Honda Accord: A look back

The Accord debuted in the U.S. market in 1976 as a front-wheel drive, 3-door hatchback. When most Japanese cars at the time were rear-drive econoboxes, the Accord offered standard air conditioning, AM/FM radio and radial tires. Honda underestimated demand and some customers waited up to 3 months to take delivery. Over time, the hatchback's flaws surfaced, notably rust along the frame rails and engines that puffed blue smoke after 100,000 miles from a valve-guide issue.