1996 Acura Integra GS-R

A.J. Antiporda's '96 Integra GS-R
Every kid remembers the original Star Wars movie that spawned the multi-billion dollar franchise that spread worldwide. While most were overwhelmed by the courage and overall good spirit of the movie's heroes, nobody can deny the cool factor that surrounded the dark side. The evil masks, the menacing outfits, it all had a certain flare that the good guys just couldn't match, like the endless supply of white-and-black-adorned Storm Troopers that watched over the big boss. Those wicked two-toned uniforms and San Mateo, California, resident A.J. Antiporda's '96 GS-R share more than just a few similarities though. The sleek, white body paired with the proper mix of OEM and aftermarket parts perched on its sultry black rollers would be enough for most anyone, but this dark side enforcer didn't stop there.

A.J.'s GS-R build process proved lengthy, with plenty of downtime along the way. So much downtime passed that he soon became sidetracked with other projects while the Integra sat on the backburner. Always a sucker for the old-school Civic chassis, A.J. took time to build an '89 Civic, followed by a '91, and then a retro '87 EA hatchback. Wanting to spread his wings, the busy builder stepped away from the Honda line completely at one point, and instead turned his attention toward a mid-engine Toyota. "I just wanted to try something a little different, so I picked up an MR2. Man, that was a fun car! I added a blow-off valve and TEIN suspension and called it a day," he says. The adventure was short-lived, however, as engine gremlins began to creep up and left him with a cracked exhaust manifold and a blown head gasket. "I realized mid-engine maintenance and building was more trouble than I'd thought. Luckily, someone offered to trade me for a clean EH Civic plus cash. It must have been fate, because I did a few things to the new hatchback and it got me really motivated. Ever since then I haven't had the urge to step away from a Honda at all," A.J. says.

But back to his Integra; it didn't always look this way-it was born in Milano Red garb. After some changes and a body kit, the paint shop smothered the car in custom blue. Growing tired of the aero additions, A.J. opted for a JDM ITR front end and a fresh coat of paint yet again...blue this time. "Red was cool in the beginning, but I went with blue to stand out from the crowd a little bit. I knew I wanted to change it up again and figured Honda Grand Prix White would do the trick," he says. Finally set with a color that he could grow old with, the next decision revolved around the engine bay. Opening the hood reveals more of the black-and-white theme laid out with painstaking attention to detail. Every nut, bolt, and hose serves a distinct purpose, and all are organized with military precision. The custom heat shield and black thermal-wrap helps disguise the GReddy turbo kit and charge pipes. With a custom wire tuck and ditched power steering, ABS, and cruise control, the focus boils right down to the middle of the bay, leaving the passenger- and driver-side rails free of clutter. A.J. adds, "I wanted to concentrate on building something with a really good balance. I didn't set out to make huge power, I wanted a car that was fun all around, and could be driven safely on the street, hard on the track, and even displayed at a car show."

Disguised within the Integra chassis is a custom-built rollcage. Designed by A.J., the crew at the now defunct Autosport Garage in South San Francisco was hired for their expert welding services, as well as to ensure that the cage met the strict tech inspection guidelines at the track. The black cage snakes from front to back with a healthy amount of gussets to add even more reinforcement.

Well known as a long-time member of the illustrious ATS Garage crew that seems to build neck-snappers everytime they turn a wrench, A.J. says, "I'm sure it's been covered a million times, but it all started as a circle of friends. It's not just a group of guys that talk cars, cars, and more cars. It's about friends, family, and garage life. It was never about having the most expensive or rarest parts, but rather building cars that flow together well, and at the same time stand out from the crowd." By that definition, the Storm Trooper should be promoted to General.