LudeGeneration present the Honda Prelude
2020 and the UK Honda Prelude club were ready to line up their long bonnets, then everything went a bit askew.
The LudeGen Line
Back in 2018 LudeGeneration raged against the dying of the light, a line of long bonnets formed as the sun set on the Japanese Auto Extravaganza (JAE) at the East of England Showground in Peterborough.
And on to JAE 2019, with a few 'Ludes' missing from the Norfolk Showground in Norwich.
This was to be addressed in 2020, though current covid related events may delay our ambition.
@Nitin Suriacant Photography
In anticipation of a 'LudeGen Line' I'd like to present the Prelude, together with highlights of the cast in waiting.
Dylan Thomas, (ish)the Prelude will not go gentle into that good night, it will continue to rage, rage against the dying of the light
The Prelude Portfolio
Personal images from LudeGeneration's beloved Preludes - expressions of grace and power.
@mjbcars & @Nitin Suriacant Photography - The Phoenix Yellow JDM SiR S-Spec
@atr84 Type S
@Honda-Hardy - Type S
@Wurlycorner - 95 JDM White BB4 Si VTEC
@Drax - JUN Prelude
#Hagland_bb4 - 1995 Prelude 2.2 - JDM BB1 4WS - Sebring Silver
@Laners Lude - UKDM 1995 manual H22A2 VTEC
@TazzmanianDevil94 - JDM BB4 VTEC
@JAE
#fit_hot_blonde - 2.2i DOHC H22A7
#fit_hot_blonde - '97 JDM 5th Gen - upgraded from 2.0 to the VTEC H22A7
@Ratty's Type S & @mr_drc's Turbo Lude
@Mimms - SiR S-Spec & Motegi
Before delving further into LudeGeneration's portfolio, let's start at the beginning.
The Daddy
In late 1978 Honda debuted a new front wheel drive 2 door coupe - the Prelude.
@wurlycorner
Whilst the Prelude borrowed some of the mechanics of the first generation Accord, it wasn't simply an Accord cut to size. Honda's vision of the car wasn't to be compromised.
The suspension was all new with double wishbone front and Macpherson strut rear. The body a unique fully welded steel monocoque body shell, with no front sub frame.
Image courtesy of Honda
The Prelude had its own identity, and the young design team had set their sights high, drawing influence from the Mercedes 450SLC.
@wurlycorner
Power came from a 1602cc SOHC eight valve engine with a twin barrel carburetor, giving the Prelude a modest 79bhp. Though, with a weight of just 900kg, it was a relatively agile package for its day. In Japan and the US, an extra 10bhp was available via a 1751cc 12 valve engine option.
Image courtesy of Honda
The photos are of a 1983 Prelude - A 1602cc Hondamatic, in full running order and brought back to life following rescue from a remote barn.
@wurlycorner
Honda's attention to detail is littered throughout the car. The rear wash wipe reservoir, for example, is attached to a flexible hose - unclip the bottle, pull it free of the car, thus no risk of water spillage on the boot carpet.
The powered 'moonroof' - a feature that was to become a regular of the Prelude marque.
Image courtesy of Honda
And there's the unusual dashboard design, complete with a compact integrated radio.
Image courtesy of Honda
Key driver information was laid out in a co axial design; a large speedometer as the base, then a rev counter and finally an overlay of warning lights.
With refined handling, the Honda was neither an unsophisticated two door muscle car nor a saloon masquerading as a coupe.
@wurlycorner
With a degree of Teutonic influence, the Prelude was designed to be a drivers car, one that didn't sacrifice performance at the expense of comfort - a recipe that would endure and mature as the model evolved.
A further 4 generations of Prelude would grace our roads - until 2001 - when Honda decided to retire their flagship two door coupe.
#fit_hot_blonde
But - The Prelude will not go gentle into that good night - Which is where LudeGeneration take up the story, well mostly.
The Absent One
1982 and the second generation made its debut in Japan, followed by release worldwide in 1983. The model stayed with the 'notchback' design, but this time in a wider more aerodynamic package along with 'pop up' headlights.
Image courtesy of Honda
The new design posed a problem for the engineers. The nose was exceptionally low, requiring a new shorter engine to suit, and mounted with a backward tilt to further reduce height.
Image courtesy of Honda - Type ES engine
The low nose and engine demanded a fresh design for the double wishbone front suspension.
Image courtesy of Honda
Another new addition was the option of Honda's four wheel anti lock brake system.
Image courtesy of Honda
Inside the designers restrained themselves with a more conventional dashboard layout.
Image courtesy of Honda
Although a striking digital version of the car's dashboard was produced.
Image courtesy of Honda - Analogue dials vs. Digital liquid crystal display
Initially power came from a new 12 valve 1829cc engine delivering 102bhp. Later, a 1958cc 16 valve option would become available. Power for the Japanese variant rose to 157bhp. The engine upgrade for the European model saw power rise to 137bhp.
Image courtesy of Honda
The second generation had only put on a 100kg, as such, the combination of performance and handling was to rival or surpass its competition.
Image courtesy of Honda
Preludes as a whole are now becoming thin on the ground. Within LudeGeneration, the second generation seems to have succumbed to age and 'rotten arch' syndrome, so there are no 'living' examples within the club. Missing from the line up, not forgotten.
The Pretty One
The year is now 1987 and Honda release the third and arguably prettiest Prelude.
@Mimms 'Three Sisters' 2019
The low nose and 'pop up' headlights persisted from the previous generation, the lines cleaner. The suspension was upgraded with double wishbones to both front and rear.
@Mimms 'Three Sisters' 2019
The top specification Prelude was powered by the 1958cc DOHC 16 valve B20A engine, first seen in late edition mk2s. Again, rear tilted to enable the low profile.
The Japanese market received the 157bhp power unit, whilst Europe had to make do with the B20A1 and 137bhp. The top engine for the US market was the B20A5 producing 135bhp.
@Mimms 'Three Sisters' 2019
This Honda is often remembered for being the first (outside of Japan) to market a production car with the option of four wheel steer - 4WS.
Image courtesy of Honda
Honda's 4WS system mechanically connected front and rear wheels. At slow speeds the rear wheels counter steer to the front wheels. Steer at high speeds and the rear wheels turn with the front, aiding stability.
Image courtesy of Honda - rear steering gearbox of Honda's 4WS system.
In testing the 4WS system, a US publication, 'Road & Track', published the results of a 'slalom' test, showing that the handling of the Prelude outperformed rivals that had far higher German and Italian price tags.
Image courtesy of Honda
Inside was an uncluttered and comfortable cabin. The dashboard hadn't taken the idea of the liquid crystal display from the second generation, opting instead for an uncomplicated look with large analogue dials.
@Greg's 3rd Gen Project
The pristine interior of the Prelude above will soon be translated to a pristine exterior. As with other elderly Hondas, it can be a case of work in progress, rust not mechanicals being the frequent and silent killer of Preludes.
@Greg's 3rd Gen Project
Although the second generation may be an absent Mk, this third generation restoration project ensures the 'prettiest' Prelude is represented.
@Greg's 3rd Gen Project
The third generation also gave rise to a lesser known Prelude.
The Shy One
1987 and whilst the third generation is receiving a face lift it gives birth to the Prelude INX.
Photo courtesy of Honda
Intended as a new Prelude model for the Japanese market, with a greater emphasis on luxury grand tourer. The front end borrowed the look of the first Legend, Honda's flagship saloon.
Photo courtesy of Honda
As with the second generation excuses must be made for the 'no show' of this incredibly rare and handsome sub generation of Prelude lineage.
The Rebellious One
Honda where under pressure - sales of the Prelude where being eaten into by rival coupes, and the design ethos of the day left the third generation Prelude looking dated.
Honda reasserted themselves and in Japan, September 1991 they launch the 4th generation Prelude
@TheHondaTuner
Jaws dropped.
@Laners Lude - UKDM 1995 manual H22A2 VTEC
The pop up headlights and angular looks had been discarded for a smoother yet muscular appearance.
@TazzmanianDevil94 - JDM BB4 VTEC
The dimensions of the Prelude grew, and the extra width of the car had an interesting knock on effect.
#Hagland_bb4 - 1994 Prelude 2.2 - JDM BB4 SI VTEC LSD
In Japan that extra width pushed Honda's coupe outside the the compact car category and into a higher tax bracket. Previously restricted to a two litre maximum capacity the engineers now had the freedom to power up the Prelude.
#Hagland_bb4
Honda took the opportunity and developed the H22A1 2156cc DOHC 16 valve with variable valve timing and lift electronic control - or just plain old 2.2i 16v VTEC.
#Hagland_bb4
Other, non VTEC, options where available, a 2.0, 2.2 and 2.3 litre.
The engine of choice was the VTEC. Power varied between the various markets - the UK 4th generation had 183bhp - the US 187bhp - A significant gain over previous Preludes.
#Hagland_bb4
In Japan the Si-VTEC, or just VTEC, had 197bhp. Acceleration to 60mph was a shade under 7 seconds with a top speed of 139mph.
#Hagland_bb4 - 1995 Prelude 2.2 - JDM BB4 SI VTEC LSD
4WS remained an option, though the system was upgraded to a more responsive electronic system - less lag than the mechanical predecessor.
Image courtesy of Honda
Inside, the fourth generation prepared to go boldly where no Prelude had gone before.
#Hagland_bb4
And Honda made it so with this stunning electro luminescent display.
Photo courtesy of preludeaustralia.com
Every aspect of the new Prelude seemed to rebel against the design language of previous generations, or certainly subvert it.
@Wurlycorner - 95 JDM White BB4 Si VTEC
And the VTEC engine made the Prelude formidable with a kick in the back beyond 5k rpm all the way to nigh on 8k.
Photo courtesy of Exiled Media - @Drax - JUN Prelude - 2.2 JDM DOHC SI-VTEC LSD TCS 4WS ABS BB1 MANUAL 1992
The Prelude was reborn for a younger generation, and for the generation in 'mid life crisis'.
@TazzmanianDevil94 - JDM BB4 VTEC
Each year sees dwindling numbers, but the 4th generation will be present, the cult classic lives on within LudeGeneration.
#Hagland_bb4
As well as the 4th generations featured, several in LudeGeneration are mid way through restoration/upgrade, including one whose engine build is being perfected.
@Vtecmec's 4th Gen
A turbo charged 350bhp H22A build.
The Elegant One
In November 1996 Honda released the fifth and final generation of Prelude.
Motegi Prelude
The heading could have been, 'The Marmite One', and for lovers of the outgoing fourth generation the new shape was difficult to comprehend.
@Brozilla - Green BB9
The new Prelude was not a 'love at first sight' coupe. It was a car, the lines of which, you learnt to appreciate.
@mjbcars & @Nitin Suriacant Photography - The Phoenix Yellow JDM SiR S-Spec
Today - Honda's design seems bold, uncluttered, and refined.
@mjbcars & @Nitin Suriacant Photography - The Phoenix Yellow JDM SiR S-Spec
Preludes have aged well.
@Honda-Hardy - Type S
Some still struggle with the fifth generations unique vertical headlight array, with its stacked free form reflectors, or just, 'those eyes, damn them'.
The original eyes can be swapped out for a more piercing look.
@Honda-Hardy - Type S
And one Prelude has sought to remedy the situation with a bespoke ocular solution.
@NafemanNathan - '96 BB6 SiR - 257bhp@8300rpm
Inside now and the Tokyo inspired light show of the fourth generation dashboard gives way to a calmer more measured analogue style. The Prelude now emphasised the comfortable GT experience.
Motegi Prelude
Though that was not entirely true of all versions.
@Honda-Hardy - Type S
And some fifth generations prefer a more track orientated approach with figure hugging Recaros.
@Ratty's Type S
And custom dials.
@Ratty's Type S
The electronic 4WS was still an option on some models.
And the H22 block was retained. Performance and power remained essentially unchanged from the previous generation. The top specification in the UK was the Motegi edition which received the H22A8 and 197bhp.
H22A8
The H22 saw success on the track, successfully transferring its skills to the British Touring Car Championship, adapted for the European F3, and used by Mugen Motorsports.
@Ratty's H22A
And Honda engineers continued to tinker with the now signature engine of the Prelude.
A larger throttle body, more aggressive camshafts, advanced dual chamber air intake, higher compression ratio - The red line was pushed.
@atr84 Type S
This 217bhp H22A engine was bestowed upon two Preludes.
The SiR S-Spec.
@Nitin Suriacant Photography - The Phoenix Yellow JDM SiR S-Spec
And the Type S Prelude.
@atr84 Type S
The SiR S-Spec came with no 4WS mechanism but, assisted by limited slip differential and a more potent H22, it was more sports coupe than GT.
@Nitin Suriacant Photography
The second variant to feature the H22A was the acclaimed Type S.
@Ratty's Type S
A revised front suspension - active control ABS - a wider and rounder exhaust system.
@atr84 Type S
And something called an 'Active Torque Transfer System', ATTS, which was partly why the front suspension required adjustment.
Image courtesy of Honda
The system was inspired by the oval circuits of NASCAR. Informed by yaw rate, steering angle, lateral G and wheel speed, the ATTS unit sought to address the desire of a front wheel drive car to understeer.
@Ratty's Type S
The next image is taken from a US Honda manual, the 'PROFORMANCE Technician's Guide' 1997, complete with a succinct summation of ATTS.
Image courtesy of Honda
The Type S wasn't the only one with Honda's innovation. The US had the Type SH, and in Europe the VTi-S. Beyond the Prelude and ATTS lived on within Honda's 'Super Handling All Wheel Drive system', SH-4WD.
Photo courtesy of Shiny @Honda-Hardy - Type S
Innovations have never been new to the Prelude. The first generation and its transistor controlled ignition/fuel pump system; the monocoque shell; powered 'moonroof'.
The 'pop up' eyes of the second; the lowest production car bonnet line of the third.
@Greg's 3rd Gen Project
The mechanical and electronic 4WS of the third and fourth respectively. The Star Trek dashboard of the fourth and its 'in dash' TV option. The advanced air intake, active ABS, and ATTS of the fifth.
Throughout its lifespan the Prelude maintained a low profile, figuratively and literally. Sales where modest and peaked with the third generation release, with smaller peaks for the 4th and 5th respectively.
Courtesy of carsalesdatabase.com - US sales figures for the Honda Prelude
And to 2001, the inevitable end, after 23 years and 5 generations.
@Toads 5th Gen
But - Instead of kicking back and finding a barn in which to gently rust away - it's still being cherished, still rebelling, and still evolving.
#jesskitson.graphics
This hasn't gone unnoticed.
The Press Preludes
Two performance Preludes where featured in the pages of 'Japanese Performance' magazine.
@Ratty's Type S
Both examples are far from their stock origins.
@mr_drc's Turbo Lude & @Ratty's Type S
The peal white Type S, once supercharged, is now back to it roots with a rebuilt H22A. Performance internals, larger throttle body and high performance Invidia exhaust system, the result - 262bhp.
@Ratty's Type S
The super marine blue Prelude started life as a Motegi. Under the bonnet and the original H22A8 was exchanged for the more powerful H22A7 - And then comes the fun bit.
@mr_drc
In combination with a Garrett turbo charger this Prelude has 500bhp at its disposal. However, this particular set up is capable of handling an astonishing 700bhp.
@mr_drc
There are many 'builds' within LudeGeneration - Some powerful Preludes are ready to form the backbone of the line up - Ready to rage.
Father & Son
The first and final Prelude, an OEM Motegi and on the left, 'The Daddy'. This particular first generation has had some assistance from its youngest son. The 79bhp ES engine has been replaced with an engine from the fifth generation.
A rebuilt and re crafted H22A delivering 240bhp, and in a 900kg car. It's known as the MR X 1G Prelude and is frequently seen hurtling around circuits.
For those that owned a Prelude you either - sold and regretted - sold, regretted, bought another, and then another - or you never let go.
This ficus green Motegi Prelude - still with the same owners for over 19 years.
Let me ask, if you'd never heard or knew much about the Prelude and somehow you've made it this far through the countless photos and blurb - which generation would you pick?
(And while you ponder, remember, beware the wrath of a 4th gen owner)
And now back to the Studio
Or tent.
In 23 years the list price for a Prelude went from £4995 in 1978, to over £25,000 for the Motegi Prelude in 2000. Weight and dimensions grew, along with a healthy dose of power.
@Drax - JUN Prelude
And each iteration of the Prelude was an expression of Honda's desire to perfect the drivers coupe. From first to fifth, the Prelude maintained a unique position in the Honda line up, one that is missed to this day.
@wurlycorner
LudeGeneration will be around to keep the Prelude alive, so that it may continue to grace our roads. And sometime soon we will assemble.
Align our long bonnets and rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Thank You
Huge thanks goes out to all the members of LudeGeneration for letting me use personal photos of their 'Ludes'.
And thank you so much for reading and looking through LudeGeneration's Prelude Portfolio.
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this Prelude journey.
Richard
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Comments (8)
Hello all i created an account just for this article but please HELP I want to know what wheels/rims @Greg has on his 3rd gen prelude (pic 45/104) ! ? I'll check these comments for months hoping someone sees this!
www.ludegeneration.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=19016
This is the link to Greg's Lude profile. He doesn't say the wheel model, but, post up on LudeGeneration and Greg will let you know. And thanks for reading 👌
Hi thanks for your interest the wheels are Borbet A's they are actually for sale at the moment if you want to message Greg on LG.
Loved your article. Just became the owner of a green 5th gen and its great.
Thank you and gratz on your green 5th 👌
🤘
5th gen in Red please
Yep - you're quite correct, we need a red 5th