Go back to 1983 and I think you'll agree that the launch of the 2nd Generation Prelude was really a turning point in Honda Engineering/Style/Fit & Finish - It was the first of the new style of Honda and the end of the CVCC era designs. The 2nd Gen Prelude set up the direction of the Accord, CRX and Civic of the 80's and early 90's. Although never a popular car by sales standards, it had such a niche appeal that when Honda launched the 5th Gen model, they harkened back to the styling cues first shown on the 2nd Gen

My favourite Aunt bought a brand new 1987 Prelude off the lot and I was 5 years old - it was THE car that launched my obsession with the automobile. Pop-up headlights, bright orange cockpit lighting, power sunroof, 5 speed transmission, 3 spoke steering wheel and it felt like it went a million miles an hour. (of course with only 100hp on tap from a carbed engine it didn't...)

Im a kid of the 80's, love the music, love the cars, love the whole era. And when I turned 25 and decided it was time for a project car I knew I had to go back to the beginning - but there was an issue... well a few actually

1) I live in Canada - in Canada there is a lot of winter and a lot of salt on the roads... Salt eats 80's Honda's...
2) There wasn't an 83-87 Prelude in a junkyard within 1000 miles of my home let alone one on the road driving around
3) Even if i could find one, there weren't a ton made to being with, most weren't love enough to be worthy of even being a project car and every darn switch on the thing is unique to just the prelude so restoring it isn't like going to Honda parts bin and pulling out any old civic or accord widget to fit...$$$$  & time scavenger hunting to get it right to say the least
4) that 100hp carbed engine sounded/felt great to a 5 year old... but i'm not 5 anymore...

Im not one to let problems get in the way of a good story though, so enjoy some of my photos

1980's Prelude looks/charm
2000's Prelude power/technology

kind of looks like it left the factory that way dosen't it?