One to Buy: 10,000 mile Nighthawk Black 2003 Honda Civic EP3 Type R
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After the EK9 Civic Type R proved a critical and commercial hit during the second half of the nineties, Honda released an EP3 version at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2001, production of which got underway the following September for the 2002 model year.
Based around a much stiffer new bodyshell that was once again seam welded in Type R trim, the new EP3 perhaps most notably featured a space-saving MacPherson strut front suspension layout while double wishbones were retained at the back.
Otherwise, the EP3 version followed the by now familiar Type R approach with uprated brakes and wheels, a tuned high-revving VTEC engine coupled to a close-ratio six speed gearbox, a trick aero kit and an array of sporty interior enhancements.
By the time production came to an an end in August 2005, a little over 35,000 examples of the EP3 Civic Type R had been completed which was comfortably more than double its JDM-only predecessor.
The example shown here, currently residing at the JF Classic Cars showroom in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, is a remarkably low mileage two owner car configured in Nighthawk Black with optional air-conditioning. Supplied via Honda agent Steels Westgate of Hereford and first registered on March 31st 2003, it has covered a little under 10,000 miles since new with the period 2015 to 2024 spent in storage.
The car comes with its original book pack (to include the original purchase invoice) and must rank among the best examples of its type to exist.
