1981 Honda Prelude Base 3AT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1981 Honda Prelude front 5.6.18 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1979 Honda Prelude 1.6 by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1982 Honda Prelude 1.6 Hondamatic by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1981 Honda Prelude rear 5.6.18 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Honda Prelude (8324259809) by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1981 Honda Prelude Base 3AT is a 72-hp 1.8-liter inline-4 sports coupe with a 3-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $7,564 MSRP.
It makes 72 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 94 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm.
The Prelude measures 161.0 inches long on a 91.3-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $7,564 ($27,044 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.8-liter SOHC 12-valve CVCC inline-4 (EK) |
| Displacement | 1.8 L |
| Horsepower | 72 hp @ 4,500 rpm |
| Torque | 94 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Injection Type | CVCC carburetor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 3-Speed Automatic |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 161 in |
| Width | 64.4 in |
| Height | 50.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 91.3 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Honda Prelude Base 3AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Honda PRELUDE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jul 18, 1984 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE SPRINGS ARE HELD UP BY A METAL SUPPORT AROUND EACH SHOCK ABSORBER. VEHICLES DRIVEN REGULARLY IN AREAS WHERE ROADS ARE SALTED DURING WINTERTIME ARE SUBJECT TO RUSTING OF THESE SUPPORTS. RUSTING MAY EVENTUALLY ALLOW THE SPRING TO BREAK THROUGH THE SUPPORT.
Remedy: THE SPRING SUPPORTS AND SHOCKS WILL BE INSPECTED; DEPENDING ON CONDITION, THE COMPONENTS WILL BE RUSTPROOFED OR REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign 84V086000
2 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1981 Honda PRELUDE
Owner Complaints
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Honda PRELUDE. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Fuel System | 1 |
| Gasoline | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 HONDA PRELUDE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.