October 6th, 2008856 views(22)

Photography and Inteview byl by Nelson Queralta

IntunedOnline: So, first and foremost, how did this whole car thing start?

Frank Penzo: It all started with a Milano Red 93 civic Si which shortly after 6 months I had to sell for issues like rust which I hated. But my desire for another Honda was running through my veins. That’s when I came by a Turquoise green 92 VX hatchback AKA in the streets of Miami as the “UnderDog.” The car had a B16A3 and I was beating Type-R and GSR Motors all day. The turquoise hatch almost reached its prime, but it came to an end when I lost control in the rain and crashed, in result the car was totaled. I was devastated, I didn’t want to do it anymore.

IO: So how did you end up with this new chassis?

FM: I met my best friend Kevin Quiroz who was a co-worker at the time, he introduced me to the Japanese Domestic Market which made me fall in love with Hondas all over again. Like a year passed after the green hatch incident and Kevin inspired me to build another car, I wanted another Milano Red EG, which is how I ended up with this 92 VX Hatch all original and stock…just how I wanted it.

IO: Nice, so let’s talk about the car, what were some of your first modifications?

FM: Well, I still had the green hatch, so first I swapped everything I could from it. Picked up a set of Tein Flex Coilovers from ICB along with front are rear Type-R sway bars, also an ACR Reinforcement Brace to strengthen the rear. Along with all the JDM goodies, and my favorite mod yet, a First Generation Apexi World Sport exhaust.

IO: So what about power, did you end up putting the “Underdog” motor in the new car? Haha.
FM: Haha, No. It’s actually a JDM Sir-G motor (B18C) with LSD tranny, it’s got an ITR Header and Blox intake manifold.

IO: And wheels? It’s all about the wheels.

FM: Oh yeah, I’m a wheel whore. I got a set of AME Circulars, Wed Sports (pictured), Enkei Rp01, Spring Hart CP-R (pictured) and I just got a set of Mugen NR. All of them are white, I’m a sucker for white wheels.

IO: So what are your future plans? Thinking about hitting the track?

FM: Definitely I would like to do some road racing, but the car’s so clean I definitely want to try out local autocross events, and maybe HPDE events, but I want more power first, planning on building a full race motor, all motor B-series.

IO: Nice, Is it safe to say this car has reached it’s prime?

FM: Well…not yet lol, it’s getting there, I just love this car. I’ve owned a Black EM1 (99-00 Civic Si), a Midori Green EK Hatchback, !Two! Del Sol Vtec. But to me, there’s nothing that can replace my Milano red EG. I just love this car.

IO: And so do we haha. What are other people’s reactions when they see this Milano Red goodness in the streets?

FM: The car is daily driven 31 miles a day, people love it everywhere I go, car has its flaws, but the love it receives doesn’t compare. A lot of people just stay looking when I drive by…I just do it for the love of the game, and I truly enjoy every second of it.

IO: Frank, thanks so much for letting IntunedOnline feature your car on the site, we wish you nothing but the best in all your future endeavors.

FM: No thank you guys! Haha…

PROPZ: I want to thank my mom for letting me keep all the car parts and wheels in my house. Omar Quiles for putting together alot of the car when I had no time to do it myself. Kevin Quiroz who introduced me to the JDM scene, who is my inspiration..For helping me every time I’m in a jam. All my friends who love this car. All the girls that are down for a bumpy ride lol…All the haters, who remind me that my shit is what they want. My boss Mike for letting me work on the car whenever I want. Travis for letting me use his tools. Diddy for everything too much too list..,Greg from Just Japs, Amy from ICB (I ain’t mad at ya). For the person who sprayed the car into its masterpiece, Everyone I missed you know who you are..Thank you & God bless.

-EXTERIOR
JDM Thin Moldings
JDM Headlights, Corners & Tail Lights
JDM Window Visors
JDM Power Folding Mirrors
JDM Fog Lights
OEM Rear Wind Diffuser
OEM EX Front Spoiler
OEM Splash Guards
Duckbill Carbon Fiber Wing

-INTERIOR
Buddy Club Shift Knob Spec A
Bride Grid Version I Seats
OEM EX Power Windows
OEM Floor Mats
Mugen Racing III Steering Wheel
NRG Quick Release w/ Lock
EM Racing C-Pillar Bar
S2000 Head Unit
JDM SIR Cluster
JDM SIR Interior Clock
JDM SIR Climate Control
Circuit Hero Shifter Extender
Custom Suede w/ Red Stiching Shift Boot

-ENGINE
JDM SIR-G Motor w/ LSD B18c
JDM 98 Spec Stainless Steel Header
Blox Intake Manifold
PowerRev Racing Intake Manifold Gasket
PowerRev Racing Battery Tie Down
Apexi Power FC ECU w/ Commander
Apexi 1st Gen World Sport Exhaust System
Omnipower Test Pipe
Type R Oil Cap & Valve Cover
Comptech Intake
Fidanza Lightened Flywheel
Competition STG III Clutch
AEM True Time Cam Gears
Energy Suspension Motor Mount Inserts

- HANDLING
Tein Flex Full Coilver System
Blox Front & Rear Camber Kit
Energy Suspension Full Bushings Kit
GSR Front & Rear Brakes
Russell Braided Brake Lines
1991 ex 4-door Master Cylinder
Gsr Brake Booster
OEM 40/40 Proportional Valve
ASR Subframe Brace
JDM 98 Spec Front & Rear Sway Bars
ARP Extended Wheel Studs
Project Kics R40 Racing Lug Nuts
15″ Wed Sports RS-5 Kuhmo
16″ Sprint Hart CP-R Falken Azenis