The Honda Prelude is such an automobile that flourished from the late
1970s to the millennium, although this fantastic vehicle never attained the
level of popularity it truly deserved. A capable sports coupe, the Prelude will
often get overlooked by shoppers and never make lists of awesome sub-5k
Japanese sports cars.
Beyond a highly competent all-around vehicle, the Honda Prelude proves
to be one of the car's most engaging sporting sedans. A successor to the iconic
Toyota Celica, the Prelude will offer endless hours of family entertainment and
reliability over expectation. Quite possibly a rising classic star in the
automotive industry, here are ten things we love about the Honda Prelude.
Sporting Credentials
Fourth-generation Preludes were admired for their aerodynamic shape,
high-tech steering, and lithe frame. In one famous case, a fourth-generation
Prelude raced an F1 car and could go faster than it.
Racing teams use a number of approaches to increase a car's performance.
One direction has been swapping the stock engine with one from an Accord, a
streetcar with a race engine. Another has been through forced induction, which
pumps extra air into the combustion chambers and pushes out a massive 500 hp.
A Much-Needed Revamp
The Prelude looked dated next to sleeker and more powerful models from
competitors as the 80s came to a close.
A major revamp was necessary to entice the buyers, and in 1991, the
third generation (looking decidedly more modern) was released. The redesign
dropped the pop-up headlights to maintain better aerodynamics.
Eighties Pop-Up Headlights
According to current safety regulations, the chances of finding a pop-up
headlight on a modern car are virtually non-existent. The second-generation
Prelude was one exception as it incorporated pop-up headlights starting in 1982
and kept them until 1990.
Generating a lot of drag when deployed at higher speeds, the headlights
on generation two and three cars might have looked cool, but they were the one
flaw in the car's aerodynamic design.
Outstanding Debut
The Honda Prelude, built with world-leading Mercedes-Benz construction
and a look that easily rivaled its German competitors, earned praise from
motoring magazines on its release, who liked its high-quality components and
excellent performance.
Yet, due to what some would consider a very high asking price, those who
saved up a little bit could not purchase a fast and smooth 1.8-liter engine
capable of sprinting through the quarter-mile in 18 seconds.
An Overlooked JDM Gem
While the Prelude performed well within the warm category, there were
still more robust, more precise, and faster thrills to be found for people who
wanted an authentic experience of a ride from the east.
This means that those wanting as many ponies as possible for their money
often ignore it, which is a huge mistake when considering the car's entire package.
Motegi & Type-S
Engineered to commemorate the F1 bearing the same name, Motegi
Collection is made with a one-of-a-kind style in a market for cars where
17-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, and sportier-looking rear branding are
unusual.
Like all exclusives, the Japan-only Type-S came with a high-revving
2.2-liter VTEC motor that punched out 220 hp, hit 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and
possessed fantastic handling.
Better Than You Might Expect
Anyone who invests in one of Japan's best-kept secrets will be rewarded
with a car with great looks, always offers a pleasant driving experience, and
has adequate interior space.
In its basic form, the Prelude has the standard capability that can be
altered or modified to have a stronger driving experience or act as a now
rare-on-the-road styling statement.
Topless Beauties
Not officially a factory model, Honda's iconic Prelude convertible has
been altered into a roofless beauty by several conversion companies over the
years, with rare ones even coming with Honda warranties.
Thanks to their rarity and conversion cost, every convertible from every
generation sold at least ten times, and any comparably priced hardtop model
scarcely ever comes up for sale.
Four-Wheel Steering
An expensive option, installing the entire mechanical four-wheel
steering system bumped the car's asking price to $1500 back in the 80s. That
decision helped to improve low-speed maneuvering and high-speed stability.
The rear wheels go against the direction of the front wheels at low
speeds, so parking is much easier. Conversely, all wheels are in sync at higher
speeds to enhance handling.
A Rewarding Drive
Serving up loads of grip, the fifth generation Prelude produces a
magically agile companion, allowing rapid and straightforward direction shifts
as one navigates over a favorite section of asphalt.
This fifth-generation Prelude model may not have all the bells and whistles expected of a modern car, but it is well-designed, reliable, and unique.