1999 Honda Integra Type R

Let’s start by saying that our Integra is a car built to UK specification. Apparently the first owner went to Japan and insisted a car be built as per a UK dealer supplied car.

Having only covered less than 35,000 miles in its 22-year life, it is definitely one for the collector.

Our seller bought the car in October 2018 and having only covered 350 miles in it, has reluctantly decided it is time to let someone else get behind the wheel. The money will also help support his fledgling business. He also admitted that he is rather scared of damaging the car, that’s how good it is!

He purchased the car from an older gentleman who used to race Aston Martins and in fact he had gone to see him with the intention of buying a DB9. The Aston broke down on the test drive and once back at base he spied the Integra Type R. He persuaded the owner to sell it to him, a decision he probably regretted.

Most, if not all Integra Type Rs come in white. It rather suits the car. The twin headlights are another pointer that this is a genuine UK car, as imports have a larger single lens on each side.

The overly large rear spoiler may well help keep the car planted when exploring its high-speed capabilities, but for the most part it does little more than act as a reminder you are driving something special every time you look in the rear-view mirror.

The paintwork positively gleams, the shut lines are neat and crisp and to our eyes it all looks totally original and unmolested.

The original alloy wheels, slim at just 15-inches, look in good order bar a little brake dust and performance Yokohama tyres provide the grip. We cannot overstate the importance of tyres on a car of this type and good tyres equate to good ownership.

Figure-hugging red Recaro sports seats dominate the interior. Use the car’s performance and you will be grateful for their inclusion. Note the holes below the headrest for the fitment of racing harnesses. They have stood the test of time remarkably well, but the red has undoubtedly faded a tad in the sunlight.

Our car has the optional air conditioning fitted, though as this has been unused for a few years, it is highly likely the system will need a regas.

Carpets are in good order; mats could do with a vacuum and perhaps a steam clean.

The titanium gear lever is a delight to hold and makes gearchanges a pleasure rather than a chore.

The tailgate lifts to expose a decent sized luggage bay and under the floor sits a space saver wheel and tool kit. The plastics show some battle scars from items left to roll around.

The beating heart of this performance car is that VTEC engine and what a delight it is to behold when you raise the bonnet. The engine compartment is spick and span, as one would expect from such a low mileage car. Keeping the car’s general maintenance within the main dealer network has clearly helped. After all, who knows a car better than the company that built it and supplied it!

As can be seen in the photographs, the car’s underside is most presentable. There is but the merest trace of rust on a few components, something that could be banished in the blink of an eye one Saturday afternoon. It would seem unlikely that the car has ever seen much use in the winter and has clearly been properly stored when not in use.

Dealer stamps in the service book and an invoice for the 2018 visit are the highlights. It is likely a testament to the car’s reliability that there are no repair bills. Honda build exceptionally reliable cars and most of the Integra’s components are tried and tested.

The MoT certificates help confirm the car’s low mileage and a trawl of the DVLA’s website shows only one minor advisory has ever been recorded for a small area of windscreen damage. The current certificate is valid until 5th April 2022.

We would be inclined to take it to a dealer for a service, though the car has covered just 600 miles in the last nine years.

This is a rare and exciting car. A short drive will be enough to convince even the most sceptical that the Integra Type R is something special.

As we are reluctantly being dragged into the electric car era, cars of this type will slowly disappear, and our car has spent most of the last decade shut away.

Now is the time to release it from its slumbers and have some fun. So, get bidding without delay, after all money in the bank is earning next to no interest and the value of this car is only going in one direction. The only way is up…

We estimate the car will sell for between £15,000 and £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’