HONDA'S FIRST-generation Prelude was basically a re-
engineered coupe version of the Civic sedan, outfitted with

North Shore News ~- 353

D REE EIS SS

Friday, Nov. 27, 1992 -

Prelude to a coupe

Honda introduces its state-of-the-art VTEC technology into 1993 Prelude

a 1.8-litre engine from the Accord sedan.

Despite its relatively mundane-
looking design, the front-wheel
drive 1979 Honda Prelude won
respect from consumers and
proved itself to be a reliable, effi-
cient form of transportation.

With an overall length and
width of only 4,100 mm and 1,636
mm, respectively, the 1979 Honda
Prelude was really not meant to
carry more than two aduits in the
front. The stubby, plain-Jane ap-
pearance of the Prelude was car-
ried over until the fall of 1982,
when the all-new second genera-
tion °83 Prelude arrived.

With the impressive new
Prelude — along with the all-new
Toyota Celica introduced a year
earlier and the second generation
Datsun 200SX which followed a
year after the Prelude’s introduc-
tion — the Japanese manufactur-
ers had created a market niche in
the 2+2 sporty GY (for Grand
Touring) coupes.

Among the three 2+2 coupes
and hatchbacks, the Prelude no
doubt received more impressive
reviews — from both consumers
and journalists alike.

Priced at just below $12,000,
the Prelude sold very well,
especially in the import-conscious
West Coast cities such as Los
Angeles, Seattle, and, of course,
Vancouver. Because of the high
popuizrity, it was very difficult to
get any kind of discount on the
*83. “Prelude, until the supply
began to increase a year or so
later. .

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder
engine now sported a three-
valve-per-cylinder design and twin
carburetors, making it much more
peppy with 100 horsepower on the
tap — about a 46% improvement
over the predecessor’s powertrain.

The new Prelude no fonger felt
like a Civic with cosmetic surgery
either. It had stepped up to a veal
sports coupe category with tight,
linear handling characteristics.

My memory of my first en-
counter with the Prelude in 1933
is sti! quite vivid, and I do
remember it to be a positive one.
With slick clutch and shift fecl,
peppy engine and quick steering
response, I had a difficult time
letting go of the Prelude after a
test drive.

In late 1985, Honda added an
Si model equipped with a fuel-
injected 2.0-litre engine, boosting
the power to 110 Lorses. [t also
came with luxury features like
power wii 3, cxuise control,
and air conditioning.

Otherwise, the Prelude stayed
basically the same frem 1983-1987
model years, except for the price,
which has reached $15,500 for the
base mode! and close to $18,000
for the Si model.

Honda’s 2+2 coupe sold well

CLUTCH SPECIAL

$4999 rWs

(CLUTCH DISC & LABOUR, MOST CARS)

OVERDRIVE

not only in North America, but in
the home country as well. Because
of the unexpectedly strong sales
even near the end of the life-cy-
cle, Honda decided not to mess
too much with the good design.

As a result, the all-new third
generation Prelude arrived as a
1988 model looking very much
like the old model.

Unfortunately, Honda’s conser-
vative strategy became a target for
heavy criticism by the auto in-
dustry experts, who felt that the
car was beginning to look too
outdated. °

Nevertheless, the Prelude was
still selling reasonably well in the
sporty coupe segment, although
the new four-wheel-steering
model never became very popular,
mainly because of the high price
tag ($21,800 for the Si model with
a 4WS option). The third genera-
tion Prelude was powered by 2.0-

litre engines, either in 12-valve
(ied hp) or l6-valve (135 hp)
form.

Despite the outdated exterior
design of the $988 to 1991
Preludes, the car handled
beautifully and almost flawlessly.
And thanks to the unchanged look
of the third generation Prelude,
the second generation Prelude in
the used car market maintained an
exceilent resale value.

In the fall of last year, Honda
brought out the fourth generation
Prelude, now with much updated
styling and technical features.
Perhaps concerned with the
previous model’s criticized ap-
pearance, Honda Canada’s presi-
dent, Isso Suzuki, said at the in-
troduction of the 1992 Prelude:
“The styling of the fourth genera-
tion Prelude may be the most
adventurous of any Honda in a
long time.’’

Available in three levels, the
new Prelude’s powertrain now in-
cluded a 2.2-litre, 16-valve four-

See Fourth-generation page 38

Photo submitted

THE TGP model of Honda's °93 Preludes, dubded the SR-V, boasts a whopping 790 hp i
output 2.2-litre engine. Pping 790 hp in @ high-

WOvaL

143

vs. SENTRA CLASSIC

(Nissan's Entry Level Car)

GEO SERA

(Backed by GM Network)
“TALE OF THE TAPE”

SiH9¥.# TRGWSAID

Gat JAPAN MADE IN MEXICO
= 1990's eee. Styling... 62... 1980's
2 | WoO ee engine....... 1.6L
e TO en horsepower... .. 70
oS s92mm———_........ head room..... 962 mm =
2 1079 mm iti... feg room... .. . 1064 mm =
by 2365 mm .....Wheelbase.... 2430 mm oy
= 4095 mm —t......... .. length....... 4280 mm Ea
ez w8Omm tit... width ....... 1640 mm ze.
1360 mm ti... height....... 1385 mm cat
SSeS  ...... PRICE ...... +9590 oe
1000) 32 ...... RERATE...... ~o- =
3885S ... MET PRICE... +9590 i
oe .... FREIGHT... 5395

*395