What began as a husband’s thoughtful gift to his wife in 1981 has turned into a remarkable story of preservation and family continuity. A second-generation Honda Civic, bought new from Gilberts of Catford, has spent the past 20 years asleep in a garage, untouched but never forgotten.
The car, a Cummulus White three-door model with a blue leather interior, was purchased by a former policeman who admired the engineering precision of Honda and BMW. He had hoped his wife would use it for everyday errands, but she never took to driving. After his death more than two decades ago, the car was parked in the family garage and left there — a time capsule sealed in quiet dust.
Recently, the couple’s son, Chris, decided it was time to bring the family Civic back to life. With help from automotive journalist Johnny Smith of The Late Brake Show, the long-dormant car saw daylight again for the first time since the early 2000s. To everyone’s surprise, the tires held air, the body was free of rust, and the compact 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine started almost instantly after fitting a new battery.
The Honda’s unusual two-speed “Hondamatic” transmission still worked, as did every light and control. Even the horn and original documentation — including sales receipts and dealership paperwork — had survived intact. Inside, the blue leather seats were uncracked, and the dashboard showed no signs of age. With only 58,626 miles on the odometer, the car was as much a piece of family history as it was a survivor of a bygone automotive era.
Now, Chris’s son Tony has taken the wheel, continuing a legacy that spans three generations. For the family, reviving the Civic wasn’t about rarity or resale value — it was about connection. A simple, well-made car that once symbolized love and practicality has become a tangible bridge between past and present, proving that even after two decades of silence, some engines — and some memories — never truly stop running.
