Warning: The following might not look like your average father-and-son project disguised as an exercise in male bonding. But in the interest of fairness, neither does it look much like anybody else’s.

That’s because this project doesn’t take the normal restoration route with years of “stops” and “goes” along the way.

It’s an all-out creativity blitz that takes the scenic route and never looks back.

Chuck and his son Jeff Soistman are the responsible designers/builders.

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They share a lot in common, even down to their place of employment.

Both work at CarMax, and both have a love for the tuner culture that is unmistakably woven into the three Honda Civics parked in Chuck’s driveway.

The recipe for this trifecta is simple: Start with two equal parts gear head, a ’90 Civic, two 2000 Civics Sis, add blood, sweat, and tears, sprinkle in some know-how, add the most outrageous use of color and a heaping scoop of imagination and the result is three of the wildest Civics you’ll ever feast your eyes upon.

Taking in these cars, one feels like a fine art connoisseur studying modern interpretations at a gallery — you don’t just look over these vehicles, you appreciate every curve, every contour, every splash of color and airbrush stroke, as you realize that what you have before you is the future of automotive customs everywhere.

Now, whether you love it or hate it, the truth of the matter is, much of the custom world is about flair.

While speed addicts want 10-second cars on the strip, show-car guys want 10-minute cars on the floor.

The longer you’re drawn to stare, gasp and drool, the more likely it is that the builders and designers have done their job, and done it well.

The centerpiece of the Soistmans’ motorized stampede, a blue tuner known by the hypocorism “Alien,” has a working alien head (just like the movie) molded into the decklid that drips red-colored water from its mouth into a reservoir in the base of the trunk where a water pump that looks like one of the otherworldly eggs from the movie recycles it back upwards.

Chuck Soistman said this is the first car in the area to bring the “real flames” look to life, and for most domestic car buffs, the thought that it was done on an import would be enough to send some into early retirement.

Chuck insists though that these are his son’s cars, but still gets enjoyment helping where he can.

While some of the work has been farmed out, local sponsors line up to put their names on these cars.

Because the Soistmans are constantly updating the already tricked-out rides, the hope is that every time you see the cars on display, you’ll see something different added.

And if you haven’t seen them in person, two of the cars will be on display at the Baltimore Convention Center when Motor Trend comes to town next month.

What are your wheels?

(Jeff) A 1990 Civic hatchback Si, 2000 Civic Si turbo, and a 2000 Civic Si … all stock.

And why do you drive them?

(Chuck) I don’t get to drive it much, but when I do it’s like getting pumped up going to a fight. Who is out there to beat me this time? Fifteen years from now they might be the silliest things out there, but for now, the response on them is overwhelming. We’re just enjoying the ride right now.

What makes these cars so special?

(Chuck) Because it’s our idea. And we talked about it for years. When we talked, people knew something serious was about to happen. Everything we thought of and did we actuated in reality. DPO Airbrushing did all the airbrushing work.

(Jeff) Cliff’s Direct Effect gave me all my lights.

What was your first set of wheels?

(Jeff) 1993 Ford Ranger.

What’s your most memorable driving experience — that you want printed?

(Jeff) When it was all stock driving to Pennsylvania and it tapped out going down a hill. Those hills are long and they go up and down, up and down…

(Chuck) I didn’t know about this! This is a first for me.

What’s in your CD Player?

(Jeff) Hip-hop.

(Chuck) When I drive, I listen to the Carpenters (laughs).

And your first ticket? What was it for?

(Jeff) Speeding.

Check out my stats

» Car: 2000 Civic Si v16 turbo

» Engine: VTech Turbo T4 (B16A DOHC)

» Engine mods: AEM fuel rail, 63mm polished intake, Eagle crank, Spearco intercooler

» Wheels: 18” Katan Destiny

» Exterior: B95p Electron blue pearl paint with real flames and alien painted graphics, Cervini full body kit

» Interior: Custom airbrushed dash, seats, headliner, accents, custom molded PS2, 4 NOS sneaky pete bottles in dash, custom AC liquid gauges, one-piece Plexiglas steering wheel, custom TVs, night vision cameras