To effectively buy one out of a time warp I decided to import one, and my research led me to also consider the Sir S Spec. Personally I don't view it as the top of the range 5th gen even though they are considered to be the same car, I believe that is the Type S, with it's different suspension, ATTS, active ABS and red stitching on the seats. I consider the S Spec to be an SiR that is 'specced' with a Type S engine, mated to an LSD. The rarity is super cool though and I bought on condition primarily.
I bought through Torque GT and I dealt with Tristian and Darren, both of who were superb, would recommend them to anybody and would happily buy from them again. Relatively quickly they found a car that we felt was worth bidding on, they have a team of inspectors in Japan who check the car out before committing to bid, but the actual bidding I understand is done like an ebay maximum bid with about 30 seconds to make it, 15,000 cars went through auction at the USS Tokyo the night mine was up!
The guys sent me some pictures from the docks;
our_17731_65bec4d0-1b43-42d2-b6da-6d9e9d82e381 by Craig Hollis, on Flickr
Underneath by Craig Hollis, on FlickrI didn't like the wheels so got a bargain set of Sawblades from Ratty and had them refurbished in a metallic black carbon and wrapped in Potenzas;
Prelude 5th gen 16' Saw Blade Alloys by Craig Hollis, on FlickrThen it was a train journey down to Devon, changing in London the day of the tube strike to go and collect the car. Darren picked us up from the station and we had a fascinating walk around their yard looking at all sorts of rare JDM stuff then we were quickly on our way.
Not had a chance to do much to the car yet, I have replaced the faded red badges and put a new sticker on there, and also removed the seats and cleaned the interior;
Prelude SiR S Spec by Craig Hollis, on FlickrI have already made some new black carpet matts, I am just trying to find a local embroiderer who can stitch S Spec onto the drivers one for me. The aux inputs and cabling for the stereo will get removed in due course.
Took it to our warehouse at work today to clean it, de iron it, de tar it, clay bar it, polish and wax it. Didn't really need much of a clean but it is nice to thoroughly do all the door shuts etc and machine polish it to remove the minor swirls. The light was rubbish but took a few shots anyway;
Honda Prelude Sir S Spec by Craig Hollis, on Flickr
Honda Prelude Sir S Spec by Craig Hollis, on Flickr
Honda Prelude Sir S Spec by Craig Hollis, on Flickr
Honda Prelude Sir S Spec by Craig Hollis, on Flickr
Honda Prelude Sir S Spec by Craig Hollis, on Flickr
Honda Prelude Sir S Spec by Craig Hollis, on FlickrThe car is in for the cambelt on Thursday, have done my own before but with what I paid for the car I have decided to let a trusted mechanic do it, along with the water pump and cam/crank/balancer shaft oil seals whilst he is there. All genuine Honda parts.
No plans to modify this one, but want to underseal it and paint the calipers. I have a set of genuine Honda mud flaps to go on to for protection.
Thanks for looking
congrats on the buy!
) tomorrow to show it is straight.
