One to Buy: 4000km 1997 Honda Civic EK9 Type R
/
Following hot versions of the NSX and Integra, Honda unveiled arguably its most iconic Type R special in August 1997 when the EK9 Civic broke cover.
Starting with a seam-welded bodyshell, Honda added stiffer suspension with a lower ride height, brakes imported from the previously range-topping Civic 1.8 VTi and custom seven-spoke lightweight wheels shod with grippy new Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
Externally, a handsome body kit was joined by red-backed Honda emblems and Type R graphics.
Inside, much of the sound insulation was deleted. New Recaro bucket seats were upholstered in bright red fabric to match the door inlays. Other special equipment included red Type R-branded floor mats, a titanium shift knob, a leather-rimmed Momo steering wheel, a Type R badge on the centre console, new pedals and a carbon-effect fascia for the instrument binnacle.
What marked the EK9 out as something really special though was its party piece: a blueprinted 182bhp 16 valve 1.6-litre inline ‘four’ with dual overhead camshafts and Honda’s renowned VTEC variable valve timing and lift electronic control.
Uniquely, the B16B 98 spec. power unit fitted to these EK9s featured a hand ported and polished cylinder head with lightweight inlet valves and high lift inlet valve springs, wide-angled high-lift camshafts, special high compression low friction pistons with lightened connecting rods, high lift dual-layered exhaust valve springs, a fully balanced custom crankshaft, a high RPM-type intake manifold and platinum spark plugs. Transmission was through a close-ratio five speed manual gearbox with limited-slip diff.
The net result was a car that could legitimately claim to be the Third Hot Hatch King, a worthy successor to Volkswagen’s Golf GTi and the Puegeot 205 GTi.
Of the little over 16,000 EK9 Civic Type Rs produced between 1997 and 2000, few can have survived in better condition than this stunning example currently residing at the Contempo Concept showroom in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
A 1997 machine retained by its first Japanese owner until 2020, the odometer currently shows a barely run-in 4050km. As you would expect, the car is accompanied by its original book pack and appears to be in effectively as-new condition throughout.
