88' Honda Civic EF Rally Car

[slipngripross]

After selling my two Impreza's recently I had some money in the bank but was finding it really hard to find what i wanted next. usually if I am patient something a little bit awesome pops up. Low and behold I jump on FB early one morning and a rally friend has shared a Civic EF Rally Car for sale from IOM. Its a bit of a bargain so I jump on the phone, have a conversation and buy the car sight unseen.

I would not usually buy a car without looking at it but EF's don't come up very often and not in rally form. I was encouraged by the fact its owned by Scott Bradshaw, an ex Honda works driver from the 90's who used to be team mates with with Mark Higgins in the Civic EG.  He had reasonable success in Class N2.



The Civic I have purchased has a reasonable spec and apparently was a Civic Cup car prior to being a rally car resulting in the car having just 18,000 miles on the clock. Both Scott and his son have competed in the car with reasonable results including a 3rd overall in the Isle of Man Rally 2017 and being course car on the Manx National in 2018. Having this history as part of the car for me is quite special and just adds to the nostalgia of owning it.



My plan is to initially use the car for show events and maybe compete in historics on stage rallies as it is eligible. I am booked in for the stages at RallyDay next month and aim to take part in Lombard Rally Bath as well as do some testing at Bont Rally Stage in Wales.

[slipngripross]

This is a bit of a run down on the car


1988 Honda Civic EF9 Cup Car / Rally Car – BMN 379J

Ex-works driver Scott Bradshaw owned Honda Civic EF9 Rally Car, team mate of Mark Higgins in the 90’s. Also genuine ex Honda cup car from Japan hence the low mileage. 3rd OA in Isle of Man Rally 2017. Eligible for historic rallying. Requires new seats and harnesses. Has Current MSA Log book. The Ef is an important car of its era as no other manufacturer was producing a 1600cc hot hatch that produced 170bhp from factory and that ultimate 100bhp per 1000cc.
• 18,000 Miles

• 15.09.2017 – Trophy Isle of Man Rally – 2nd in N2 / 3rd O/A
• 11.05.2018 – Manx National Rally – Course Car
• 09.11.2018 – Pokerstars Rally – 6th Class B
• 09.02.2019 – Ormco Stages – 2nd Class B / 17th O/A
• 22.02.2020 – Ormco Stages – 3rd Class B / 12th O/A
Sadly no history on its competition results in Japan as it was a circuit car and nothing like EWRC is available for circuit racing. The Million Card Cup ran from 1991-1995 with the Civic EF and Civic EG

Engine & Transmission / Suspension
• B16A2
• Type r cams
• Type r head
• Aftermarket ECU
• New Belts
• Aftermarket Exhaust
• Close ratio gear kit and FD
• Paddle Clutch
• LSD
• BC Coilovers
• Hardrace Bushes
• Integra DC2 Brakes
Interior:
• Safety Devices Roll Cage
• Brake Bias Valve
• Lightweight Battery
• Fire Eater Extinguisher
• Hydro Handbrake
• Co-driver Foot Plate
• Helmet Box
• Sparco Bucket Seats

Exterior:
• Sump Guard
• Sill Protectors
• Perspex Windows
• Lightened Doors
• Carbon Mirrors
• 12 Rims
• Front Strut Brace
• Period Honda Works Livery

[slipngripross]

The car does not arrive with me for a few weeks but here are a few images from the previous owner. It run the period works livery that would have been driven by the likes of Robbie Head on the 1990 RAC.

[slipngripross]

Patiently waiting for the 6th of September for the car to come over. Its been the Manx classic so we have not been able to get the car out. We will chuck tyres on and a windscreen, we have booked to do the stage at RallyDay. Come and say Hi if you see us. Nice to finally get an EF without a sunroof.

[redblock]

"88' Honda Civic EF Rally Car" is a title that already got me excited, and somehow this car is even more awesome than that could have indicated. Looking forward to more!

[slipngripross]

Well, the car finally came over from IOM last week thanks to VR Transport Services based out of Northern Ireland. The car was well looked after on its journey over. Maxx the previous owner drove it onto the boat and it was loaded on the trailer this side.

I forgot it's an import and still has the correct dash so actually sits on 18,0000 kms that's just over 11,000 miles lol. First event will be RallyDay doing the stage in the afternoon. Nice and local so will drive the car there and back. I have just sent the Compomotives off for refurb at Pro Alloys in Melksham, two had buckles. Some Hankook tarmac tyres have arrived from JD tyres too which will be fitted by Tech & Tyres when the rims come back. I have removed some of the non-works decals and it will need a polish.










Nothing special about under the bonnet aside from the EK9 Type R top end on the engine. Need a rally legal catch can. The gearbox must have a really low gear set as it looks like it will top out at just above 100mph.




The interior needs a good clean, up to date seats and harnesses as well as a fire extinguisher to make it legal for stage rallies again. Due to the age I can run in historic classes against stuff like Sunbeams and Escorts. One of my mates has sourced me a new windscreen as this one has a crack, only three screens left in the Uk apparently, so he dropped one off from Pilkingtons.




It has Accord Type R brakes which should be more than enough braking power to stop a car that weighs about 400kg lighter. BC coilovers are fitted but with longer rally springs for extra travel.

[79cord]

Special stuff.
Shame it's lost the EF9 front & bumpers from originality standpoint, but better availability of the std parts definately an advantage for a rally car. Amazing how many they must have rushed to make in '88 since it was intended as '89 model-year!

[slipngripross]

Few more updates. With only 3 windcreens left in the UK my pal managed to source one and fit it for me. Good to see behind the old screen is rust free but he still painted it before we fitted the new screen.



For UK registration a form needs to be filled out as well as getting an MOT on the VIN number before a UK plate is issued. Luckily, I am pretty sure there is no duty to be paid on the car as Isle of man is technically part of the UK. The car passed no advisories, unsurprising considering the mileage.







Also had a set of the wheels refurbished by Pro Alloys in Melksham. They did a great job on the 15" compomotives. They are ET15 so nice and wide and look the part.

[slipngripross]

Friday the wheels and tyres went on the Civic. I bought 180/560/15 Honkook tarmac tyres from JD Competition tyres. I have never run rally tyres before only track tyres. Rally tyres generally offer a much stiffer side wall and I am pleased to report they seem to offer as much grip on track as a normal semi slick. I wasn't bothered what I had for my first outings tbh as I won't be setting any records. the Compomitives look very fitting and in period I think.
















replaced the old steering wheel with my lucky Sparco wheel which has been in my last few cars.




Then it was off to RallyDay with my mate Barry in the Co-Driver seat for the day. Sadly the show is a shadow of its former self having been sold by passionate rally fans some years ago its now owned by Castle Combe and frankly they are not putting the effort in. If I wasn't there for a quick shakedown I would have gone to the gathering for sure.













I even had some help from the toddler on the mechanics check wheel studs with me and she loved watching the car go round. She only three but loves cars already.







Considering its setup for tarmac rally and not circuit the car handled really well. The oil temps were getting a little hot so will fire an oil cooler on it over the winter now. Still a long way to go to make sure it rally ready but it was good to get out and use it.

[dandandandan]

Have to follow any car on a manx reg 

[slipngripross]

No images but I did actually drag the car out yesterday to do some bits. I replaced the dizzy cap and rota arm. Took the sill protectors off to see what was hiding underneath. Nothing to drastic so sanded some slight rust bubbles back, primed and repainted the sills before refitting sill guards. Took my pricey wheels and tyres off a refitted the Sparco wheels for it to be stored on. Might get it out for a couple of local events before the salt hits the roads.

[slipngripross]

Still twiddling my thumbs waiting for UK reg and DVLA. First application was rejected As I put an extra digit on the VIN by mistake....doh!

With my plan being to do some historic type events with the works livery on I am trying to figure way of covering the livery with a wrap to make it one colour so I can also compete in night nav rallies. It needs to be one colour and have rear seats stuck in it to do so. Local company Wrapped automotive are going to attempt to cover the livery over with a wrap that can be removed again.

I will only be able to afford maybe three decent rally events per year so being able to use the car on nav rallies will mean I use it much more. To give you an example entry to Three Shires rally is £700 + Vat whereas a local 12-car rally on a Friday night is £29 with insurance cover.

[slipngripross]

Finally, a proper update.

I have entered the car into a local road rally on December 3rd called the Driveshaft. For about £70 with insurance cover, you get to drive the back lanes of Wiltshire at night for around 130 miles. I have previously competed on this event in an EP3 but we did a DNF. Being a works livery, I have been permitted to run the car in white/red but have to remove the branding. So that is going to save me a chunk of money. It also needs carpet, rear seats, some more interior trim and the big hydro lever removed or replaced with a horizontal lever.



The car has gone off to Jamtech Motorsport for some work. As well as minor jobs to improve bits of the car, I have ordered Hella 3000 spots lamps to aid the JDM 80's candle headlights, Hardrace front upper camber arms to replace the same tired ones, hardened tie rod ends, Skunk2 half alloy radiator and silicone hoses. I am holding off on the oil cooler in the hope that the more efficient rad will be enough to cool the engine to reasonable temps. Then I need road rally legal tyres for the wheels now on it. We may get a little 12-car in to try the car before the driveshaft but only time will tell.

[slipngripross]

Progress to report

The spot lamps have been mounted but we need lamp stays to make sure they are secure. The advert for the lamps says how bright they are.....then they turned up without bulbs hehe so ordered some of those as well.



The new half radiator has been mounted along with black silicone hoses. Can't use the factory fan sadly so ordered a thinner Mishimoto one. Jamtech have isolated the air filter from the engine and fabricated an oil catch tank.



Carpet as also started to go in for the road rally rules, fitted in a way that it is easily removable when we go stage rallying.

[slipngripross]

We are getting a bit tight for time as I want to test this weekend but we are still having issues sourcing the correct carriers for the brakes the car has. I have decided to just buy some Wilwoods my friend has to cut my losses. They are off a DC2 so hopefully they fit up ok.

In the meantime stays have been fitted to the spot lamps and the interior is complete with new carpet, door cards and a tidy up of the wiring.

[75swb]

Looking forward to seeing this used in anger!

[slipngripross]

We have got the car back from Jamtech motorsport with all the work done that was required.




When it arrived from Hereford I took it out for an evening drive. It requires geometry at the front which will be done today by Harveys Autotech in Westbury who do all my cars.







The Hella 3000 spotlights are awesome but when dimmed I can't see anything with the dipped candles so have got some 150% brighter bulb to go in.













Took the toddler out briefly on Sunday to the Crosshands above Yate for a little classic car gathering that happens monthly. and we gave the car a quick shakedown on Saturday at our trackday to ensure the car was good and scrub in some fresh rainsports.













I need to take the sponsor logos off today so it legal to run in the Driveshaft road rally this Saturday. It is 130 Miles around Wiltshire lanes with just under 20 cars entered and 20 check points. Will let you all know how we get on.

[slipngripross]

What a fantastic night on the lanes with my northern pal Barry as navigator.

The Driveshaft road rally kicked off from the Pit Stop just off J17 of the M4 near Chippenham. 130 miles of wiltshire lanes over a period of 6 hours. I think this is the cheapest smiles per mile in motorsport and everyone should have a go. They even run a beginner class with marked maps for those having their first few goes in the sport. If you can read a map you can navigate.

We arrived for 6pm sign on and scrutineering with the Civic, the first proper event for the car. We grabbed a coffee and started to mark the map up with any references we were given with our entry pack.







We were car 14 so left MT1 at 8:04pm. The idea is to receive clues at each checkpoint and mark the map with the route to follow to the next checkpoint. The aim is to average 30mph between checkpoint. You get a penalty for arriving early or late. there were some cool retros entered including a Volvo 244 and a very tidy Mk1 Golf GTi.







The first half of the night was spot on and we were arriving to check pints early or on time. The battery light came on after TC3 and our spotlights were clearly too much for the race battery. As it transpired it seems I probably should have just given the battery a good charge before the event as when I attempted to use the light later on in the night the battery light stayed off. Trying to pick out the route ahead with JDM head lights made for some interesting driving but we really only had one moment locking up into a back lane t-junction, I also back up once and hit a bank popping my rear bumper fog lights out and dislocating a mud flap.




The lanes were fantastic, mostly smooth but a couple of really rough lanes towards the end we must have hit the sump guard 10 times, both of us making the "cawww" that hurt the car noise on a number of occasions. Barry struggled with a couple of clues so to ensure we made other checkpoints we skipped one. The Uniroyal rainsports held up ok although on the front they were ripped up a bit from breaking traction a number of times. Many of the lanes had a thin layer of winter mud, gravel and leaves which made for slippery conditions in parts. We finished up at 2am, we were very tired but very much enjoyed the event. we should get results this week.

[Alpina99]

Your comment about your immaculate wheels is missing the rest, immaculate car !!
Really love this and will follow with interest,
Bookmarked,
Nigel

[slipngripross]

Not much to update you on with the car. We got the results through from the driveshaft and got 3rd in class which wasn't bad. I have entered for the Bath MC Festival Targa in February but my entry was a little late so hopefully get accepted in the 90 car entry list. Going to have a hydro handbrake fitted back in the car for this event as its 'handy' to have . Aside from that a door pocket for the nav. I don;t own a daily at the minute so the car has been on the odd daily duty to the auction yard etc and the toddler has been out with me a few times.