It was 20 years ago that the first Type R for the UK was launched; aficionados will know that it wasn't a Civic, or an Integra, that brought the brand over here, but in fact an Accord. Sceptics were swiftly rebuffed though, because the CH1 Type R was an absolute belter.
It revved to nearly 8,000 rpm, the gearbox was fabulous, the handling assured and the traction tenacious, thanks to a standard limited-slip diff. It mullered rivals like the Vectra GSI and 156 V6 in group tests, instead taking on the Impreza Turbo as a Jap fast saloon par excellence. It was described in Autocar as "Japan's answer to the Sierra Cosworth" - high praise indeed.
Despite a formidable reputation, the Accord Type R depreciated like so many Japanese performance icons based on more humdrum base products before it. From a £23,250 base price in 1998, the Accord has reached Shed territory on these pages more than once. For a car of such prowess, significance and status (to a few, at least), that was a surprise. Now, however, thanks to scrappage schemes, the realisation that 8,000rpm Honda Accords won't happen again, and the general decline of an already rare car, the Type R is becoming a little more collectible. As it well should.
This Vesuvio Red example is perhaps as good a Type R as you're likely to find. Registered in May 1999 and with its current keeper since August 2000, it has covered just 46,550 miles in 19 years and is totally original - yep, even down to the spoiler. More than that it looks to have been well cared for, and not just abandoned in a garage. The Bridgestone Turanza tyres are literally 14 miles old, the cambelt was replaced two thousand miles ago (though it's worth noting that was 2014) and the service history is said to be "comprehensively documented." If you want an Accord Type R, there can't be many better remaining. Indeed there's currently only one other similar car for sale on PH, at £2k less than the £6,700 this Accord is up for.
Let's hope there's someone who recognises the importance of this Type R out there, because you can see how it looks like a tricky one to sell. The brand doesn't have the following that fast Fords and Vauxhalls have in the UK, with the Type R education of many beginning with an Integra or a Civic. As for sports saloons, there's an understandable fondness for the German brands, and £7k buys you one some of the best 90s 3 Series now. And interestingly, the Impreza versus Accord duel extends into 2018, with this Turbo just £200 more expensive and also boasting fewer than 50,000 miles; as for which one is more iconic in the UK, you don't need us to tell you that...
Despite all that, surely an Accord of this quality will find a buyer soon enough. The term 'unrepeatable' comes up all too often for secondhand cars, but it's hard to imagine an Accord Type R like this coming up for sale again. With the sports saloon sector effectively now moribund, especially from mainstream manufacturers, the Accord's classic stock only looks set to rise further. In the current Civic the Type R brand has reached something of a highpoint, so arguably there's no better time to recognise the start of that in the UK. Could you be tempted? Were you one of those who snuck in on an Accord while they were still cheap? Did you pass up on one, as this daft writer did? Let us know in the comments...
SPECIFICATION - HONDA ACCORD TYPE R
Engine: 2,157cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 212@7,200pm
Torque (lb ft): 158@6,700rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 46,550
Price new: £23,250
Yours for: £6,700
See the original advert here.
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