How kick of a VTEC stole a fanatic’s heart and mind

FOR MOST petrolheads and enthusiasts, their love for a particular car can be traced to a specific poster on their bedroom wall, a die-cast model given as a gift (maybe), or that vehicle’s role in a film or game.

For me, it’s the Lamborghini Diablo VT; the ultimate machine that I hope to one day own because it was my poster car on my bedroom wall, and it was my first “special” die-cast car, which I still have to this day.

For Jesse Moonsammy, however, it wasn’t a wall-poster or a child’s toy or a pop culture experience, it was the kick of VTEC that sparked his flame for Honda.

“In all honesty, I was never a fan of Honda. In fact, I hated the brand until I drove this car for the first time about a decade ago. That was the moment when I fell in love with Honda, VTEC, and this Civic,” he says.

Moonsammy’s passion for cars started at a very young age. He recounted his experiences growing up around his father’s workshop for the past 35 years. “His very first workshop was at home, so growing up, I’d always find myself around cars. He built a lot of performance cars and always took me to the local drag stop, back then called Rainbow Raceway. Ever since, I’ve had a strong passion for fast cars,” he says.

The Honda Civic that Moonsammy is completely smitten with was launched in South Africa in the late 1990s, giving us a slight taste of what JDM Type Rs might have felt like back then. This 1997 model came from the factory with a 1.6-litre in-line four-cylinder that made 118kW at a heady 9000rpm.

At the time, reviewers praised the car for its thrill and engagement factor, but they didn’t like its lack of torque. Nevertheless, the Honda Civic (EK) VTEC gained infamy over the years, in its prime as the key thorn in the side of the Toyota Corolla RSi and the Nissan Sentra 200STi.

“My car was originally owned by a close friend. It was silver when he owned it, but it had been parked for about four years. I decided to make him an offer, and started the journey of restoring it six years ago,” Moonsammy explains.

There’s a very long list of goodies that make Moonsammy’s 1997 Honda Civic VTEC coupe unique, including a custom paint job as well as a flushed boot lid with relocated number plate holder.

“We also cut unique ‘tiger stripes’ in the rear bumper that allows air to flow through cleanly, preventing unwanted air pressure build-up and turbulence at the rear of the car at higher speeds. The Civic also wears custom Lexus-style tail lights and a boot-wing lift-kit,” he notes.

You’re probably wondering what’s under the hood, right?

Well, Moonsammy’s taken the 1.6-litre VTEC to new heights thanks to what’s known as a “Frankenstein” B20B VTEC conversion. Essentially, it’s now a 2.0-litre car, helped along the quarter-mile by a slight bit of forced induction courtesy of a bolt-on T66 turbocharger kit. In the low boost setting, it’s punching out 260kW on the front wheels.

“One of the biggest challenges for me would be sourcing parts for the Civic,” he says.

Moonsammy built the engine himself and takes care of all the car’s servicing and mechanical maintenance on his own. He says he’s had so many special moments with this car, but even a simple Sunday morning car wash is such a pleasure.

“The best moments I have with my car are the days that I feel down or upset. I get in and drive to nowhere, windows wide open, the radio on mute, just listening to the engine purr. While cruising with the wind blowing, there’s nothing else that could feel better for me,” he adds.

Moonsammy is already looking forward to his first road trip once the national lockdown is lifted, eyeing the tight and twisty roads around the Van Reenen’s Pass area.

◆ If you would like to know what it’s like to live with a highly-modified Honda Civic VTEC, you can follow @ jessemoonsammy on Facebook for more insights.