For 1980, its second year of existence, the Honda Prelude coupe changed very little. The two-speed "Hondamatic" was replaced by a comparatively advanced three-speed automatic transmission.

The 1980 Honda Prelude came with a 1.7-liter, 72 horsepower four cylinder engine, which was Honda's most powerful. Though it had a backseat, it was for all purposes a two-seater. The Prelude came standard with a five-speed manual transmission.

At the time, many drivers looked past the Prelude because of its strange looks and oddly configured dash. However, driving enthusiasts found the car, with its peppy engine, high-end tires, and rack and pinion steering, to be a joy to operate. Now, this generation of Prelude is a collector's item.