SOTW: Honda Prelude
Shed feels the Vtec kicking in with the last SOTW of 2010
There are some things that, no matter how dated they are, will always look like they are from the future. Even if that future turns out not, in fact, to exist. The Sinclair C5 is one such item, the robot from Lost In Space is another. And the fourth generation of Honda Prelude is another.
It is so of its time that it cannot be mistaken for a design from any other era than the early 1990s - and yet even now the Prelude looks somehow futuristic. The swooping dash, the impossibly low-slung snout; it's all just how we thought cars would look now. They don't, of course, and that's part of the appeal - a Prelude seems like a little slice of a future that could have been.
Now that little slice of the Super Nintendo-era vision of tomorrow is comfortably available for Shed money. And it wasn't just the looks of the 90s Prelude that was all hi-tech either. Although the pop-up lights had by now disappeared, the Prelude still featured four-wheel steering and a clever and revvy 2.2-litre Vtec powerplant (in top-spec trim at least). There was even an in-dash telly available as an option for Japanese customers.
These days, 183bhp doesn't sound like all that much from 2.2 litres, but it was still enough to chuck the Prelude along at 140mph, and to reach 62mph from a standing start in 7.1sec, a figure that remains quite acceptable.
This particular example is a full UK car with a decent service history and only 2 previous owners - which is good. Unfortunately, the vendor neglects to mention the mileage - which is (possibly) bad.
More annoying still, somebody has had a mild fiddle around with Honda's original design, fitting a de-cat Remus exhaust system, some aftermarket alloys and an induction system.
The alloys don't come with the car, however. Or rather - they do, but the owner wants another 300 quid for the dubious privilege of owning them, thus pushing the whole thing beyond the thousand-pound reach of Shed. But then we'd probably rather take the original wheels any way...
Advert reproduced below
For sale -
1995 Honda prelude 2.2 vtec in malachite green (Pearl Green)
Fantastic facelift UK car with loads of extras and the famous vtec engine.
For anyone who has owned a honda prelude vtec will know just how fast and reliable they are.
The easiest way to describe the vtec system is like a small turbo boost at 5250RPM - giving you the full 190BHP power!
Features the car has -
- Full LCD dash with the Electrolumiscent Speedo and rev counter
- HKS induction Kit
- New Full Years MOT
- Full Stainless steel De-CAT exhaust with Remus Backbox
- Front Strut Brace
- Upgraded one peice Polycarbonate JDM headlights
- Optional Team Dynamics 17" Shadow chrome alloy wheels all with TOYO Proxes
- Electric Sunroof, windows and mirrors
- Cruise Control
- Power Steering
- ABS
- 4 Wheel Steering
- Euro Sideskirts
- CD Player
History -
The car is a UK car so easy to insure and has 2 previous owners.
The car has FULL service history and this does reflect in the quietness of the engine and the speed of it.
I have owned many a prelude in the past and this comes up there with the best of them and is easily as fast or faster than a JDM prelude as well.
Bodywork -
The bodywork is in great shape - its the malachite green pearl colour and if you look into the paint on a sunny day there are a variety of colors in there!! - no major marks or dents or scratches either.
The car is pictured with basically new - 17" Team Dynamic Alloy wheels - all with newish toyo proxes tyres - if you want them with the car they would be £300.00 extra - if not then it will come with the standard alloy wheels pictured all with great tyres as well.
Overall the car is becoming a rare sports coupe - its drives fantastic with a responsive engine and great gearbox.
First to see will buy as its a great example
I looked at 2 of these when I was fishing for a cheap runabout - in the end it's lack of practicality (the back seats are comedic) killed it rather than the car itself - but they drive well and hide their age too.
PLEASE don't believe the bullst about VTEC systems being bulletproof and never failing tho - I had a VTEC engine which pinked and knocked FROM NEW and even Honda factory engineers couldn't resolve the problem so that's a myth which needs putting to bed pronto (not to say this car suffers any such problem - just that the 'bulletproof' Honda thing IS a myth).
I looked at 2 of these when I was fishing for a cheap runabout - in the end it's lack of practicality (the back seats are comedic) killed it rather than the car itself - but they drive well and hide their age too.
PLEASE don't believe the bullst about VTEC systems being bulletproof and never failing tho - I had a VTEC engine which pinked and knocked FROM NEW and even Honda factory engineers couldn't resolve the problem so that's a myth which needs putting to bed pronto (not to say this car suffers any such problem - just that the 'bulletproof' Honda thing IS a myth).
I dearly love these cars - had two, and would have another tomorrow if I could find a good one, but sadly they are very few and far between.
Doesn't seem that long ago many of us were talking about the last 'Lude listed as SOTW though?
Personally I think the JDM ones are better cars, especially in BB4 form (lightened, LSD, 197bhp etc).
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