Acura : Integra GS-R

The Fast & The Furious

1996 Accura Integra GS-R      

When looking for classic. antique and collectable vehicles. people often overlook the special interest category.   Unique in its own right. special interest vehicles fall into a desirable category for two reasons. their easily identifiable. or they represent a special time in history.   Movie cars. especially. have always held a bit of both.   The green Mustang from the movie Bullitt or the "stripped tomato" Torino from the Starsky & Hutch television drama are a couple that come to mind.

Looking at the new millennium. the 2001 debut of The Fast & The Furious brought a whole new dimension to how we viewed car movies.   While the movie borrows its title from a 1955 movie starring John Ireland and Dorothy Malone. the new F&F brought computer generated graphics and a slick modern take on the street racing scene in Southern California.

Filmed mostly in the areas of Long Beach Terminal Island. Prairie Avenue. the Los Angeles produce district. Hemet. and at Northern Air Force Base in San Bernardino where the Race Wars segment was shot. actors Vin Diesel and Paul Walker starred in the action adventure film depicting a gritty look at rival Los Angeles teams. who use street racing as a means of establishing status.

Admittedly it wasn't every car guys cup of tea. but it did have enough nuts and bolts realism to hold their attention.   The thought of making modifications to produce power in smaller packages was always a winning formula with the hot rod set and through the movie. the cars took on a personality of their own.

The 1996 Acura Integra GS-R is one of four principal cars in the films street race scenes. Driven by Jeffrey Atkins. better known as rap artist Ja Rule. playing the part of Edwin. the tricked-out Integra really makes a lasting impression.    Originally built by Bill Kohl and Samko Racing Enterprises the car features not only the eye-grabbing paint job and graphics as well as the Wings West RS Racing series ground effects kit. but this Integra got some real performance modifications to back up the look.

From the Momo GT rims and Michelin radials to numerous suspension modifications. aimed at keeping the car tracking straight down the street. it's under the hood where things get interesting.   The 1. 8 litre V-Tec 4-cylinder's original 170 horsepower rating was pumped up with a cold air intake. 3mm over-bored throttle body. TruTime adjustable cam timing gears. Type-R intake cam. overdrive pulleys for both the alternator and power steering. DC Sports headers and exhaust. MSD 6A ignition and external HVC blaster coil and an Exedy racing clutch with a lightened flywheel. to help the 5-speed manual get the power through the gears and to the ground.   While it all gives the Integra extra power and agility. it isn't over-the-top where it will affect reliability or overall drivability.  

With primary sponsors AEM. Modern Image Sign Works. Michelin. Momo. Neuspeed. Polk audio. and Wings West being prominently displayed. it's easy to see why this car was also featured at both the 2002 and 2003 SEMA shows in Las Vegas as well as being the catalyst for over a dozen magazine atricles.   

Knowing the value of the car. Universal Studios made a copy that was ultimately destroyed in the making of the film. leaving this as the only one remaining.  Complete with the documentation and behind the scenes photographs and Ja Rule's signature under the dash pad cover. there's no doubt as to its provenance.  Today the Integra has a scant 32. 00 original miles on the odometer and looks every bit the contender that it did in the movie.

The thing that makes the story interesting. is that if you ever wanted to own a piece of movie history and didn't mind attracting attention wherever you go. this is your opportunity.   The Fast and The Furious 1996 Acura Integra is actually here in Winnipeg.   So if your looking to acquire a special. special interest ride. call Jim at 204-997-4636.   Just tell him Edwin sent you.

 My name is Jim Higham and the owner has asked me to list this car on his behalf. I can help with shipping arrangements and also with customs clearance arrangements if required. Please call or email with any questions. Jim 204. 997. 4636

On Oct-31-14 at 04:20:56 PDT. seller added the following information:

Please note: this is a front wheel drive car and not a rear wheel drive car. I said RWD by mistake. Jim

Also published at eBay.ca

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