Intro
The 1997 Honda Accord Type R (ATR) emerged as one of Honda’s most revered performance sedans during Japan’s golden era of performance vehicles. Released exclusively for European and Japanese markets, this CH1 chassis Accord represented Honda’s philosophy of everyday practicality infused with racetrack capability—a demonstration of their racing heritage and engineering prowess.
Within JDM culture, the Accord Type R commands deep respect as a more mature alternative to the Civic Type R, offering the same high-revving VTEC experience in a more sophisticated package. Its rarity outside Japan has elevated its status to near-mythical levels among Honda enthusiasts, representing the perfect balance between executive styling and raw performance credentials.
This particular build stands out for preserving the ATR’s original character while subtly enhancing its performance potential. At a time when many surviving examples have been heavily modified or compromised, this thoughtfully curated Accord Type R serves as both a time capsule and a rolling showcase of Honda’s engineering excellence at its peak.
Builder Profile
Nakajima’s Accord Type R represents eight years of methodical refinement rather than radical transformation. As an active member of the NorCal VTEC Club and a regular at Buttonwillow track days, Takumi has built a reputation for creating exceptionally balanced builds that maintain Honda’s engineering ethos while extracting performance that Honda engineers might have implemented themselves given fewer production constraints.
“The Type R deserves respect,” says Nakajima. “My goal was never to reinvent it, but to amplify what makes it special.”
Why We Love It
In the pantheon of JDM royalty, the 1997 Accord Type R exists as Honda’s purest expression of front-wheel drive perfection. While its sensible silhouette might not telegraph its intentions like the theatrical wings of its Type R stablemates, the AT’s subtle aggression reveals itself gradually—the factory-fitted front lip, the revised rear valance, those Championship White paint codes that whisper rather than shout about its Suzuka bloodline.
Under its sculpted hood lives the H22A7 heart—a hand-built 2.2-liter VTEC masterpiece delivering 212ps at 7,200 rpm with a torque curve that rewards commitment. The factory 11.0:1 compression ratio and red-line stretching beyond 8,000 rpm produces a mechanical symphony that modern turbocharged units, for all their efficiency, simply cannot replicate.
The chassis communicates with extraordinary precision through a Torsen helical LSD and the five-speed manual‘s shifter action remains the benchmark against which all others are measured—rifle-bolt precise with 35mm throws that connect driver to machine with telepathic immediacy. Honda’s engineers obsessively strengthened the already competent CD chassis with additional spot welds and bracing that reduced flex by 40 percent, creating a platform of uncommon rigidity.
What elevates the Accord Type R beyond mere transportation is its dual-natured character—docile during mundane commutes yet transformative once VTEC engages, delivering that characteristic surge at 5,800 rpm that defined Honda’s golden era. It represents perhaps the final expression of naturally-aspirated, high-revving Honda philosophy before emissions regulations forever altered the performance landscape.
With just 1,100 units delivered in the UK, its scarcity now approaches mythical status among collectors who recognize its significance as the thinking enthusiast’s Type R—the one that matured without compromising.
Mods
Engine & Drivetrain
- Spoon Sports high compression pistons
- Mugen air intake system
- HKS stainless steel headers
- Trust/GReddy exhaust manifold
- ARC titanium cat-back exhaust
- Cusco oil catch tank
- Walbro 255 lph fuel pump
- NGK Iridium spark plugs
- J’s Racing oil cooler kit
- Exedy Hyper Single clutch
Suspension & Brakes
- Tein Super Street coilovers
- Cusco front and rear strut tower bars
- Spoon Sports rigid collars
- Cusco lower arm bars
- Project Mu brake pads
- Endless stainless steel brake lines
- ACRE carbon-kevlar clutch line
- Buddy Club P1 Racing brake rotors
- Cusco roll cage
Wheels & Tires
- RAYS Volk Racing TE37 17×8 +35
- Yokohama ADVAN A048 215/45R17 tires
- Project KICS R40 lug nuts
- H&R wheel spacers
- Muteki SR48 extended wheel lugs
Exterior / Aero
- Mugen front lip spoiler
- Spoon Sports carbon fiber hood
- J’s Racing carbon fiber GT wing
- Spoon Sports carbon fiber mirrors
- Ganador super mirrors
- JDM yellow fog lights
- C-West side skirts
- APR rear diffuser
- Vision carbon fiber canards
Interior
- Bride Zeta III bucket seats
- Takata 4-point harnesses
- Nardi Deep Corn 330mm steering wheel
- MOMO shift knob
- Cusco 6-point roll cage
- STACK gauge cluster
- Defi boost, oil pressure, and water temp gauges
- Works Bell quick release hub
- BRIDE seat rails
Electronics / ECU
- A’PEXi Power FC engine management
- HKS EVC boost controller
- Blitz turbo timer
- Alpine head unit
- JDM Carrozzeria speakers and subwoofer
- AEM wideband O2 controller
- Pivot RAIZIN voltage stabilizer
- Kenwood amplifier
- Defi control unit
Driving Impression / Build Philosophy
The 1997 Accord Type R’s modifications create a harmonious package that honors Honda’s Type R philosophy of balanced performance. Every modification serves the dual purpose of enhancing track capability while maintaining daily drivability. The combination of the Spoon Sports suspension components, Cusco roll cage, and Recaro bucket seats transforms the chassis dynamics without sacrificing comfort for street use.
This build focuses on circuit performance with time attack sensibilities. The engine modifications provide usable power throughout the rev range rather than just peak numbers, while the suspension upgrades prioritize predictable handling over extreme stance. The careful weight reduction program—removing unnecessary components while maintaining structural integrity—reflects a track-focused approach that values function over form.
What sets this build apart is its commitment to Honda’s original engineering vision. Rather than pursuing extreme modifications, each component has been selected to complement the Accord’s inherent strengths, creating a more capable vehicle that remains true to its factory character. The result is a balanced performer that excels on technical circuits while remaining composed and usable on public roads.
FAQ
How reliable is the 1997 Honda Accord Type R?
The 1997 Accord Type R is exceptionally reliable with many examples exceeding 200,000 miles when properly maintained. The H22A VTEC engine is robust and durable, requiring only routine maintenance. Timing belt changes every 60,000 miles and regular oil changes are essential for longevity.
What is the tuning potential of the Accord Type R?
The H22A VTEC engine responds well to modifications with potential for 240-260bhp through intake, exhaust and ECU upgrades. More aggressive builds with forced induction can achieve 300-350bhp, though this requires strengthened internals. The stock engine can safely handle about 30% more power before requiring internal reinforcement.
What are the most common issues with the Accord Type R?
Common problems include synchromesh wear in the gearbox (particularly 2nd and 3rd gears), rust around rear wheel arches and sills, worn suspension bushings, and oil leaks from the VTEC solenoid gasket. The factory clutch often needs replacement around 80,000-100,000 miles, and electrical gremlins in the power windows and central locking can develop with age.
What are the best modifications for the Accord Type R?
The most effective modifications include: cold air intake systems, 4-2-1 exhaust headers, cat-back exhaust systems, ECU remapping, upgraded suspension (Bilstein/Eibach combinations work well), and lighter wheels with stickier tires. For handling, polyurethane bushings and a rear anti-roll bar considerably improve cornering stability.
How expensive is it to own an Accord Type R today?
Ownership costs are relatively modest for a performance car. Parts availability remains good, with many components shared with regular Accords. Insurance can be higher than standard models but less than contemporary performance cars. Fuel economy averages 22-25 mpg with mixed driving. The main expense is the appreciating purchase price, as these models are becoming collectible with clean examples commanding premium prices.
How does the Accord Type R compare to the Integra Type R?
The Accord Type R offers more practicality and comfort with its larger body and more refined suspension, while the Integra Type R delivers sharper handling and a more aggressive driving experience. The Accord’s H22A engine produces more torque than the Integra’s B18C, making it better for everyday driving. The Integra is lighter and more focused on track performance, while the Accord balances performance with daily usability.
Conclusion
The 1997 Honda Accord Type R stands as a symbol to an era when Japanese engineering brilliance met pure driving enjoyment. More than 25 years after its introduction, this performance sedan continues to command respect and desire among enthusiasts worldwide. Its naturally-aspirated H22A 2.2-liter VTEC engine remains a benchmark for high-revving, responsive power delivery that many modern turbocharged engines fail to replicate.
In today’s world of increasingly computerized and homogenized vehicles, the Accord Type R’s mechanical purity, driver-focused ergonomics, and unfiltered connection between car and driver represent qualities increasingly absent from contemporary automobiles. Its rarity—particularly outside Japan and Europe—only enhances its legendary status among JDM enthusiasts.
The Accord Type R embodies the golden age of Japanese performance cars, standing proudly alongside icons like the Integra Type R, Supra, and GT-R. As values of authentic Japanese performance classics continue rising, the Accord Type R’s significance in automotive history is firmly secured—a reminder of when Honda built machines not just for transportation, but for the sheer thrill of driving.