Hey guys and gals... I'm new to the forum but I've got in my possession a 1982 Honda Prelude. It's in rough shape. But I only spent $150 to buy it, and it almost runs. (I think it's just a battery, and with the electronic ignition, the alternator/generator just isn't up to the job, I'll know Sunday for sure though)
The car's sat for 8 years ... The back window is busted out and the upholstery is crap. I'm going to get pictures on Sunday as well.
Is this car worth millions if I restore it. Or is it just awesome looking?


Modified by RasHondasDriver at 6:01 PM 3/12/2008


Modified by RasHondasDriver at 6:01 PM 3/12/2008



Modified by RasHondasDriver at 6:52 PM 3/18/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RasHondasDriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It's in rough shape.
But I only spent $150 to buy it,
Is this car worth millions if I restore it. Or is it just awesome looking?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's worth $150.

really though there is not a huge following for the 1gen prelude, but that could change in the next decade. I wouldn't expect to see any returns but your own personal satisfaction, but that should be worth enough.

pretty much it is just awesome looking

lets see some pics $150 is a steal if you can make it run inexpensively

 

Yeah, I'll definitely post pictures... at this point the car fires over with a jump start, but doesn't stay running past the first 2-3 minutes... So, it's a completely dead battery and any combination of the following: slacking cylinder, crap alternator, shelacked gas (gas that's past it's shelf life), or it just needs to blow the stink off.
I'm going to throw a brand new battery in it, new plugs, an oil change, fresh gas, and then see what other problems it has. I'm going to ditch almost the entire interior over spring break (weight reduction )... I've got a buddy coming up from Cali to help. And he and I are going to trouble shoot as much as I can without having my toolbox from school handy... Pictures still on their way... haven't seen the car since Tuesday, it's still up north.

 

i don't think i'll ever see one go across Barrett Jackson, but i could be wrong.. but probably not, cause i don't think i've ever seen any "S" cars go across either, and those would be worth much much more.. like mid 20's restored..

 

 

 

Looks like a fun project! If you want some help with it lemme know. I live just out past West Oly, and I'm pretty familiar with those engines. Just rebuilt the one in my Accord. There was a 1g Prelude up in Tacoma that had a good rear window just about 2 months ago. Might still be there. It's at "Pull-a-Part." Don't bother calling them though because they have no idea they even have it. I pulled a tranny from it, and they kept asking me if it was from an 87 and said they didn't have anything older... Ha!

What's this "81 Accord Notchback Coupe" you've got listed?

 

I'd love help... such as spark plug gap. On the engine, it's written as 1.1, but they left out the units of measurement... I know that the spark plug ignites that rich mixture, which has to have a hot spark... so 1.1 (on the inch scale) doesn't sound totally unreasonable... but everything else I've ever done as been in the neighborhood of .04...
I do have another question... I've only done minor body work, and am going to school for the engine stuff... How is a back window removed/replaced?
Also... How many freaking vacuum lines are there on this beast!?!
P.S. I'm off Highway 101 near South Puget Sound Community College.

 

The body looks straighter then any 1st gen lude i've ever seen, good luck with the project.

 

The gap for the plus is 1.1mm. If you buy the NGK plugs, they'll be pre-gapped (at least in my experience). Heh, you're not too far from me, I live out off Delphi Rd. I'm pretty sure that on the 1st gens, the windows aren't glued in (at least on the Accords, dunno about the Preludes for sure). I'm not totally familiar with pulling them, but I believe some firm pressure from the inside along with somehow peeling the rubber seal out it comes out fairly easy. To put back in, I believe there is a trick where you can use some rope around the entire window seal, and you pull the rope through while pushing the window in... which reseats the seal in the window frame.

This is a good article explaining the basics if you don't have the glue-in type windows.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/....html

 

wow, looks like a dope project!

 

especially fond of the blue w/pinstripe. looks like a pretty solid car to start with.

On a side note there is a 1gen for sale in wa. $550 with all of the parts intact with a bad motor on thisoldhonda.com , might be worth picking up for the interior... the owner was nice, but did not want to part it out, just spoke with him yesterday.

 

TurnOffTheRadio: You are amazing! I've never heard of that site!! Oh my, I just found my candy store.
Everybody: Anybody know what interior is a good swap for the first gen Preludes? I know that the first gen 'Lude had the floor-pan from the second gen Civic, and the engine from the first gen accord... Was the interior unique to the Prelude? What about just a seat swap? I know that Corbeau has the exact bracket for a first gen Prelude... But I don't know if I want performance seats in a stock car. It'd look cool, but I wouldn't have money to up the engine...

 

I dont know what kind of resources you have, but I saw this go up for sale on RPR. http://www.redpepperracing.com...35&hl=

If youre serious about restoring your car, I dont think you could possibly find a better parts car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RasHondasDriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">TurnOffTheRadio: You are amazing! I've never heard of that site!! Oh my, I just found my candy store.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

well, if you say so, but I didn't make the site

 

great find for $150, cant beat it
all you need to do get the car running and fix the rust and it'll look great

 

1.1 mm = .03937 + .003937 or .043 inches