After a long time without any Honda/Honda-engined car i decided to take on a project again. I was looking for a (red) 5-door manual Rover 216GSI, but sadly i couldn't find one in red, or any other colour in reasonable condition.
After some time a friend of mine told me a Honda-dealer nearby had some Concerto's sitting idle in their yard for some time now, so i decided to take a look. Indeed, there were 3 of them but the only one interesting was this blue one, with the Honda D16a6 and fully equipped.
After some talking to the dealer he told me the last owner bought it new in 1992, but bought a new Honda Civic Hybrid in later 2010, the Concerto has been sitting still every since.. So first owner, all maintenance done by the same dealer, only 143.000KM's on it.. Of course I bought it
This all was in July, i took it home, backed it up in the garage and the few first modifications came on the car. I decided to do everything right the first time starting with a Avo coilover-kit, a new exhaust from a Rover 216GTI, and i emptied the catalytic converter. I also replaced some suspension bushings and bolts. And fitted my new white wheels with new tyres.
The car when I bought it:
Original tools in the original plastic:
The coilover-kit:
After fitting the coilover-kit:
Of course the OEM steelies look awful, time for the new wheels+black lug-nuts:
I just love the blue interior:
New exhaust with 216GTI rear muffler fitted. I spray painted the rear muffler with VHT exhaust paint:
I didn't like the look of the front-end, it lacked a front splitter. I wanted to fit a Laguna splitter, but decided I wanted OEM. After a looooong search for a OEM Concerto 1.6-16V SE splitter. I Finally found one at a very nice Honda dealer near Antwerp. It's just a small splitter but looks 10 times better.
After fitting the coilover-kit and exhaust i drove it too work on a beautiful day. Tried out how well it handled by throwing it around on a roundabout. But the brakes didn't respond too well... If anything at all. So drove home VERY carefully too find out the callipers on the back were stuck. All 4 callipers have been removed from the car now, will be completely refurbished with all new pistons, rubbers and bolts. They will be coated in bright red, and fitted along with some HEL stainless steel brake lines and new discs+pads on all 4 wheels... Also, soon a set of rear mudflaps will be fitted and a brand new cool optional Cassete disk holder. I don't know the correct name, but you can store 6 of these in it:
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