Prelude

Introduction

The Honda Prelude is a sport compact manufactured from 1978 through 2001. The two-door coupé spanned five generations  but was discontinued upon the release of the fourth-generation Honda Integra in Japan in late 2001, due to its decreasing sales and popularity.

The Prelude’s perennial competitor has been the Toyota Celica, another I4-powered coupé introduced several years prior to the Prelude. Throughout the 1980s, it was challenged by the Nissan Silvia, Isuzu Impulse, Mitsubishi FTO, Mitsubishi Cordia (later the Eclipse), Ford Probe and Mazda MX-6.

First Generation (1978-1982)

The first generation Prelude was released in 1978, and was the third main model in Honda’s modern line up, joining the Civic and the Accord. Its standard large glass moon roof was very unique at the time. Styling of the car was a combination of both then current Civic and Accord. The Prelude was equipped with a 1751 cc SOHC CVCC I4 engine that produced 72 hp and 94 lbf·ft of torque with a five-speed manual transmission, and 68 hp with a two-speed automatic called the Hondamatic. In 1980, the two speed Hondamatic was replaced by a much more modern four-speed automatic.

Second Generation (1983-1987)

The second generation Prelude was released in 1983 and was initially available with a 1.8-litre 12-valve twin carburettor engine, producing 100 hp, and fuel injection was introduced in 1985, in the “Si” models. In Japan, Asia and Europe, it was available with a 2-litre DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine, although this engine was not released until 1986 in Europe. The second generation Prelude was the first to have pop-up headlights; this allowed for a more aerodynamic front which reduced drag. Opening the  headlights however, especially at higher speeds, produced more drag. The 1983 model is identifiable by its standard painted steel wheels with bright trim rings(although alloys were optional). The 1984-87 ase models had Civic-style full wheel covers.

When the 2-litre 16-valve DOHC engine came out, the bonnet was slightly modified, since the larger engine could not be fitted under the standard bonnet. The uropean version also saw slight modifications to the rear lights and revised front and rear bumpers which were now colour-matched. Due to the fairly low weight of the car (1025 kg) and high power (the 16-valve engine produced 137 hp), the car was surprisingly nimble, something most Preludes were not in comparison to their competitors.

More Prelude Information

- First Generation (1978-1982)

- Second Generation (1983-1987)

- Third Generation (1988-1991)

- Fourth Generation (1992-1996)

- Fifth Generation (1996-2000)

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