Pristine 1987 Honda Prelude sells for an outrageous sum

We’ve seen some impressive auction results over the past few years, and while many high prices have raised eyebrows, the sale of a 1987 Honda Prelude (BA1) at auction for a staggering $US79,000 ($AU120,000) just raises questions.

While the red, manual car does have low mileage (4200mi or 6700km), it has never featured in a movie, been owned by a celebrity, or bookended a production run.

It’s just a mint-condition example of the second-generation Honda sports coupe – and double the previous record price for a Prelude of its vintage.

MORE: Used Honda Civic sells for $US50,000

The final auction price for this Prelude would buy a ‘DC2’ 1999-2001 Honda Integra Type R and a 2000s Honda S2000 Roadster – two of Honda’s most iconic cars, which have increasingly become collectors’ items – or one, higher-mileage 1990s Honda NSX supercar.

In the new-car world, you could buy one example of all three SUVs in Honda showrooms today (HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V), or one new BMW M2 sports coupe.

The sale, conducted on US auction platform Bring-A-Trailer, sets a new high watermark for Honda Prelude values, eclipsing the already high price of $US40,000 ($AU61,000) paid for a similar red example (albeit with 30,000 miles, or 50,000km on the clock) in July last year.

According to vehicle sales data aggregator Classic.com, the sale increased the average value of the Honda Prelude from $US11,500 to almost $US19,000 ($AU17,500 to $29,000), a rise of 65 per cent.

Released in 1982, the second-generation Honda Prelude launched a new wedge-shaped two-door notchback design – complete with pop-up headlamps that would last for a decade – and return (with streamlined headlights) in the fifth and final generation of the model in 1996.

The third-generation Prelude was an evolution of the second-generation model (known as the BA1) and, with more refined exterior styling, was the first mass-produced car to offer mechanical rear-wheel steering.

The car sold at auction was a 1987 model, the last year of the second-generation cars.

Powered by an 85kW/166Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the BA1 Prelude was more of a sports tourer than a sports car.

However it sold well and with 336,599 deliveries reported over its life in the US, was the most successful of all five generations of the Honda nameplate, accounting for 41 per cent of all Preludes sold in the USA.

We’re sure the new owner will be happy with their $120,000 Honda, as it must tick a few emotional boxes – but it’s no doubt a high price.

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