Honda has long since abandoned the Prelude nameplate, with its signature sports coupe a distant memory, replaced by Civics with respectable performance and multiple crossover vehicles. That’s why this first-generation Prelude is such a refreshing reminder as to the kinds of cars Honda used to built, and was quite good at. The seller doesn’t present this example as being perfect, but it does have a lot going for it, including the preferred manual transmission. It needs some love, including attention to the carburetor, but it’s listed at no reserve here on eBay and going cheaply at the moment.
Bodywork looks fairly tidy, which is a big concern for this era of Honda – rust was not kind to these cars. The fender arches don’t appear to be compromised and all lenses and glass look good. However, there is rust lurking underneath, with one spot in particular that looks like it will require some patch work by one of the mudflaps. There are some other small holes that should be addressed at some juncture, but I wouldn’t let it stop me from driving the car in the meantime – provided you don’t put it into weather conditions that will accelerate the rust concerns.
The interior is one of the best features about the Prelude, as it’s been impeccably preserved despite not having time-capsule mileage on the clock. While the odometer may read 120,000, the seller notes that the Prelude has traveled less than 8,200 miles since 1990. This certainly helps explain the high level of preservation on display inside, with minty cloth bucket seats, an uncracked dash, and carpets/floormats free of any major blemishes. The manual transmission is the real highlight, though, as it makes extracting all the juice from 72 b.h.p. slightly more enjoyable than the automatic ever would.
The seller notes that the carburetor could use a rebuild, and the choke needs adjustment. The rebuild kit is included in the sale, and the seller has already has the gas tank flushed out and undercoated. The engine bay is dingy and far from fresh, but the seller claims the Prelude still runs like new. Of course, that’s not surprising given it’s an old-school Honda, which shares a reputation for durability not unlike that which is bestowed on W123-chassis Mercedes. The seller doesn’t know much about the history, but given it’s listed with no reserve, the risk factor seems relatively low. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Russell G. for the find.
Pennsylvania is not kind to a cars chassis. The interior seems to fare better. This might be a good parts donor to a west coast car that has been baked in the sun.
The car has the tin worm and is a bondo bucket. BEWARE
I’ve been looking for a good first gen Prelude for over a year now… this one is too much of a rust bucket even at the current low bid price. The wait goes on.
Was that interior red at some point? In the photo it looks like the sun has turned it into a tasty orange color. Rust and sun damage? Include me out.
Wife had a first year Prelude. Worst seats ever, enough that we cut a driving vacation short.
Do you take this before the Lude’s?
A bad joke from 30 yrs ago. Damn,I’m bored.
A guy I knew in high school used to have this exact car, but with the automatic. We used to call it the Quaalude.
Odd the hood is so long and flat on a front driver – i like it!
Even more odd is that ” the Japanese Prelude had power folding mirrors as well as a REAR WIPER!!” – never seen that on a car with a trunk!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Honda_Prelude_%2814904412778%29.jpg/1280px-Honda_Prelude_%2814904412778%29.jpg
No side marker lites on either end.
My uncle bought a new navy blue Prelude just like this for his wife right before she divorced him. As a young kid, I thought the car was pretty cool.
My uncle gave his wife’s old beater 1972 Satellite coupe to my Dad. I thought that car was just a p.o.s. lol. Wow, did I have that all wrong!