Honda New Zealand auctions 19 Heritage Collection cars

It is not every day that a manufacturer opens its “hand” and parts with vehicles from its historic collection. That is especially true when the line-up includes an EK9 Civic Type R, a Civic that has covered more than 418,000 km, and a rare Accord Aerodeck.

Yet that is exactly what Honda is doing in New Zealand, where it will auction 19 vehicles from its Heritage Collection.

In most cases, there will be no reserve price, with all proceeds going to local charities.

From the Type R to the Civic that “went” to the Moon

The headline lot is a 2000 Honda Civic Type R (EK9), imported from Japan and showing 154,000 km on its odometer.

Finished in Championship White, it retains its signature red Recaro seats and naturally aspirated 1.6-litre B16B engine. However, its intake and exhaust system are no longer original. Razão Automóvel has previously had the chance to test this model:

Track-focused Honda Type R models and a high-mileage Civic

Buyers looking for cars with an even sharper driving focus can also choose from two Type R models prepared solely for track use, from 2005 and 2022, respectively. Also included is a Honda Jazz RS with a manual gearbox and several Mugen components.

One of the collection’s most intriguing cars is not, however, its quickest. It is a 1992 Honda Civic with a modest 1.3-litre engine and manual gearbox, which has accumulated an extraordinary 418 563 km.

It has had just one owner from new and has travelled farther than the distance between Earth and the Moon. Honda therefore kept it for years as a symbol of the reliability of its cars.

The other vehicles on offer include two locally assembled Honda Accords, one from 1989 and another from 1995; a rare 1987 Accord Aerodeck with a three-door shooting brake body; a Civic GTi - yes, you read that correctly… GTI - from the same year; and a 1988 Honda City.

Why is Honda selling the Heritage Collection?

Contrary to what might be assumed, the sale does not stem from a strategic change to Honda’s historic collection. Instead, it follows the closure of the brand’s Nelson facility.

For 46 years, the site played an important role in Honda’s New Zealand operations. It initially assembled British Leyland cars before being converted in 1980 to build models from the Japanese manufacturer.

Vehicle assembly ended in 1998 after New Zealand removed import tariffs, making local production less competitive. The complex has since served as Honda’s national distribution centre.

With the building now up for sale, Honda has chosen to find a new home for part of the collection stored there. Not every vehicle kept at the site will leave the manufacturer’s holdings, however.

The most significant examples - including the original NSX, the S2000 and the Integra Type R - will remain in Honda’s permanent collection.

The remaining 19 cars will go under the hammer through the Trade Me platform, with 16 already open for bidding. Offers close on 29 July.