One of Honda’s Best-Handling Sports Cars Ever Finally Got the Treatment It’s Deserved

When Honda introduced the third-generation Integra Type R (DC2) in 1995, the model made an immediate and resounding impression because of its praise-worthy road manners.

Even today, enthusiasts far and wide count it as among the best-handling front-wheel drive cars, well, ever. The svelte curb weight, double wishbone suspension and limited-slip diff cemented the Integra as a legend.

Tolman Engineering

It’s because of this status that the latest effort from Tolman Engineering is so special. Rather than taking a revisionist’s approach and attempting to rewrite Honda’s engineering, the U.K.-based outfit instead gracefully preserved everything that made the DC2 so great, right from the factory.

A respectful DC2 redux

Now, truthfully, the brief for this particular Integra Type R (badged as a Honda in England) was initially only meant to include a color change so it would match the owner’s Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi. However, the rust found on inspection quickly changed the scope of the effort.

Tolman Engineering

Like so many other Japanese sports cars that were driven hard and put away wet, well-preserved replacement panels for the DC2 are now effectively unobtanium.

As such, Piston Heads reports that the team spent 180 hours hand-fabricating everything from new arches and quarter panels to even parts of the floor and wings.

Not content to stop there, Tolman also rebuilt the Type R’s VTEC four-banger to original spec. The restraint is commendable, because even though the storied 1.8-liter B18C is as high revving as it is highly reliable in stock form, it’s also incredibly tunable.

Tolman Engineering

It’s a kind of factory respect that you’ll find throughout other parts of the car, too. Though Tolman did fit the DC2 with a few upgrades, like Nitron dampers, overall changes are minimal.

If anything, the most noticeable difference is also the most eye-catching: the Sorrento Green paint. Tolman even painstakingly reupholstered the seats with genuine Type R rear seat material.

Tolman Engineering

Growing Integra appreciation

In any case, it’s this kind of sympathetic restoration treatment that confirms that Integra’s moment is here. As long as the DC2 has been a darling of tuner and enthusiast circles, its recognition as a collector-worthy car is comparatively younger.

Nevertheless, values have soared in recent years. According to Classic.com’s data, the average sale price fell around $18,000 back in 2001, and that number hovers around $50,000 now.

Tolman Engineering

Moreover, the DC2 appreciation is especially visible on the upper end. Just last fall, we came across a 2001 Integra Type R that Bring a Trailer managed to auction for an eye-watering $204,204.

While those results have previously been exceptions as opposed to regular occurrences, chances are good that they’ll only become more of the norm. After all, if an owner is willing to have Tolman work its magic just to preserve a car, Integra history is clearly of growing importance.

Tolman Engineering

Forbidden fruit

Being a one-off restoration, this Acura Integra Type R isn’t for sale. Thankfully, there are more Tolman projects on the way. The outfit has announced that it will have three other unique commissions to follow, as this is but the first of four for the year.

Tolman Engineering

Tolman Integra Type R

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