|
Bookmark this site! |
|
|
have a look at these articles on classic cars... |
|
|
|
The Honda Prelude was a FWD In-line 4-engined coupe that was manufactured by Honda between 1978 and 2001. It spanned five generations of cars but was discontinued upon the release of the fourth-generation Honda Integra in Japan in late 2001, due to its decreasing sales and popularity.
The Prelude's perennial competitor has been the Toyota Celica, another I4-powered coupe introduced several years prior to the Prelude. Throughout the 1980s, it was challenged by the Nissan Silvia, Isuzu Impulse, Mitsubishi FTO, Mitsubishi Cordia (later the Eclipse), the Ford Probe and the Mazda MX-6.
[] 1978
The first generation Prelude was released in 1978, and was the third main model in Honda's modern line up, joining the Civic and the Accord. Styling of the car was a combination of both then current Civic and Accord. The Prelude was equipped with a 1751 cc SOHC CVCC I4 engine that produced 72 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque with a 5-speed manual transmission, and 68 hp with a 2-speed automatic called the Hondamatic.
[] 1983
The second generation Prelude was released in 1983 and was initially available with a 1.8-litre 12-valve carburrated engine, producing 100 hp, and fuel injection was introduced in 1985, in the "Si" models. In Japan, Asia and Europe, it was available with a 2-litre DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine, although this engine was not released until 1986 in Europe. The second generation Prelude was the first to have pop-up headlights; this allowed for a more aerodynamic front which reduced drag. Opening the headlights however, especially at higher speeds, produced more drag.
When the 2-litre 16-valve DOHC engine came out, the bonnet was slightly modified, since the larger engine could not be fitted under the standard bonnet. The European version also saw slight modifications to the rear lights and revised front and rear bumpers which were now colour-matched. Due to the fairly low weight of the car (1,025 kg) and high power (the 16-valve engine produced 137 hp), the car was surprisingly nimble, something most Preludes were not in comparison to their competitors, until the VTEC engines came out.
[] 1987
The third generation Prelude was similar to the second generation, however it gained four wheel steering on some models, as well as a 2 litre SOHC carburrated engine, an optional B20A DOHC EFI engine, or a slightly-larger B21A1 in 1990 and 1991.
The four wheel steering system on the third generation prelude was an extraordinary piece of engineering in itself. As of 2006, it is the only four wheel steering system on a production car that is entirely mechanical in its design; that is, there is always a direct mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the rear wheels. This means the four wheel steering-equipped Prelude was intuitive to drive, unlike most other four wheel steering systems in which the rear wheels were controlled indirectly by a computer.
The third generation Prelude also had some new external designs worth mentioning. The bonnet line was designed to be the lowest bonnet line of any front wheel drive car in the world, allowing for better forward visibility. The drag resistance was at of high-speed stability.
Another unique structural element of the third generation Prelude was the high-strength metal used in the 6 roof pillars. The roof pillars were so slim that all-around visibility was amazingly clear for 326°. Some call this Prelude the "baby NSX" due to some common design cues between the two cars, such as the excellent forward visibility via a low bonnet line, a front end resemblance, the suspension attributes (great handling with a smooth ride).
In 1987, Road & Track published a test summary that shows the 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0Si 4WS out slalomed every car of that year, including all Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Porsches. It went through the slalom at 65.5 mph, which was amazing in those days. For reference, the 1988 Corvette did the same at 64.9 mph.
The Prelude was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1987.
[] 1989
In November 1989 the Honda Prelude was given a facelift from the previous third generation (1987-1988) styling to a newer look. This facelift featured slightly smaller rear lights with clear indicators instead of the previous orange indicators. The top of the rear bumper was also changed to meet up with the smaller lights, and then bumper was also made into a rounder shape. The front bumper on the 1990 Preludes was also changed to feature clear indicators and park lamps and different styling. Many of the interior parts were revised including, the dash surround ad bezel, the door cards handle and window switches, the steering wheel shape contours were changed, etc
Honda in 1990, released the Prelude SiStates. This car was on a limited production line and very few were built, it featured 4WS (Four Wheel Steering), ALB (ABS), LSD, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift leaver, extra sound deadening on firewall and bonnet, rear windscreen wiper and washer, and many more features that were usually options. It also featured a unique B21A engine that was only produced for the SiStates. This model was only available in Japan.
[] 1991
In 1991, there was a major overhaul of the fourth generation Prelude, released outside of Japan in 1992. The car had a 58% front and 42% rear weight distribution. The four wheel steering system was changed to an electronic version and the engine was increased in size from 2.1 litres to 2.2 litres for the base "S" model (SOHC F22A1 engine, 135 hp (101 kW) @ 5200 rpm, 142 lb ft (193 Nm) @ 4000 rpm) and "VTEC" model (DOHC VTEC H22a, 190 hp (143 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 158 lb ft (212 Nm) @ 5500 rpm), with a less performance-oriented 2.3 litre for the "Si" (DOHC H23A1, 160 hp (115 kW) @ 5800 rpm, 156 lb ft (212 Nm) @ 5300 rpm. The VTEC Model had an upgraded brake system, going from a 10.3" front rotor to an 11.1" front rotor, utilizing a larger calliper and brake pad, similar to that from the Acura Vigor.
In the UK, there was also a 2.0i model that was rated around 125 bhp (93 kW). 1993 was the last year that the "Si-VTEC" name was used, and starting in 1994 it shortened to just "VTEC" and stayed that way throughout the rest of the generation. The Prelude 2.2 VTEC is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a VTi. In Canada, the Si was called the SR, and the VTEC was called the SR-V.
This model also marked the end for the pop-up headlights and a lot of other design features that had become "prelude standard". The rear end was no longer flat and wide; but wide, rounded and fairly high in comparison. The front fascia of the car became wider with fixed headlights. The glass sunroof made way for a steel sliding roof which no longer retracted into the car but extended out and over it. This in effect creates a spoiler which reduced air noise when driving.
The dashboard was generally accepted as the extraordinary feature of this model. The dashboard stretched from left to right in the car, being equal in height over the full length and housing all dials and indicators. The light blue back lighting introduced in the third generation was continued. Later models (1994 and on) also featured translucent speedometer and tachometer needles. In Japan, there was also an in-dash television set available as a standard option; as a result, many enthusiasts have tried to modify their Preludes' dashboards in order to fit a small television set. The Japanese version of the Prelude also had certain options which were never found in state-bound models but did show up in the Canadian market. For instance, the Japanese Prelude had power folding and heated side mirrors, as well as a rear windscreen wiper while the Canadian market had heated seats. The fourth generation Prelude also shares suspension components with the fifth (94-97) and sixth (98-02) generation Honda Accord.
In the UK, the Honda Prelude was never considered an essential purchase by the majority of sports car enthusiasts who overlooked it for the more trendy Toyota MR-2 and other well-known rivals. This might be partly due to the Prelude's reportedly cramped interior, though perhaps the Prelude was also overshadowed by more prominent performance Hondas; such as the Civic Type-R, the NSX and later the S2000. However, the Prelude is extremely competitive in terms of style, speed and build quality, and it has achieved something of a cult status in the UK and US where demand is still high for the sportier, manual transmission versions.
|
|
Advertise Here!
Hunter's Creek Knives
e-commerce websites
from €550, ready to go! sell classic car related items online.
also blogs, brochure websites!
www.LeitrimWebDesign.com
Affordable Classics
Classic Ford Car Sales
01787 237887
www.affordableclassics.co.uk
Advertise Here!
|
