
What would you call this thing? A Prelude SUC*? A Preludamino? A Prelude Brat? A Ridgelude? The seller, for his part, bills it as a "Cruck." With the careful adaptation of a Datsun Pickup liftgate, this cut and restyled 1989 Prelude Si was possibly a
prelude to the
atrocity wonder that would eventually be known as the Honda Ridgeline. It is said to feature a four-cylinder with an automatic, and able to get 38 mpg. Thank goodness it "was built under professional supervision of experienced body technicians," as we'd hate to think that any average schmo cut and pasted this Prelude. The work must be halfway decent, as it serves as daily transport for the seller and still features such luxuries as "power windows, sunroof, heat and a/c, cd player, power steering and functional tailgate." As it sits it's a fitting testament to ingenuity and another answer to a question nobody asked. Only $2,500 though.
Thanks for the tip, Tom!
* Sports Utility Car
[Source:
craigslist]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vintage 5:13PM (6/26/2008)
I'd call it reliable transportation that gets 30-35mpg, is fun to drive, handles extremely well, doesn't cost much, and can still haul a load of mulch.
Seems like a really good idea actually.
Reply
Soul Shinobi 5:18PM (6/26/2008)
Yes, agreed, but at the same time--look what they've done to a once sleek prelude! ;_;
The Talking Hamburger 6:05PM (6/26/2008)
I'm just nutty enough to agree, Vintage. Even if this 'thing' only got 30 mpg--yet the driver still managed to get some reasonable light utility out of it--I'd put it to use, too.
I'd have painted it a dark color and removed the badges to keep people guessing.
3seriesisking 5:14PM (6/26/2008)
It "never was" for a reason. Hahaha
Reply
I3ziko 5:18PM (6/26/2008)
I refuse to buy it unless it comes with manual 5-speed
LOL
Reply
Dave 5:26PM (6/26/2008)
Who needs the G8 sport truck now?
Reply
Mike McKinnon 5:34PM (6/26/2008)
Ahhh, a Quaalude. Such a downer to drive...
Reply
SPG 5:33PM (6/26/2008)
That would be a fun little runabout.
Extra points for the Datsun tailgate.
Reply
The Luigiian 5:35PM (6/26/2008)
That's an awesome concept. A four-banger car with a pickup bed. You know, so you get the economy of a car with the load room of a truck.
So why doesn't anybody take a rather boring but versatile vehicle like a Ford Focus station wagon and turn it into a crewcab version with a midgate? No new looks, just a vehicle with five seats and a bed. And good fuel economy, not 21 mpg like with the Subaru Baja.
Reply
mk 9:51AM (6/27/2008)
Man, if that is what a Baja is getting, there is something wrong.
My 300hp turbo Legacy gets 26 on the highway, and 19-20 in town.
a turbo Baja shouldn't be that much different, and a NON-turbo Baja should do better.
And I DO so wish the would resurrect the Baja concept, execute it much better, and put their new turbo diesel boxer engine in it, with VTD AWD, and a stick shift option.
I wouldn't even mind it if they based it off of the Forester, rather than the Outback wagon.
Square-up the new Forester's look just a bit, and hack off the roof aft of the C-pillar for a bed, rather than an interior space... Turbo Diesel torque with a manual 5-speed from the LegacyGT/WRX, or a 5-speed Automatic from the Outback/Tribeca. (sport shift might not be needed for a diesel truck-let.)
Plus, with good brakes (tribeca's or even STI's black brembos), and transmission cooling, it could probably tow class III. (5000/500lbs total/tongue weight)
Then people wouldn't have to hack up old preludes.
JaysonAych 6:30PM (6/26/2008)
I'd call it a PrelUte.
Reply
rouse42 6:45PM (6/26/2008)
must have been eating Queludes. to come up with that.
Reply
Jacob 7:15PM (6/26/2008)
Poor datsun tailgate, I bet it wishes it wasn't on some junk honda.
Reply
Kevin W. 11:35PM (6/26/2008)
Ridgeline......BEFORE the accident.
Reply
Khanh 4:45PM (6/27/2008)
I'd rather have Neff buy this compared to that other one you guys found a week or so ago; that monstrosity of a monster impala was it?
Reply
Dan 12:52AM (6/27/2008)
Dear Autoblog,
I love you, and I love Jalopnik, but please don't you turn into Jalopnik.
Reply
tekdemon 3:54AM (6/27/2008)
Nah, Jalopnik would have loved this thing.
Reid 11:44AM (6/27/2008)
Hehe there's an even better Civic truck for sale near me :)
http://austin.craigslist.org/car/730586776.html
Reply
Phil L. 1:42PM (6/27/2008)
I want to see it towing a 5th wheel camper...
Reply