The Restomod market has boomed in recent years. Bringing together classic looks with modern safety and reliability is a winning combination. But the choice of restomod has been quite limited concentrating on iconic cars such as the Mini or ultra expensive cars like the E Type Jag. But as the market grows so does the choice of cars.
Tolman reveals its latest restomod, a Honda Integra Type R (DC2). Painted in Sorrento Green and created to sit alongside its owner’s Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi, the project is defined by a meticulous approach and engineering decisions that respect what made the Integra exceptional in the first place.
The Integra initially appeared solid but a full assessment revealed MOT repairs masking corrosion. Tolman opted to subject the Integra’s shell to the same extensive treatment as its other build projects. With good quality replacement panels scarce or simply unavailable, Tolman’s answer was to make what could not be bought.
Rear quarter and wheel arch sections were recreated by hand where trapped mud had eaten away the original steel. The repairs extended into associated floor areas, reinstating structural integrity rather than merely covering damage. Using original components and the car itself as a reference, Tolman dedicated 180 hours to careful fabrication and fit.
With metalwork complete, a full refresh of the legendary Japanese coupe could begin. Sorrento Green replaced the original Championship White. Using nitrogen rather than air, resulted in improved paint application efficiency and a cleaner finish – owing to the absence of water. In line with all Tolman projects, the underside and box sections were protected using factory seam sealer and cavity spray. New replacement exterior trim was sourced where possible, while OE lights and rubbers were refurbished rather than resorting to low quality substitutes.
Mechanically, Tolman concentrated on returning the Integra to the original car’s baseline before adding subtle modern benefits. The 1.8-litre DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine (B18C) was fully rebuilt to standard specification, then validated on the dyno where it delivered factory performance levels of 190bhp. Brakes and fluid lines were renewed as part of a wider programme to ensure the car can be enjoyed regularly. A modern immobiliser was integrated discreetly and additional sound proofing was added, improving day to day usability without masking the VTEC’s iconic roar.
Chassis work followed the same logic with the aim to restore the balance of sharp handling and composure. The double wishbone suspension was completely refurbished with new bushings, springs and Nitron dampers replacing tired, original components. The 15″ Enkei wheels were refinished and paired with modern Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tyres for enhanced all-round performance. The seldom used rear seats remained in excellent condition, while the fronts had faded to pink. Tolman’s solution was to source new old stock rear seat material from Australia to retrim the fronts.
A 100-mile validation and set up road test marked the end of the 740-hour process that began in September 2025. In line with the Tolman ethos, the car is defined by a decision to celebrate, rather than transform, the look and feel of the original.
The Tolman Honda Integra Type R is the first restomod one-off from the Warwickshire specialist in 2026. More projects from traditional and non-traditional Tolman marques are due to be revealed this year, alongside continued production of the acclaimed Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi restomod, which now has orders stretching into 2027.