In the world of automotive black sheep, the Honda Prelude is arguably one of the most stand out candidates. For a vehicle that was produced from 1978 all the way until 2001, the Prelude never seemed to get the shine it deserved, as it always appeared to play second fiddle to Honda’s more popular Civic, Integra, and Accord options. What the Prelude lacked in popularity it made up for in equipment, and with enticing options such as a powerful H22A VTEC engine, 4 wheel steering, and active torque distribution the Prelude was always the testing ground for the latest and greatest in Honda sports car technology. The fifth and final generation of Prelude is arguably the most recognizable and is a culmination of everything the brand learned from the previous four generations. This particular 1996 model year example is optioned in top of the line SiR Type S Trim and is equipped with the most desirable drivetrain, the 220hp 2.2l “H22A” engine paired to a 5 speed LSD transmission. The exterior is finished in a fresh coat of Honda Championship White and shows off the smooth, refined body lines quite nicely. The 5th generation prelude is the best looking in our humble opinion, and a tasteful OEM lip kit and low rise spoiler subtly accentuate the great factory body lines. The only modification to the exterior is a set of aftermarket multi spoke wheels, and adjustable Tein coilovers give the chassis a much needed drop to eliminate some unnecessary wheel gap. Records on the car show evidence of body repair done in the front and rear, and the vehicle was even wrapped metallic red at one point. Needless to say this Prelude has been through a few changes but we think it looks fantastic in it’s final form. The interior is equally as clean and is finished in an extremely nice black leather and Alcantara combo. The seats are in great shape with no rips or tears on the upholstery and only the slightest amount of sun fading on the front seats. The material is soft and the cockpit is overall an extremely comfortable place to be. The digital climate control is fully functional, with ice cold AC and the dash plastics are free of cracking or any other damages. An aftermarket head unit with USB capabilities replaces the OEM radio and sounds great. The only defects in the interior appear to be on the steering wheel and shift knob, where there is some expected peeling on the leather on the 26 year old components. The gauge cluster displays just 129,824 verified km. Equating to about 80k original miles this Honda certainly has a ton of life left and will serve the next owner quite well. Turn the key and the H22A fires up without a hitch. Power delivery on these 5th gen Preludes is surprisingly responsive and the VTEC engine pulls strong and smooth to redline. Shifts through the 5 speed manual transmission are direct and the close ratio makes this coupe a blast to drive around city streets or backroads. A front LSD puts the power down in the twisties and the coilovers help dial the chassis in even more. Those who’ve driven Preludes of previous generations will definitely notice the improvements on the 5th generation chassis and a RHD model in a hard to find spec just sweetens the deal even more. For classic Honda enthusiasts, this Prelude is a dark horse ready to be added to the stable.