Acura recreates the very first race car for the brand’s 40th anniversary

Forty years ago, Honda introduced a new brand to the US market – Acura. The first models were the Legend sedan and the compact Integra coupe. 40 years later, on the brand’s birthday, the company gave itself a gift: Honda Racing Corporation US engineers built an exact copy of the very first racing car of the Japanese brand.

The car was called Acura Integra 40 Racer. The basis for the construction of the sports car was the first generation of the model with the original 1.6-liter D16A1 engine. The engine and five-speed “mechanics” were brought into good condition, but did not receive significant modernization. The engine received a Monsoon control unit, an original stainless steel manifold and a Borla exhaust system. The transmission features a Torsen limited slip differential.

The suspension has become fully adjustable, and the sporty Acura also received power steering. The brake mechanisms have also been modernized and received reinforced hoses. The 14-inch Mugen wheels wear Yokohama Advan A050 semi-slick tires.

Acura Integra 40 Racer
Acura Acura Integra 40 Racer
Acura Acura Integra 40 Racer
Acura Acura Integra 40 Racer
Acura Acura Integra 40 Racer
Acura

The interior features a safety cage from Blackbird Fabworx and a pair of OMP seats with six-point harnesses. At the same time, the original instrument panel is preserved. The body was repainted in Rio Red Metallic, the same color as the original car number 48, built by the Comptech team. The same one that won the IMSA International Sedan Series championship in 1987-1990.

The original D16A1 engine produced a modest 113 hp in production version. Acura emphasizes that the anniversary car is not just a museum exhibit, but a full-fledged running car. It was built to remind us where the brand’s “precision engineering” began.

The Integra 40 Racer will make its public debut next month at the 51st Long Beach Grand Prix, Acura’s home track. It is symbolic that it was there 40 years ago that the brand first announced itself in motorsport.

Earlier it became known that a rare silver Ferrari Enzo would be auctioned in Monaco.