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JMBW's 5gen - LHD Danish restoration/resurrection.

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:20 pm
by JMBW
It's time for me to start documenting and showing my slow progress of saving/resurrecting a rather sorry looking LHD Danish BB6 Lude :?


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My journey only just started in late 2013, when I sadly had to part with my (CD7) Accord Coupe. It got totalled while waiting for a red light, rear-ended by some (sorry excuse of a driver’s license holder) - and after a lengthy procedure getting my claim from the insurance company, I sat out making my best of the situation, and behold a Prelude was cheap'ish up for sale 8-)

Was absolutely not a looker and the lowest spec Lude I’d ever seen, never the less it was a H22A5 auto with some 130k miles on the clock + a 6 month old receipt for a full gearbox rebuild at a Honda Dealer.


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The Danish tax system is absurdly crazy and makes this car cost around 3000£ and a fair/mint Prelude will set you back 5-8000£ (ultimo 2013) not to speak of what a type-S would cost. The main reason is the VAT, it’s around 180% for all imported cars, new as well as used… well enough about that –

On with my plans for the Lude :P

My plan was to create;

- a nice everyday driver
- with a smooth clean look
- without adding too many aftermarket parts
- and staying true to the JDM/Honda look.

First adding some shiny bits :)

Clear JDM fog lights and clear side indicators + temporary red badges 8-)


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After the first bit of fun I had to get my hands dirty and address a more pressing issue RUST! And I truly learned first-hand that when rust is left without any repair for a while it gets really BAD - really FAST!


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And the previous owner ignored it long enough;

My solution to the rust problem was located in the UK :)

I picked up this fine Motegi BB8 Lude for the net sum of 650£ with 6months tax/mot, used it for a few months and drove it back to Denmark. Now I had 100% spare parts for my Danish Lude.


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Long story short, the UK lude had lots of fresh parts that my Danish Lude needed ;)

And a few nights + a reciprocating saw later I had a few cardboard boxes of parts and a Prelude chassis cut neatly into 9 equal size pieces 8-)


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And now the real fun could begin ;) swapping fresh parts over on the Danish Lude.

But first some modifications and repairs were needed :)


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And the time came to take a look at my rear wheel arches, and what a sight that was waiting for me!


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The amount of metal needed to be cut away was somewhat staggering :? and my welding skills were really put on test. (I had just bought a MIG welder for the occasion and this was my first time welding)


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I spent every evening in the garage for around a week where I did the following;

- Welded in new rear wheel arches
- Lots of other bodywork weld repair
- Hood Debadge + rust repair
- Trunk Debadge + keyhole + spoiler holes removal
- Repaired and mounted Motegi skirt set
- Removed fog light front bumper and relocated it inside the rear lights*

And there it was - all the rust removed and fitted with temporally dipped Motegi kit and clean trunk lid


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Shortly after the extensive bodywork repair I had it back in my garage ready for a coat of CardipUK matte-black


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Now with a fresh paintjob and all the rust sorted my attention turned to the brakes. They were totally shot to say the least, and offered me a good opportunity to go shopping :9


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Decided to go for Accord Type-R brake calipers and 28x300mm brake discs – of course I sand blasted the calipers painted them red for a sharper look 8-) and to top it off, the Motegi 17” wheels.


This is my progress so far, there are some tweaks and mods not yet included in the profile I’ll add them later on – along with future modifications :P


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Hope you enjoyed the read/pictures – there is more to come :D

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:30 pm
by wurlycorner
Major work, well done. Not a fan of the matt black look on it after all that work personally, but it's your car so it's what you like that matters!

But :o The amount of rust! That's worse than even most 4ths!!! :shock:

:? would it not have been easier to swap bits onto the chassis of the UK?

(BTW, I want to nominate THIS picture for LOTM! :lol: )
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:rock:

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:45 pm
by Pushki
+ Rep! 8-)
Great work and dedication. :10:

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:56 pm
by Merlin
Nice work. I dont think I have ever seen a 5th gen with that much rust.

Re: JMBW's 5gen - LHD Danish restoration/resurrection.

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:01 pm
by JMBW
haha.. nice nomination! :D it might have gotten a little out of hand when I was making the stripped UK chassis a bit more "transport friendly" 8-)

Yes, I was surprised by the amount of rust I uncovered.. but I blame the obscene amounts of salt they use on the roads here in the winter period, just destroys the cars so fast! (+ poor maintenance of previous owner)

And yes the thought of swapping bits on the UK chassis crossed my mind several times- but then I would have to tax the new chassis for Danish plates.. and that alone would be 3-4000£

As for the matte-black I've experienced it's a somewhat love/hate relationship for most people :D

but I have to reveal that I have further plans for the colour of the car 8-)

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:08 pm
by wurlycorner
JMBW wrote:but I have to reveal that I have further plans for the colour of the car
:think:
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;)
:lol:

Re: JMBW's 5gen - LHD Danish restoration/resurrection.

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:57 pm
by JMBW
Yes ?! how did you know? I was going to draw unicorns and rainbows on my Lude :lol:
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hehe.. all joking aside, it's going to get metallic effect + a top coat - just not sure what effects and top coat I'm going for ;)

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:35 pm
by bennyboy
Fair play for doing all that yourself 8-)

I have to ask....did you spray the working surfaces of disks too?? :o

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:41 pm
by toadster
LO :D

Great work well done :mrgreen:

Cheers for posting all your pics ;)

Toadster

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:51 pm
by bb1boy
bennyboy wrote:I have to ask....did you spray the working surfaces of disks too?? :o
My thoughts exactly!!

Great job on the bodywork though mate, your welding looks brilliant, especially for a first time!! :)