Here it is folks, the ethos of at least the second half of the 1980s, neatly encapsulated in 30 seconds. This 1989 home-market commercial launching the DOHC
VTEC engine in the Honda Integra plays up the American appeal baked into the car. Badged as an Acura here in the States, the Integra was cementing the reputation of Honda's upmarket rides in a market that still viewed Honda as a maker of economical, inexpensive cars. The bludgeon-y juxtaposition of an Integra zipping around and
Alex P. Keaton Michael J. Fox doing backflips tells you how elated the Integra is supposed to make you feel, but this commercial just makes us feel old. From the opening chord stabs on the
Yamaha DX7 to the
Huey Lewis soundtrack, this little spot brings 1989 flooding back with a veangance. Many a sunny summer afternoon was whiled away cruising the bike lane with a mongrel
Diamondback Viper picked from the trash and resurrected. Integras were starting to get noticed as cars enthusiasts could love, and being junior enthusiasts, we took notice when one motored by. They look especially good when sunset is near, on a winding road dappled with golden sunlight. Ahh, memories - white or red are particulary striking, too. What's nice to see is that MJF could handle something other than a DeLorean, but we still want to know, "hey kid, what's with the life preserver?"
Check the video after the jump.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AlexP 6:39PM (8/09/2007)
Hey look, he can move.
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AlexP 6:40PM (8/09/2007)
I'm soooo gonna die for this. :V
Daneeeh 12:19PM (8/10/2007)
oh, you're so mean
Don 4:04PM (8/10/2007)
You're an asshole, Alex...my dad's got MS. Parkinson's is a horrible disease to live with.
Tyre 6:40PM (8/09/2007)
That was really awesome. What does he actually say? Translation?
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Jason 6:46PM (8/09/2007)
Basically "Experience Integra," as in feel it.
Jason 6:49PM (8/09/2007)
I've owned two generations of Integra (a 95 GSR and a 02 RSX Type-S) and both have been exceptional cars to own and very fun to drive, even with no modification. Insurance was a bit high, but still two of the most fun smaller cars I've owned.
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Brendan Smith 7:01PM (8/09/2007)
Oh, Acura, how could you leave us hanging?
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Stoneman 7:04PM (8/09/2007)
I feel so old...
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Mopar Kid 7:23PM (8/09/2007)
Aw man the 80's were great ... watch out dude monster horsepower ..... fwd fah lyfe bro .... ahahaha
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iamhoff 7:30PM (8/09/2007)
I graduated HS in 1989, and one of my classmates' parents gave him a 3 door 1989 Integra LS as a grad present. Besides the fact that it made most of us jealous, it was such a freaking sweet car. Somehow, it just made me feel as though my Escort EXP was lacking something. Can't imagine what. Memmmmorieeeeeess!
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Alex 10:19PM (8/09/2007)
I suddenly want to buy an Integra.
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Harrison 9:49PM (8/09/2007)
There are several variations of this commercial on youtube and the 1989 ones have a "story" if you can call it that.
Freakin' awesome
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Dan 10:00PM (8/09/2007)
Brad Pitt did commercials for the later Integra models:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt2wm1ux2Z0
This is common...many US celebrities do Japanese commercials.
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BartMack 10:42PM (8/09/2007)
awesome! when do these things go on sale-?
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c. baines 1:58AM (8/10/2007)
This is actually apart of a series of commercials that he did for Honda. Also, Juliette Lewis was apart of the Integra Notregra Honda campaign.
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Jp 10:45AM (8/10/2007)
I want that T-Shirt!
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Packy 11:44AM (8/10/2007)
Haha! I had a Diamondback Viper as a kid! All silver. I probably had it up until 1992, when I got a Specialized HardRock (still have it, works great). Ahh, memories.
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Tsunami Racer 8:21PM (8/10/2007)
OMG! i saw them filming this commercial in Westwood when i was in junior high school. with hundreds of shoots happening on any given day here in LA, you get used to celebrities and filming. so what caught my eye about this particular production was the RHD integra they had. i watched on the sidelines as they shot the scene where MJF stuck his head out the driver's window and looked back. HA!! has it been that long since this car was new? god i'm getting old....
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