1991 Honda Civic Si: The Ultimate Daily?
Automotive Anatomy reminds us why building a classic daily is so much more rewarding than just buying new one.
Here at Honda-Tech, we love seeing folks still building classic Civics 25+ years after their initial production run. There might be hundreds if not thousands of cars to choose from when you start a project, but can you really beat an EF hatch? These boxy ’80s Japanese icons are the epitome of their design time period.
While the EF hatch may be a humble and rudimentary chassis when compared to the tech-focused, electronics-based cars we have nowadays, their charm lives on. Honda definitely hit the jackpot with the styling of the EF. With some minor modifications, the EF can be made into the perfect stylish daily. Thanks to Automotive Anatomy on YouTube, we get to see a breakdown of a beautiful EF build.
Most fourth-generation Civics are in poor or non-running condition. Most people don’t think it’s worth bringing these cars back to their former glory. However, folks like Alex, owner of this 1991 Honda Civic Si, don’t agree with that mindset. Initially, he himself didn’t really see anything special about the EF-generation Civics either. Before picking the car up, he was primarily a fan of Integras and EG hatches.
However, one day he saw an old abandoned EF sitting in his friend’s dad’s driveway. He later learned that they were moving from that house and the old car would have to go as well. He bought the neglected EF with the intention of making it into a nice daily driver.
At the time, it wasn’t running and was in poor condition. However, he had a friend who did a bit of bodywork and paint, so Alex decided to paint the EF. Supposedly, when Alex dropped off the non-running EF at his friend’s location, he told him to just “get it running and paint it satin black or something.” The next time Alex saw the car, it was painted its now characteristic metallic blue. According to Alex, his friend told him that the reason for this was “I had blue paint, so I just painted blue”.
While that situation is hilarious in itself, we are happy that his friend took some liberties with the build. The shining metallic flake of the blue definitely has a bit more personality than satin black. This same friend would then let him know about a JDM SiR front-end that was for sale. After picking up the SiR parts and getting them color-matched to the car, “everything changed from there and that’s where I really got into it”.
Alex then added a VIS carbon hood and Chargespeed front lip to match the JDM front. A pair of beautiful 3-piece 16″ BBS RS with 2.5 lips and 205/60/16 tires with color-matched blue hardware and center caps result in the perfect accent to the boxy body.
Alex had to swap the lips on the BBS several times to get this fitment. And the stance wouldn’t be possible without the help of the D2 air strut suspension system, Skunk 2 front camber kit, and the TruHart rear camber kit. According to Alex, friends encouraged him to go air suspension after he moved and figured out that “the driveway was crazy.” Nothing like building a car around a driveway clearance.
In order to be an enjoyable daily, the interior has to be up to snuff as well. Thus, upgrades such as the JDM Recaro “Fishnet” seats, the JDM floor mats, JDM rear seats, and suede headliner tie the inside of this Civic together. In the trunk, the compressor tank for the air setup and a contrasting red rear strut x-brace custom-made in the UK finish off the rear end.
Supposedly, Alex plans on doing an H2B swap, as he already has an H22 sitting in his garage. He has had the car for four years now and still is adding little details every day. Initially, he said all he wanted was a “decent running car, clean and simple.” We think can agree with that one. If you guys have a beautiful build such as this one and would like to be featured on Honda-Tech, send us a message and we may feature your car as well!
Screengrabs: Automotive Anatomy / YouTube
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