Written by Eric Backstrom
Photography by Jared Houston

Name: Corey Maples
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Age: 19
Car: 1979 Honda Civic CVCC

Late model Hondas are becoming hot on the streets, ask 19 year old Corey Maples from Virginia Beach.  His father Picked up this ’79 Honda Civic CVCC in the late ‘90s for $500 and one thing leading to another, like most, became a project car.  With late model parts becoming hard to find, resto-modding these classics are not a weekend job.  About three or four years ago is when this project started and here’s how.

A car bought in “fair” condition for a fair price was naturally blessed with its own problems.  Carburetors, among other things were some of the most serious concerns at first.  Eventually deciding to replace the motor, on a last resort, Corey’s father did some searching on Ebay and with luck, found one.  This is when he decided to make this a project car.  Thanks Ebay.  The Maples were lucky enough to actually win the motor from the site.  This is when the ideas poured in for the project.  Every project car should have a name so somewhere along tearing the car apart and putting it back together, this car was dubbed “Tuna Can” by the owners.

Corey has always been around Hondas since he was a young child.  His fateher owning one since he was very youngIt’s hard to say what it is exactly that gets up wired on Honda, but for some it’s love at first sight.  I think it’s in our blood, and this may be true for this family.

Corey and his dad picked out 13”x8” Rota RB wheels up front with Kumho Ecsta 710 series tires and 15”x7” Minilite wheels in the back with 195/45’s wrapping them up nicely. 

Stopping power was available thanks to Brembo with slotted rotors, Acura Integra calipers, Hawk HP+ pads, Goodrich steel braided brake lines and a 4 wheel disc conversion with the common Honda 4x100 lug pattern. With all this grip and stopping power this little Honda is sure to make big noise at an autocross event.  And with all that attention to detail in the bodywork, people should stop and stare for sure.

Under the hood is an EK1 Accord Motor with dual 40mm carburetors tuned by Abacus Racing.  Engine electronics are taken over by MSD ignition, internals include high compression pistons, breathing ability thanks to a custom throttle body and exhaust manifold with a Magnaflow exhaust tip for.  The air conditioning unit was removed and all of this to unleash a dyno pull good for 98 whp and 93 wtq.  With a D16 swap in sights, this car is sure to turn even more heads.
            Inside remains stock aside from the Momo Competition steering wheel, but we hear that Corbeau seats are going to be finding their way in real soon.

Handling was taken seriously with the choice of Ground Control Coilovers, Koni Shocks, strengthened rear sway bar, Polyurethane bushings and custom strut perches.  The suspension mods may not seem like much to some, but on a short wheel base car these modifications make a huge difference in handling.  This package along with a wide tire is just the beginning of something special.  I would like to call it “graduating from tuna school to being the king of the ocean”.  We’ll be fishing for you at every event.

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Exterior:  Painted Tri-stage Yella, Fender Flares, Shaved side markers, Shaved roof seams, Shaved antenna, Fiberglass bumpers, SPA formula style mirrors, weighs about 1700 pounds at the most.

Interior: Momo Competition steering wheel, everything else is stock

Engine: 1978 EK1 Accord Motor, Dual Weber 40mm Carburetors, MSD Ignition, High compression pistons, custom throttle body, custom exhaust manifold, Magnaflow exhaust tip, removed A/C

Suspension: Ground Control Coilovers, Koni Shocks, upgraded rear sway bar, polyurethane bushings, custom strut perches

Wheels/tires/brakes: 15x7 Minilites (195/45/15 Toyo Proxes), 13x8 Rota RB’s (Kumho Ecsta 710’s), Brembo slotted rotors, Acura Integra Calipers, 4 wheel disc brake conversion, 4x100 bolt pattern conversion, Goodrich steel braided brake lines, custom emergency brake lines, Hawk HP+ pads.

Numbers:   It was dynoed at a whooping 98 whp and 93 wtq.