The Prelute
It all started with the name.
I was just a Honda fanboy musing one day about building an Ute (Aussie-speak for a car-based pickup). And then it suddenly hit me that “Prelute” would be the perfect name for a Prelude-based pickup. From that moment on there was no turning back: I had to build it to justify the vanity plate.
The Prelute started as a 1997 Prelude base, nearly ready for the scrapyard.
A 3-axis construction laser was used to map out the planned cutlines symmetrically.
Before any cutting, the midship area was braced as much as possible. Unlike the Truckla.
The rear parcel shelf and window were removed, and more bracing was performed.
The big cut, and a roll hoop.
Fashioning the old C-pillars into new B-pillar skins.
Closing off the rear window surround.
Rear bulkhead complete.
Closing off the edges of the new bed.
Boxing off the sides of the bed.
Carbon fiber wet layup on the wheel arches.
3M 1080 Gloss Liquid Copper Wrap.
Phase I Complete: May 2018
The Prelute won 6 awards in its first show season, including two for “best truck”.
Along the way, a fellow Honda enthusiast told me I had to pull out the stops to fulfill the car’s potential. And then somehow, it got it into my head that going to SEMA would be a good bucket list item to check off…
The engine was pulled to allow the bay to be painted - close enough of a match to the vinyl.
Seals, gaskets and belts refreshed on the engine.
Topped it off with a color-matched valve cover.
Engine back in - she lives again!
Yellow Speed Racing was my title sponsor and supplied the air struts and big brake kit.
Fit checking the BBS Evo X OEM rims over the calipers.
State of the art Accuair all-in-one tank, pump and valve.
And a brand new rear window just for SEMA!
Phase 2 Complete: Apr 2019
Final state of the bed.
At CARNVL (Photo credit: Jayson Santoyo)
With a fellow Yellow Speed Racing sponsoree, Eugene F, at CARNVL.
RADWOOD SF
RADWOOD SF
Wekfest San Jose
Acura / Honda Day, Vallejo, CA
SEMA Show 2019
SEMA Show 2019
The slowest-ever journey home from Costco.
Thanks to Apple for the facility where I built Phase I - and the Apple Park underground lot for the photo background.
A proposal after SEMA 2019 that foreshadowed Phase III.