“Be a Legend. Drive a Legend,” was one of the taglines used during in marketing materials for Acura’s flagship sedan and coupe during its lifespan between 1986 and 1995.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1991 Acura Legend L sedan listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Pasadena, California. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Original owner, one driver,” the listing begins. “Excellent condition and well maintained. Southern California garaged, no accidents, no snow, no flooding, non-smoker.”
This Legend is hard to miss with that brilliant shade of paint. “Golden Glow Pearl,” as it was called, was a one-year-only color for this car, and the seller says that the paint is in excellent shape. Models that were trimmed in “L” equipment could be identified for having black bodyside moldings. The base model, one step lower, had even more black trim in the form of the side mirrors and door handles. And the top-end LS came body-colored treatment all around, along with a host of interior niceties.
American Honda took a big leap in early 1986 when the Acura Division first took shape in March of that year. The product lineup was narrow – just the V6 Legend sedan and two inline-four compact Integra hatchbacks (one three-door, and one five-door). Honda was adamant about having distribution take place separately from its already-existent Honda retailers. The strategy worked, and by the end of “year one,” Acura had sold over 50,000 units.
The license plate frame shows “Acura Metro,” which was one of the original 60 dealers that were established at the Acura brand’s launch 37 years ago. Today, there are about 270 Acura dealers nationwide, and Metro still exists. This Legend would look right at home in the showroom there.
Power wise, when it launched in 1991, the second-generation Legend had a 200-horsepower “Type I” 3.2-liter V6, and it could be optioned with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. Today’s Legend shows 95,561 miles on the odometer, and the seller says that the car was recently serviced. In addition, the tires are new, a smog check has been completed, and there is a new Interstate battery installed.
Neo-classic cars like this have gained popularity as part of the ongoing RADwood movement that embraces 1980s and 1990s cars and culture. Some call those years the Golden Era for Honda. “Not really built like this anymore,” the listing concludes. “Truly beautiful car.”
The asking price is $9,500 for this Legend. If you want to be part of a great community, you could bring it to next year’s National Acura Legend Meet (NALM) once the dates and location are announced.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
