Closing date July issue -> May 19
Tolman builds Honda Integra Type R (DC2) restomod with an eye for originality and restoration work
A restomod sometimes seems to start with something simple, like a different color. Until the bodywork gets involved. At Tolman, this project started as a plan to place a Honda Integra Type R (DC2) in a different shade next to the Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi belonging to the same owner. Only after a full assessment did it become apparent that previous MOT repairs had masked corrosion. Consequently, the brief shifted from a 'color change' to an intervention at the level Tolman applies to other projects: first get the steel back in order, then the rest.
Bodywork and finishing
Anyone working on a DC2 quickly runs into a practical problem: good replacement panels are scarce or simply unavailable. Tolman therefore hand-replicated parts that were not for sale. Rear fender and wheel arch sections were rebuilt in places where trapped mud had corroded the original steel. That work extended to the corresponding floor panels, with the aim of restoring structural integrity rather than covering up damage.
Fabrication and fitting alone took 180 hours of meticulous work, using original components and the car itself as a reference. This was followed by the finishing and color selection: the original Championship White gave way to Sorrento Green. During spraying, Tolman used nitrogen instead of air to make the application more efficient and achieve a cleaner finish due to the absence of water. The underside and box sections are protected with factory seam sealant and cavity spray. Exterior trim was sourced new where possible; original lighting and rubbers were refurbished rather than replaced with lower-quality alternatives.
Technology, chassis and interior
Mechanically, the starting point remained no-nonsense: back to the factory base, with a few minor, modern modifications. The 1,8-liter DOHC VTEC four-cylinder (B18C) has been completely overhauled to standard specifications and subsequently validated on the dynamometer. The result is factory power levels of 190 bhp. Brakes and fluid lines have been renewed for regular use. Additionally, a modern immobilizer has been discreetly integrated and extra sound insulation has been added.
The chassis has also been addressed along the same lines. The double wishbone suspension has been completely overhauled with new bushings and springs. The original dampers have been replaced with Nitron dampers. The 15-inch Enkei wheels have been refinished and paired with Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tires.
Inside, the rear bench seat remained in excellent condition, but the front seats had discolored to pink. Tolman used new old stock material for the rear bench seat from Australia to reupholster the front seats.
The completion consisted of a 100-mile validation and tuning drive, performed by founder Chris Tolman. In total, it took 740 hours of work; the project began in September 2025. This Honda Integra Type R is Tolman's first one-off restomod of 2026. Tolman was founded in 2007; production of the Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi continues, with orders extending into 2027.
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More photos can be found below.
Well done. I just don't understand why someone with RHD doesn't find it life-threatening in busy the Netherlands, especially on roundabouts, with cyclists. It should be banned!
The message comes from an English writer, so the car is also driven in England.