You know how it happens: the reliable old Civic finally blows the head gasket or busts its transmission, something that costs more than it's worth to get fixed. Next stop: junkyard!
So far, early Civics haven't developed the avid following that, say, Datsun 510s or early Dodge Colts have. That means there's nobody out there to rescue them from The Crusher's jaws. We saw this '78 not long ago, and today's '80 will be following it to the steel factory in Guangzhou.