Japanese motor enthusiasts have just witnessed new heights at Barrett-Jackson‘s most recent auction. While it is no surprise that German and Italian classic automobiles/exotics have been on the rise, no one would have ever expected the Acura (It’s Honda-badged for those outside of North America) Integra DC2 to fetch close to $65,000 USD. Unlike the skyrocketing prices of classic JDM models, largely due to strict import laws, this 1997 Integra Type R is ready to drive.
What makes this car so rare is that only 320 units from 1997 were ever shipped for the U.S. market. Powered by Honda’s famous B18C engine, the Integra Type R set the benchmark for naturally aspirated engines — churning out 108 horse power per-liter. With only 1,200-miles on the dash, this completely-stock Championship White DC2 is the embodiment of Honda’s early-day racing spirt, shared with other iconic chassis like the EK9 and AP1.
This particular 1997 model year car was a one-owner machine with less than 2,000 actual miles on the odometer. Painted in white with a flawlessly clean cloth interior, it’s as close to factory condition as you’re likely to find. That can be seen as an added plus to the Type R’s historical significance and well-regarded status within the car community which has earned it utmost praise, even from the stiffest rear-wheel-drive faithfuls.
The Integra’s VTEC-equipped 1.8-liter engine, commonly known in the Honda/Acura community as a B18, produced 200 horsepower from the factory, a massive number at the time for such a small displacement powerplant. It’s matched with a five-speed, close-ratio manual gearbox which directs power to the front wheels via a limited slip differential.
Lengthy documentation on the car was included in the sale, all packaged together nicely in a leather-bound Acura booklet along with the original owners’ manuals. The exceptional state of what has become an undeniable classic apparently ticked all of the boxes for the lucky collector as it is now on it’s way to just its second home in 21 years.
This will provoke a response from the everyday car crowd, so to get the conversation started, drop a line below and cast your vote: worth the cash or where’s this guy’s stash?