1999 Honda Prelude 2.2 Motegi Manual

Please note that the photographs were provided by the vendor

Highlights

• Rare manual ‘Motegi’ edition
• Full Honda service history from new to 2019, when it went into storage
• Incredible history
• Unmodified example
• New clutch in 2024

Overview

The Prelude Type R that never was… for various reasons, the Prelude never had a Type R variant, though the Japanese Domestic Market did get the Type S, which was one letter away from the legendary R.

Here in the UK, we didn’t get the Type S, because Honda decided we weren’t cool enough. What we did get, however, was this - the Motegi. Featuring the 2.2-litre (believe, yeah) H22A VTEC engine as seen in the Accord Type R, the Motegi put out a respectable 200bhp, stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, a more aggressive body kit, and a few other small aesthetic tweaks. The Motegi also kept Honda’s cutting-edge (for the time) four-wheel steer system, which the aforementioned Type S missed out on.

The Motegi was also very grown-up on the inside, with plenty of leather, wood trim and a far more comfort-oriented than performance-aligned interior, and even an automatic transmission on offer. Thankfully, this example omits that last (arguably) sinful optional extra, making it all the more appealing for most of us.

Purchased by our vendor in 2018, this Prelude has a simply astounding service history, and was serviced by Honda main dealers (with stamps and invoices to authenticate this) from new until 2024, with servicing taking place almost annually (bar a few gaps) irrespective of mileage covered.

Now showing 77,494 miles at the time of photography and fresh from a mechanical once-over, fettling and a new clutch following a period in storage, this is a rare opportunity for one lucky bidder to purchase an unmodified, low-mileage Honda Prelude Motegi with the all-important manual gearbox.

History and documentation

• First registered March 1999
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Nov 1999 @ 7,548 miles, Apr 2000 (no mileage noted), Nov 2003 @ 31,263 miles, Apr 2004 @ 32,001 miles, Oct 2004 @ 33,661 miles, Feb 2005 @ 35,056 miles, Oct 2005 @ 38,057 miles, Feb 2006 @ 39,552 miles, Feb 2008 @44,924 miles, Feb 2010 @ 49,364 miles, Feb 2011 @ 51,652 miles, Feb 2012 @ 54,793 miles, Feb 2013 @ 57,872 miles, Feb 2014 @ 66,573 miles, Feb 2015 @63,539 miles, Feb 2016 @ 66,217 miles, Feb 2017 @ 68,547 miles, Feb 2018 @ 73,231 miles, Jan 2019 @ 77,401 miles, Dec 2024 @ 77,427 miles
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates
• Original book pack
• Sales brochure
• Four keys, including the all-important red key which remains sealed in its packaging
• Current MOT expires 12 Dec 2025, with advisories for cracking rear tyres
• New clutch, major service, battery, brake discs/pads, track rod ends fitted Dec 2024 as a ‘recommissioning’ service following five years in storage
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• Time-warp condition interior
• All seats in excellent condition, with only some light creasing to the outer bolsters of the front seats and a few minor imperfections
• Wood trim on the dashboard
• The original stereo has been replaced with a more modern double-din unit
• Sunroof in full working order
• The high-traffic areas such as the door cards, ignition barrel, switchgear, and door sill covers exhibit a light level of wear, but far less than would be expected for a vehicle of this age and mileage
• OE Prelude-branded mats
• Up above, the headliner looks to be taut throughout
• The seller notes that one of the storage pocket lids have detached, but the part is still with the car
• Dashboard in excellent condition with no noted cracks or UV damage
• In the rear, the boot is in similarly excellent shape, with only a few marks to the plastic trims
• The seller states there are no known faults

Exterior

• Bodywork and paint in fantastic shape, with this squared-off coupe presenting very well
• No signs of any major impacts or any reported accident damage
• A small indentation is visible on the leading edge of the driver’s door
• The front end and exposed edges display the typical smattering of light stone chips
• There are a few scuffs underneath the front bumper
• Looking closer, the nearside mirror casing exhibits a few small scratches, the paint is flaking off of the wiper arms, there are some larger chips above the offside fog light and above the third brake light, and there is a small (10mm) area of lacquer peel shown in the gallery on the offside quarter under the rear window
• The headlights and rear light lenses look to be clear and free of any damage
• All four wheels are in excellent condition, wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres with a reported 6-7mm of tread all-round
• Model-specific ‘Motegi’ badging
• Overall, this is a very well-kept example of the lesser-seen special edition Prelude

Mechanical

• 2,157cc inline-four H22A VTEC engine, producing 200bhp @ 7,100rpm and 156lb-ft of torque @ 5,250rpm
• Desirable (and rare) five-speed manual gearbox
• Front-wheel drive, with all-wheel steering
• The brake discs and pads on all four corners were replaced in Dec 2024
• There are no reported modifications, making this example all the more desirable
• The engine bay presents well, with only some signs of wear and corrosion on exposed components and fixings, and a patch of damage to the under-bonnet sound deadening
• The seller notes that “underneath the car has some surface rust on components however nothing [that is] unusual for a car of this age”
• Full main dealer history up to 2019, when the car was stored unused until 2024

Summary

A Prelude Motegi edition is rare; A manual 2.2-litre Prelude is also rare; Put both together, and you have veritable gold dust for Honda enthusiasts everywhere. Take into account the fact that this example looks to be in outstanding condition and remains unmodified, and this is, essentially, a four-wheeled embodiment of unicorn excrement.

Offered for sale with an outstanding history file, almost-complete Honda dealer service history and with less than 80,000 miles on the odometer, this is a virtually unrepeatable opportunity to get your hands on a well-kept, documented and unmolested face-lifted Honda Prelude 2.2 with all the added Motegi goodness and the correct number of pedals.

Don’t miss this one.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Orpington, Bromley, Greater London.