Carlos Chavez
1997 Honda Civic DX

Being Carlos' friend can be a bit frustrating. I don't know how many times I've been woken to a phone call that starts with Carlos asking "What do you think about..." and ends with me calling him a ricer along with a few mumbled profanities. There's a bit of a running joke amongst the group that if it weren't for the rest of us keeping him from it Carlos would have a rice mobile. Luckily Carlos takes it all in good fun and appreciates (usually) when we tell him not to do something that we wouldn't steer him wrong. Of course, there's always those times that Carlos overrules us, in which case its even more fun because then we can make fun of what's on there, and not just what he wants to put on.
 

 

I've stated quite a few times that the beauty of this automotive interest we all share is the freedom of expression it allows. This is the perfect example. What I or others might see as ugly or rice, Carlos might like. What I might like, others might think is stupid, pointless, or downright ugly. It's all open to interpretation. What it comes down to is, you and I are the only critics we need to please when we build a car. Sure, some care what others think and some seek acceptance or praise, but when it comes down to it we're the only ones who have to go out and get in our cars and drive them around. In the internet age the term has become a bit cliche, but doing what you want and what you like is really all that matters. If we listened to everyone else's opinions or ideas, what would we be left with? An expression of our own ideas or an expression of everyone else's? You'd have a really nice car, but absolutely nothing to be proud of. If Carlos had listened to me, this car would look nothing like it does. I'm glad he ignores us sometimes.
 

 
I first met Carlos a few years ago at an NWP meet. It was a brief encounter, just a quick introduction and conversation regarding some RnRs he was selling. His car was fairly plain, other than some really rare wheels that I thought were ugly at the time. It's safe to say I didn't really like the look of his car from the beginning, but I must admit in the year or so that we've been hanging out a lot more all of the different looks have grown on me. As it turns out, now it has become one of my favorite EK/EJ whatever the trendy slang term for a '97 Civic these days is. Since I've been around, he's had just about 10 sets of different wheels, keeping the two sets he claims he'll never sell, and developing a strange barter system with a few other sets. He'll have a set for a while, then get bored and switch them out for something new. It leads me to never get attached to any wheel combo on his car, since at some point unless it's the BBRs or Starks, they're going to be gone. Some I've been glad are gone and some I've been indifferent to, but there are some that I hated to see go.
 
 
It’s safe to say the wheels make the look of any car, so it naturally follows that the easiest way to change things up is to change the wheels... which Carlos does, OFTEN. I have my favorites as I'm sure others do, but I think all of the different combos come together well. I mentioned above that if it were up to me, this car would look nothing like it does. I didn't think the Airwalker bumper would look very good, and I eat my words every time I see it. I think it looks just as good if not better than the OEM or SiR bumpers. I'd really like to see it with some of the recent wheel additions and SiR bumpers again, but I doubt it can look much better than it does now. In a world of Civic clones, this car stands alone. By no means is it "unique," but it'd be hard to find this combination of parts and wheels all together on any other car.
 

What makes this car stand out? Nothing outlandishly amazing, really. General opinion seems to be split down the middle about most of what's on it as well. You either love the way it looks or you hate it, unless you're like me and change your mind. What makes it more difficult to form an opinion in this case, is the fact that the car in question changes so much. You have certain looks and time periods that you liked it, and certain looks and time periods where you hated it. "I liked it on BBRs with the SiR bumpers and Spoon lip, but I hated it with OEM bumpers on Type X." You can pretty much replace any of the bumper/lip/wheels in that statement with blanks, and you'll have a pretty good template for the general opinion. You might want to cut and paste it a few times, though.
 

 

15" BBR Competitions, 15" Volk TE-37s, 15" Work CR-01s, 16" RC Starks, 16" Volk TE-37s, and 17" Racing Hart Type C Tracers are just a few of the wheels that have been on it since I've been around the past year or so. There's also the RnRs and SSR Type X that were on it before, and a few "borrowed" sets from friends like 16" MF8s and 15" CP-Fs. As of the date I'm writing this, 16" Volk SE-37Ks are on it. I don't think I've ever had to write that in a feature... "as of this date." Just goes to show that by the time this feature gets loaded, Carlos might be 2 or 3 sets past the Volks. Like I said, we don't get attached anymore.
 

 

The outside of the car is a mix of common and not-so-common parts, all coming together in factory black looking like a half Japanese/half American love child. Civic Type R headlights, smoked 96-98 taillights, carbon fiber duckbill spoiler, and Spoon Mirrors are some of the more common parts, chosen because they add a clean yet "aggressive" look to the car. The not-so-common parts like the Airwalker bumper and OEM rear window strakes are just the finishing touches on an exterior that adds just enough personal style without going overboard by adding countless "rare" and ugly parts for the sake of "being different." One thing that is becoming more and more rare on cars that are well modified these days, is an OEM HOOD! Carlos has 3 hoods, 2 of which are carbon fiber, but the OEM hood resides on the car as it sits today. Its refreshingly clean to see a car with slight hints of carbon fiber, but with all OEM body panels. Of course it's just my opinion, but I think it's part of what gives the car in it's current form a certain edge that make it stand out from the rest.
 
 
The interior of the car has received just as much attention. SiR front and rear seats with rare blue/black fabric replaced the stock grey. You'll also find a Mugen steering wheel, SiR cluster, power windows, an aftermarket sunroof, and an OEM Honda navigation system inside. Not one of a kind, not "unique," but something you definitely don't see every day. All in all, the interior is an assemblance of pieces that fits together nicely, and provide both passenger and driver with a pleasant driving experience. Bumps from the road and bumps for your ears are provided by Tein Basics and a JBL subwoofer, respectively. Pioneer component speakers and Crossfire amplifiers enhance the listening experience, if you can hear over the exhaust noise.

 

 
Trace the exhaust noise to its source, and you'll find a B18C inhaling through an OEM airbox and Spoon kevlar direct flow pipe. A DC sports stainless header and Evotion muffler are what bring that exhaust noise from combustion to your ears. The engine bay of this car is admittedly bare, almost "raw" in a way. The B18C looks right at home, but the lack of much else and the bare metal valve cover with kevlar insert really make this car's engine bay look like business. Carlos wanted a car that would give him enough power to make up for the DX's deficiencies, but would be a reliable platform to drive on days he's tired of fighting off the women trying to get at him in the SL500. JDM_JON Tanji gave him a setup that fit his expectations perfectly, and the motor is still more than enough to keep Carlos happy.
 

 
Which look is my favorite? RnRs on OEM bumpers, BBRs on SiR bumpers, tie between the CP-Fs and Tracers with the Airwalker bumper. I'd love to see the CP-Fs with the SiR bumpers and Spoon lip, and from the phone call I just got, this may come to fruition sooner than later. One thing is for sure, you never know what the car will look like on any given day. It's Carlos' way of keeping himself on his toes, and happy with his car. Whether you like the current look or not, one thing is for sure: this car keeps getting better and better, and I'm sure the best is yet to come.