Honda Prelude

1978 to 1982 · Coupe

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Shifty Estimate

$8,100

Low confidence · $6K to $10K

Median · all time: $7,550
Sales · all time: 7
Original MSRP: $4,999Up 62% since new

Enthusiast

Sold$8,100 · Bring a Trailer · Jul 2025

The market

Every recorded 1978 Honda Prelude sale, by date and price

Jul 2025 · Bring a Trailer

$8,100 · 7,000 mi · Blue

See this car

Sold Bid to, not sold

7 sales · 1 unsoldmedian $7.5kupdated Feb 2026

Latest results

The newest 1978 Honda Prelude sales with photographs

Sold $8,600

1981 · Blue · 57,000 mi

Dec 23, 2024 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $7,300

1981 · Gray · 62,000 mi

Apr 8, 2024 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $13,050

1981 · Red · 51,000 mi

Mar 10, 2024 · Bring a Trailer

Other Prelude generations

Specifications

Engine: Inline-4, 1.6L
Power: 72 hp
Torque: 94 lb-ft
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: FWD
Original MSRP: $4,999

Common questions

How much does a Honda Prelude cost?

A 1978 Honda Prelude cost $4,999 new. Across every sale we have on file, 7 have sold publicly at a median of $7,550. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $8,100. Cars have changed hands anywhere from $6,075 to $10,125, depending on mileage, color, and history.

What is a 1978 Honda Prelude worth today?

The Shifty Estimate is $8,100. We rate confidence low: 7 public sales in a year is not enough to be firm, and the honest range is wide. Treat it as a starting point, not a valuation.

How many Honda Prelude have sold?

Shifty has 7 public sales of the Honda Prelude on file. The earliest was on May 10, 2019.

What is the most expensive Honda Prelude sold?

The highest public sale on file is $13,050, on Mar 10, 2024, with 51,000 mi.

What has a Honda Prelude sold for at auction?

The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:

$8,100Jul 9, 2025Blue · 7,000 mi
$8,600Dec 23, 2024Blue · 57,000 mi
$7,300Apr 8, 2024Gray · 62,000 mi

About the 1978 Honda Prelude

Honda's first-generation Prelude marked the brand's bold entry into the sports coupe segment, establishing a nameplate that would define affordable performance for decades. Launched in 1978, this compact coupe featured Honda's CVCC 1.8-liter four-cylinder producing 72 horsepower, paired with either a five-speed manual or two-speed semi-automatic Hondamatic transmission. The Prelude's clean, angular design by Honda's internal team showcased European influences while maintaining distinctly Japanese proportions. What made it special was Honda's commitment to handling dynamics, independent suspension all around was rare in this price class. Early examples are increasingly sought after by collectors who appreciate the model's historical significance as Honda's sports car pioneer. Clean, rust-free examples command premium prices, especially five-speed models. The first-gen Prelude represents the beginning of Honda's performance legacy, making it a cornerstone piece for any Japanese sports car collection focused on foundational models.