1997 Honda Civic Type R
OEM-restored, factory paint, 84,000 km, well-documented example of a JDM icon.
Car Story
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). Consistent with a [CarVX report](https://provobook.com/photos/91), 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. The CarVX report also notes an [auction sheet](https://provobook.com/photos/92) from Japan where 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 is why I was confident the paint was original). 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 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. April 2025: sold on Bring a Trailer for $32,000 with 83,600 km. Records indicate this was a 2-owner car in Japan before it was acquired and imported to the United States by the seller, who held the car for 6 months before selling it on [BaT in April 2025](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-honda-civic-type-r-4/). 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 new-used 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, B-pipe, and 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
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 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.