Tolman takes on Integra Type R with epic results

Sometimes it can already feel like we’ve seen it all when it comes to reimagined classic cars. There are only so many old Porsches and fast Fords you can be excited by, in truth. But as cars continue to age and new approaches are found, so the niche is kept fresh. We’ve already been enamoured with Tolman Engineering’s recent work, from Minis to Group B – and now the company has branched out into something to get millennial hearts pumping quite a bit faster: it’s spent 740 hours completely overhauling an Integra Type R. 

The first and only Integra Type R offered to the UK (more than a quarter of a century ago now), the DC2 has long been venerated as a front-wheel drive legend. It’s also long been known for how much it rusts, which was a problem with this particular example, despite previous repairs. Mud gets into the arches, which eats away at the steel. And anyone who’s contemplated a ‘Teg resto in recent years will know how hard it is to get hold of replacement body panels. So Tolman did what Tolman does and built its own, with 180 hours of the restoration spent recreating wheel arches and rear quarter panels, even parts of the floor, ‘reinstating structural integrity rather than merely covering damage.’

The paint that sits on top is pretty special as well, of course. While some will see respraying a Championship White Type R Honda in a Peugeot dark green as sacrilege, Tolman has gone above and beyond in the work. Using nitrogen rather than air for the paint application is said to create a cleaner finish because there isn’t any water in nitrogen – that’s the kind of lengths they’re going to. Lights and rubbers were redone also (good luck getting new OE examples of those in 2026) and, thank heavens, the entire underside has been cavity sprayed. All DC2s deserve to be cherished these days, none more so than this one. 

Mechanically, this is now an Integra Type R as it left the factory, the glorious B18C 1.8 rebuilt and renewed to deliver a true, dyno-verified 190hp once more. Modern upgrades were limited to an immobilisier and some extra soundproofing, ‘improving day-to-day usability without masking the VTEC’s iconic roar.’ Perfect. For the chassis, the DC2 now uses Nitron dampers (nothing but the best for a Tolman build) alongside new bushing, springs, brakes, tyres, lines… you get the picture. If it’s not a new replacement part on this Honda, it’s been refurbished to an extremely high standard, and if it’s neither of those, then Tolman has simply made a new item. 

Truly nothing has been left untouched. With the legendary red Recaros now faded to pink, the decision was made to retrim them to match the basically unused rear bench. But where are you going to get Integra Type R rear seat material in the mid-2020s? Australia, apparently, the end result as exquisite as we’ve come to expect from a Tolman build. The redone red crackle cover under the bonnet looks better than it would have in 1999. 

A fairly phenomenal thing by all accounts, then, something new and different for both the restomod and the Type R Honda scene. Another string to Tolman’s bow, too. Chris Tolman is the boss; he said: “The brief started with a colour change to sit alongside the owner’s Tolman Edition 205 GTi, but once we stripped the car we could see it deserved the full job done properly. When the panels are not available you either compromise or make them yourself. We’ll never compromise, so the answer was clear. The result is a build that stays true to the Integra, is sharp to drive and can be used with confidence.” There’s no word on cost; something similar to a Tolman Edition 205 seems likely given the work that’s been invested. Which has a waiting list into 2027, actually. Don’t be surprised if one or two more customers head Tolman’s way after seeing this…