1975: Ford trades with Honda
Rumor was that Ford, was preparing a spinoff of the Honda Civic, as a mid year 1976 entry. THe Honda-Pinto, or “Honto” was the first major step in the Honda-Ford “association”, in which Ford was to get a deal on CVCC engines and Honda to distribute Pinto, Mustang II’s, and Granada’s in Japan.
The “Honto” would use a CVCC Civic engine, turned backwards 13 degrees, with a different intake manifold, carburetor, and air cleaner for a lower hood line. The transmission was the standard Honda four-speed or the optional two speed auto. The suspensions were also Honda, but the track was widened considerably.
Ford’s other Honda was the “Pantera II”, which was to the “Honto” as the Fiat X1/9 was to the Fiat 128 – It was the same car with the engine moved amidship. The “Pantera II” had a targa top, four wheel disc brakes, and the Civic four-speed.
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