1997 Honda Civic Type R
OEM-restored, original rust-free and uncoated undercarriage, factory paint, extensive documentation, 84,000 km.
Car Story
The EK9 Honda Civic Type R was produced from 1997-2000, was the first ever Honda Civic with a Type R badge, and was only sold in Japan. When I found this 1997 EK9 on [Bring a Trailer in April 2025](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-honda-civic-type-r-4/), it checked all of my requirements: 1) Clean and rust free undercarriage with no black paint or coating - many EK9 owners painted/coated the undercarriage black to either prevent rust or hide it. This irreversible modification was a non-starter for me, I wanted the car's condition to be fully transparent. 2) Factory (NH-0) Championship White paint. 3) 1997 or 1998 pre-facelift model years. 4) Low(ish) miles: 84,000 km (52,000 miles). The Seller purchased the car at auction in Japan in October 2024 and subsequently imported the car to the United States before listing it for sale on Bring a Trailer in April 2025. A CarVX report after the October auction in Japan notes the [auction sheet](https://provobook.com/photos/92) when this car was given a grade of 4 out 5, which generally means "good used condition; normal minor scratches/dents/wear"; and an interior grade B, which generally means "good/clean, with minor wear, stains, or scratches". The report additionally [notes](https://provobook.com/photos/93) no accidents, odometer discrepancies, or theft. Modifications and issues noted when I took delivery of the car in April 2025: - Polish burns in the paint on all 4 fenders, the rear hatch, and both doors; which indicated to me that: 1) this car was well cared for and washed and polished often (actually too much...) and 2) the paint is original on these panels . - Cracked clear coat on front bumper, scratch on rear bumper, and sun fading on the black panel above the rear hatch. - Surface rust on rear hatch hinges and jamb and on the hinges of the hood and both doors. - Worn interior: damaged or worn Recaro front seats, rear seats, climate console, steering wheel, carpet, and floor mats. - 5zigen exhaust manifold. - Revel exhaust with no catalytic converter. - Endless Zeal coilovers. - 16" RegaMaster EVO II wheels. My mission was to restore this JDM icon back to 100% OEM, as close to how it came from the factory as possible. Details of the restoration are below.
Sale, Mileage & Service History
Per a [CarVX report](https://provobook.com/photos/93), this 1997 Honda Civic Type R was first registered in October 1997. Mileage is consistent between [CarVX](https://provobook.com/photos/93) and historical owner records: November 2014: [inspection report](https://provobook.com/photos/98) states 34,670 km. October 2016: [inspection report](https://provobook.com/photos/97) states 39,637 km. October 2018: [inspection report](https://provobook.com/photos/96) states 44,811 km. October 2020: CarVX report states 51,400 km. October 2020: [inspection report](https://provobook.com/photos/95) states 51,404 km. December 2021: CarVX report states 56,431 km from auction in Chiba. October 2022: [inspection report](https://provobook.com/photos/94) states 66,790 km. October 2022: CarVX report states 66,800 km. October 2024: CarVX report states 81,870 km from auction in Kanagawa. Upon acquiring the car at auction in Japan in October 2024, the seller imported the car to the United States and the car was titled and registered in Washington state. The car was ultimately shipped to the Los Angeles area and was held by the seller for 6 months before listing the car on Bring a Trailer. I live in LA and was able to see the car in-person prior to winning the BaT auction in April 2025. April 2025: purchased on [Bring a Trailer for $32,000](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-honda-civic-type-r-4/) with 83,600 km. May 2026: power steering fluid, brake fluid, oil, transmission fluid, and coolant service at Scott Robinson Honda at 84,079 km (52,244 miles).
Restoration
May 2025: Repainted front and rear bumpers, door and hood hinges, rear hatch hinges and jamb, black panel above hatch, and side mirrors by Horn's Collision in Long Beach. August 2025: Full car PPF, paint correction, ceramic coating, headlight restoration, and dry ice and laser cleaning of engine bay and undercarriage by I Am Detailing in Costa Mesa. Installed OEM front license plate bumper plugs. November 2025: Restoration and installation of authentic Honda OEM parts. Part / (Grade) - OEM Recaro SR3 front seats / (B+) - OEM rear seat / (A-) - OEM red carpet / (A-) - OEM floor mats / (B) - OEM steering wheel / (B+) - OEM climate console / (B+) - OEM cup holder console / (A-) - OEM shift knob / (A-) - OEM cargo cover / (A-) - OEM rearview mirror / (B+) - OEM valve cover / (A) - OEM struts and springs / (A-) - OEM exhaust manifold and shield / (A-) - OEM catalytic converter and B-pipe / (A-) - OEM muffler / (A-) - OEM jack and spare wheel tool kit March 2026: Repainted spark plug cover, powder coated factory front strut bar, and installed OEM wheels, repainted Championship White, with new OEM center caps and Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 (195/55R15) tires.
Modifications
Honda Access pedals, Mugen oil cap.
OEM Spare Parts
Saved factory parts removed from the car: Recaro SR3 front seats, rear seat, carpet, floor mats, climate console, cup holder console, rearview mirror, steering wheel, and valve cover. Aftermarket parts removed from the car: 5zigen exhaust manifold, Endless Zeal coilovers, MOMO steering wheel, titanium shift knob, and a set of 16" RegaMaster EVO II wheels. Other spare parts: new old-stock OEM valve cover, additional OEM 97/98 single-DIN climate console, and a "shiny" carbon 97/98 single-DIN climate console of unknown origin.