Update - we now have 10 Preludes, all 1st generation models. I (Glen) have a near mint metallic gold NZ assembled 1982 EL 1602 auto, a very nice red Japanese assembled 1982 (XR model) EK 1751 auto, a blue Jap assembled 1980 XR, 2 x Aruba Red 1982s and a white 1981 EL 1602 manual that has been sadly relegated to a parts car.
Here are a couple of photos, more to follow...
Margot has a beautiful metallic silver NZ assembled 82 EL 1602 auto, a light metallic blue Japanese assembled (for the US market) (XE model) 81 EK 1751 auto, a midnight blue NZ assembled 82 EL 1602 auto, and a fast improving red 82 EK 1751 auto.
We recently bought an 82 Accord and are in the process of taking everything that unbolts off. Is there a guide to what we can use from the Accord for our Preludes??
The cars are all different in various ways - My gold one was the first of the bunch. I've had it about 3 years now, saw it for sale in a car yard for $1200 - I bargained the dodgy looking biker type guy down to $1100 and drove home in one of the most mint original 80s cars I have been in for a long long time.
Margot was jealous.
About a year later my son called me on my mobile about 8pm one night, excited by the fact he'd come across another car like my gold Prelude. He'd come across a group of young guys that had this car out and were trying to kill it by doing burn-outs. The fact that the clutch was well out of adjustment possibly saved a few other things down the drivetrain, but it had suffered a few knocks as well. There was also rust creeping in in places that you dread. I bought this one for $120 and drove it home.
Margot was livid (she likes these too, and has always wanted one if you hadn't noticed).
Months went by when I was driving my gold one in town and had another call from my son. He told me there was one parked on a busy road near where I was with a "for sale" sign on it. I quickly drove there and met him. Sure enough, there was a silver one parked up, complete with sign, and cellphone number to call if you wanted it for $800. I called the number but it was wrong. No wonder it was still there (for sale). Looking around, I saw a haircutting bar over the road - the only retail type place in the vicinity. I walked in and asked if anyone here was selling the old Honda over the road. This bimbo piped up and said "yes me" - I couldn't believe my eyes.. It was the same woman who cut my hair 2 weeks before, and gave me the worst haircut I had ever had!
I bargained her down to $600, paid her cash, drove it home, and caught a bus back to pick up the gold one.
I gave it to Margot, she liked me a lot after that.
Margot saw a light metallic blue one while driving one day. It was going the other way but she managed to duck n dive, dangerous drive, and speed her way after it. When she managed to get the driver to stop, she was astounded to see a 6'6" giant unfold his way out of it. It had a "for sale" sign in the window with $700 on it. The guy was a dick and not very nice to deal with. After her giving him a deposit and getting a receipt for the sale of it, he tried to pull out of the deal. I managed to talk him around (nicely), and she drove it home.
We then found a dark blue one in another city. It was rough but had its good points. We drove 3hrs south, paid $400 for it, checked the water etc and drove it home.
I found my red one next - it was on auction website www.trademe.co.nz and had a start bid of $500. It had lots of interest and questions, but no bids. There was still 2 days til the end of the auction but I knew I had to act fast. I contacted the seller asking if I could view it before bidding, went around there the same evening in my gold one with Margot and her 17 year old daughter, told the owners that we really really wanted one for Alix as she just loved them. They ended the auction without telling anyone why and sold it to me for $600. It had a new battery so I paid them with a smile and drove it home.
The next red one was a funny one. It was for sale a few months ago on the side of the road and we missed out on it by a matter of hours. Turns out that the person who bought it onsold it straight away to a weird drug dealer type person who proceeded to fuck it up in no time flat. He sold the original mags to a scrap metal dealer, broke the sunroof glass, lost the original stereo and "electronic navigation" unit, and nearly cooked the motor. He'd also very kindly stripped at least one of the wheel stud threads by using wheel studs of a different car. After selling the mags he found some random wheels to go on it and "made them fit".
I bought the Accord off a nice family (not) who wanted it gone from their yard as it had all glass smashed out of it apart from one window (ex-girlfriend apparently) The guy had listed it on Trade Me for $50, saying it had good tyres. We paid him a small amount of pot for it and Margot drove it home. It has a real good 1602 EL and manual in it. The roof had also been jumped on - Margot looked a treat driving it, her hair blowing in the wind...
There's one or two more in our city - a matt black one that has been lowered, and "IRENA".
Irena is Margot's holy grail. I'd estimate her owner (Irena Sutherland) to be about 65, maybe 70. She's owned it since new and it has always been garaged, serviced, polished, loved..
She won't sell it (yet!) but I'll keep you posted!
I'm wanting some info on the electronic navigation that 2 of our cars has please - can anyone help?
Here's a pic or two:
