While we Speedhunters pride ourselves in being one of the most diverse automotive-oriented destinations on the web, that doesn’t mean we are at all adverse to covering single make events like the Eibach Honda Meet. Sure, not everyone out there is a Honda maniac, but when you have an event like Eibach it goes far beyond just being a “Honda meet”.
Every car at the Eibach Meet might have Honda (or perhaps Acura) badges on it, but the influence of this event spreads far beyond just one brand. With that in mind, I figured I’d dedicate a post to some of the details of this year’s event.
Namely, I’m talking about the immaculately detailed engine bays that have defined the US Honda scene for years…
…as well as the impressive collection of wheels mated with the different cars. In many cases these rare or one-off wheels were getting more attention than the cars themselves.
One movement that’s grown over the past few years is customizing and re-barreling vintage wheels. A wheel like the Mugen M7 is a pretty sexy piece in original form…
…but thrown on some mega wide barrels and the look is completely transformed. This is something that I believe has roots in the VW scene but has recently spread to Hondas and other Japanese makes. No arguing with the results.
Honda can be considered the “Japanese VW” in many ways. Not just in its history and product offerings, but in the customization culture that surrounds the brand. The shaved and detailed engine bay for example is another tie between both Honda and VW customizers.
It’s at the point now where many of the cars shown at Eibach have their hoods removed entirely. In addition to that of the VW scene, you can also spot a bit of that SoCal Lowrider influence in the presentation of these engine bays.
I remember just a few years ago seeing a Honda with a set of custom BBS wheels was something to talk about.
Today they are nearly as common on Hondas as they are on VWs.
The same can really be said for a lot of the classic Japanese wheel designs. For a while it was a rarity to see a set of Work Equips mounted on any car newer than say, an AE86.
Now these classic designs are seen very often on Hondas. Not just on cars from ’80s and early ’90s but on modern models as well.
On the other hand, there are certain wheels that are long-established favorites in the Honda community. The Desmond Regamaster Evo is one that comes to mind.
As does the Sprint Hart CPR. These wheels have been out of production for years but still fill the dreams of many a Honda owner.
To be honest I’m not quite sure what it is about Hondas that brings out this creativity. Perhaps it’s something about unleashing new ideas on a popular and familiar canvas? With so many seemingly similar cars out there, the little details really stand out.
When I say the word “canvas” I mean it both in the figurative and the literal sense, as seen here.
When it comes to wheels at the Eibach Meet, the rarer the better. Here we have a set of SSR EX-C Neos mounted on a DA chassis Integra for some period correct perfection. Note the color matched inner section, as well as the NSX brakes.
That doesn’t mean you have to track down a rare and expensive set of discontinued wheels. Enkei’s line of vintage-themed wheels provide a solid balance of style and price. Whether it’s the Enkei 92 mesh…
…or the Apache II. A much better choice than a set of cheap knock offs in my humble opinion. Both models seemed pretty popular at this year’s meet.
It can’t be understated just how popular the K-series swap has become. Take a walk around Eibach and it seems the K is nearly as common as the B-series.
That’s not to say the B-series has lost it’s effectiveness. Here’s one outfitted with an extensive selection of Spoon goodies.
While 15″ is still the dominant size of choice for Civic and Integra builds, but larger wheels still work. This Civic sedan was equipped with five-lug hubs and a set of custom-painted Enkei NT03+Ms.
Trick color setups are a fairly easy way to add some personality to your wheel setup. These custom finished Work Meister S1s are thing of beauty.
Wide-barreled Mugen MR5s are another great example of one-off wheel customization.
Here’s a view of a standard MR5 for comparison’s sake. Huge difference, eh?
One great side effect of the K swap is that individual throttle body setups take center stage at the front of the engine bay.
I can’t quite tell if the widened steelie trend has hit its peak or not. I wonder how many Diamond Racing wheels actually go on race cars these days?
Rays Garcia Tune Speed Choppy wheels are cool enough for their name alone. The bitchin’ old school look is just a bonus.
Work Ewing Mesh – another long discontinued wheel that’s highly sought after in this world.
Sensory overload while looking at an engine bay? It’s regular occurrence at Eibach.
Stance. Love it or hate it, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
Here’s another view of the DC2 Type R I posted yesterday. Widened front fenders on Hondas always make me smile…
Let’s go ahead and wrap this up here. I’ll return tomorrow with one more batch of some observations from the 2012 Eibach Meet.
-Mike
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Nice examples of rims and bays, but can we get some cars soon? No hating, honest!
Please and thank you!
I'm perfectly fine with some wheelhunting
Nothing looks better than a moderate sized vintage rim and some meaty semi-slick on it, just like the last Integra.
It's a damn Honda... nothing but oversized go-kart engines in a compact car. Nothing to show.
Speedhunters, car culture at large.....
If you don't like the post, then don't even bother, sorry not every post pleases you while it may for others.
Anyways nice detail shots and post as always Mike
when y'all do these wheel posts, you should include a shot of the car so we can see how the wheels are incorporated into the look of the car! doesn't have to be all of them, maybe just the rare wheels or the especially notable wheels.
even without the cars these posts are awesome.
I bought a set of the Apache II's months ago... just cant afford tires right now. Doh'
@Lastspark i love turbo go karts!!!!
Noted. Will add more body shots on the next "Wheelhunting" post
Plenty in yesterday's post and more to come in the next!
beautiful closeups!
... engine bays clean enough to eat off of .. almost
@Lastspark I think youre at the wrong site. Dumpmestic fanboys hangout at jalopnik.
@arsinek It's not even a matter of if it's domestic or not. And there isn't a new vehicle that is respectable that I like without doing some serious modification to it. Fuel injection? No thanks, too expensive and complicated. But come on, it's a Honda. Put 30,000 pounds into it and it's still a slow Honda. FWD-no-fun-at-all-oversized-go-kart. No thanks, just give me a go-kart or a dune buggy. Sure I own a 94 camaro with a carbed 383 stroker but I also own a BMW E36 M3 that is my project atm. So I have equal respects for both forms of motoring. But come on, a damn Honda? College kids with no money buys a Honda.
I agree, re-barreled classics, BBS, white trailer, and low-offset older Japanese rims have got to go, but to call Honda a "Japanese VW" is what makes Speedhunters a fad-biased online publication that it is. Wire tucks and low stance (I hate that word) were influenced by American hot rods and lowriders first, not hippie mobiles.
@Lastspark Yes, older Hondas handle like go-karts, so what are you trying to say?
@Lastspark @arsinekObviously you've never driven a Honda or a properly done FF before, so keep your close-minded opinions out of sight. Nobody cares about your so-called projects, or your lack of respect for certain drivetrain layouts.
People that hate properly built up Hondas are those narrow minded pea sized brain born out of a rock people.
@Lastspark @arsinek Don't knock it till ya try it. And stop bragging aight.
Awesome post, can't wait till I get my DA1 Integra back on the road for the next event.
@Lastspark So why did you go through the entire article only to post hate at the end?
VW guys do it better. Most of Honda builds are inspired by VW
@GeorgeKrapivko That has got to be one of the most ignorant posts I've read in a while, please reconsider your comment.
@GeorgeKrapivko That has got to be one of the most ignorant posts I've read in a while, please reconsider your comment.
That's funny because I've always considered VW the honda of the Euro world, and not in a good way.
That's funny because I've always considered VW the honda of the Euro world, and not in a good way.
@apex_DNA hot rods may have done the slammed thing first but I have yet to see any proof that the VW and Honda scenes were directly influenced by them. If anything I would say its more from the old lowrider scene. A style over substance approach where the wheels you have are more important than the track times you can achieve.
@apex_DNA hot rods may have done the slammed thing first but I have yet to see any proof that the VW and Honda scenes were directly influenced by them. If anything I would say its more from the old lowrider scene. A style over substance approach where the wheels you have are more important than the track times you can achieve.
any more of the 4th from last picture, that exhaust and screamer pipe looked wild. What was it on.
any more of the 4th from last picture, that exhaust and screamer pipe looked wild. What was it on.
@GeorgeKrapivko You mean those hippie mobiles? Oh really?
@GeorgeKrapivko You mean those hippie mobiles? Oh really?
anyone know what the wheels in the 2nd picture are?
anyone know what the wheels in the 2nd picture are?
@Lastspark @arsinek "But come on, a damn Honda? College kids with no money buys a Honda."
By that logic, a college kid with no money can go out and buy an NSX, or a TL, RL, MDX, S2000, etc.
Who did Senna race for? McLaren-Honda.
What sports car slapped the Italians back into shape in the 90's? The Honda NSX
What car has proved itself time and time again against larger, RWD, more expensive cars? The Integra R.
I won't even go into Honda as a company.
Ever heard of the JACCS Accord and Civic? Or the SS Works CRX?
Do some research.
@Lastspark To me you just said "It's damn chocolate, nothing but sugar condensed into tastey goodness... MAKES ME SICK DAMN YOU!"
If only they were massive cars with tiny engines eh? hehe!
@Chris Besset Totally agree - completely changed my mind on those vintage 4 spokes now. I was looking for a more modern set... no longer.
@GeorgeKrapivko On what planet? I dont think any Honda people look at VWs. I know I sure dont.
@Lastspark "Sure I own a 94 camaro" HAHA!!!
"Put 30,000 pounds into it and it's still a slow Honda" At least know what youre talking about you British wanna be redneck racer. What does your country bumpkin chevy run? Give me 30,000 dollars to build a Honda and it sure as hell is going to be under 10sec. Now say 10sec is slow so I can laugh at your retarded ass even more.
@MattOffWhite VW's are unreliable POS that art fags and hippies drive.
Most Honda owners still think that Racaro, BBS, and Nardi are supposedly so JDM(even thou its european), so dont hate on me saying that Honda copy everything VW crowd does.
Just look at how many Honda owners put BBS meshies on their cars. Like 4-5 years later than VW crowd(VW kids were always rocking BBS), but still a copy.
The Work Equips (7th from the top) are so sick! I have a black, German sedan those need to be on!! Only reason I didn't go this year is because my tires needed replacing, and it was gonna be a mission to get there! Next time, hahaha
@PERTANO they are weds professor mesh.. they are oldskool jdm wheels
Question here from a muscle car guy, do the cars with ITB setups or turbos just rock totally open intakes all the time or do the owners remove the filters when they get to the show?
You are somewhat right about the lowrider influence, it's the lowrider euro look that evolved into what we see today. But how do explain the import drag racing phenomenon? How many pro FWD drag cars were there before Hondas stepped on the scene? Exactly, none.
@GeorgeKrapivko You're right. Thanks for the rusted hoods, useless roof racks, RWD offset wheels, and other stupid fads. Now we all know where rice came from...
@GeorgeKrapivko Most Honda owners KNOW that Recaro, BBS, and Nardi are just some of the many Honda OE suppliers. It's the eurotrash that claims it like it's their own.
@GeorgeKrapivko No, most Honda owners KNOW that Recaro, BBS, and Nardi are just some of the many Honda OE part suppliers. It's the eurotrash that claims it like it's their own.
@GeorgeKrapivko No, most Honda owners KNOW that Recaro, BBS, and Nardi are just some of the many Honda OE part suppliers. It's the eurotrash that claims it like it's their own.
@GeorgeKrapivko No, most Honda owners KNOW that Recaro, BBS, and Nardi are just some of the many Honda OE part suppliers. It's the eurotrash that claims it like it's their own.
@Goon @Lastspark @arsinek Preach brother.
@Goon @Lastspark @arsinek Preach brother.
@Goon @Lastspark @arsinek Preach brother.
@Mike Garrett What the hell did you start?
@Mike Garrett What the hell did you start?
@Mike Garrett What the hell did you start?
Most people don't have open intakes all the time. As you said people do just remove the filters for shows.
Most people don't have open intakes all the time. As you said people do just remove the filters for shows.
Most people don't have open intakes all the time. As you said people do just remove the filters for shows.
@GeorgeKrapivko I don't know what type of group of Honda people you hang around but as apex_DNA said most Honda owners don't think that, and so what some Honda owners like using BBS rims, does that mean because I've seen some VW cars with Rays/Weds/Work wheels that they're copying Honda? No.
@GeorgeKrapivko I don't know what type of group of Honda people you hang around but as apex_DNA said most Honda owners don't think that, and so what some Honda owners like using BBS rims, does that mean because I've seen some VW cars with Rays/Weds/Work wheels that they're copying Honda? No.
@GeorgeKrapivko I don't know what type of group of Honda people you hang around but as apex_DNA said most Honda owners don't think that, and so what some Honda owners like using BBS rims, does that mean because I've seen some VW cars with Rays/Weds/Work wheels that they're copying Honda? No.
@Larry Chen Hondas are a fiery subject it seems. Haha
@MattOffWhite Don't even compare VWs to Hondas, no VW has ever gone where most Hondas go to. A properly set-up Honda can take on boys three times its size.