The Honda Prelude was offered up in 1979 as an alternative to Honda's popular but boring Civic and Accord. The first Prelude was in appearance little more than a shortened Accord, with a practically unusable backseat and an oddly-configured dash. It looked more like an experiment than the sleek, sporty coupe it would become.

The 1979 Prelude had a 72-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which were respectable numbers in those days. The 1979 Prelude was also noted for its high-quality tires, which made for enjoyable driving.

Drivers loved the car's power and handling, but most people couldn't get past the car's weird, chopped-off appearance and dashboard. Now, however, the '79 Prelude is a collector's item.