DATE=03/16/02

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=HONDA/HOT ROD

NUMBER=5-51275

BYLINE=JOHN BIRCHARD

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

INTRO: The American hot rod movement began shortly after World War Two in southern California, when teenagers and war veterans started modifying old cars for greater performance and custom styling. The usual vehicles of choice were 1930's-vintage V-8 Fords, which were plentiful, cheap and already relatively fast. Now, as V-O-A's John Birchard reports, there is a new hot rod movement.

TEXT: These days, they do not call it hot rodding. It is called "slamming," but it works the same way, and it got its start in the same region, southern California, which is where Road & Track magazine is located. This is executive editor Doug Kott.

/// KOTT ACT #1 ///

In a way, it is the resurrection of hot rodding. It is young kids buying a base model sport compact car or economy car and, essentially, putting every spare dime into performance additions and appearance … very popular here on the west coast.

/// END ACT ///

The usual vehicle of choice nowadays is a Honda, like the old Fords plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Doug Kott has a theory as to why Hondas are popular with the new generation.

/// KOTT ACT #2 ///

I think it goes back to Honda's engineering. They have very soundly engineered, you know, high-revving (engines), assembled with close tolerances that have just proven to really be durable.

/// END ACT ///

Honda spokesman Art Garner says the new Civic Si (pron: "ess-eye") sporty coupe is especially appropriate for young performance enthusiasts.

/// GARNER ACT #1 ///

Well, you start with a high-quality product, one in many cases that the kids' parents may be familiar with. So, you start with the Honda Civic, which is the best-selling small car in America. Add a very potent 160-horsepower Si engine. And it's something that the kids gravitate to, and that the parents know and trust.

/// END ACT ///

The Civic Si has a five-speed manual transmission. The shift lever is mounted on the lower part of the instrument panel, not on the floor. It looks unusual, but it works fine.

The hatchback coupe, which is built at the company's factory in England, looks rather like one of its competitors, the Ford Focus. Doug Kott sees the styling as somewhat bland, but he says there may be a reason for that.

/// KOTT ACT #3 ///

I think they tried to provide sort of a blank "canvas" for people to improve upon it.

/// END ACT ///

Some critics have accused Honda of making the new Si too "civilized," of smoothing its formerly rough edges, and trying to appeal to the masses. Art Garner responds:

/// GARNER ACT #2 ///

That may not be the same as the previous Si's, which had very high r-p-m (revolutions per minute), screaming engines. But we think it will provide more performance for more people.

/// END ACT ///

Road & Track's Doug Kott says, all in all, the Civic Si is a worthy successor in the Honda line.

/// REST OPT ///

/// KOTT ACT #4 ///

Anybody that knows anything about Hondas will see the Si badge on the tailgate, errr, on the hatch, and realize it is something special.

/// END ACT ///

The Honda Civic Si for 2003 comes fully-equipped with anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, dual-stage front airbags, premium sound system with CD player, power moon roof and air conditioning for 19-thousand dollars. "Slamming" is optional. (Signed)

NEB/JJB/TW