Rare Low Mileage, Timeless Classic Acura Coupe on 2040-cars

Acura Legend Background

The Legend name says it all.  Acura rocked the luxury car world when the company was launched in 1986 with the original Legend sedan and Integra models.  The Legend sedan brought V6 power, Honda reliability, and luxurious amenities to a vehicle that was still fun to drive, and for only a fraction of what the Germans were charging.  A year later, the 1987 Legend coupe debuted and was an instant success, earning Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year title in its first model year.  The Legend won first place in 5 of the 9 categories in which the vehicles were evaluated, beating out even the newly redesigned Toyota Supra sportscar.

Soon, Car & Driver named the car to its iconic “10 Best” list in 1988 (and it stayed there for 3 years in a row!), saying:  “The Legend Coupe is styled with international lines, will run 130 mph any day of the week, and is every bit as comfortable as Euro brands. Its fuel-injected, 24-valve V-6 produces 161 horsepower a boasts a well-endowed torque curve. Its suspension is state of the art. Its steering is speed-sensitive. Its options include anti-lock brakes and a driver’s-side airbag.  Yes indeed, the Acura Legend Coupe has the goods to run with the big boys.”

Acura was proud of this Legend.  It was referred to by Ed Taylor, Vice President of the Acura Automobile Division as “a car designed for the truly discriminating driver.”  He went on to say in a June 1987 press release: “The Acura Legend sedan and coupe are precision built for an enjoyable and lasting owner experience.  The Legend combination of performance and luxury, plus the Acura dedication to top-ranked customer satisfaction, should be an unbeatable combination.”  Ed was right.  This car has endured the test of time and still exhibits those qualities even 25 years later.

Vehicle History

This 1988 Acura Legend L coupe has just a little over 98,800 actual miles.  It was built in January 1988 at Honda’s Sayama, Japan factory.  The original owner took delivery of the car on March 21, 1988 at Acura of Huntingdon Valley in Pennsylvania and resided in Jenkintown, PA about 10 miles north of downtown Philadelphia.  The car was garage kept and driven only occasionally, accumulating just 34,765 miles in its first 18 years of existence.  During that time, it was serviced meticulously at Sussman Acura in Jenkintown.  

The second owner, Jean, bought the car in July 2006 from an estate sale in New Jersey and drove it for the next 7 years, including a move across the country to Arizona.  A few years later, moved permanently back to New Jersey and decided to leave the Legend in the southwest.

I am the third owner.  I bought the car in August of this year from her with the determination to put it through some cosmetic & maintenance updates and find it a worthy new home.  It had been parked for about two years when I picked it up.  The car will come with service records dating back to when the car had 28,000 miles on it.  Since August 2013, the car has had $3,000 spent in maintenance.  I had thought about keeping this car, but I have 4 other Acuras (including another Legend coupe with over 527,000 miles on it) and simply cannot provide this Legend the garage space that it deserves.  These cars were built to last and I know that this 1988 coupe has many years and miles left of reliable service to provide.

The paperwork & documentation includes the original 1988 Legend Coupe Owner’s Manual, the 1988 Acura Warranties Manual, Cruise Control Operation instruction card, and Customer Assistance postcard.  The leather manual case even includes the business cards for the salesman and the Service Department representative who the original buyer interacted with when he bought this fine coupe.  I have two keys; a master/ignition key, and a valet key.  I don’t believe either one is original to the car, but they work.  Lastly, I will include the now-discontinued and very tough to find Factory Service Manual and Electrical Troubleshooting Manual specific to this car.

This Legend has no accident history but the hood and roof were professionally refinished.  The clear coat had begun to fade on these panels.  Please see the detailed Carfax report for extensive vehicle history.  The Arizona title is clear and and in-hand; ready for its next buyer.

Mechanical Condition

This Legend runs excellently and has extremely low miles, having been driven on average only about 2,500 miles per year for the last 25 years.  The 2.7 liter V6 engine is rated at 161 horsepower, and the transmission is a 4-speed automatic with “Sport Shift” mode.  Having owned multiple of the larger, more powerful 2nd generation (1991-1995) Acura Legends, the earlier bodystyle Legends like this 1988 coupe are so much more energetic and fun.

Maintenance has been fully brought up to date for many of the critical mechanical systems in the car.  My attention to detail on this restoration started from the inside out.  Within the last 500 miles, the Legend received some very important service items from a certified Honda technician, using OEM parts & fluids for most of these items:

• New battery

• New fuel pump

• New fuel filter

• Recent injector cleaning service

• New brake master cylinder

• Recharged air conditioning

• Both new CV axles

• New starter relay

• New timing belt & water pump

• New thermostat & gasket

• New power steering rack

• New left front wheel bearing

• Fresh transmission fluid

• Fresh oil change

• New hood lift/strut

• New Duralast wiper blades

• New Federal SS-657 size 205-60-15 tires

• Recent 4-wheel alignment

The car passed Arizona’s strict smog inspection in March 2010 at 91,000 miles, and I will include the print-out of the results along with all other paperwork.  Readings were as follows:

• Hydrocarbons (HC) in Grams/Mile:  .14 (acceptable standard 1.60)

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Grams/Mile:  6.78 (acceptable standard 15.00)

• Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) in Grams/Mile:  2.16 (acceptable standard 2.50)

Following are the maintenance items which I have record of:

Driving Experience

The Legend coupe runs and drives as great as can be expected for a 25-year-old car.  A quick start-up brings the 24-valve fuel-injected V6 to life.  There is no smoke from the tailpipe.  Taking off down the road, the 4-speed automatic transmission shifts solidly through all the gears.  The Legend feels light and nimble to maneuver, bringing an element of fun into even a mundane commute.  Visibility in this classic coupe is far better than most newer cars I’ve driven - the large windows and low beltline contribute to near 360-degree perspective on the world around the driver.  The A & B pillars are extremely thin, and the windows are frameless, giving a "convertible" feel with doors open & windows down.

The air conditioning and heat function as designed, the radio works, and all controls are placed within easy reach of the driver.  There is a volume knob and radio preset toggle button located to the right of the gauge cluster at eye level.  Even in 1987, Acura was at the forefront of developing ways to keep driver attention on the road.  At 65 miles per hour, the Legend’s powerplant is turning at just 2750 RPM.  The cruise control works.  This is the type of car I’d happily drive across the country at a moment’s notice because of how comfortable it is.

Cosmetic Condition

• Exterior:  1988 was the first year for the exterior color Persian Red Pearl (Paint Code R-65P), available only on L & LS models.  The paint shines brightly.  The hood and roof were professionally refinished recently due to clear coat fade, and the paint was blended into the fenders and quarter panels.  Most Legends of this age are plagued with rust, but this Legend has only one area underneath the fuel door where the surface is slightly rusted/bubbling.  Paint has been clayed, polished, and waxed by hand recently with Meguiars car care products.  I will include a can of touch-up paint that was special ordered from a local paint supply company (touch up for R-65P is no longer available from the Acura dealership).  There are a handful of small dings and scratches in the body, consistent with its age.  The 15” silver directional alloy wheels have some scuffs.

• Interior:  The interior is outfitted with Charcoal Leather, including the center console lid and the pleated door panels.  The passenger seat and rear seat, along with all door panels, are in remarkable shape for their age.  The only seat with shows some wear is the driver’s seat as it has endured many years of Arizona sun and is cracked & tearing in places.  The dashboard has zero cracks but a couple of small ( 1/8 ” diameter) holes in the lid of the cubby where the previous owner had an altimeter installed.  There are some rips in the vinyl surface below the left rear window from the Arizona sun’s rays.  This car has never been smoked in.  The interior and gauge cluster lights are all working.  As with most 1st generation Legend coupes, the covers to the hinged cubbies/pockets on both door panels have become detached.  I have the covers but have not yet reinstalled them.  The car has BRAND NEW factory black floor mats that are in mint condition.

Options & Accessories

Even by today’s standards, the 1988 Legend holds its own from a comfort and luxury perspective.  Climate control is automatically controlled by a single knob to set the temperature.  Rare for any coupe, the rear windows were operational.  The Legend was truly ahead of its time in regard to the amenities it offered.  Consider the fact that this car in 1988 sold for $28,000 when an Accord was only $15,000.  This classic coupe represents the flagship of the Acura line and in its time was the most expensive vehicle that Honda produced.  Among its features:

• 4-wheel Independent Double-Wishbone Suspension

• Dual Power-Operated & Heated Door Mirrors

• Adjustable Thigh/Lumbar Support on Driver’s Seat

• Power Moonroof with Sliding Sunshade

Please see attached the Word document highlighting complete specifications for the 1988 coupe.  Aside from all those standard features, Acura offered a lot of factory accessories.  Some of these are shown on the scan from the 1988 brochure below. 

This particular 1988 Legend L coupe is equipped with a few special add-ons that set it apart from others:

• Information Center:  This electronic display in the center console provides even more information to the driver than the 2nd generation (1991-1995) Legends did.  Available screens show current & average fuel economy, range, service interval information, and many other metrics.  In later model years, this Info Center was available only on LS models.

• Accessory Fog Lights: These are a rare option from Bosch and provide optimal nighttime visibility.  The glass lenses are uncracked, as are the regular headlights themselves.

• Optional Luggage Rack:  The trunk-mounted rack is a quirky yet functional accessory that was popular in the 1980’s.  I thought about removing it for a “clean” look, but I think the rack adds a unique feature to this car that is very period-correct.  I remember seeing similar optional racks in the accessory brochure for my former 3rd generation Honda Prelude.

• OEM Moonroof Visor:  These visors are getting extremely tough to find in uncracked and un-warped condition.  It keeps the Legend cabin quiet during roof-open cruising.

• Model Year 1990 Taillights:  For 1990, the Legend coupe received a handful of refreshed updates, including red/white taillights instead of the prior Legend coupe’s red/amber.  I added a set of 1990 taillights to this Legend to provide that newer look.  I still have the original taillights and they will be included with the sale at buyer’s request.

• Optional Cup Holder.  This two-cup plastic insert goes in place of the car’s existing coin tray, near the shift lever on the center console.  It’s not installed in the car currently but I’ll include it.

• Mud Guards:  I sourced a nice set of mud guards and installed them on this car to give it another upgraded feature that’s not found on many 1st generation Legend coupes.

• Service Manuals:  I’ll also include two factory service manuals with the car:  1988 Legend Electrical Troubleshooting Manual, and the extensive 1988 Factory Service Manual (several hundred pages long!).

Known Issues

Please do keep in mind that this is a 25-year-old vehicle and it is not perfect.  In fact, I see this as a worthy ‘project car’ and it is my hope that the next owner will continue to give it the same level of attention that I have to bring it back to 100% mechanically.  I will make every effort to disclose all known issues with the car in this list, and there are 12 items to bring up.  Feel free to reach out for any more specific inquiries.

• As with many cars this age, there is an oil leak.  I keep an eye on the level and top off with 10W30 as needed.  I have not yet traced the source of the leak.

• The check engine light illuminates after the car runs for several seconds.  The ECU in the passenger footwell is indicating a Code 12 (12 LED flashes) for an error with the EGR (engine gas recirculation) system.  I have not dug into the error any further, but the car runs as it should even with the light illuminated.

• Front brake pads should be changed soon as they are worn, but are serviceable for the time being.  Both calipers were both rebuilt in 2010 at 87,000 miles.

• Parking brake is not working.  Potential cable / lube / adjustment issue. I have printed the parking brake adjustment instructions (and will include) but have not yet worked on this.

• Left rear window does not operate, but the other three are good.  Moonroof, mirrors, and all other electrical accessories are operational.

• Windshield wiper “intermittent” setting does not work

• Driver’s door lock does not fully unlock the door with the key.  This is likely an adjustment issue. The car can still be locked/secured, just have to enter through the passenger door.  The driver’s door handle itself opens/closes the door normally if it’s unlocked.

• One hood strut needs to be replaced as it is weak.  I’ve replaced one strut, which is enough to hold the hood momentarily but not very firmly.

• Windshield has some scratches from the old wiper blades which were worn.  Windshield sprayers are not working.
  

• There is wind noise from the passenger side door glass at 50 mph and above.  This is another cheap adjustment issue (and there are Service Bulletins available to aid in troubleshooting).  The door panel can be pulled off to give access to the window adjustment bolts.

• Fog lights are not turning on.  Switch for the light is operational (small LED comes on when activated), all other lights are good.  Have not traced the problem - could potentially be the bulbs.

If you’re even remotely mechanically inclined, most of these could be wiped out fairly easily. Even with the above mentioned items, the car is fun to drive around town and I have really enjoyed owning it.  It is a nimble, easy to drive vehicle.  It’s small enough to park, has great visibility, and impressive fuel economy from the 2.7 V6 given its power.  The trip computer tells me I’m getting 19.9 mpg city.

As an Acura enthusiast, I would love to keep this car.  I have attended all 9 National Acura Legend Meets (NALMs) since 2005 and I am amazed that a vehicle that’s been out of production for over 18 years still garners this much of an enthusiast following.  I hope this 1988 L coupe goes to someone else who will appreciate it for the great car that it is.  It is truly rare to see a 1st generation Legend with fewer than 100,000 miles on it.  Thanks for looking at my auction and feel free to reach out to me for any further inquiries about the car.  Contact me via Ebay and I'll gladly provide my phone number to take calls for specific questions.

Videos - Walkaround & Driving

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Terms and Conditions

This vehicle is being sold as is, where is, with all faults and defects and with no representation or warranty express, implied or otherwise. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or any defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect, or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a representation or warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value of the vehicle and to bid based upon that judgment alone. The seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.  Any and all disputes relating to this vehicle must be resolved exclusively through binding, confidential arbitration by an arbitrator located in Phoenix, Arizona, and in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association.  The buyer agrees to submit to such arbitration and not to pursue any actions inconsistent with such arbitration.  Arizona law will govern all such disputes.

Deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction end, with the remainder of the balance due within 10 business days. Shipping and delivery is the responsibility of the buyer.