1989 Honda Prelude 2.0 EX Project Pancake

[RobMorris]

Hey guys

I have just bought unseen the following Honda Prelude from a trader who knows nothing about it other than he just got it in as a part ex.

In his words 'All I know mate is that it runs and drives ok'

I did a HPI check and was all clear

I did a tax check and it tax was due 17th September 2015

MOT expired 27th October 2012 so its been of the road for a few years for unknown reasons.

Anyway I always like to take a punt and after agreeing a price I hope the car gets delivered tonight after work!

Here are a few pictures as she sits.

[79cord]

Seeing the paint stripped from the bumpers certainly makes them look heavier & more less well matched to the shape of the car.
Looks fairly straight so hope rust is controllable.

[RobMorris]

Yeah its poverty spec so unpainted bumpers. I quite like that though.
I'm going home soon to see it for the first time so fingers crossed its not a right wrongen!

[RobMorris]

So on seeing the car for the first time - it wasn't as great as I hoped for. It was leaking over my driveway and it wouldn't even start!

Inside looked like a farmer had been using it and it was stripped of the stereo and all speakers.

So I got the hose and hoover out and got it into a state that I could touch it.

Whilst cleaning I had the battery on charge. Put the battery back on and she fired up and sounded a champ.

The brakes are curse word and there is no power steering. I soon realized the leak was power steering fluid.

So off come the bumper, fix/remove the offending part tart it up a little.

[Speedle]

Well saved sir! Love this shape prelude and they are getting very hard to find. All things considered that slam panel looks nice and straight and free from any nasty rot (that I can see) bit of TLC and I reckon you've got a winner!

Best of luck with it, look forward to seeing that MOT ticket!

[RobMorris]

Ive read in a few posts over the years about the use of MTN94 Graffiti Cans to paint a car.
Well with no real further investigation I have purchased 16 cans (8 blue/8 black) + some astro fat caps.

I will be painting the top half 'Angle Blue' which is kinda eggshell colour. And the bottom half black.

Please give me your advice on how to do the best possible job!

[penski]

Light sanding to key it, clean it with panel wipe, mask it off and spray a few light coats. Graff paint covers really well... It's quite difficult to balls it up.

*n

[Sjiefaa]

Those are the best shape Prelude imo, the ducktail decklid is just so cool... Hope you get in on the road again.

In the meanwhile, I'll just leave this here;

[RobMorris]

Thanks guys.

I have started buying a few bits for it.

I have got some 16" BBS lookalikes / some ebay coilovers / the paint / few tacky bits that I feel will work.

Basically its a project car that is just for fun. So I feel I can put all the junk on it I would normally on my normal car..

[mavesyn]

Like the old Prelude's.....

[RobMorris]

I popped to 'Pick a Part' in Kent this morning which is not huge but has a good variety and cheap prices.

I met a fellow Retro Rider but apologies I didnt get his name. A very nice man arrived at the Volvo just after I took the below splitter from! He was there grabbing some spares for his own car..

Anyway a pic of the bumper without the splitter.


And with the splitter just sitting on. It fits about 99% perfect!!


I picked up a decent length of power cable also and total bill was £5!

[pneuma]

Looks great! What model is that splitter from?

[Bioshock]

Be watching this one.

[RobMorris]

I took it from a Volvo 940. Shame as the 940 looked in great shape!

[concertocharlie]

this isn't a ex Felixstowe car is it?

[RobMorris]

Nah I think its spent the last few years over in Kent

[sb]

Looking forward to where this might go, this and the S12 Silvia I think have a lot of untapped potential.

[concertocharlie]

ah, ok, my old neighbour died and this looks just like his,

[RobMorris]

Oct 1, 2015 21:55:07 GMT penski said:

Light sanding to key it, clean it with panel wipe, mask it off and spray a few light coats. Graff paint covers really well... It's quite difficult to balls it up.

*n

Thanks penski - I have tried a few test pieces and true it does seem to go on very easy and covers a low grit easily!
Do you know of any after care advise or even polishing potential?

[penski]

After care? Give it a wipe down... Dunno about polishing; wet sanding? You'd have a hell of a job either way. stealthstylz has a cleaning regime for his car and it looks great.

*n