This seems like a potential bargain for anyone who has a thing for first-generation Honda Preludes. Of course, you’d be part of a fairly small contingent of owners still enthusiastic about these early Honda coupes, but some might say this was the most distinctive generation design-wise. The Preludes shown here are both projects, but their respective attributes make them appealing as a package deal. The gold coupe is in nice shape cosmetically but has mechanical issues, while the blue car is a tad rough but supposedly has a strong engine. Find both here on craigslist for a mere $1,200.
You tend to know how hard it is to sell a car when the price gets that low for a two’fer. Now, I don’t have anything against the first-generation Honda Prelude, but if you’re looking for the sportiest version of Honda’s classic coupe offering, starting in the mid-90s is probably a better era to look for a project. However, no one generation of Prelude is easy to find in fair condition at a reasonable price, so beggars can’t be choosers. Throughout every iteration, this was a front-wheel drive car with a naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine, and frequently an automatic transmission.
The gold car shown above presents well, and I truly dig the color. The seller notes it was parked due to a bad headgasket issue, and while the blue coupe doesn’t run, it supposedly was a runner when parked. The interiors showcased Honda’s early strength when it came to packaging inside and out, with a driver-oriented cockpit, simple controls, and a generous standard equipment list. Engine-wise, these early Preludes were powered by a 1750cc CVCC four-cylinder good for around 75 b.h.p., a number that was light even by the modest performance standards of the era.
And therein lies the biggest downside to these classic coupes: Honda was a few years away from dialing in truly driver-focused dynamics, still reliant on its reputation for building high-quality, fuel-efficient cars rather than models that did all that and delivered significant driving enjoyment. The Preludes were more or less an attractive economy car, and even then, looks are subjective. As far as saving these two, it’s hard to fault the price, but I suspect they are destined to be sold for under $1,000 as parts cars for one of the few Prelude-obsessive collectors left in the U.S. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the tip.
Nice cars at one time . Wrong transmissions . I worked at a Honda dealer back in 1980. I drove more than a few of these to the store at lunch time. Fun ? Yes . Fast ? not so much. They were a bargain until the dealers started adding their fee onto the sticker price. I believe Rick Hendrick and some other dealers got into trouble with getting a bigger / larger allocation from the folks at Honda. Great times back in the 80’s
I was a Honda Field Rep back in the ’80’s and I later ended up working for Rick Hendrick. Great guy in many ways, but yes, it is documented and public record regarding the allocation snafu. I always loved the design of the Prelude, but a lot of techs really did not like working on them. The head gasket issue was addressed by Honda, and yes you are correct about the wrong transmission. Even so, if these cars were near me in Redding, Ca, I would be tempted to purchase the gold one and have a little fun playing with it and burning through some cash…
My buddy Rodney in high school had a ’79 with the automatic. It was the slowest car I’ve ever seen, to date. My other buddy’s 1978 Mustang Ghia with the Pinto 4-banger smoked it in a race once. That might have been the second slowest car I’ve ever seen.
Idk, my friend growing up had a ’74 Toyota Corona wagon with an automatic. That Prelude may have stood a chance.
The car magazines at the time used to call these the Honda Quaalude, because they put you to sleep!!!
Since they come with titles, worth it, even if they are just for parts.
Steve R
Jeff, I sense somehow that you are not an early Prelude fan. Why did you do the review?
if you like Hondas then this is a steal.
bought one of these twin to the gold one back in mid 90’s, 4 cyl 5 speed, no air, but had a sunroof (and it didn’t leak) had a 3 valve per cyl engine if I remember right had a little tick and the owners got scared. Bought it for $300, drove the wheels off it, neatest instrument cluster I ever saw, tach behind speedo. Sold to a friend for $500 I think he drove it another 3 year ticking motor & all & wrecked it