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Honda Prelude History
Honda Prelude
Although last produced for the 2001 model year, the Honda Prelude remains a favorite with enthusiasts who appreciate the coupe's sporty styling, robust engine, and enduring value. Indeed, thanks to a long build history spanning just over two decades (1979-2001), the Honda Prelude has no lack of avid followers nor are parts hard to get.
Initially built on the platform powering the Civic and, later, the platform underpinning the
Accord, the Prelude initially provided a bridge between the Civic and Accord, the first two model lines sold by Honda. Thus, the Prelude became the third model line sold by Honda in North America.
The first generation Prelude was underpowered and raided the Civics parts bin for its struts, brakes and flooring, even borrowing the fascia from the Civic. Not a good start for what eventually would prove to be a hot seller for Honda, but then the Japanese automaker was still known more for building motorcycles than cars. Model line distinction began to emerge in the 1980s, when Honda started to greatly expand its offerings.
Over time, Honda gradually opted to distinguish the Prelude from other Honda models, by updating the coupe's body and by giving the car increasingly more powerful engines and better transmission choices with each update. The initial 1.8L I4 was given a power boost thanks to an improved carburetor and pairing with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Though no Prelude model ever offered a V6, by the time that the model was retired, the final Preludes were powered by potent VTEC I4 engines producing about 200 horsepower.
Among the engineering features offered over the years on select models included four wheel steering which was introduced in 1988. The Honda Prelude had been criticized for having severe under steer with the two wheel steering model, while four wheel steering corrected the problem. Later models abandoned this engineering feat for more advanced steering applications, thus the third generation Honda Prelude remains the only production model of any car built featuring four wheel steering.
As the Honda Prelude aged, the body styles incorporated a much more sporty appearance while incorporating stronger body metals which allowed the car to have thin body pillars, which proved to be highly desirable for driver visibility. Other updates which found their way into the Prelude included a new fascia, fresh bumpers, updated wheel cowls and a tapered trunk.
Alas, marketing both the Accord Coupe and the Prelude at the same time proved fatal for the latter model as sales gradually declined for it as buyers flocked to the popular Accord. When production ceased in 2001, Prelude buyers were steered to the Accord Coupe which for all intents and purposes took over where the Prelude left off.
Although last produced for the 2001 model year, the Honda Prelude remains a favorite with enthusiasts who appreciate the coupe's sporty styling, robust engine, and enduring value. Indeed, thanks to a long build history spanning just over two decades (1979-2001), the Honda Prelude has no lack of avid followers nor are parts hard to get.
Initially built on the platform powering the Civic and, later, the platform underpinning the
Accord, the Prelude initially provided a bridge between the Civic and Accord, the first two model lines sold by Honda. Thus, the Prelude became the third model line sold by Honda in North America.
The first generation Prelude was underpowered and raided the Civics parts bin for its struts, brakes and flooring, even borrowing the fascia from the Civic. Not a good start for what eventually would prove to be a hot seller for Honda, but then the Japanese automaker was still known more for building motorcycles than cars. Model line distinction began to emerge in the 1980s, when Honda started to greatly expand its offerings.
Over time, Honda gradually opted to distinguish the Prelude from other Honda models, by updating the coupe's body and by giving the car increasingly more powerful engines and better transmission choices with each update. The initial 1.8L I4 was given a power boost thanks to an improved carburetor and pairing with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Though no Prelude model ever offered a V6, by the time that the model was retired, the final Preludes were powered by potent VTEC I4 engines producing about 200 horsepower.
Among the engineering features offered over the years on select models included four wheel steering which was introduced in 1988. The Honda Prelude had been criticized for having severe under steer with the two wheel steering model, while four wheel steering corrected the problem. Later models abandoned this engineering feat for more advanced steering applications, thus the third generation Honda Prelude remains the only production model of any car built featuring four wheel steering.
As the Honda Prelude aged, the body styles incorporated a much more sporty appearance while incorporating stronger body metals which allowed the car to have thin body pillars, which proved to be highly desirable for driver visibility. Other updates which found their way into the Prelude included a new fascia, fresh bumpers, updated wheel cowls and a tapered trunk.
Alas, marketing both the Accord Coupe and the Prelude at the same time proved fatal for the latter model as sales gradually declined for it as buyers flocked to the popular Accord. When production ceased in 2001, Prelude buyers were steered to the Accord Coupe which for all intents and purposes took over where the Prelude left off.
