Be You
Behold, the most wrongfully underappreciated Honda of all time: the Prelude. Despite having Honda’s most powerful 4-cylinder engine at the time, it wasn’t a hit during the tuner glory days of the ‘90s and ‘00s. Serious drivers couldn’t justify its heft (just over 3,000 lbs) or cost ($1,350 more expensive than the Acura Type-R), and the engine-swap community generally ignored its heavy and low-revving H22A engine. Even today, as EM1 Civic Si values are skyrocketing, Prelude prices lag behind.
It’s actually an excellent car, this Japanese pony car. Tuners were simply spoiled by the excellent Civics of the era, and that’s pretty obvious when you list the common complaints against the Prelude. It could have used a higher-revving engine (like a Civic). Or a bigger backseat (like a Civic). Or a smaller wheelbase (like a Civic). Or a lower curb weight (like a Civic). Or a lower sale price (like a Civic).
The Prelude just wasn’t good at being a Civic. But it was excellent at being a Prelude.
If you’ve ever been pressured to be something you’re not, perhaps you can relate. So can David in the Bible. He was held against other people’s standards his whole life, whether he was criticized for celebrating and dancing after a military victory (2 Samuel 6:14-21) or thrust into oversized battle gear to fight a giant whom God himself would defeat (1 Samuel 17). This pressure actually began before his leadership did, when God told the prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be Israel’s new king. Each of Jesse’s sons seemed like king material, which is why Samuel and Jesse (and probably the sons) were surprised when God didn’t pick any of them. Seven sons were presented, but they weren’t the right one. Then “[Samuel] asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.’” (1 Samuel 16:11)
The apparent virtues of these boys – age, height, birth order – seemed superior to whatever virtues young David had. Israel’s current king, Saul, was tall, so Samuel and Jesse thought kings had to be tall. Just like a Honda needed to be Civic-like to be great. But while Samuel was still admiring Jesse’s tallest, oldest boy, God spoke:
“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:6-7)
God’s rubric comes from the very mind of God and is known only by God until it’s revealed: a short, young king. A teen mom who gives birth to God’s son. A suffering Savior.
And you, who can’t possibly live up to the mountain of expectations people have for you. People generally want someone perfect and powerful but also humble and possessing flaws they can relate to. Or other traits that are at odds with each other. It’s not possible, and anyway it doesn’t matter. God doesn’t look at that stuff.
God is looking at you, though, and he likes what he sees. He’s looking at your heart. Just like God was looking at David’s heart before anyone else was, God has been watching and admiring your growing character from the very beginning. You aren’t like anyone else, and that’s great, because God has a plan for you that doesn’t fit anyone else. Just you.
The Prelude has been gone for decades and suddenly its formula sounds really good: a 200-horsepower all-aluminum engine with a chunky torque curve, handling that’s impressive without being frenetic, and just enough styling to flex in any parking lot. And it’s still a ‘90s Honda, folks – 100 horsepower per liter, double-wishbone suspension, dual-cam VTEC, and one of the best 5-speed manual transmissions. Doesn’t that sound great? You can get greedy and long for some modern touches, like 6th gear and maybe heated seats. But then it’s not truly a Prelude at heart.
John V16 is the intersection of God and cars. Please support our work and donate a V16-powered 1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen to John V16. Or share this article with a friend.
