A Civic Misfit, The Rust Bucket Wagovan

In this day and age of ultra-high-speed-perpetual-Internet-connection-at-all-times there isn’t a whole lot of stuff that comes through the pipeline the surprises me. This is especially so with cars, something I’ve dedicated a good portion of the last decade of my life to the investigation and reporting of. Rarer still is coming across a car that I cannot quickly define.

When I stumbled upon this rusted Civic at The Infamous last month it was a breath of fresh air in what was a mostly mono-thematic show. In fact I was intrigued so much that I reserved a good chunk of the latter part of  my post to a spotlight of the car. At first glance the exterior of the car sets the tone quickly and I’m sure pretty much all of you will have an immediate love/hate reaction.

But if you can look past the exterior, which wasn’t actually what caught my attention to begin with, you start realizing that there was a lot of time and effort put into this build. This car really can’t be placed into a genre or a scene which is really cool. It’s too ratty and old school to fit in with the Honda crowd, too slammed and slow for the performance guys, too new and Japanese for Hot Rodders to understand it. It’s a misfit.

Yet somehow there’s nothing about the car that is particularly unique or innovative – I’ve certainly seen everything on this car done before. But I’ve never seen so many seemingly unrelated pieces thrown together in such a thoughtful and coherent way. While some will surely be quick to write it off as junk, I think it’s quite brilliant.

One thing I couldn’t help but notice at Infamous was that the car was wearing Arizona tags, the state where I received my first driver’s license and turned my first wrench. I immediately ran through my mental rolodex to see if I could conjure up a guess as to who the owner was but I came up blank. Fortunately after the Infamous post went live I ended up with several emails from people who said they knew the man that built this machine.

One of the emails came to me from my buddy Chris who currently works at K-Sport but was one of the founders of the Arizona-based Honda forum AZHT. As it turns out James Rasmussen is not only the owner of this Wagovan, but also Chris’ roommate. As much as I enjoyed peeking around at the show I was dying to do this car more justice and lined up a proper feature.

In a bizzarre homecoming I decided to meet up with the guys at my old stomping ground, an industrial area in the heart of central Phoenix which served as the location of some of my very first paid photoshoots. Being familiar with the area I knew that it would provide the perfect backdrop to further contrast the incredible colors and textures of the car.

Although the rust may not be appealing to some, in fact it’s not my first choice in finish, it does seem to get cooler as you get a little closer. And getting closer to a build like this is an absolute necessity because the more you look around the more interesting the car becomes. For example, from a distance it’s easy to overlook custom-built wheels, Mooneyes fender mirrors and the retrofitted Honda Ruckus LED lights turned sidemarkers.

Getting closer still, even those turned off by rust can begin to appreciate the beauty of this living organism. “Living” in the sense that the rust is constantly changing shapes and colors all by itself. Looking further still and you can start to pick up on some of the intentional details, like how the car was painstakingly reduced to bare metal by hand, making sure to leave hard painted edges around all the trims and openings.

In addition to the factory painted seams, James had the car custom pinstriped adding a further level of detail. He told me that when he initially took the car in to be striped it was already rusted, but the painter insisted that he take it back down to bare metal. A day later he returned to the shop with a Civic he described as “looking like a DeLorean” and the lines were laid down. Once the paint cured the car was then left to rust again, giving a very interesting final aesthetic.

But the quirky creativity doesn’t end there, it quite literally flows from the outside, via a full-length sliding rag top, into the interior. The first time I saw the car I couldn’t help but smile at how looney it is, but when I took a second look I realized that there was more to the inside than a cheesy theme.

I’m not denying the loudness of the Mexican blanket seat covers, they’re almost overbearing, but appropriately so for a car from Phoenix. Moving past that, the next thing you’ll notice is probably the astroturf carpet which has been secured by individual stained wooden slats and finished off with heel plates comprised of old license plates. But there’s more still…

Take for example the Grant Walnut steering wheel. I can’t imagine another car on the planet that this would look good in, yet I can’t think of a better solution for this one. Peering out behind the chrome bullet horn button is an equally shiny tachometer from Mooneyes, providing a bit of old school cool validity to the cabin.

Underneath each of the custom glitter-vinyl door panel inserts is a skateboard wheel window crank. But the skateboard theme doesn’t end there…

While I didn’t spot it the first time, I thought that the matching third brake light was daring. The car is a bit like a good movie in the sense that I think I could go back and look at it a dozen more times and continue upon new findings.

Virtually everywhere you look there is something not quite stock about it. Take for example the sun visors which were fashioned out of a reclaimed stop sign, a contribution from a friend. In fact James tells me that almost everyone he knows has donating something to build. How cool is that?

By this point I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d written off the car as some sort of weird semi-show car, and as such presumed that the engine bay was forgotten. I know that’s what I had though when I saw it in Long Beach, but we’d both be wrong. While it isn’t making one thousand horsepower or have the latest and greatest bells and whistles, it does show further inventive problem solving.

As you might guess, Mooneyes doesn’t make a single part for an ’89 Civic, so if you want to use their goods on one you need to get creative. But as  you can tell from the smiling Tiki dipstick, creativity is something that James seems to have quite a bit of.

In order to get parts like the Mooneyes breather and oil cap to fit, James had to do some customization to the valve cover. This included some cutting and welding along with a pinch of thread pattern manipulation. With all of the serious metalwork taken care of the valve cover was powder coated to match the wheels and finished off with a Mooneyes badge and some spiked nuts.

But the coolest modification in my opinion is probably the easiest to overlook – the spark plug wires. Since there wasn’t anything off the shelf from Moon for a 4-cylinder Honda, he grabbed a set of V8 wires and went to the proverbial drawing board. In the end he had to cannibalize a set of NGK wires and, using their donor bits, fashioned his own set of Mooneyes cables for the Civic. If that’s not badass, I don’t know what is.

Then again I might be wrong, I certainly have been before, but I find this to be a very interesting re-think of what a Civic is and can be. Although he’s built a bunch of cars prior to this, he decided to just cut loose and have fun with this Wagon and in the process created something I find terribly interesting. While I might not like everything he’s done, I do like most of it and I’m glad that it exists and is daily-driven at that.

I’m sure many of you reading this started the article hating it, but I hope that after a further look you can appreciate some of what’s been done here. It’s a car that doesn’t fit any particular mold and celebrates what I love most about cars at the core – having fun. I think that’s exactly what’s so great about it, it stands for doing something for the simple fact that you love doing it.

In a way it’s a rolling metaphor for Speedhunters and in my opinion an excellent ambassador for what we stand for… vehicular diversity.

1989 Honda Civic Wagon

ENGINE
Stock D15; Energy Suspension engine mount inserts; SoCal Speed Shop aluminum finned air cleaner welded up to fit the stock throttle body; Megan Racing header with DEI titanium wrap; Magnaflow muffler with custom piping; NGK spark plugs; Mooneyes/NGK hybrid spark plug wires; Gates Powergrip hose clamps; Jagermeister overflow tank; modified valve cover with Mooneyes oil cap and breather; Tiki dip stick; mild wire tuck; Downstar inc. spike nuts

ENGINE MANAGEMENT / ELECTRONICS
Mooneye’s Half-sweep Tach

DRIVELINE
New Honda reman axles; Exedy Clutch kit; Hondamatic shifter extension; Energy Suspension shifter bushings

SUSPENSION / CHASSIS
Ksport Kontrol pro coilovers w/ 14k/12.5k springs (f/r), adjustable rear UCAs, rear LCAs, adjustable toe links; Skunk2 adjustable front UCAs; DA Integra swaybar powder coated green; -6.5deg camber front, -5.8deg camber rear, zero toe

WHEELS / TIRES
15X8″ +0 / -6 Custom Smoothies wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-512 195/50/15 tires

CABIN
Grant Classic Walnut wheel with a Bullet horn button; custom Tiki bar decoration shift knob and e-brake handle; Mexican blanket seat covers; glitter vinyl door inserts; synthetic grass flooring with wood slats and license plate heel plates; skateboard wheel window cranks; Crown Royal shift boot and ebrake handle boot; reclaimed stop sign sun visors

BODY
Rusty orange exterior; 90’s Volvo wagon front lip; Universal 55in Ragtop w/ powder coated green frame; custom hood louvers done by Hot Rod Central; Pin-striping by Tom Schmid; JDM EF2 sedan headlights; Drow Sports Ruckus LED sidemarkers; custom skateboard wheel 3rd Brake lights made by Machine-13; Factory BMW HID’s with LED’s throughout ; Mooneyes fender mirrors; 1981 Honda Accord hood emblem, 1971 Honda Life fender emblems
THANKS
Thanks to all my friends that helped me work on this crazy car and gave me so many ideas! Thanks to Ramsey and Will at Import Power House, Jin at Kyoei-USA, Nick and Chris at Ksport, and Hien Le aka “Hondamatic”

More stories by Sean Klingelhoefer on Speedhunters

More car features on Speedhunters

-Sean

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1

Rat rod in it's purest form. Build what you have. Awesome.

2

I would think a hot rod style paint job would suit it better, but that would be mighty expensive.
 
The cool little details really make this. Maybe a little more pinstriping going on would top it off, the few bits here and there are pretty cool.

3

love that style hood louver

4

Saw this car in the parking lot of JCCS last year.. This car put a smile on the face of just about everyone that walked by it.  People will talk down on it, but I bet the owner has a blast building it and driving it.

5

I don't think I could own anything like it; but I love it!
 

6

i think if i saw this riding around it would definitely warrant a double take. even with it's somewhat rough exterior, the workmanship shines through.  well done!
 
good shots too sean, especially the next to last one.

7

I'm not a fan of the rusty crusty bits, but this build is pretty badass all together. Love the attention to detail and use of mooneyes parts. I've had ideas for a mooneyes themed EF or EG build floating around in my head for a while.

8

I came in wanting to hate it, but there is too much damn charm and attention to detail. Impressive and fun car.

9

If you want a Honda, get a Honda.  If you want something that looks exactly like a slammed air cooled beetle thats ratted out, get one of those.  I like Ice Cream, I also like Sour Kraut, doesnt mean I like them together.  Totally respect the build here, dont get me wrong, great attention to detail.  Would you paint the Mona Lisa in a modern Picasso style and expect it to be as good looking and stunning?
 
Design of cars is like a fine wine, it takes time to mature and appreciate.  I love patina, and I love a well built honda.  80's and some 90's cars are aging well in the taste of coolness, but lets not jump the shark here.  Great build but couldnt it have waited like, 15 more years?  

10

This is amazing. I would DD this in a heartbeat. Probably the coolest civic and definitely the most original I have seen in a long time.

11

This is great.

12

That amazing engine bay says it all. This is awesome.  Is this considered a rat-rod?

13

What a horrid bag of sh*t. Can't believe you spent time and effort photographing this wreck.

14

 @Sonikku no.

15

Very cool, I like the fact that you know the owner had fun putting it all together. Haters can unite, but something tells me the owner doesn't give a sh*t. 

16

I agree. Possibly the biggest abortion in history.

17

 @JohnToporowski I think you have misunderstood the definition & origins of "Rat Rod".

18

looks like that car was a lot of fun to build. good job enjoying your hobby!

19

looks like that car was a lot of fun to build. good job enjoying your hobby!

20

Too often on here "different" is confused with "better".

21

Too often on here "different" is confused with "better".

22

@Option13 and sometimes different is just different. I never said it was "better" or "worse".

23

@Option13 and sometimes different is just different. I never said it was "better" or "worse".

24

 @FunctionFirst Most definitely, I'm sure he's used to it by now lol. 

25

In history? Really? Slight over exaggeration here I could easily think of several worse cars.

26

Not a big fan of the rusted look, but I admire the creativity in this build. Awesome work!

27

Considering that this guy probably put more time and effort into building this car than most people put into ten, I don't feel bad at all. Regardless of whether or not you find it a horrid bag of shit, you must realize the amount of thought and work put into it. 

28

 @Sonikku No it is not, I'm not entirely sure what it is considered lol. 

29

Ya it's definitely a head turner, especially with the custom license plate mud flaps scraping the ground. 

30

 @Locomah My sentiments exactly!

31

 @Mr Tanuki Yep I remember that too, people stopped and took phone pics, it was great!

32

Yes they did a REALLY good job pressing those. I didn't post the picture but they were able to stamp the hood without losing the factory engine catalyst sticker... too cool. 

33

 @thriller Ya it would be interesting to see it done up, but that was never the idea. The car was heavily hail damaged when he bought it and he paid very little for the car, so it he just took it down to metal immediately. 

34

 @sean klingelhoefer  @Sonikku does it make any more power than stock?

35

 @GraysonParker  @Sonikku I highly doubt that the air cleaner, header and spark plug cables are adding anything lol. 

36

 @sean klingelhoefer  @Sonikku but that megan racing header might add a bit

37

 @GraysonParker  @sean klingelhoefer +5 HP for each sticker as well. :)

38

 @Sonikku  @sean klingelhoefer hahahaha. and it can't be a rat rod. It's built too well.

39

I think it's quite an interesting car and defiantly worth featuring, it provides some insight to what 80's car will look like in the next 15 or 20 years. 

40

oh yea i forgot to mention the license plate.  classic!

41

@GraysonParker @Sonikku I think it's the genesis of a new genre, the "fun rod".

42

It's definitely not my cup of tea, but I gotta hand it to the guy for being unique and different, for that, good job Sir!

43

It's definitely not my cup of tea, but I gotta hand it to the guy for being unique and different, for that, good job Sir!

44

@sean klingelhoefer I don't like this Civic, but like you said, this guy put a lot of thought and time into it.
Props to him.

45

 @sean klingelhoefer  @GraysonParker  @Sonikku god I hope

46

This is probably my favorite on speedhunters! I mean, I love myself I good vw, but this is too cool to not love. The rust paired with those wheels and pinstriping are awesome. The interior is just as cool, although I might've used a shag carpet or something instead of the turf. I wish he would have done something with the the rest of the interior, that grey/tan plastic doesn't do the rest of the car justice for me. 
 
Still my favorite car on here!

47

The rust doesn't bother me, what DOES bother me a little is the random additions like the fake grass, number plates, stop signs and so on do seem a little, well, random. Like the owner put them there "just because". That being said, I can definitely respect the guy for doing what he wants no matter what, and there's clearly been a LOT of effort put into this build. Kudos. Nice feature all up, regardless of whether I like the car.

48

 @GraysonParker  @sean klingelhoefer  @SonikkuStop trying to associate these builds with rat rods/hotrods or any other build that actually requires skill and patience!! This thing wouldnt have taken 1/100th of the effort as your standard rod. If i go throw some paint stripper on my hilux and leave it out in the rain for a week or two would it somehow magically become a rod? NO, no it wouldn't!
A new genre is required to define this type of build, and that genre needs to negate the word 'rod' altogether!

49

you are a douche...please GTFO

50

it seems more and more people are being influenced by Kustoms/Hot Rods. Awesome build too!!

51

@JDMized I totally respect that, in fact there are a number of things I don't particularly care for about the car, but I think it's interesting. I think part of my job is to find cars like this and let you guys form your own opinions.

52

@otar well I'm quite glad you enjoyed it!

53

@Hotcakes yep I totally see where you're coming from. But I think it's great you guys can still have some appreciation towards it. If I made this post five years ago I'm certain it would have been flamed to eternity. Hell I probably wouldn't have even shot it, but it's cool to see how far we've come towards accepting other styles and cultures in such a short amount if time.

54

Looks to me like an air cooled vw guy got ahold of a civic wagon. Cool build minus tiki stuff.

55

@ClassyNate I definitely see some VW in there, but I think if I had to pick one scene that this seems the closest to it's Minitrucks, but there are influences from all across the board here.

56

Haters gonna hate. I'm pretty sure the guy didn't build it to appease a bunch of 12 year old trolls on a website. I think its great.

57

@sean klingelhoefer  @ClassyNate Yeah no

58

You have got to be kidding me. It looks like a turd. I don't care how much "work" went in to it. It likes like a sack of shit.

59

You have got to be kidding me. It looks like a turd. I don't care how much "work" went in to it. It likes like a sack of shit.

60

When you build a car for yourself and not the internet; what other people think about it doesn't matter. I say keep doing what you're doing and do it the best you can. I like the little details in this car, most of it I wouldn't of noticed if it wasn't pointed out.

61

When you build a car for yourself and not the internet; what other people think about it doesn't matter. I say keep doing what you're doing and do it the best you can. I like the little details in this car, most of it I wouldn't of noticed if it wasn't pointed out.

62

I dont see how anyone could not appreciate the level of effort and thought gone in to this build!? Regardless of how much they're gonna hate on its style or scene(s). Great article Sean, I'm completely with you on the vehicle diversity, its the reason I'm here! It must be a good car for you to love it and have a complete post whithout the 'Klengelhoefer  scene cynicism" we all know and love haha!

63

I dont see how anyone could not appreciate the level of effort and thought gone in to this build!? Regardless of how much they're gonna hate on its style or scene(s). Great article Sean, I'm completely with you on the vehicle diversity, its the reason I'm here! It must be a good car for you to love it and have a complete post whithout the 'Klengelhoefer  scene cynicism" we all know and love haha!

64

@sean klingelhoefer  @Sonikku "rod" used to just be slang for car. this, in literally every way. is a rod.

65

@sean klingelhoefer  @Sonikku "rod" used to just be slang for car. this, in literally every way. is a rod.

66

@GraysonParker  @sean klingelhoefer  @Sonikku To the untrained eye it is modified in a similar style to Rat rods. My eye is untrained, but the Moon Eyes, the steelies with hub caps, the rust, the attention to detail, unique nick nacks and the couldnt care less attitude reminds me a lot of a rat rod. It doesnt have the chopped roof, rails, etc. I think that it is fair to say its a unique interpretation of the rat rod style of modification. But Im being hypocritical because I still rage when I see people label fully set up track cars as "ricers" because they're jap...

67

@GraysonParker  @sean klingelhoefer  @Sonikku To the untrained eye it is modified in a similar style to Rat rods. My eye is untrained, but the Moon Eyes, the steelies with hub caps, the rust, the attention to detail, unique nick nacks and the couldnt care less attitude reminds me a lot of a rat rod. It doesnt have the chopped roof, rails, etc. I think that it is fair to say its a unique interpretation of the rat rod style of modification. But Im being hypocritical because I still rage when I see people label fully set up track cars as "ricers" because they're jap...

68

This car is stupid. He's wasted so much time on a car that is impractical, uncomfortable, looks like crap, slow, handles like crap, chews through tyres, cant get over speed humps, and is barely worth anything in scrap metal. And I love it! Obviously represents a lot about the person who built it. Volvo front lip, fender mirrors and that steering wheel, THAT STEERING WHEEL! So sick...

69

This car is stupid. He's wasted so much time on a car that is impractical, uncomfortable, looks like crap, slow, handles like crap, chews through tyres, cant get over speed humps, and is barely worth anything in scrap metal. And I love it! Obviously represents a lot about the person who built it. Volvo front lip, fender mirrors and that steering wheel, THAT STEERING WHEEL! So sick...

70

@Vilko  @GraysonParker  @sean klingelhoefer @Bret Not sure what Bret is on about, there is a lot of skill and attention to detail in this build. As I mention in my original post, that engine bay says it all; this car was built on purpose with this effect with a lot of care and attention. This isn't something pulled out of the toilet and had a set of nice rims thrown on.
 
Only reason I think RatRod is because of the rusted body look to it. I suppose it's not a true rat-rod but from an appearance standpoint that seems to suggest. Not all rat-rods are chopped either. 
 
This is probably an anality in classification, regardless. It's a cool build and I feel there was a lot of care put into its seemingly uncaring character. :)

71

@Vilko  @GraysonParker  @sean klingelhoefer @Bret Not sure what Bret is on about, there is a lot of skill and attention to detail in this build. As I mention in my original post, that engine bay says it all; this car was built on purpose with this effect with a lot of care and attention. This isn't something pulled out of the toilet and had a set of nice rims thrown on.
 
Only reason I think RatRod is because of the rusted body look to it. I suppose it's not a true rat-rod but from an appearance standpoint that seems to suggest. Not all rat-rods are chopped either. 
 
This is probably an anality in classification, regardless. It's a cool build and I feel there was a lot of care put into its seemingly uncaring character. :)

72

Finally, something different!
 
A breath of fresh rusty air.

73

Finally, something different!
 
A breath of fresh rusty air.

74

What an interesting build, great article!

75

You have to go to be kidding me with this comment. Why would you even waste your time to post a worthless comment? Sounds like someone is mad because they hate what they don't understand.

76

@The Jash Yep, couldn't agree more.

78

I can't believe you spent time and effort to post this ignorant comment. All it does it show that you are ignorant and narrow minded.

79

Well put Sean.  I prefer this car to an old skool rat rod any day, somehow it seems less poseur.  The real genius lies in the extensive use of Mooneyes parts though:  A Japanese company that makes hot rod parts is the perfect fit for this car!

80

@ghia nut Why should he have to build it to your standards and guidelines? Why do you feel the need to label it?

81

What is their to understand? Its a rusted car with neon wheels, and it looks like a hobo designed the interior. Not much to understand.

82

Dipstick is my favourite bit... but i hope he doesn't catch fire under there!

83

Has more style than most things I see

84

@KeithCharvonia You know I never even thought it about like that, but you're absolutely right Keith!

85

@KeithCharvonia You know I never even thought it about like that, but you're absolutely right Keith!

88

@Vilko Haha too funny, but it's totally true. He obviously didn't build the car to be practical, aside from the astroturf which was put in for when he hauls his dog around in the car.

89

@Vilko Haha too funny, but it's totally true. He obviously didn't build the car to be practical, aside from the astroturf which was put in for when he hauls his dog around in the car.

90

@Robo_No1 I literally lol'd when I read your reply. I have to admit this was probably the easiest car to write about in some time, it's just so different and interesting I had no problem finding things to talk about. That alone (and my lack of cynicism) I think speaks volumes about what's been done here.

91

@Robo_No1 I literally lol'd when I read your reply. I have to admit this was probably the easiest car to write about in some time, it's just so different and interesting I had no problem finding things to talk about. That alone (and my lack of cynicism) I think speaks volumes about what's been done here.

92

@Dshu  Ya there are just so many little touches hidden all over which is what I like the most about the car. It's like playing where's Waldo on a car.

93

@Dshu  Ya there are just so many little touches hidden all over which is what I like the most about the car. It's like playing where's Waldo on a car.

96

@GraysonParker  @Sonikku If the only thing that you noticed about the car was that it was rusted then you clearly missed the point mate.

97

@GraysonParker  @Sonikku If the only thing that you noticed about the car was that it was rusted then you clearly missed the point mate.

98
HeathvanderWaerden

My first impression is that I really don't like it overall, but once I look at the details I find I dig some of the little touches. Overall still not my thing but the little details make me not hate it.

99
HeathvanderWaerden

My first impression is that I really don't like it overall, but once I look at the details I find I dig some of the little touches. Overall still not my thing but the little details make me not hate it.

100

I think its mind blowing that you sean even took the time to feature this car . Both your track ek and daily ej are so genuine  with functionality that it almost seems out of your own taste . and that is exactly why im glad you jump ship to speedhunters . and speaking of your ek were the hell is a feature on it ?

101

I think its mind blowing that you sean even took the time to feature this car . Both your track ek and daily ej are so genuine  with functionality that it almost seems out of your own taste . and that is exactly why im glad you jump ship to speedhunters . and speaking of your ek were the hell is a feature on it ?

102

@teruo88 Ya this is very much not my normal cup of tea, but I thought it was something that needed to be shown to people. And again at the end of the day I can't knock anyone for having a good time putting together a car and it's refreshing to see something a little different.
 
As for my EK... well... it's coming ;) I have plans to introduce it to the audience before the end of the year and then go crazy with it for 2013. Keep your eyes peeled!

103

@teruo88 Ya this is very much not my normal cup of tea, but I thought it was something that needed to be shown to people. And again at the end of the day I can't knock anyone for having a good time putting together a car and it's refreshing to see something a little different.
 
As for my EK... well... it's coming ;) I have plans to introduce it to the audience before the end of the year and then go crazy with it for 2013. Keep your eyes peeled!

104

As an owner of a Civic Shuttle/wagon I already liked this, the ragtop is wicked and my favourite touches are the skateboard wheels! Not a huge fan of the completely rusted look but to each their own.
It really is the smaller toches that make this a badass wagon!

105

As an owner of a Civic Shuttle/wagon I already liked this, the ragtop is wicked and my favourite touches are the skateboard wheels! Not a huge fan of the completely rusted look but to each their own.
It really is the smaller toches that make this a badass wagon!

106

I am not a civic guy... I am not really even a JDM guy but I love this car! This car is pure Traditonal Hot Rodding... this is not a rat by any means! Hot Rodding in the beginning wasn't all about big engines & bonneville. It was guys & gals taking old unwanted cars & adding all kinds of different things to it to make it "cool" & make it their own ride. I love all of the little touches this guy added. Sure it may look "ratty" but it's really Sanitary! (Btw Sanitary is 50s slang for a really well built rod) I love all the effort that was put into this & definitly see the minitruck & hot rod influences here along with JDM style! Its cool to think how styles & taste have come full circle & their are builders out there that can blend very differnt styles so well! Kudos to the builder! This is one of the Koolest cars I've seen in awhile!

107

I am not a civic guy... I am not really even a JDM guy but I love this car! This car is pure Traditonal Hot Rodding... this is not a rat by any means! Hot Rodding in the beginning wasn't all about big engines & bonneville. It was guys & gals taking old unwanted cars & adding all kinds of different things to it to make it "cool" & make it their own ride. I love all of the little touches this guy added. Sure it may look "ratty" but it's really Sanitary! (Btw Sanitary is 50s slang for a really well built rod) I love all the effort that was put into this & definitly see the minitruck & hot rod influences here along with JDM style! Its cool to think how styles & taste have come full circle & their are builders out there that can blend very differnt styles so well! Kudos to the builder! This is one of the Koolest cars I've seen in awhile!

108

keeping cars fun and individual, how it's suppose to be

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keeping cars fun and individual, how it's suppose to be

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@Dusty Monkey Very interesting and thought out response. I didn't really think about Hot Rodding in that way, but you're right. Cheers.

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@gakbrenti suka SW tp tuh Civic aneh ya

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@BigGuzz gw aja baru tau ada civic SW kaya gitu

113

awesome civic i just hope my ek6 will end up with half as much character as this thing! if you don't love it then don't build it :)

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awesome civic i just hope my ek6 will end up with half as much character as this thing! if you don't love it then don't build it :)

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awesome civic i just hope my ek6 will end up with half as much character as this thing! if you don't love it then don't build it :)

116

looks like a rust bucket

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looks like a rust bucket

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looks like a rust bucket

119

Just imagine what it would like without the rust, like maybe in kandy blue or something, including the bumpers.

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Just imagine what it would like without the rust, like maybe in kandy blue or something, including the bumpers.

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Just imagine what it would like without the rust, like maybe in kandy blue or something, including the bumpers.

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@apex_DNA I think a crazy Kandy job would be incredible.

123

I think this guy has the right idea. It's his car done by him FOR him. It is done well with a lot of creativity. Love the skateboard wheels, so obvious and yet not done before. I think it is very easy to get a bit too precious about our cars. I know we love them but eventually they will be gone or we will. Sorry but it is the truth. All the more reason to enjoy them while you can!!!

124

I think this guy has the right idea. It's his car done by him FOR him. It is done well with a lot of creativity. Love the skateboard wheels, so obvious and yet not done before. I think it is very easy to get a bit too precious about our cars. I know we love them but eventually they will be gone or we will. Sorry but it is the truth. All the more reason to enjoy them while you can!!!

125

I think this guy has the right idea. It's his car done by him FOR him. It is done well with a lot of creativity. Love the skateboard wheels, so obvious and yet not done before. I think it is very easy to get a bit too precious about our cars. I know we love them but eventually they will be gone or we will. Sorry but it is the truth. All the more reason to enjoy them while you can!!!

126
ThatkidwiththeBeetle

Wow, I used to have that steering wheel in my car.      I got splinters......
 
 
I really like this car though, its just so original, and you can tell the builder didn't take it to seriously. I mean, I'm all for a super clean, super badass builds, but its really refreshing to see something like this, something that's just plain fun!
 
Great car, great post!

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What's up with all the Arizona love lately!? Lovinit! Can we get a night where all the speedhunter featured cars and fans can meet up somewhere in town? I wanna check out this and the dragn kaiser in person!

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@robzor It just so happened that I spent some time in Arizona and decided to shoot a few cars while I was out there.

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@sean klingelhoefer Oh I figured as much! Mostly just wishing I could have made it out to irwindale this weekend.

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@robzor  @sean Well there's always next year!

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@sean klingelhoefer  @robzor  @sean
 It's pretty neat, I was admiring this car for a while before I saw it pop up on "the Infamous" thread - then the full write up. One of the shop guys at Right Honda in North Scottsdale owns this beauty. I work at the Chrysler dealership next door andI love seeing this Wagovan.

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@sean klingelhoefer  @robzor  @sean
 It's pretty neat, I was admiring this car for a while before I saw it pop up on "the Infamous" thread - then the full write up. One of the shop guys at Right Honda in North Scottsdale owns this beauty. I work at the Chrysler dealership next door andI love seeing this Wagovan.

133

WOW. I mean, just....WOW! Only a year late to the conversation, but so glad you did a feature on this, just had to comment! Had an '88 myself, and always loved that car - smallish, but tallish mini-4WD, with some supremely nerdy details. This takes it all the way home - great re imagining of a car that was a 'misfit' even in its time! Was just looking around to see if I could find one to buy (actually, keep wishing that Honda would bring it back) and found your fantastic post - thanks!! Enjoyed every detail of your photo-description!!

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That stance doh :p

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