Description

2000 Honda Integra Type R DC2

The world’s greatest front-wheel-drive sports car; one of only 500 UK models; 89,600 miles with 13 Honda service stamps to date; ballistic B-road blaster with bullet-proof engineering

Acclaimed by Evo magazine as 'the greatest front-wheel-drive performance car ever', the original DC2 version of the Honda Integra Type R has long since cemented its place in the hall of motoring greats.

With a kerb weight of just 1,125kg and fitted with a hand-built B18C VTEC engine mated to a 5-speed close ratio gearbox and a helical LSD, it pulled ever harder up to the screaming 8,700rpm redline. While the bald figures don’t sound that impressive (197bhp; 0-60 in 6.2 seconds; 145mph) in reality there are few cars of any capacity that can keep up with a well-driven Type R on typical British B-roads.

Supplied new by August Motors of Salisbury in March 2000, this cracking DC2 is one of just 500 supplied to the UK market. It has covered 89,600 miles with an excellent service history comprising 13 Honda service stamps to date, the last at 86,775 miles in June 2020 which included new front brake discs and pads and a new catalytic converter. Many supporting invoices show a new cambelt and balancer belt at 52,137 miles, a new clutch kit at 53,984 miles and new rear brake discs at 80,505 miles.

As you can see in the photos, it is in very good condition for its age with just minor signs of wear to the Recaro front seats and gleaming red paintwork let down only by a few stone chips and blemishes here and there. As is typical of the model, the red crackle finish on the VTEC engine cover has flaked off here and there but this is easy enough to sort if cosmetics are your thing.

Being a UK model, it has the luxuries of a rear windscreen wiper and air conditioning, with an airbag-equipped Momo steering wheel and quad round headlamps at the front rather than the JDM single horizontal headlamps. Appearing to be completely standard and unmodified throughout, it retains the correct titanium gearknob, lightweight front windscreen, 15" lightweight alloy wheels, aluminium strut braces under the bonnet and in the boot and the factory fit front and rear spoilers which reduce lift by 30%.

Documentation includes all the original handbooks, an MOT until July 2022 with no advisories recorded, 13 old MOTs and two sets of keys.

The moment you turn the key you know you are in something special as the engine barks into life with a menacingly bassy exhaust note and ultra-direct steering that responds to the slightest input. Even at walking speed the car feels like it is built from granite and the alloy throttle pedal is gagging to be mashed to the floor in pursuit of that intoxicating 8,700rpm limit. Add in bullet-proof reliability and 34mpg economy and it all adds up to an irresistible package.

The definition of a Modern Classic, the Type R DC2 has already begun to appreciate in value and, given what has happened to the NSX, Supra, Skyline, RX-7, 300ZX, Evo, STi and other JDM stars of late, it is surely going only one way in future. Grab one while you can…

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com