£50k Integra Type R!
Immaculate US-market DC2 makes $63,800 at Barrett Jackson auction; world still trying to get over it
In the annals of fast car history, the original Honda Integra Type R will be very fondly remembered. Frequently lauded as perhaps the greatest front-wheel drive car ever made, it combined a razor sharp chassis with a stunning powertrain and communicative, incisive controls. Oh sure, it was hardly the prettiest coupe, but 10 minutes behind the wheel could convince any doubter.
As such, prices have started to rise recently; where once upon a time £4k bought a good car, that's now the entry point. For genuine low mileage examples nearer £10k is needed. However, all that's been blown out of the water by an American Integra, which has just sold at auction for $63,800. At today's exchange rate, that's £48,889. Or near enough £50k. For an Integra Type R...
Now, of course, that sort of money buys a totally immaculate Integra. This Championship White car is number 37 of the 320 imported to the States in 1997 and, having been with its original owner for more than two decades, has covered just 1,191 miles. Everything from the day it was bought is present - an unopened spare key set, tyre pressure gauge and torch, bill of sale - making this Integra perhaps the most appealing to collectors that there's ever been.
Saving a car that's as sensational to drive as it is dorky and unfashionable to collect does seem rather bizarre, but if that's what people want to do then so be it. Will the current owner ever be able to achieve such an incredible sum for the car in future? Would they ever want to, more pertinently, given this sort of example must be unrepeatable? Whatever the case, it's clear the Integra is becoming as desirable to the wider world of classic cars as it is to us VTEC aficionados - see here for further temptation...
However, it seems a ridiculous price for something that the new owner won't be able to use for fear of denting its 'value'.
Plus I didn't realise that they had such an ugly steering wheel, or that the US market didn't get the red front seats....
Personally I'd buy one that is in excellent condition but one that can be driven as the manufacturer intended, instead of having to look at it wistfully and wipe it down with micro-micro-microfibre cloth.
Also, the ROTW wheels were forged and incredibly light - not sure about the ones fitted to the car in the article but other than the mileage, this seems to omit much of the stuff that geeks like about cars like this.
Also, the ROTW wheels were forged and incredibly light - not sure about the ones fitted to the car in the article but other than the mileage, this seems to omit much of the stuff that geeks like about cars like this.
Also, the ROTW wheels were forged and incredibly light - not sure about the ones fitted to the car in the article but other than the mileage, this seems to omit much of the stuff that geeks like about cars like this.
Also, the ROTW wheels were forged and incredibly light - not sure about the ones fitted to the car in the article but other than the mileage, this seems to omit much of the stuff that geeks like about cars like this.
Agree on the omissions - they also got the pre-facelift front bumper, I think.
I dearly love these cars - owned 2 across 9 years, only sold the second when we started a family and it was choose between the DC2 or the NSX (Overall I made the right decision, but for fun and involvement the DC2 definitely shades a standard NA1), and I'm still determined to get another one when circumstances permit...
...but even I think that price is bonkers!
I had a UK Spec DC2 for 6 months. I liked it, but I wouldn't pay more than £7,500 for a mint example. It was good but I can't say I ever got on with the B18.
UKDM interior is much more special than this one, so they are surely good for £100k+!
Seriously, as good as they are this seems like a mental amount of money for one of these right now.
Fantastic cars don't get me wrong but seeing the amounts they go for or are advertised for is staggering. This being one of them.
It does make me wonder the motivation of that owner during those 20 years - and that of the new owner too. Will they drive it? In which case it’s interesting they didn’t source a cheaper example. Are they “just” a collector? Goodness they must have some cash - or a peculiar taste for such a thing. An investor? Quite the risk you’d think.
Anyway, best of luck to all of them.
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