Warwickshire-based engineering firm Tolman has revealed its latest restomod project, a carefully reworked Honda Integra Type R (DC2).
One of the things we love about the Tolman approach to restomods is that most of the improvements are made in the areas you can’t necessarily see, but as a driver you really appreciate. With the Tolman Edition 205 GTI, the aesthetics of the legendary hot hatch are merely refreshed, and mildly-tweaked to customer specification, but nothing that detracts from the period character of the car. Why mess with something that looks so good to begin with?
Clearly we’re not the only ones, as one of the company’s previous 205 Tolman Edition customers has decided to send a UK-spec DC2 Honda Integra through the workshop. Originally Championship White, the customer requested that the Honda was painted in the same shade of Sorrento Green as the Peugeot – creating a matching two-car garage.
The project follows the same philosophy as all of Toman’s builds, but the Integra underwent a far more extensive rebuild than initially anticipated – ending up slightly more ‘resto’ than ‘mod’. A detailed inspection revealed underlying corrosion hidden beneath previous repairs, prompting a full strip and restoration of the bodyshell. With replacement panels scarce, Tolman fabricated new sections by hand, including rear quarter panels and wheel arches, dedicating around 180 hours to reinstating the car’s structural integrity. The shell was then refinished using a nitrogen-assisted paint process, before being protected with factory-style sealing and cavity treatments.
The Integra’s 1.8-litre B18C four-cylinder VTEC engine was rebuilt to standard specification, and produces the factory-correct 190bhp. Rather than pursuing additional output, the focus was on reliability and preserving the character that defined the original car. Chassis work centred on restoring the Integra’s excellent poise and balance, with refurbished double wishbone suspension, new bushes and Nitron dampers replacing worn original components. The original 15-inch Enkei wheels were retained and refinished, now paired with modern Michelin tyres.
Inside, Tolman opted to retain as much original material as possible, however brought up to scratch where time had taken its toll. The biggest area was the refurbishing of the sun-faded ‘pink’ front Recaro seats. Opting to go for black to tie in better with the new exterior colour, a roll of correct fabric was sourced from Australia to ensure an accurate finish. Subtle updates include additional sound insulation and a discreet modern immobiliser.
Chris Tolman explains: ‘The brief started with a colour change to sit alongside the owner’s Tolman Edition 205 GTi, but once we stripped the car we could see it deserved the full job done properly. When the panels are not available you either compromise or make them yourself. We’ll never compromise, so the answer was clear. The result is a build that stays true to the Integra, is sharp to drive and can be used with confidence.’
The completed car underwent a 100-mile road validation by founder Chris Tolman, marking the end of a 740-hour build process. It is the first of four customer commissions scheduled for 2026, alongside continued production of the Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTi, with order books now extending into 2027.
For more info see tolmanengineering.co.uk
