Convertible Solaire

Convertibles were a hot luxury item during the late 70's, early 80's. Many coachwork companies (Classic Touch, Con-Tec, National Coach, etc.) got into the business of converting normal production cars, that weren't offered as a convertible, and making it possible to purchase. Through their own craftmanship and experience, these companies crafted beautiful, and sometimes truly ugly, convertible conversions.

Start of Solaire

During this time, Alan Rowland, who started Newport Coachworks in 1979, partnered with Jim Breummer to create the Solaire Corporation in Santa Ana California. Alan was working with Ernest Kanzler, an automotive designer, helping create the one of kind custom Kanzler Coupe. To lead mass market sales and to get their company growing, Solaire's goal was to take mass produced automobiles and convert them into dealer sold convertibles with full warranties. To start the charge, they focused on the new Honda Prelude and the Volvo 626C (plus a Subaru GL). The company was started on June 16th, 1980. Through their manufacturing efforts, they brought in the talented Bruce Meyers (known for the famous Meyers Manx Dune Buggy) to help design the tooling and fiberglass work. Phil Hunter lead as production manager while several other workers filled in for upholstery, trimming, welding, and body.

The combination of a entrepreneur and a businessman worked well between Alan and Jim. Interviews suggest that Alan ran the marketing/production side of Solaire, while Jim kept the business afloat. The Volvo 262C was Solaire's first car to be worked on. When word got around that the company needed help in crafting a conversion for the Volvo and Prelude, Bruce Meyers heard from his friend Ted and meant with Al to start the process. The Preludes conversion was created with taking the existing framework of the Prelude and adding structural bracing for the fiberglass inserts. All manufacturing tools were hand built by Bruce and then utilized by the workers.

The Build and Promotional Uses

The cloth top was made from a high quality German type Hartz cloth, with a full rear window plus two quarter windows. A custom one piece fiberglass windshield header was shaped above the front windshield with two metal clasps to hold the top in place. The top folds down manually flush into the rear well, where a custom rear seat or a parcel shelf was placed. The top snapped into cover snaps along each side, to hold it in place.

Their first Prelude convertible completed was a Gold 1980 model. This was Solaires promotional car. It has been confirmed the car was shown at the Disneyland Hotel dealers show in September of 1980, adjacent to the Honda tent at the Marina Pool. Fun fact, there was apparently a competitor's convertible parked in the Disney parking lot, leading vistors to believe it was Solaires promo car. No notes show who's convertible this truly was. Due to the confusion, Jim released a sales flyer that stated their car was inside Disney and not outside. (See attachment below)

A lot of interested buyers made remarks how the car looked very similar to a Mercedes 450SL, during that time. This was later used on promotional material to help customer traffic to Honda dealerships.

The Solaire turned out to be quite a fun, sporty package for buyers and it garnered a general buzz during 1980/81. Featured in several magazines, including Motor Trend, AutoWeek, Car Collector, Automotive News and even on Charlies Angels TV Series.

Dealership Order Only

To order a convertible Prelude, only a direct Honda dealer could place it. They were not sold to individual dealerships or to the public. First models that could be ordered were available in a gold or silver '80's model, while silver, red or blue for '81 models were available. You could have a choice of a black, tan or navy interior. With a 50% deposit, the car was shipped from the dealer direct to Solaire, then converted and released upon finishing the deposit amount. There were monthly plans available if a dealer felt more than one prelude would be sold. Prices ranged from $14,000-15,000 US Dollars to purchase a Solaire in 1981.

The cars sold well and were Solaire's money bread winner. With the business growing and Solaire starting to work on the Subaru GL, they took the Prelude to the SEMA show in Las Vegas (either 1981 or 1982). The story of the convertible Solaire Prelude unfortunately turns tragic. During an interview with a former worker, it was said that three preludes drove from California to Las Vegas for the SEMA show during the night. Al Rowlands wife was driving one of the Prelude Solaire's when she lost control and rolled the car several times. She was killed instantly. It has been noted that this is what caused Solaire to slowly close its doors until 1984.

It is stated on several marketing materials that a Jacksonville, FL location was present for Solaire. This has been called bluff to whether it was true of not.

How Many Were Converted?

An exact number of the conversions are not known, but internet speculation has stated 47 were converted. During a recent interview with Earle Cook and Bruce Meyers, both believe there were well over 100 of the preludes assembled, possibly 150 at most. Since Solaire did not mark the cars with an identifier and only recorded VIN's when they received them, there is no known record of how many were converted. We think this number is around 150 at best, with roughly 40 still on the road today.

If you have a convertible and have not yet registered it with our owner database, please submit your cars information so you can help G1Preludes gather how many convertible Preludes are still left on the road today.

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  Soliare Mail Flyer Insert 1

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  Solaire Mail Flyer Insert 2

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  General Information Mail Insert

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  Mailer Envelope

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  Disney '80 Sales Letter

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  Silver 1981 Model

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  Silver 1981 Model

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  Volvo 262C and Subraru GL

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  Volvo 262C