NZ Performance Car: Hi, Taylor. There’s something different about that bug-eye front from what we’re used to seeing, what is it?
Taylor: Hi, NZ Performance Car. It started life as a pre-facelift bug-eye, but I really wanted to change it up with subtle differences after buying it from the previous owner in immaculate condition. It now has a full USDM-spec facelift front and rear.
That’s it! How did you get the USDM pieces?
Well, I searched around for months trying to find what I needed. Obviously there are plenty of bits out of the States, but, because of the size, shipping was going to be a killer. So, instead, I tried looking locally, with the States being my last resort, to the point I was going to buy a full car and swap the bits over. Luckily enough, I found a dude named Quoc down in Hamilton who has rare USDM-spec Integra parts in abundance.
A worthwhile wait, we reckon. Is there much going on under the bonnet?
Nah, not on this build. Since it was so tidy when I got it — with only 101,000km at the moment — I wanted to keep it super OEM style, restoring the parts that needed some work rather than opting for aftermarket bits. Apart from the wheels, of course.
Fair call. It looks the better for it, too. Yeah, those wheels are another stand-out; were they a hard choice to pick?
Yes and no; I got the inspiration from a lot of my close mates, who have some crazy cars. Their stuff made me want to step my game up to a similar level, so I scrapped the fake wheels that I had been running in favour of these Work Meisters, which were sourced through RDConcept — the big lips were a must for the look I was chasing, too.
Can’t go wrong with big-lipped Works. What’s next for the Integra?
Nothing at this stage besides a new owner, as I think I’ve done what I wanted to achieve with this car, and it’s time to move on to the next one — perhaps a VL Turbo.
That’s a big switch. Good luck with the new project. Cheers for the chat, Taylor.
Name: Taylor Bruno
Age: 19
Location: Whangarei
Occupation: Security
Thanks: My brother Giordan, my father John, Jayden Broad, and my girlfriend Tayla
Engine: B18C, 1797cc, four-cylinder
Drivetrain: Five-speed
Interior: Factory, K-Tuned Short Pro-Circuit Shifter
Exterior: USDM-facelift front and rear bumper, Type R front lip, OEM optional sideskirts
Wheels/tyres: 16×9-inch (+10p) Work Meister S1R, 195/45R16 Nankang Noble Sport NS20
Suspension: BC Gold coilovers