The Honda Integra Type R DC2 has long occupied a rare space in the enthusiast imagination, a machine defined not by excess but by precision, balance and an almost uncompromising devotion to driver engagement. In Tolman’s hands, that reputation is not rewritten but carefully re-examined, like a well-loved manuscript restored page by page rather than replaced. The Warwickshire specialist’s latest sympathetic restomod takes that philosophy and applies it with almost forensic restraint, resulting in a build that feels less like reinvention and more like rediscovery.
This particular Integra arrived appearing largely intact, yet beneath its surface told a more complicated story. Previous MOT repairs had concealed corrosion that only revealed its full extent once Tolman began a deeper assessment. Rather than treat the issues superficially, the decision was made to subject the shell to the same exacting standards applied across the brand’s most involved projects. Where replacement panels could not be sourced, they were not substituted or compromised, but fabricated by hand.
Sections of the rear quarter and wheel arches, areas typically vulnerable to trapped moisture and long-term degradation, were meticulously recreated in steel. These repairs extended into surrounding floor structures, ensuring the car’s integrity was restored rather than cosmetically masked. Across approximately 180 hours of fabrication work, original components and the vehicle itself served as the primary reference points, ensuring continuity with factory geometry and intent.
Once the body was structurally renewed, attention turned to finish and presentation. The Integra’s original Championship White gave way to Sorrento Green, a deliberate choice that aligns it visually with its owner’s Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi. Applied using nitrogen-assisted techniques, the paintwork achieves a refined consistency while avoiding the imperfections introduced by moisture in traditional air systems. The result is a finish that feels both contemporary and faithful, with depth rather than gloss for its own sake.
Underneath, Tolman’s philosophy of preservation continues. Factory seam sealing and cavity protection were reinstated across the underside and box sections, ensuring longevity without altering the car’s fundamental character. Where possible, exterior trim was sourced as new replacements, while original lights and rubber components were carefully refurbished rather than discarded, preserving the tactile authenticity of the DC2.
Mechanically, the focus remained on returning the Integra to its purest factory expression before introducing subtle usability improvements. The revered 1.8-litre DOHC VTEC B18C engine was fully rebuilt to original specification and validated on the dyno, where it produced a healthy 190bhp in line with factory expectations. Supporting systems, including brakes and fluid lines, were comprehensively renewed to ensure the car could be driven regularly and confidently rather than preserved as static art.
A discreet modern immobiliser was integrated to enhance security without intruding on the cabin experience, while additional sound insulation was introduced to improve day-to-day refinement. Importantly, none of these changes dilute the defining character of the VTEC power delivery, which remains sharp, mechanical and unmistakably present.
The chassis received equally careful attention. Double wishbone suspension components were fully refurbished, complemented by new bushings and the installation of Nitron dampers to restore composure and control. The original 15-inch Enkei wheels were refinished and paired with Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tyres, a combination chosen to balance period correctness with modern grip and predictability. Even the interior was treated with the same sensitivity, with faded front seats retrimmed using new old stock material sourced from Australia to match the original rear upholstery.
After a 740-hour transformation process beginning in September 2025, founder Chris Tolman personally completed a 100-mile validation drive to confirm setup and road behaviour. That final stage underscored the intent behind the entire project, not to modernise the Integra into something unfamiliar, but to return it to a heightened version of what it always was.
As Tolman explains, the turning point came during disassembly, when the extent of hidden corrosion forced a more comprehensive approach. Rather than compromise, the decision was to rebuild what could not be replaced. The result is a car that remains unmistakably an Integra Type R, yet one that can be driven with renewed confidence and clarity.
This Honda Integra Type R DC2 is the first of Tolman’s one-off restomod commissions for 2026, setting the tone for a year of carefully curated builds that span both traditional and unexpected marques. Alongside continued production of the acclaimed Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi, this project reinforces a philosophy rooted in restraint, respect and the quiet craft of doing things properly.
