Year of Acura Legend

The Acura Legend, sold as the Honda Legend outside the U.S., Canada, and parts of China, was a sporty luxury vehicle sold from 1986 to 1995 as both a sedan and a coupe. It was one of the first vehicles sold under the Acura nameplate, and was the top-spec sedan under the Acura nameplate until being replaced in 1996 by the Acura RL (officially badged as the Acura 3.5RL). The 3.5RL was a rebadged version of the third generation Honda Legend.

Honda introduced the model in 1985 in Japan to be their premier luxury model and in 1986 North America as the range-topping model in its then-new Acura lineup. Sedan models came to market first, powered by a 151hp (113kW) 2.5L C25A V6 with coupes appearing for 1987 powered by a new 161hp (120kW) 2.7L C27A engine. Sedans received the new engine for 1988. Production of the first generation models ended in 1990 as a second generation version became available.

The Legend won Car and Driver's Ten Best three years in a row and Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" for 1987. Manual-equipped models could sprint to 60mph (97km/ h) in under 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 135mph (217km/ h). Sedan models had a coefficient of drag of .32, while coupes were only .30.

Technical highlights included a 24-valve V6 engine, variable length intake manifold, double-wishbone suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, air bag and an information system that could monitor maintenance intervals, fluid levels, and fuel economy.

In 1989, the sedan received some minor tweaks with new one-piece front headlamps, a new front bumper, a revised trunk lid, new tail lights, and new alloy wheels. Inside, a revised dash and seat cloth patterns is also noticeable. By that time all Legends came equipped with a driver airbag and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes. High end LS models featured a trip computer and electronic vehicle monitoring system in the center console and a Bose sound system.

For the 1990 model year, all Legends received body-colored side mirrors. Legend coupes received a revised body-colored front grille, new red & clear tail lights, and improved front seats. LS model coupes also received a trunk-mounted lip spoiler. LS models received burlwood interior trim.

Second generation units became available for the 1991 model year, now using a 200hp (150kW) SOHC (C32A) engine mated to either a standard 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic. The second generation Legend was a larger, more streamlined-looking car (drag coefficients were actually higher at .34 for sedans and .32 for coupes). The Legend offered a host of features seen on luxury cars of today including speed-sensitive steering, hands-free telephone, automatic climate control, heated leather seats, heated mirrors, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, seat belt pretensioners and soft-close vacuum-operated doors (coupes only).

For 1991 and 1992 the Legend sedan was available in Base, L, and LS trims; the coupe remained available in L and LS through its entire run. The higher-end LS cars added climate control, a power 4-way passenger seat, burled walnut interior trim, and body colored side moldings. Honda made significant upgrades for 1993, making a 230hp (172kW) "Type II" version of the SOHC C32A engine standard on all coupes, along with a 6-speed manual transmission. 1993 also saw the addition of dual airbags as standard equipment all trims, the deletion of the black molding on the entry level cars, and a new wheel design with fewer spokes on the sedans (16 spoke vs. 20 spoke). The Type-II manual transmission coupe posted a quarter mile time of 15.3 seconds with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, and had a top speed of 163mph (262km/ h).