Honda Prelude 2.0i-16V DOHC 1987

History and background

The Honda Prelude 2.0i-16V DOHC belongs to the third-generation Prelude, a model series introduced in 1987. Honda positioned the Prelude as a sporty coupe with front-wheel drive and an engineering design that distinguished it from many of its contemporaries. Within Honda's lineup, the Prelude acted as a model in which new technology and a low, streamlined bodywork came together, with a clear emphasis on handling and efficient packaging.

The Prelude emerged at a time when Japanese manufacturers were continuing to develop their mid-range coupes with more advanced chassis technology and stronger attention to finish and utility value. The third generation received a lower and wider styling than its predecessor and came internationally in several engine variants. The Honda Prelude 2.0i-16V DOHC fit within that development as a version with a two-liter sixteen-valve DOHC engine, a designation that in the 1980s was significant for the technical positioning of the model.

Within the market of that period, the Prelude competed with coupes from Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi, among others. In doing so, Honda opted not for rear-wheel drive, but for a technically sophisticated front-wheel-drive design. This made the Prelude a model that distinguished itself not only in appearance, but especially in technology. The third-generation Prelude was kept in production until the early 1990s, after which a successor appeared with further development of concept and equipment.

Characteristics and special features

The designation 2.0i-16V DOHC refers to a two-liter injection engine with sixteen-valve cylinder head and dual overhead camshafts. In the 1980s, this was a relatively modern configuration that Honda often employed in combination with a high-revving engine characteristic and precise throttle response. For the Honda Prelude, this meant a technical interpretation that matched the sporty nature of the bodywork.

An important feature of the third-generation Prelude is the transaxle layout with the gearbox at the front, combined with a compactly contained engine block. Honda also applied a chassis design to this model that aimed for stable handling and direct steering feel. At the time, the Prelude was known as a technically elaborate coupe in which design and mechanical packaging were closely matched.

The Honda Prelude 2.0i-16V DOHC was delivered at a time when details such as compact dimensions, a low seat, and a sleek roofline were important to the character of a sports coupe. It was precisely this combination of down-to-earth engineering and a recognizable coupe shape that made the model a fixture within Honda's offerings in the second half of the 1980s.

Summary

The 1987 Honda Prelude 2.0i-16V DOHC is a third-generation Prelude with two-liter sixteen-valve DOHC technology, placed in a sporty front-wheel-drive coupe with a distinct engineering profile. The model occupies a recognizable place within Honda history as a mid-range sports coupe of the 1980s. To get a good idea of the lot, we recommend coming to the viewing day.