del sol info and history

here are a few articles discussing info on the del sol and its history

The Honda CR-X del Sol was a two-seater version of the Honda Civic, first launched in 1992 by Honda (1993 in the U.S.), and replacing the Honda CR-X model line. It had a removable targa top that, when not in use, could be stowed in the trunk via a storage rack that left 90% of the trunkspace open; this is why Honda gave the car the Spanish name del sol, which, in English, translates to of the sun. In 1995 ABS became standard on the VTEC trim level, while 4 wheel disc brakes and dual airbags were standard on the SI trim level making it a small, practical, and affordable convertible.

The del Sol was first introduced to North America in 1993 in two trim levels, The S and the SI. The powerful VTEC trim line was added in 1994, with the first appearance of a 160 hp (119 kW) Honda DOHC VTEC B-series engine in a US-spec Honda. Smooth and powerful, with a high redline, the B16A3 is the same powerplant found in the Civic Si-R. This trim level came with bigger brakes, rims, and tires to handle the extra power, but finding these for sale now is rare.

In 1992 (European model) an optional electric roof was available on the VTi model, this became standard in 1995 on the ESi model. The roof is operated by flicking two catches above the windows then holding a button down, the boot lid raises vertically then the roof slides into the boot lid, the lid then lowers back down with the roof still inside it.

Starting with the 1995 models, Honda dropped the 'Civic' name from the del Sol cars. The del Sol then underwent a slight alteration in 1996 (which included removing the two auxiliary headlamps) in an attempt to boost sales, but uncharacteristically poor body maintenance (the targa tops were prone to leaks in early models) and poor promotion had all but doomed the del Sol. Production and sales ended with the 1997 model in the U.S. and 1998 elsewhere, with a total of slightly fewer than 75,000 models sold in America.


going to do some more research and post further information in the near future....

 

The Honda Civic del Sol was a two seat, targa top convertible manufactured by Honda in the 1990s. Based on the Civic platform, the del Sol was the successor the popular Honda CRX. It debuted in 1992 in Japan and the United Kingdom, and 1993 in the United States. Not a true convertible, the Civic Del Sol featured a removable hardtop that stowed in the trunk and a retractable rear window for that "convertible" feel.

Initially, the car was offered in two trims. The base "S" model came with a 1.5 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine, with 106 bhp, and rode on tiny 13" tires and steel wheels. The uplevel "Si" model came standard with a 1.6 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine with Honda's VTEC technology, which gave it 125 bhp. The Si also came with nicer 14" alloy wheels, power side mirrors, cruise control, and an anti-sway bar for improved handling. On both models, the only options were a rear spoiler and custom floor mats.

Although the Civic del Sol looked and rode like a sports coupe, '92-'93 models didn't offer much of a power boost over the normal Civic. For 1994, this was addressed with a third, top-line model, the Civic Del Sol VTEC. The VTEC nameplate was used to describe a new DOHC engine with VTEC technology that produced 160 bhp, 35 bhp more than the Si engine. This led to confusion, because the Si also had a VTEC engine - SOHC, not DOHC. Further confusing matters, this naming scheme was different from the regular Civic line, where "Si" meant DOHC VTEC, and there was no "VTEC" model.

The del Sol was the first Honda to receive the DOHC VTEC engine, and it finally put the Del Sol on the performance map. For 1994, Honda also improved the fit of the targa top, which on earlier models had been prone to leaks and noise.

In 1995, the Del Sol officially became its own model series separate from the Civic and it was renamed the Honda Del Sol, although the car itself was relatively unchanged. New refinements included a trunk release latch added near the driver side seat, a low fuel indicator light was added, and new seat materials were used. 1996 was rumored to be the last year for the Del Sol, although it would survive for one more year. Rumors persisted about poor quality, and the early leaking roofs and faulty auxiliary lighting (the bulbs burned out too quickly), hurt sales. The rumors seemed confirmed when the 1996 front bumper was redesigned that eliminated the holes needed to fit auxiliary lights and low side vents were added. The base engine in the S model was increased to 1.6 liters at 106 bhp, resulting in a slight power gain. The Si engine also received a very minor power gain to 127 bhp. The top of the line VTEC engine remained unchanged. In 1997, the Del Sol underwent no changes, and was discontinued in the U.S., but survived one more year in Europe and Japan. Its successor is the Honda S2000.

Because the del Sol was based on the Civic platform, owners are able to use much of the same aftermarket accessories, making the del Sol a popular candidate for modification. Popular mods include larger intake/exhaust manifolds, lower/stiffer suspension, cold air intake, additional sway bars, superchargers, turbos, and more - all using parts already designed for Civics of similar model years.

 

sorry if pics came out small..they are linked from ebay lol

 

anyone read this? lol...i thought its was some decent info on the background of it....

 

I read it. There were 28 views so far.

 

true...its friday and ive been busy at work lol...i forgot....did you find it informative? or did you know the majority of it?....anything else i should add? (besides more pics)

 

I knew the majority of it, but then again someone with two of these beautiful beasts is bound to know a bit about them. Very informative though!

 

Nice info here too..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_sol

 

dude you are fucking awesome!!!!!!!! :rocks: :woot: KICK ASS work man!!!!!

 

Sweet Info!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Jimmy, pin this topic if you can..

 

ya nice info man, found a couple things i didnt know in there.

 

thanks...i figured all of you would appreciate it....

thx for adding the other link El_Ban

 

You are wlecome bro, found it a couple ok weeks ago and digged up the thread cause it was on the third page and had not seen it..

 

feels good to know the history of my car now