Honda Accord Wagon SiR (1999) – Into the Wild

We knew the Honda Accord here in the Netherlands at the end of the 1990s as the brother of the Rover 600, built in Swindon in the UK. At the time, however, there were three different Accords on the market worldwide. The ‘our’ for the European market, the Accord for the American market and the Japanese Accord. We see the latter here. Although clearly recognizable from the front as a Honda from that period, the rear probably raises more questions when passing.

Let’s start at the beginning. In the early 1990s, Honda decided to take a different path with the fifth generation of the Accord. In contrast to before, it developed two separate Accords: one for the European market and one that it had to do in its home country Japan and North America. The European Accord was a nearly 4.68 meter long sedan that shared its base with the Rover 600. The Japanese and American Accord was initially about the same length, but got a slightly sharper-lined body and also stood on a Honda and Acura only base. We did get the Coupé and the Aerodeck from that Accord here in Europe.

‘Our’ sixth-generation Honda Accord

A generation later, in the late 90s, Honda went one step further. Then came three Accords. One for Europe (a further development of the Accord that Rover joined, an Accord destined for America and Australia and a Japanese one. We also know the American Accord here, namely from the Accord Coupé that was available here from 2000 to 2003. The Japanese Accord stayed far away from us. You had it as a sedan, but also as a Wagon. In these pictures from AutoWeek forum member Thunderburt we see such a Japanese Accord Wagon.

It is especially noticeable at the back. The rear windows seem to have fused into one large glass section and, moreover, the taillights are connected to each other by a thick light bar. All in all, it is somewhat reminiscent of the Accord Aerodeck of a generation before. It is a nicely sporty Accord Wagon and although some things such as the wheels and the rear bumper are not original, it was already a bit thicker than usual from the factory. We have the Accord Wagon SiR here, where SiR stands for Sport Injected Racing. So a sporty boy. That in itself is correct. With a 200 hp strong 2.3 in the nose with the famous VTEC, the 1,400 kilo heavy Accord shoots from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. Note: with a four-speed automatic.

It can hardly be otherwise than that the owner is a Honda fan who has his knowledge of the stuff that is less known to us. This is really a special Accord and we wonder if there are more of them in the Netherlands. In any case, this one has only just been added, because he was brought to the Netherlands at the beginning of this year. Welcome!