How a 1997 Civic & VTEC Kicks Made a Lifelong Honda Fan
One car can change everything. For one man, a Civic Hatchback went from ‘meh’ to dream car with just one ride.
Recently, we came across an article in Independent Online about a very cool 1997 Honda Civic. Not only was the sixth-generation car very cool, we loved the story behind it. Not only is it a love letter to the magnificent Hondas of the 1990s, it shows how many possibilities the Civic lends itself to. But above all else, it shows how powerful the VTEC is: Not just as a great engine, but how driving a VTEC can change one’s perception of Honda.
Jesse Moonsammy lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He’s always been a gear head, but frankly, Honda wasn’t really his thing. Until he got a real taste of the VTEC surge.
“In all honesty, I was never a fan of Honda, in fact, I hated the brand until I drove this car for the first time about a decade ago,” he says. “That was the moment when I fell in love with Honda, VTEC, and this Civic.”
We’re not judging. Some people don’t always associate Honda with a jaw dropping reaction. Sometimes, the only way to understand is to feel it. There is a reason why we love the great era of 1990s JDM cars: performance, handling, and oh yes–the VTEC.
Moonsammy has always loved cars, it’s in his blood. His father has run a garage from their home for years and introduced Jesse to the motorhead life. “He built a lot of performance cars and always took me to the local drag stop,” he recalls. “Ever since I’ve had a strong passion for fast cars.”
So it is no surprise that his Honda Civic is something special. Honda produced the Civic from 1996 to 2000. When this 1997 came off the lines, it housed a 1.6 liter VTEC inline four. But Moonsammy has modified and boosted it over the past six years since he purchased it.
First he changed the color from silver to deep red. Additionally, he changed the rear end, added custom-cut fender vents, and wasn’t afraid to take inspiration wherever he found it. That includes BMW M3 inspired side mirrors.
“We also cut unique ‘tiger stripes’ in the rear bumper that allows air to flow through cleanly,” he explains.”Preventing unwanted air pressure build-up and turbulence at the rear of the car at higher speeds. The Civic also wears custom Lexus-style taillights and a boot-wing lift-kit.”
He worked on the chassis and suspension, added racing braces, and a front-splitter from a 1997 Subaru Impreza STI.
“To top things off, I’ve fitted 17-inch XXR concave alloy wheels, wrapped in 205/40/17 Falken high-performance tires,” says Moonsammy.
But the biggest change is under the hood.
Employing a Frankenstein B20B VTEC conversion, as well as a turbocharger, the car runs as a 2.0 liter. In other words, he can produce about 350 horsepower.
The specs are great, and the numbers are a knockout. But the coolest aspect is that this was built from the ground up by Moonsammy. And for him, nothing beats this car.
“The best moments I have with my car are the days that I feel down or upset. I get in and drive to nowhere, windows wide open, the radio on mute, just listening to the engine purr. While cruising with the wind blowing, there’s nothing else that could feel better for me.” he says.
And that is what it is all about after all, the feeling of hitting the road. And Moonsammy’s JDM-rich ’97 Civic looks like it would be one wild ride.
Photos: Jesse Moonsammy Facebook; Instagram
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