly regarded for its value and maintained a strong resale value for decades. It was only in the early 2000s, when smog-testing regulations became stricter, that passing an emissions test became challenging for CVCC Accords. However, it’s not surprising to find discarded examples with high mileage. In fact, some second-gen Accords have been known to surpass 600,000 miles.

Unfortunately, rust was the downfall of many Japanese cars from this era, including the Accord. While road salt was sparingly used in the Accord’s region, the humidity and weatherstripping leakage contributed to corrosion issues. This particular LX Sedan made it to 214,719 miles before meeting its demise in the junkyard.

Finding a well-preserved 1984 Honda Accord LX Sedan is a testament to the durability and lasting appeal of this iconic model. Despite its flaws and limitations compared to modern vehicles, the second-generation Accord continues to hold a special place in automotive history.