Honda Civic Lady

The Honda Civic Lady, an intriguing prototype built by Carrozzeria Coggiola, made its debut at the 1975 Geneva Auto Show. This unique vehicle was based on the first-generation CVCC Civic and stands out as a rare example of bespoke automotive design. Only a few specimens were built, and it is believed that this prototype is the sole surviving example of the original three hand-built Civic Coggiola cars. The inception of the Honda Civic Lady can be traced back to Claude Sage, the Honda importer for Switzerland. Sage, a passionate car enthusiast and dedicated Honda aficionado, had cultivated a strong relationship with the Japanese automaker. His private car museum, exclusively dedicated to Hondas, features the first example of every new model that Honda has shipped to him over the years. Sage’s deep connection to the brand extended beyond European models, as he also offered Japanese domestic market models, such as the City and Today, to his customers. Following the successful introduction of the first-generation Civic in Europe in 1972, Sage persuaded Honda to create a concept car based on its platform. This car would serve as a standout feature for Honda Suisse’s exhibit at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show. Sage proposed Carrozzeria Coggiola for the project, and a deal was made. Soon after, a new Civic with chassis number SEA-1007952 was delivered to Coggiola’s Orbassano workshops. The resulting vehicle, known as the Civic Lady, bore little resemblance to the original Civic’s rounded design. Instead, it featured a strikingly angular profile, reminiscent of Giugiaro’s designs for the 1974 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk1 and the 1973 Audi Asso di Picche concept. The rear end of the Lady even hinted at the design language of Volvo estates that would emerge a decade later. Without its Honda badging, the car’s make could easily be mistaken for another brand. Christened Lady, this two-door station wagon prefigured the profile of the 1983 third-generation Civic, challenging the notion that the latter was inspired by Volkswagen’s 1981 Steilheck Polo. The interior of the Lady seamlessly combined Japanese engineering with Italian craftsmanship, featuring a dashboard adorned with burr walnut and velours upholstery in cream and brown. Despite its conceptual status, the Lady was a fully functional vehicle, albeit approximately 500 pounds heavier than the production Civic. After its display at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show, the Lady was sold in December of that year to a Mr. Gabrielson, bearing the Swiss registration GE-157 347. It eventually passed through the hands of a Dutch Honda enthusiast before being acquired by an American collector, where it resides today.