NEW G1 FAQ

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First Generation Honda/Acura Legend
1986-1990

*WORK IN PROGRESS*

Production Versions
KA1: JDM sedan (RHD), 1986-1988
KA2: JDM sedan (RHD), 1986-1987
KA2: EDM sedan (RHD/LHD UK), 1986-1987
KA2: USDM sedan (LHD), 1986-1987
KA3: JDM coupe (RHD), 1987-1990
KA3: EDM coupe (RHD/LHD UK), 1987-1990
KA3: USDM coupe (LHD), 1987-1990
KA4: JDM sedan (RHD), 1988-1989
KA4: EDM sedan (RHD/LHD UK), 1988-1990
KA4: USDM sedan (LHD), 1988-1990
KA5: JDM sedan (RHD), 1989-1990
KA6: JDM sedan (RHD), 1989-1990

Production/Design Notes
Although the JDM Honda Legend used the same general one-piece headlight design for all sedan models 1986-1990, the USDM KA2 sedan featured a split headlight/foglight design (and different grille) for 1986-1988, switching over to the one-piece headlights in 1989. In addition, while the USDM sedan interior was redesigned for 1988, all other market Legends kept the original interior, which can be clearly seen in the door panels and dashboard. The coupe design similarly was offered in North America with a redesigned interior while retaining the older style for all other markets.

History
What makes the Legend unique?
The Legend was one of two models that launched under the Acura brand in the US (the other being the Integra) on March 27, 1986. It was the first Honda passenger vehicle to use a V6 engine, itself an all-aluminum 24-valve with a variable-length intake manifold developed from Honda’s F1 experience. The coupe was the first automobile to be engineered using CAD (computer aided design).

When was the Legend introduced?
The Honda Legend was introduced in November 1985 (in Japan) as a 1986 sedan model. Production at the plant in Saitama, Japan ended September 1990 as the new (second generation) model was introduced.

Where was the Legend sold or imported?
The Legend was sold as a Honda Legend in Japan, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and parts of China, and as an Acura Legend in the USA and Canada. Additionally, it was imported into Russia, New Zealand, and several other countries.

Production Data
Honda Legend (Japan):
1986-1988 V6 Gi/Mi/Zi (KA1*) - C20A
1986-1987 V6 Xi 2500 (KA2) - C25A
1987-1990 2Dr Hardtop (KA3) - C27A
1988-1990 V6 Xi (KA4**) - C27A
1989-1990 V6 Gi/Mi/Zi (KA5) - C20A
1989-1990 V6 Ti (KA5) - C20AT

*In 1989 the KA1 platform was redesigned and renamed KA5.
**In 1989 the KA4 platform was redesigned and renamed KA6.

Honda Legend (Europe/ROW):
1986-1988 V6 2.5 (KA2) - C25A
1987-1990 Coupe 2.7 (KA3) - C27A
1988-1990 V6 2.7 (KA4) - C27A

Honda Japan MSRPs (in USD):
1986 V6 Xi 2500 - $26,800
1989 V6 Mi - $17,900
1989 V6 Ti - $21,700
1989 V6 Gi Exclusive - $21,900
1989 V6 Xi Exclusive - $25,100
1989 V6 Ti Exclusive - $25,100

Acura Legend:
1986-1987 Sedan (KA2) - C25A
1987-1990 Coupe (KA3) - C27A*V6
1988-1990 Sedan (KA4) - C27A

Sales Recorded:
1986 - 25,082
1987 - 54,713
1988 - 70,770
1989 - 54,630
1990 - 53,656

Vehicle Identification (VIN)
The following is a breakdown of what your 17-digit Acura Legend Vehicle Idenfication Number (VIN) denotes:

Digit 1-3 - Manufacturer
JH4 = Honda Motor Co. LTD

Digit 4-6 - Body Type (chassis code)
KA1-9, KB1/2

Digit 7 - Body Style/Transmission Type
1 = coupe, manual
2 = coupe, automatic
5 = sedan, manual
6 = sedan, automatic

Digit 8 - Option/Trim Package
3 = 86-90 Base (No Sunroof)
4 = 86-90 Base (Sunroof)
5 = 86-90 Leather Interior
6 = 87-95 L Trim
7 = 87-95 LS Trim

Digit 9 - Check digit
0-9,X

Digit 10 - Production Year
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990

Digit 11 - Assembly Plant Location
C = Saitama, Japan

Digit 12-17 - Individual vehicle serial number (in sequence)

What changed during the production of USDM Legends?
The Legend was launched in 1986 as a sedan with the C25A1 engine, cloth seats, and choice of manual or automatic transmission.

The paint codes offered were:
- Blade Silver Metallic (NH-95M)
- Florence Blue Metallic (B-37M)
- Ascot Gray (YR-74M)
- Olympia White (NH-509)

The interior cloth options were:
- Gray Moquette
- Blue Moquette
- Sand Gray Moquette

In February 1987, the coupe was added with the C27A1 engine, single-color dash, and these trim levels:
- Base model could be ordered with moquette upholstery.
- L trim level added, including heated side mirrors, 4-way power driver's seat, automatic climate control, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, ALB, auto seatbelt presenters, info center, security system, leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
- LS trim level added, including Bose sound system and driver SRS airbag.

The following changes were also introduced to the sedan:
- Base model could be ordered with no sunroof.
- L trim level added, including heated side mirrors, 4-way power driver's seat, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
- LS trim level added, including Bose sound system.

Sedans received the following new paint options:


Coupes received the following paint options:


NLA: Blade Silver

Optional: leather steering wheel cover

For 1988, C25A1 2.5L engines were replaced with C27A1 2.7L engines in sedans, and the following options were added:
- L trim level included ALB, 10-way power driver's seat.
- LS trim level included automatic climate control, SRS driver airbag, and info center.
- sedan two-tone paint options mostly replaced with single paint codes

Sedans received the following new paint options:


Coupes were transitioned to two-tone dashboards (black on top) and received the following new paint options:


NLA: Gothic Gray, Bristol Gray, Savanna Gray

In 1989, all sedans were facelifted inside and out. The following changes were implemented:
- sedan exteriors updated with new one-piece front headlamps, bumpers, grille, hood, trunk lid, taillights, and new alloy wheels
- sedan interiors received revised dash, door panels, center console
- sedan rear suspension changed to wishbone coilover design similar to coupes
- new seat cloth patterns added
- all coupes and sedans receive standard driver's side SRS airbag
- coupe L and LS models receive 10-way power driver's seat
- all LS models add 4-way power passenger seat

Sedans and coupes received the following new paint options:


NLA: Ascot Gray

For the final model year in 1990, several minor changes took place:
- black side mirrors replaced by body-color units on all models
- coupes received new hood with integrated body-colored grille
- coupe red/amber taillights replaced by red/clear units
- all LS models received woodgrain interior trim
- LS coupes featured a decklid spoiler

Sedans and coupes received the following new paint options:


NLA: Laurel Blue, Mirage Silver, Florence Blue, Ebony Black, Noble Silver

All USDM Interior Type Codes:
Type A = Black
Tybe B = Ivory
Type C = Off Black
Type E = Grey
Type H = Burgundy

Were there any special editions of the USDM Legend?
In 1989 approximately 10-12 KA3 coupes were turned into convertibles by Coach Building LTD for around $3K.
Review and pics here.

How are USDM Legends different than JDM or EDM Legends?
Unlike most other markets, the US offered a manual transmission with every engine and version available, including the 2.7L V6. Outside, the US mandated amber front corner lenses, where all non-US Legends came with clear front corner lenses, and US sedans had the split headlight/foglight design from 1986-88.
The dash Info Center/trip computer in LS models was never offered in other markets.
Options:
Fog lights, gold alloys, front end cover, CD player/changer

What changed during the production of JDM Legends?
The Legend was launched in 1986 as a sedan with the either the C20A1 2.0L V6 engine (Zi, Gi) or C25A1 2.5L V6 engine (Xi), cloth seats, and choice of manual or automatic transmission. Available trim levels were (in ascending order):

V6 Zi - 185/70/14 steel wheels, plastic wheel covers, cassette player, ALB, no sunroof/cruise
V6 Gi - automatic climate control, tilt-adjustable rear headrests, optional sunroof, dash radio controls, cruise control, infrared remote locking
V6 Xi - 195/65/15 16-spoke alloy wheels, optional sunroof

Paint Options (exclusive to Japan):
Ariel White Pearl (NH-504P) - 100/110
Formal Black (NH-505) - 100/110/112
Sirius White Pearl (NH-515P) - 100/112
Chateau Red Metallic (R-61M) - 100/112

On February 6, 1987, the coupe was introduced with the C27A1 engine, pistol-grip automatic shifter, power rear quarter windows
The following changes were also introduced to the sedan:

For the 1989 model year (starting 9/88 production) the sedans received an exterior facelift, and the following changes were introduced:
- Raised hood with larger "big grille" and extended chrome trim over headlights and corner lenses
- New dual-filament headlights with integrated foglights
- Shortened front and rear bumpers (60mm narrower/150mm shorter)
-New front double-opening armrests for sedans and coupes
- Introduction of Mi trim level as the new base model - 185/70/14 uncovered steel wheels, unique fender-mounted sideview mirrors, no dimmer or cruise control, AM/FM head unit
- Introduction of Ti Turbo Sedan, featuring a 2.0L turbocharged V6 engine and an automatic transmission. These can be identified with the additional "TURBO" emblem in the front grille and on the rear decklid, and inside by a special seat design.
- Introduction of Exclusive trim levels on the Gi, Xi, 2Dr Hardtop Coupe, and Ti Turbo Sedan, with optional premium leather seating, woodgrain center console trim provided by Tendo Mokko, dash radio control, SRS airbag, automatic climate control, premium double-DIN cassette head units, tilt-adjustable rear headrests, chrome taillight trim, and chrome door handles on sedans only.
The Xi Exclusive as the range-topping model was equipped with special chrome center caps, chrome side mirrors, leather shifter handle, "EXCLUSIVE" stitching on front seats, rear seats, and the backs of the front headrests, chrome shifter base trim, chrome interior door trim, optional separate rear A/C, and extended woodgrain trim on the instrument cluster bezel and front window switches

For the coupes, the following changes were introduced:
- New dual-filament headlights with integrated foglights
- All coupes received chrome trim above headlights and corner lenses
- Exclusive models came with similar leather seat stitching, chrome interior trim, and extended woodgrain trim as the Xi Exclusive
- All Xi and Ti models used 195/65/15 alloy wheels, while KA3 coupes came with 205/60/15 alloys

JDM Interior Codes:
Palmy Blue (B-44L)
Lofty Blue (B-46L)
Blue (B-59L)
Black (NH1L)
Gray Eight (NH50L) - sunroof tool
Gray Ten (NH74L) - trunk carpet
Star Black (NH120L)
Coast Red (R69L)
Mauve Red (R92L)
Smooth Red (R93L)
Silky Ivory (YR18L)
Coast Brown (YR92L)
Palmy Sand (YR94L)
Coast Sand (YR98L)
Sand (YR107L)
Smooth Beige (YR114L)
Sand (YR116L)
Medium Sand (YR120L)
B46L/B44L
R93L/R92L
YR98L/YR94L
YR114L/YR92L

How are JDM Legends different than EDM or USDM Legends?
JDM Legends came standard with power folding mirrors, no high-mount brake light, and optional 100h% wool upholstery. Japanese models could be optioned with a great many luxury items not available anywhere else. Here is a complete list of options and accessories:

KA1/2
Orange-lit front bumper pole
Multiple seat covers/half covers
Multiple floormats (one-piece rear sedan mats)
Dual rear sunshades
White-painted 16-spoke alloys
Sedan rear quarter window sticker
Trash container
Trunk wire shelf
Trunk liner
Trunk mesh cargo net
Roof racks (5)
Extended sunroof visor
Chrome valve stem caps
Amber lower front bumper foglights
Sound processors/amplifier

KA3
Trunk lip spoiler
Window visors
One-piece headlight/foglights
Gold badge package
Burlwood front door interior wood trim

KA4-6
Green-lit front/rear bumper poles
Multiple seat covers/half covers (including sheepskin)
Multiple floormats (one-piece rear sedan mats)
Separate rear A/C (V6Xi Exclusive)
Automatic headlights
Front seatback rear grab handles (on Exclusive models)
Window visors (brown/blue)
Headlight washers/wipers
Chrome door handles
Rear deck air refiner (at least 3 versions)
Multiple head units (+ 2 CD players/2 sound processors)
Car phone
Trash container
Personal box (replaces ashtray)
Trunk liner
Trunk mesh cargo net
Trunk luggage holder
Trunk mat
Snow chains with holder
Front/rear sensors
Rear lip spoiler with LED brake light
Extended sunroof visor
Lower door exterior chrome trim
Rear LEGEND panel with silver lettering
One-piece headlight/foglights
Rear quarter window sticker
Mudflaps with white LEGEND lettering
Blue LEGEND car cover
Windshield/mirror cover
Burlwood interior door panel trim
Gathers CD changer
Armrest compartment tray
Storage rear armrest
Gold badge package
V6 24-valve Turbo door decal
Motorized car jack
Child car seat
Plug-in flashlight
Honda blanket
Honda pillow
Trunk tool kit
Triangle
First aid kit
Floor-mounted e-brake
Footwell road flare
Rear radio controls