Randy En's '93 Del Sol Trans-Top
If you've never set foot in California, you've likely relied on television and movies for what you perceive to be an accurate description of the state. But the gorgeous beaches you've seen on Baywatch and the high-class nightlife MTV's endless run of reality shows depicts are only a sample of what really goes on. Just like other states, there's crime, economic heartaches, and turmoil. Yes, all of this is often overshadowed by the bright sun and sand-and-surf image of the West Coast, but it's there. As the housing bubble reached its breaking point just a few years ago, it was Stockton--more than any other city in the country--that took the hardest hit. With the highest number of foreclosures and one of the largest unemployment rates in the nation, Stockton's crime rate went up along with a larger number of families living below the poverty line. Last February, Forbes magazine stated that it was "the most miserable city in the nation." This statement didn't sit well with hardcore Honda enthusiast Randy En, who has a different perception of his hometown. With thoughts of proving the naysayers wrong, he set out to build a car that would represent his city in a more positive light.
Fresh out of high school in 2002, Randy had a chance encounter with a RHD Del Sol Trans-Top for sale at Midnight Performance in nearby Rancho Cordova. The meeting proved to be nothing more than a tease since Randy, like most new grads, didn't have thousands of dollars burning holes in his pockets. Not wanting to simply warm the bench after losing his chance at the Del Sol, he eventually picked up a few different projects to keep himself busy. One of those cars, an orange '92 EH, was soon recognized on the Internet forums, and gained notoriety in the magazines. Randy later passed the torch on to his brother and handed him the keys to his beloved hatchback. While surfing the web for his next build, he came across a Trans-Top located just a few hours from Stockton. "I saw the car on Craigslist and I was thinking that it might be the same car from Midnight Performance. I had always thought about that car and this was like a second chance to finally get my hands on it," he says. Communication with the seller revealed that this was in fact the same car he'd once fallen in love with. With his fiance by his side, Randy hit the road to reunite with the car he'd once longed for. After a brief inspection and just one week later, the Del Sol that had slipped through his hands five years ago was finally delivered to his garage.
Randy wasted no time in getting his hands dirty. The stock engine came out, and the bay was prepped for paint. Stripped and ready for a new look, the car was dropped off at Angkor Autobody. While the paint shop took care of the aesthetics, Randy and crew tore down the B16A for a fresh start. A few upgrades consisted of aftermarket goods, but the bulk of the engine was based on Civic Type R internals. "I basically replaced all of the gaskets, seals, and belts with all of the CTR stuff. It's like an OEM build, only better!" Randy says. Wire tucked with custom gold beauty washers and a handful of OEM zinc-plated bolts finish off the fine details. The bay remains uncluttered and spotless with a color-matched valve cover that continues the uniform look under the hood. But even with the show-stopping engine bay, the magic Trans-Top steals the spotlight. Trans-Top Del Sol roofs are removed automatically by a motorized trunk lid. When activated, the trunk lid rises above the roofline and inserts a set of guide pins into the Targa top. The top is then collected underneath the trunk lid and its motor pulls the lid back to its original position. It's one of the coolest features that U.S. buyers never had the chance to consider.
The striking stance of the root-beer-colored Del Sol can be partially credited to the +11-offset BBS rollers. Completely rebuilt by Randy, the wheels feature color-matched faces, fresh gold hardware, and lowrider-esque polished lips. While many take a stab at the low-offset craze that seems to be sweeping the Honda nation, few pull it off with as much class as this unique setup.
You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone with as much pride in his hometown as Randy. He set out to prove the point that, regardless of where you come from, hard work and dedication don't go unrecognized. "I wanted to show everyone that there's a lot more to Stockton than just negativity, and this build is proof of that," he states. His RHD Trans-Top is a ray of sunshine in a city that's seen far too many gloomy days.