Scott's Car Library - Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude was first introduced in 1979. It was, in Honda standards, the sports car for Honda. From the beginning and still through today, all Preludes were built in Japan, unlike the Accord and Civic. Prelude has always been the leader of new technologies, from four wheel steering to the VTEC engine. All Preludes are 2+2, which means that they have two doors, but four seats, although the back seat was less then desirable for most people. The Prelude was the most powerful car that Honda offered in 1979. The first generation of Preludes was offered in either a two-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. But the engine that was offered, a 72 Horsepower at 4,500 RPM, made the Prelude a rocket next to most other cars of that time even though it was, by today’s standards, a small engine. The first generation of Preludes lasted until 1982, and then it got a total overhaul.

The second generation Prelude was totally redesigned. It was made to have a lower profile and smother lines to look more like a true sports car. The new Prelude was a much stronger car that its predecessor. It had totally redesigned suspension as well as a new four-cylinder engine that put out 100 Horsepower at 5,500 RPM. Then in 1985 Honda offered the Prelude Si which was had a fuel injected engine that had 110 Horsepower. Another new feature that was added on to the second generation was the addition of disk brakes in the rear. The third generation Prelude was then introduced in 1988.

The third generation of Prelude was actually very little changed form the second generation. Most of the lines were the same, however there were a few design changes. The biggest change was the very front of the hood. On the second generation, where the hood slopes down to meet the bumper it is a grille. However on the third generations that slope is just a continuation of the hood. A few other cosmetic changes were made. On the back taillights where in the second generation it had “Prelude” written in large black letters was changed to a smaller version in silver. However, the big changes for the third generation were under the hood. The Si got a even larger fuel injected engine that put out 135 Horsepower. This was the largest engine that Honda had ever put into a street car a that time. Another big addition was on the Si was four wheel steering. It is just what it sounds like; all four wheels turn. This was only offered on the third generations though. Another nice feature that a buyer could have gotten was a factory CD player. This is something that was not yet standard on any cars in 1988.

The fourth generation was introduced in 1992 with a total redesign from the second and third generations. The car was made slightly shorter, but a little bit wider, that didn’t help the poor people that have to sit in the back. The car was given even more rounded lines than the second and third was. The roof sloped down to the trunk and the headlights went from the roll up to ones that sloped up the hood. Honda also added and new type of Prelude in 1993 to the fourth generation, the VTEC. The VETC, which is variable timing and lift electronic control, sent the Horsepower of the car to an incredible 190.

After the total redesign in 1996, the fifth generation went back to the lines of the third generation. The designers kept the width of the forth, but went back to the length of the third generation. Another new feature that was added to all of the fifth generations is that the VTEC engine comes standard. With the added room that was given to the fifth generation Prelude, it is considered by some to be the most luxurious Prelude from the line.

As a last personal note, I have a 1988 Prelude Si with 4 wheel steering and a factory CD player. Little did I know when I got it how “fancy” it really was. The only problem is that the CD player has never worked while I have had it. If you know where I can find a factory CD player for cheap then e-mail me. Lastly, the black third generation Prelude is mine, hope you enjoy the page.

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