Raw Frankfurter: 1981 Honda Prelude
I’m sitting in my living room watching the high-end classics crossing the block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale and wondering what the auction scene will look like in 20 years. Will people still be dropping $100k into ’60s Suburbans or will things like minty clean 80s Hondas be the bee’s knees? Who knows…but enjoy cheap 80s classics while you can. Like this 1981 Honda Prelude with 45k miles on the odo offered for $4,500 in Naples, FL via craigslist. Tip from dascpcu.
The first generation Honda Prelude was as close as Honda ever got to
building a pony car. It used Mustang the formula of: shared mechanical
bits from a sedan, a larger engine and long hood short/trunk styling.
The later Preludes had sophisticated VTEC engines and 4-wheel-steering,
but there is something nice about the simplicity of the lightweight early versions.
See a better way to start your 80s car collection? tips@dailyturismo.com
An guy in the HS band drumline had just about this same car in 1996 after he'd wrecked his old vehicle (might've been an '82). Started out looking very similar and did not hold up to his abuse well. Whether that's a reflection on the quality of the vehicle or the trials and tribulations of young adult male ownership.
With how large Hondas and Toyotas have grown (much less any other vehicle since the '80s), I'm still always amazed at how little they now look. An E30 is still dwarfed by 1- or 2-series machine theseadays.