Restomodding, or restoring and modifying classic cars, is the go-to solution for those wishing to drive a blast-from-the-past in the modern world. But what about those of us not sold on 1,000+ horsepower and giant touchscreens? UK-based firm Tolman proposes an elegant solution.
Working with a DC2-generation Honda Integra Type R produced in or around 1998, the company had spent 740 hours bringing it back to factory condition. Around 25% of the total work went into taking the car apart, detecting all the rust spots and fabricating the needed replacements out of stainless steel. The rear quarter panels in particular had to be hand-crafted anew, as well as some other major parts. Careful not to replace too many parts, Tolman managed to keep the OEM lights and rubber gaskets after some refurbishment.
The originally white bodywork ended up resprayed in a very dark shade of green and sealed with a production sealant along the bottom seams to prevent any further metal rot. The suspension was overhauled using modern components, new brake lines were installed, and the wheels were given a white finish alongside a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tires.
The interior still gives off strong late ‘90s vibes despite vastly improved noise insulation and other discreet modifications. There’s an added immobilizer on board, and the Recaro seats make use of fresh upholstery imported from Australia. The Recaros of that time were infamous for their discoloration-prone red trim, so it had to be addressed as well.
There is no mention of a price, but we expect a comprehensive restoration job like this to cost on par with an actual restomod. After all, Tolman says it is one out of only four bespoke vehicles it plans to deliver this year.
