JDM legends Spoon Sports is a brand synonymous with any and all things Honda performance-related, especially when it comes to what enthusiasts describe as the automaker’s Golden Era, which spans the late ’80s to the early 2000s. From the bright, screaming yellow and blue paint schemes to the often-idolized company founder and acting president, Tatsuru Ichishima, the name and product line are recognized and respected worldwide. And while you’ve no doubt seen Spoon brake calipers, ashy SW388 wheels, and signature kevlar bits and pieces strewn about every car show you’ve ever attended over the last few decades, make no mistake, the heart and soul of Spoon Sports belongs to the track.
Humble Beginnings
In 1985, well before the company took shape, a then-33-year-old Ichishima was focused on just one thing: racing. He’d built this ’85 Honda Civic E-AT chassis track car that not only held its own in battle but also managed to stand the test of time. Raw and utilitarian by design, Ichishima did away with any non-crucial components and the handful of creature comforts afforded by mid-1980s econobox standards, before developing an engine program that would maintain longevity and reliability for countless race adventures. It’s been through hell and back and toured the U.S. at a number of events after being re-sprayed and freshened up. Thanks to GoTuning Unlimited, Spoon Sports’ authorized North American distributor, I was able to shoot both Ichishima’s iconic Civic…
