Rule #8 of Speedhunting: When unexpected gems show up at a shoot, all the time find time for them.
Like this 1996 Honda Integra Type R, which casually appeared during my recent shoot with a five-door-converted EK Civic Ferio sedan built by X-Point Import Co. in Chiba. Honda owners are likely to gravitate toward one another, very like the liquid metal pieces of a T-1000 Terminator.
Rule #6 of Speedhunting: At all times ask what you’re taking a look at. Unless you’re a tuner culture savant, sometimes essentially the most special or unique cars fly under the radar. At first glance, this might easily be mistaken for just one other DC Integra.
But as Masa-san was busy fitting the bonnet onto his Civic, I pointed my camera toward the sun and began circling the Integra. Masa-san called out, “That’s a special DC2,” and owner Kiyo-san began sharing the automotive’s story.
This Integra was Exceed Japan’s very first demo automotive, launching the brand back in 2017. Since then, Exceed has made a reputation for itself by mixing kanjozoku influences with USDM aesthetics.
Exceed Japan’s founder and director, Yasutaka Shimomukai has spent numerous time immersed within the US West Coast Honda scene, bringing that unique energy back to Japan and into his builds. It’s the small details that make this automotive what it’s. The Hybrid Racing shifter paired with the unique Battlecraft shift knob brings a taste of America to the Integra’s caged interior.
Show-style engine bays are probably one of the best thing to be adopted from the US by Japanese tuners. This one is tucked, shaved, and encompasses a Rywire Motorsport Electronics harness.
Kiyo-san later shared that he’s needed to rebuild the Integra’s K-series engine twice within the 4 years he’s owned the automotive. The underside end was rebuilt by Lair Factory, however the polished cam cover from California has stayed with the automotive as a chunk of history from the unique Exceed engine. Lots of the components were sourced from the US, with parts from Downstar Inc., Skunk2, and Hybrid Racing completing the USDM vibe.
I’m glad I had the prospect to spend time with this Integra – a demo machine turned street racer. It’s a automotive with an actual soul.
Toby Thyer
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tobythyer.co.uk
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
