Rod Birley's Honda Prelude is for sure the most racing Honda Prelude ever built by a private team. The car was purchased right after it appeared on the market and was sent to workshops. Jim Morgan and JTM services near Haslemere were selected for this job. Jim Morgan known by making cars for film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" handled the design job.

Honda Prelude at JTM Services workshop		Design by Jim Morgan		Trying the car for size

The whole project, starting from scratch, was completed in a little over five months with many of the parts coming from well-known sources. The suspension was from a Group C2 Spice sports car together with Hewland transaxle, center lock BBS wheels and AP air jacks.

Suspension and hub from group C2		The new office		Fitted with Cosworth engine

The Ford Cosworth engine was originally built by Andy Rouse and then modified by Alan Sherwood before finally it went to Harvey Gibb in Peterborough. Brise Fabrications in Dartford made intercooler and radiator assemblies. Every year the engine was removed and shipped to Harvey Gibb for inspection and maintain. For the last couple of seasons that Honda raced the engine management was updated. The electrics were outdated compared to the competitions, the much newer Super Touring Cars.

Castle Combe round in 1993		Rounding Druids Hairpin in 1993		The Black top engine belongs to the Honda. The red one is from the Escort

The bodywork was all uniquely made by Dove Engineering in Alton, Hants. During the last couple of years that we owned the car the aerodynamics were subtly modified to enable us to compete against the more nimble Super Touring Cars. Endplates were added to the rear wing, an extended front splitter was added with small winglets and the underneath of the floor was altered to tidy up airflow with the aid of a rather nice diffuser.

Another look at engines		On the exit of Paddock Hill Bend		Brands Hatch, September 2002

During 11 years of racing Rod Birley's Honda Prelude claimed lot of titles like Winning BRSCC Thundersaloons with 191 points in 1994.

Druids Hairpin, Brands Hatch		Passing the curves		Leading after start

In October 2003 to see the Honda Prelude has changed its owner. The buyer is sure to give the beast more time out on the track than Rod could. Peter Thurston now owns the car that Rod built during 1992 and which has beaten far more modern Super Touring Cars than we care to mention. Peter is one of the most honest, enthusiastic and spectacular drivers but time will tell if he will manage to get the same sideways action as he does with his splendid V8 MK1 Escort.