From Salvage to Second Chance: Henry’s Honda Civic Type R Rebuild Journey

At just 19 years old, Henry is taking on a challenge that many experienced car enthusiasts would think twice about: rebuilding a damaged Honda Civic Type R as his first major project.

Purchased through a Pickles Salvage Auction, the Type R is more than simply a car to Henry. It represents the beginning of his journey as an automotive repairer, content creator and aspiring professional in the automotive industry.

From researching and inspecting the vehicle to bidding, troubleshooting and carrying out the repairs, Henry is documenting the entire journey on his YouTube channel—sharing both the progress and the unexpected challenges along the way.

A passion that started with the movies
Born in 2007, Henry’s fascination with cars began at a young age, inspired by movies such as Cars and Transformers.

His interest became more practical when, at around 15 years old, he began helping his father work on cars. After completing his SPM, Henry decided to pursue automotive repair, despite receiving advice from some people to consider a different path.

He has since gained valuable exposure through automotive training and an internship with McLaren Kuala Lumpur. Although he describes himself—with plenty of humility and humour—as still relatively inexperienced, his willingness to learn is evident throughout the Type R project.

“I would consider myself quite inexperienced,” Henry admits. “But this first project has already taught me a lot.”

Combining automotive repair with content creation
Henry had previous experience filming and editing videos, so documenting his automotive projects felt like a natural next step.

He saw the opportunity to combine several of his interests—automotive repair, video production and storytelling—while potentially building a future career as an automotive content creator.

Among the international rebuilders who have inspired him are Tavarish, Devin Niemela and, most significantly, Mat Armstrong.

Henry admires Armstrong’s ability to be informative and transparent about what goes into each rebuild while keeping his videos genuine, entertaining and enjoyable for the audience.

“If I can turn this path into a full-time career, I would be very happy,” Henry says. “For now, people may consider it a hobby, but I am learning a lot and having fun, whether I’m working alone or with my friends.”

His ambition goes beyond rebuilding cars. He also hopes his journey will encourage other young people to believe that their circumstances do not have to limit what they can achieve.

“I want to make people believe that anything is possible, no matter where they are or what circumstances they are in. After all, we always have another chance.”

Discovering Pickles Auctions
Henry first became curious about salvage auctions while watching international automotive rebuilding videos featuring Copart.

He began wondering whether Malaysia had a similar auction platform—and that search led him to Pickles Auctions Malaysia.

“After some digging, I realised that you can find rare sports cars and supercars at Pickles,” he explains. “Since then, I’ve been browsing the catalogue almost every day.”

Henry had considered several potential projects over the past year but had never committed to purchasing one. That changed when the damaged Honda Civic Type R appeared in a Pickles Salvage Auction.

“When I found the Civic Type R, I knew it would be the perfect candidate for my first project.”

Why this Civic Type R?
Before bidding, Henry carefully considered the extent of the visible damage and whether the car appeared suitable for a first-time rebuild.

Several factors influenced his decision:
• The engine and gearbox did not appear to be leaking.
• The airbags had not deployed.
• The car was already well established in the market, making information and parts easier to source.
• As a Japanese performance car, Henry felt it would be comparatively approachable to work on.
• The frame appeared visibly straight during his initial assessment.

Henry also inspected the car in person before participating in the auction. Although salvage vehicles cannot necessarily be started or operated during viewing, the physical inspection allowed him to assess the visible condition and better understand the scale of the project.

He also spoke with the team at the yard and obtained the available background information about the vehicle.

The inspection did not eliminate every risk, but it helped Henry make a more informed decision before bidding.

Researching and physically inspecting a salvage vehicle before bidding is essential. Salvage vehicles are sold on an “as is, where is” basis, and buyers should independently assess the vehicle’s condition, repair requirements, costs and suitability before making an offer.

The beginning of something bigger
When the Type R finally arrived, Henry experienced a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.

He had set himself an ambitious target of completing the rebuild within four months, although he was not entirely sure whether that would be possible.

“I was thrilled when the car arrived because I finally had something to work on during the weekends,” he says. “It also felt like the beginning of my attempt to build a career for myself.”

His first proper assessment suggested that the damage might not be as extensive as initially feared. In Henry’s words, it was “a very stinky manual Type R that had hit a pole.”

The car also came with one unexpected mystery—a woman’s high-heeled shoe left inside by its previous owner.

“If you’re wondering where it went, we threw it away,” he laughs.

The realities of a first rebuild
Rebuilding a damaged performance car is rarely straightforward, especially when much of the work is being attempted for the first time.
One of Henry’s most physically demanding challenges so far involved replacing the left-hand suspension components.

Without the additional tools needed to dismantle everything piece by piece, he removed the assembly as a complete unit to replace the absorber and strut. Reinstalling it proved even more difficult when the strut refused to fit into its designated position.

After plenty of effort—and some unconventional encouragement involving his foot—Henry finally managed to get it into place.

“My back was completely finished by the end of the day,” he jokes. “I’m still surprised I installed it by myself.”

While mechanical repairs are part of the experience, Henry says he is particularly interested in vehicle diagnostics.

Unlike simply removing and replacing components, diagnostics require him to investigate symptoms, identify possible causes and systematically troubleshoot the problem.

“I find diagnostics more interesting because it makes you think and troubleshoot,” he explains.

Safety must always come first
For Henry, completing the Type R is not only about making the car look good or getting it to run. Its safety systems must also function correctly.

The Supplemental Restraint System, including the airbags, is among his main priorities. He is also paying close attention to the brakes, suspension, wheel alignment and structural condition of the vehicle.

“Safety is always first, no matter the circumstances,” he says. “Even if it is a supercar or hypercar, if the choice is between my life and the car, the car is going—not me.”

Henry also believes repairers have an ethical responsibility to complete their work properly, particularly if a rebuilt vehicle may eventually be sold to someone else.

“The next owner is placing their trust in the repairer for their safety. It would not sit right with me to sell a car that had not been properly repaired.”

A damaged vehicle should only be returned to the road after it has been repaired to an appropriate professional standard and has met all applicable inspection, registration, insurance and regulatory requirements. Requirements may differ depending on the vehicle’s status and extent of damage, so owners should confirm the necessary procedures with the relevant Malaysian authorities.

Research, preparation and the right tools
Henry relies on workshop manuals, technical knowledge and educational videos to guide him through unfamiliar procedures.

He believes that understanding how a vehicle’s systems are supposed to operate is essential before deciding whether something has been properly repaired.

His experience has also taught him that cars from the same manufacturer can still be significantly different—and that the correct specialised tools can make a difficult repair far easier.

“Most things in a car can be diagnosed, repaired or replaced properly if you have the knowledge and determination,” he says. “Don’t overcomplicate things. Work systematically, prepare for the worst and the job may not be as intimidating as you initially thought.”

However, Henry does not encourage enthusiasts to jump blindly into a rebuild.

His advice is simple: research the vehicle, understand the risks and prepare a realistic budget before committing.

“You will never know with 100% certainty whether you can complete the repair,” he says. “There is a fine line between fear and confidence. But once you take on the project, you need to commit, trust the process and enjoy it.”

Physical inspection is an important part of that preparation. It can help a potential buyer assess whether the vehicle appears repairable, estimate the purchase and repair budget, and begin sourcing parts that may be difficult to find.

Challenging misconceptions about rebuilt vehicles
Henry understands why some people may view repaired salvage vehicles with caution. If a vehicle is repaired poorly or without suitable knowledge, tools and workmanship, it can pose serious risks.

However, he believes that a properly assessed and professionally repaired vehicle can give enthusiasts access to cars that might otherwise be financially out of reach.

Damaged vehicles can sometimes be acquired for less than comparable used or new cars, but the purchase price is only one part of the total cost. Buyers must also consider parts, labour, specialist services, inspections and unforeseen repairs.

Ultimately, safety and compliance should take priority over cost savings.

What completing the Type R would mean
Finishing the Civic Type R would be a significant personal milestone for Henry.

It would demonstrate what he has been able to accomplish with limited prior rebuilding experience, supported by careful preparation, research and determination.

It would also show other Malaysian enthusiasts that ambitious automotive projects can be pursued locally—provided they are approached responsibly and with a strong commitment to safety.

On a more personal level, the project carries a message to his younger self:
“You’ll be just fine. It may not be your time yet, but trust the process and eventually you’ll reach heights you never imagined.”

The dream cars waiting in the future
The Type R may be Henry’s first major rebuild, but he hopes it will not be his last.

His future wish list includes an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a McLaren 600LT and a Nissan Skyline R34 as a tribute to his father. He would also consider taking on a rally-inspired project such as a Toyota GR Yaris.

Henry is open to almost anything sporty or interesting—even electric and hybrid vehicles.

“Every car has its own quirks, and that is what makes each one interesting,” he says.

He hopes to undertake more projects through Pickles Auctions, although the practical question of funding each build remains. Selling the completed Type R to finance the next project may eventually become part of that journey.

For now, the focus remains on completing the car safely, sharing what he learns and bringing his first major rebuild across the finish line.

Follow Henry’s Type R rebuild
Henry shares complete repair breakdowns and diagnostic work on YouTube, with shorter videos available through Instagram and TikTok.

Behind-the-scenes updates and the latest rebuild progress are also shared through his Instagram Stories.

▶️ YouTube
📱 Instagram
🎵 TikTok

The Type R journey is not over yet. Follow Henry’s progress and stay tuned as he works towards the completed rebuild and final reveal.