EK1 engined (Prelude) no not Accord Convertibles

[chuck d]

Would anyone know how to tell the Solaire apart from the Tropic ? or the Classic Touch?

and What is this one ?


http://picasaweb.google.com/chucksta...13829384315090

ANy Ideas?
Thank You !!!

[lostforawhile]

Would anyone know how to tell the Solaire apart from the Tropic ? or the Classic Touch?

and What is this one ?


http://picasaweb.google.com/chucksta...13829384315090

ANy Ideas?
Thank You !!!

what in the world?

[2ndGenGuy]

You got me man. I don't know crap about the 1g Preludes. I think certain models were made for certain markets (Like the Solaire I think was german or something, while the Tropic was made in California, or vice versa). Are you planning on picking one up?

The guys at Prelude Power, and 1stGenCivic.org would definitely know. Maybe 79Cord will chime in here too, he's knower of all things classic Honda.

[Bglad420]

I've seen one of those in Bellingham, WA here. I beleive it was a tropic

[Placebo]

Just doing some quick research on wikipedia reveals a few things. First, search "coach convertible and this list three different conversions for the U.S.:
National Coach Engineering(1982), Solaire(1981-1982), Classic Touch(1981)

Then search wikipedia for Honda prelude and the discuss convertibles at the end of the article. There they say that, "First generation Preludes were modified by a company called Tropic Design, located in Germany. In all, they modified 47 Preludes, most of which were exported to Japan . Very few have remained in Europe, initially all in Germany. Some have been sold over time to nearby countries, at least one to the Netherlands and one to Belgium."

Based on that I'd say that you probably are not looking at a tropic, since that car is in California. Although it is possible. Based on those I'd try to find out if that red/red combo was available on all years, or any other detail that changed depending upon the year. Then work backwards to see who did the conversion in what year.

Good luck!

[chuck d]

Cool,
Now I have found info that (popular Mechanics July 1981) these Coach companies did conversions, Solaire Corp, Silcco Inc of Miami Fla (never seen yet), National Coach Engineering of Michigan, Con Tec of Lake Geneva Wisc. (never seen yet). They didn't list Tropic, or Classic Touch, and I have seen where a Canadian company did some for a Vancouver dealer, possibly called coach builder.
The Solaire and Tropic I am sure about and has been claimed by many.
The Classic Touch is claimed in Wiki, but I have found nothing except Classic Touch original pattern tops for sale. I wonder were they a conversion shop or a Top shop that made tops for others.
THe National Coach Engineering (in Mich.) I have seen claimed (once) also.
But the Silcco (Fla.) and Con Tec (Wisc.) I had not seen till this article.

The only one I have seen in person is the Solaire. I have seen Tropic pictures, but none close up to see the details on how they are different. ANd no pictures of any of the others.
If anyone has leads to a picture of the Tropic top mechanism, or the backseat or any info on that or any of these. Please post or PM.
Thank You !!!
and what the heck is this ?
http://picasaweb.google.com/chucksta...13829384315090

[85SE-i]

Check this out!!! Oh and by the way, the 1st Gen Prelude wikipedia article, you can thank me for that. I wrote that whole thing.

[Civic Accord Honda]

my god that thing is ballen!!!1 i want one!

[Placebo]

[QUOTE=85SE-i;976165]Check this out!!! Oh and by the way, the 1st Gen Prelude wikipedia article, you can thank me for that. I wrote that whole thing.


OK, but why does it say that the article is a rough translation from Japanese?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_P...281979-1982.29

[85SE-i]

OK, but why does it say that the article is a rough translation from Japanese?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_P...281979-1982.29

Um, because I speak Japanese... No, but seriously, the old article was translated from Japanese and made no sense whatsoever. When I rewrote it I either forgot to delete that part or I couldn't delete it, I can't remember which. It was a while ago. Now that I'm thinking about it, I am going to go there and see if I can delete that part.

[chuck d]

Now that one (silver above) is a Solaire.

[chuck d]

Hey, I got some pictures up!
check it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/chuckstar

[2ndGenGuy]

Are you buying one?

[chuck d]

Yes,
Bought one, may be buying another one.
Got a Solaire, It is Beat, interior is trashed. Just replaced the Head gasket, now it runs but needs much work. Hope to get it to pass Smog B4 I go to a Webber. Needs all struts, very bouncy, bouncy ride.
But now seen this one, it is Not a Solaire and I don't think it is a Tropic. I don't know who made it or if it was done at home by a previous owner.
Check the Pix, and others there.
http://picasaweb.google.com/chucksta...88989692118498

[2ndGenGuy]

Oh man it has the cool digital gear indicator! The Accords have that too but I never got to see it work!

[Ichiban]

Oh man it has the cool digital gear indicator! The Accords have that too but I never got to see it work!

Mine worked!?

[2ndGenGuy]

Yeah but I never have ridden in any of your Accords! I just gutted one of them then helped you do bodywork on the other one.