Which 1980s cars can be regarded as classics?

[motorsportnerd]

Interested in any opinions on which cars built in the 1980s can be regarded as classics, either now or in the future?

Myself, I'd nominate the Ford Sierra RS500, Audi Quattro, BMW M3. The Sierra and BMW for their track successes and current day desirability. The Quattro because it redefined the direction of both high performance road vehicles and rallying. The Subaru Impreza WRX, Mits Lancer Evos, Lancia Delta Integrale, etc, would not have been produced if the Quattro hadn't paved the way.
Any comments?

[sandwich]

I think the technical term for classic is 20 years old...at 30 or 40 it becomes antique.

I think there are plenty of cars that can be considered collectable...eg datsuns, early nissans, mazdas, etc. etc.....there are plenty.

However, I do believe that they all must be considered classic based on their age.

Does that mean a 1983 Camry is a classic? Yes, in the same way that a shitbox from the 1960's is classic.

[gonzo]

The most interest is De Lorean. It was very modern car for that time.

[Sweeney921]

if i'm allowed to say any car from the 80's, i would say that the ferrari f40 was very classical in the sense that it had a huge influence on later supercars (it was a major supercar at the time).

[motorsportnerd]

I think the technical term for classic is 20 years old...at 30 or 40 it becomes antique.

I think there are plenty of cars that can be considered collectable...eg datsuns, early nissans, mazdas, etc. etc.....there are plenty.

However, I do believe that they all must be considered classic based on their age.

Does that mean a 1983 Camry is a classic? Yes, in the same way that a shitbox from the 1960's is classic.


Matra refers to his Alpine which is only 10 years old as being a classic in another thread. However, I take your point. Most 80s cars wouldn't be regarded as classics yet. However, which ones are likely to be classics. I think the three I mentioned will be. Obviously any Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini will be classics. Also, such cars as the BMW 635 CSi, Mazda RX-7 series 1, Peugeot 205 GTi, VW Golf GTi Mk 1 & 11, Mecedes 190E 2.3-16. I guess I'm not referring to everyday cars which will only fit the "classic" definition once they become scarce. I'm referring to something a bit special, for any reason.

[Gabman]

Volvo 240 Grp. A
2.1 Turbo engine
340hp and 260km/t

The Volvo 240 Turbo. It performed well in it's group despite the fact that it's engine was smaller than the other cars in the group. Since it was fitted with a turbo the size of the engine was multiplied by some number I don't remember, and thus it was forced to drive in another group.

I am going to follow up on this post when I get home, since the information is not sufficient.

[Hispano Swissa]

Given that I find it difficult to think of most of the cars of the time in the past tense, thinking which of them could be classics requires some effort.

The Audi Quattro is indeed deserving, and is also the most likely to deserve the title of “car of the decade” for the 1980s.

The Porsche 959 and Ferrari F40 can rightfully be coinsidered classics as well, despite their looking just as new now as they did then.

Most everyday cars from the 1980s will have to wait before we can discern true classics among them.
But some of them stand out at least in terms of style.
The Audi 100 of 1982 is certainly a design classic, in a modern and harmonious sort of way (which is lacking in many present-day cars of the same category), with its combination of straight lines and curves.
The slightly smaller Ford Sierra of 1983 marked the beginning of a new streamilining fashion quite reminescent of the 1930s. Based on the Probe III concept car developed in the framework of the West-German “Auto 2000” project, it had great influence on Ford's North-American styling, indicating that ideas would flow more often than before, from Cologne to Dearborn.

I'd add the Renault Espace, not as a minivan, but as a monocorps.

Then there are some rarer species like the DeLorean DMC12 or the original Ventur(y)i.

I believe that the Pontiac Fiero deserves to be mentioned as well, as the very idea of making a mid-engined sporty coupé in North America, a few years after the ’80/81 oil crunch (not the most favourable time and place for such cars), was a feat in itself.

I admit a certain partiality towards the early-80s Mercedes 200~300/E/TE. They just look fine to me, but I wouldn't call them “80s cars”.

[cls12vg30]

I consider lots of '80s cars to be classics, including mine, the Nissan S12-series Silvia (200SX in the U.S., Gazelle in Australia).
Other '80s Classics, IMO, include the MkII Supra, Ferrari 308/328, the 86-89 Honda Accord which skyrocketed the model into prominence, the Lamborghini Countach which was the ultimate supercar for most of the '80s, the first-generation RX-7, the BMW 6-series, the Jaguar XJS, and of course the AE86.

[sandwich]

I would vote for the first generations for a lot of models, such as the celica, corolla, civic, and the like. I think these are the cars that started and ended an era. To elaborate, the ended the heavy, big engined and underpowered cars of the fuel crisis age and ushered in the uber-economical ricers that we have today. They changed the face of automobiles the world over, most notably the American car makers. I think people will eventually start collecting these cars and refurbishing them.

[kiwitt]

Group B models are classics

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Classic is a very loose term. It applies to what the person saying it thinks of the car. I have heard of Writers calling the 205 a work of genius and seriously flawed in the same paragraph! it's a subjective thing, it depends on what aura the car created for itself, for example, the Corvair aura, and what good/bad the car did. Most 80's cars fall into the Boring catagory, while some rise to infamy.

[motorsportnerd]

I'm going to expand on my ideas for this thread. I'm going to list all the 1980s cars that I think are either classics or will be classics and the reasons why I think that.

First, an explanation. I consider a "classic" to fall into one of four catagories. 1.Rarity. Any rare car will probably be a classic. The newer rare cars are "collectors" cars. Any supercar or exotic will enivitably fit into this catagory. So will "homologation specials".
2. Age. Any car reaching a certain age (25 years in Australia) is considered a classic for registration/insurance purposes. All cars eventually reach this stage. That will partly explain why some people think Hillman Avengers are classics...
3. Significance. Any car that was significant for some reason will be held in higer regard. The Audi 100/Ford Sierra fit this catagory. I'll explain why below.
4. Enthusiast. Plenty of otherwise ordinary or obscure cars are held in high regard by enthusiast groups.

Next a disclaimer. No car built in the 1980s can be regarded as a classic on age grounds. Some will be from next year. Anyway, I have less time for the age criteria. For example, I don't consider Datsun 120Ys to be classics even though they meet the age criteria. AND they never will be.
However many 1980s can be regarded/or will be regarded as classics on the other three grounds.

I hope the following list is controversial. Feel free to tell me why you feel certain cars should not be on the list. OR, tell me that I've missed out some cars.

Anyway here's my list.

European:
Alfa GTV6 (1981-86). Reason for qualification: enthusiast. The GTV6 is gorgeous. Has a fantastic engine. Also a race winner.
Audi Quattro (1980-1990) Reason for qualification: significance, enthusiast & rarity. The oldest examples will meet the age qualification from next year as well. I cannot imagine there is anyone in this forum who does not know about the Quattro. Nor can I imagine anyone in this forum trying to tell me that it isn't a classic. The Quattro was one of the first successful production AWDs (there were a few Subarus). It was the first AWD car to have success in motorsport (winner of the manufacturers title in the WRC in 1982 and 1983, drivers title in 1983 and 1984). It lead to Audi having the confidence to introduce AWD into its entire range, therefore making AWD mainstream. It paved the way for the Subaru WRXs and Mits Evos. And it was very high tech in other ways, especially with the Turbocharged 5 clyinder engine. The later 20-valve engines were even better. There is no doubt in my mind that the Audi Quattro was the "Car of the 80s". Now, anyone out there want to tell me its not a classic?
Audi 100 (1982-91). Reason for qualification: significance. It was the most aerodynamic car of its time. Its body shape helped influence car design for the next decade. It had advanced body construction making it very light for its size. It made front wheel drive popular in large European saloons. They may not be rare or enthusiast cars, but will meet the age qualification in 2007.
BMW 635CSi (1980-89). Reason for qualification: enthusiast. Will qualify on age grounds next year, and they must be getting pretty rare. A race winner in the ETCC. One of the best BMWs of all time in my opinion. Classic styling.
BMW M3 (1986-1991). Reason for qualification: enthusiast, significance. A barely disguised race car for the road. The M3 was built with one aim in mind. Win the World Touring Car Championship. This it did. Built to a formula. Light weight. Powerful 200 bhp engine. Helped to kill the ETCC.
Ford Sierra (1983-1992) Reason for qualification: significance. Very aerodynamic cars, which, like the Audi 100s, had a major influence on the style of cars to follow. Otherwise, very ordinary, and much to common. The mechanicals didn't match the styling, carrying over very ordinary Cortina underpinnings and engines.
Ford Sierra RS500 (1987) Reason for qualification: rarity, significance, enthusiast. Only 500 built. Another race car for the road. Won the 1988 ETCC, won the 1988 & 1989 Bathurst 1000, 1989 Spa 24 hour. Helped kill the ETCC and Group A. Very powerful 200 bhp engine, lightweight and very quick (0-100 in about 6 seconds). Not many left now. Most have been modified, stolen, crashed or rusted. Hopefully the few remaining ones are saved. I want to buy one in the future...
Lancia Delta Integrale (1988) Reason for qualification: rarity, enthusiast. Winner of the WRC in 1988 & 89.
Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 Reason for qualification: enthusiast. Possibily significance. Probably the first "cheap" performance Mercedes. Did well in saloon car racing.
Peugeot 205GTi (1985-early 90s) Reason for qualification: enthusiast. One of the best hot hatches ever. Has many fans. Will eventually be rare and meet the age criteria as well.
Rover 3500 SD1 Vitesse (1982-86) Reason for qualification: enthusiast, significance. Race winner in the 85 & 86 ETCC. One of the last of the fast, rear drive Euro saloons.
Volvo 240 Turbo (1983-86) Reason for qualification: enthusiast, rarity, significance. Championship winner in the 85 ETCC. Won many races. A very unusual car for Volvo to build at a time when their reputation was for solid, boring, safe cars.
VW Golf GTi Mk11 (1983-1991) Reason for qualification: enthusiast. Excellent follow up to the original. Will eventually qualify for classic status on rarity and age grounds.

Others are: any Porsche (except the 924 and base 944); any Ferrari; any Lamborghini; any Aston Martin; any TVR; any Lotus; any Alpine. All exotics can be considered "classics" on rarity value alone. Also, any Group B special - ie Ford RS200, MG Metro 6R4, Peugeot 205T16.
Also, some of the more ordinary cars like the Peugeot 505, Renault 5GT Turbo, BMW E30, Ford Escort RS and XRi, Citroen CX, Alfa 75 Turbo, Mercedes 500SL will have considerable enthusiast following.

Japanese
Mazda RX7 Series 1 (1978-85). Reason for qualification: age, significance, enthusiast. Also starting to become rare. Could also be considered a 70s classic, but the majority were built in the 80s. Most significant Japanese car since the 240Z in my opinion. Helped keep alive the light weight, cheap, performance car formula the British were so good at. Saved the rotary engine. And they look good.
Mazda MX5 (1989-1996) Reason for qualification: significance, enthusiast. Reignited the old Lotus Elan formula. Too new in some ways, but already has a massive enthusiast following.
Nissan Skyline GTR R32 (1989-93) Reason for qualification: significance, enthusiast, rarity. A technological tour de force that finally killed of Group A racing. Fantastic road car. No shortage of enthusiast/fan clubs.
Toyota Corolla AE86 (1983-86) Reason for qualification: enthusiast, significance. Has a cult following. Also, unbeaten for many years in the mid 80s in the 1600 cc Group A class. Helped to make the 4 clyinder 16 valve layout popular.
Toyota MR2 (1984-89) Reason for qualification: enthusiast, significance. Followed the Fiat X1/9 formula and bought cheap, mid-engined sports cars to a far greater audience.

Others such as the 1986 Mazda 323 Turbo 4WD, Subaru RX Turbo, 1989 Nissan 300Z, 1986-92 Toyota Supra, 1986 Nissan Skyline GTS-R, 1984 Nissan Skyline DR30 Turbo, 1982-89 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo, 1982-88 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo and 1988 Honda Civic GTi may all have enthusiast followings, but none are rare enough or significant enough in my eyes. They'll qualify when they meet the age criteria, and their numbers thin out. The 1986-89 Honda Accord became the top selling car in the US, but I don't think this is a good enough reason to consider it a classic.

US
Chevrolet Corvette No explanation necessary. Rare, enthusiast, significance and age.

I'll also say that any Chev Camaro V8, Ford Mustang GT V8, Pontiac Trans Am V8 will qualify (as long as its the V8) on enthusiast grounds. The Ford Mustang SVO Turbo from 84 is rare and would qualify on those grounds. The Ford Taurus SHO would probably also qualify.

However, I consider most US cars of the 1970s and 80s to be ugly, overweight, low tech machines designed to appeal more to bean counters than enthusiasts. The exceptions I've listed above. Sorry if that offends any fans of 80s US cars.

Australia

Not a great decade for Australian muscle cars.

Any Brock Holden Commodore. Rarity and enthusiast value based on the fact they were modified by Australia's most successful touring car driver.
1985 Holden Commodore VK Group A. Rarity/enthusiast. Only 500 made. One of the quickest Aussie cars in the 80s. 0-400m in around 15 seconds. Won the 1986 Bathurst 1000.
1987 Holden Commodore VL Group A. Rarity/enthusiast. Only 500 made. Not as quick as the VK due to different tune for unleaded fuel. Won the 1987 WTCC round at Monza and Bathurst.
1988 Holden Commodore VL Group A TWR. Rarity/enthusiast. Only 750 built. First fast Commodore built without any input from Peter Brock, following the split between Holden & Brock. Won the 1990 Bathurst 1000.
1982 Ford Falcon XE ESP 5.8 V8. Rarity/enthusiast/significance. Last V8 production car built by Ford Australia until reintroduced in 1992. Has started to build a cult following and they are rare.

Ok, thats my list.

I intend for this thread to be for those of us who actually like 1980s cars and want to discuss them. For those that think there were no good or memorable cars built in the 80s, I remind you about the Ferrari F40/Porsche 959.

[sandwich]

uh, i think you've misunderstood your own thread a little bit.

In no way is a camaro or corvette rare enough to be considered a classic. In addition, they are poor excuses for their older brothers from the 60s and even the 70s. In 10 or 15 more years when a good example is indeed rare, then maybe I would reconsider your comment. Just to lay out an example, I counted some 58 camaros between 30 miles north of the NC/South Carolina border and Myrtle beach. Seemed like everybody had at least one in their backyard. We stopped the game when we spotted an IROC.

I disagree with your comment of every exotic. There are plenty of ferrari 308's and 328's that don't impress me much. I wouldn't kick one out of bed, but it doesn't thrill me the way some other cars do for a quarter of the price.

I also disagree with some of the choices you made. You said cars from the 80's....I'm thinking early, MAYBE mid-eighties, but you're bringing up the skyline. Perhaps in 20 years, yes, but right now that car is still modern. Miatas-same thing. I'm not sure I have much faith in the MR2, I find it disturbingly ugly (not it's later evolution, the 90-93 or whatever). I agree that some may find it to be a classic.

In addition, don't throw crap on all American automobiles. I agree they made some crap, but so did Japan. I fail to see the alure of the Ae86, but maybe that's just because I'm uneducated in its history. It seems that people fawn all over any car that comes out of Japan with RWD. It's not new technology folks, it's something many manufacturers have been doing for ages. Just because a car is RWD doesn't make it special in my eyes. Besides, there were lots of good cars coming out of the us in the 80s. I would offer up the AMC Spirit AMX, the Buick Grand National, the Chrysler GLHS and Daytona GLHS. I fail to see how an underpowered yet big engined rustbox would appeal to any bean counter (mind defining what a bean-counter is?).

Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't really see it the same way.

[fpv_gtho]

Australia

Not a great decade for Australian muscle cars.

Any Brock Holden Commodore. Rarity and enthusiast value based on the fact they were modified by Australia's most successful touring car driver.
1985 Holden Commodore VK Group A. Rarity/enthusiast. Only 500 made. One of the quickest Aussie cars in the 80s. 0-400m in around 15 seconds. Won the 1986 Bathurst 1000.
1987 Holden Commodore VL Group A. Rarity/enthusiast. Only 500 made. Not as quick as the VK due to different tune for unleaded fuel. Won the 1987 WTCC round at Monza and Bathurst.
1988 Holden Commodore VL Group A TWR. Rarity/enthusiast. Only 750 built. First fast Commodore built without any input from Peter Brock, following the split between Holden & Brock. Won the 1990 Bathurst 1000.
1982 Ford Falcon XE ESP 5.8 V8. Rarity/enthusiast/significance. Last V8 production car built by Ford Australia until reintroduced in 1992. Has started to build a cult following and they are rare.

Ok, thats my list.

I intend for this thread to be for those of us who actually like 1980s cars and want to discuss them. For those that think there were no good or memorable cars built in the 80s, I remind you about the Ferrari F40/Porsche 959.


not only was the XE ESP the last V8 ford for a decade, but it was also the last model to take the locally built 351 which is prefered by drag racers over the cleveland engine. my additions would have to be the HDT Calais Director and the HSV Walkinshaw

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I happen to think cars like the corvette could only be considered classic on age grounds, judging by how popular they are, the only reason some are considered classics is rarity. Not many decent looking corvettes still exist later than C4, and ones starting from that date seem to be as common as the average Malibu.

The AE86 is an amazing car. It may not be new technology being rear-wheel drive, but it has been the starting point of a major driving scene in japan and worldwide, Drifting. it's more what the car created than the actual car.

as for MR-2, only original 1986/89 model with Supercharger need apply, again it's just too common to be considered a classic.

Audi 100 and Ford Sierra fall into the same catagory as the Corvette for me. Popular classics. cars which have mass appeal yet are still groundbreaking and interesting.

evidently Motorsportnerd has thought about this way too long and hard to have come up with his list, because you can't just have a reason-based system for classics, it's often down to personal preference. I often consider old PanelVans to be crass, while the owner considers them to be utterly classic. Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder, so is Classic Status.

[sandwich]

AE86 it's more what the car created than the actual car.


Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder, so is Classic Status.


well said...i think that sums up what i meant to say...

[motorsportnerd]

not only was the XE ESP the last V8 ford for a decade, but it was also the last model to take the locally built 351 which is prefered by drag racers over the cleveland engine. my additions would have to be the HDT Calais Director and the HSV Walkinshaw


I included every Brock Commodore and the HSV Walkinshaw (also know as the 1988 Commodore VL Group A TWR).

I don't think there are any others from Australia for the 80s.

[motorsportnerd]

evidently Motorsportnerd has thought about this way too long and hard to have come up with his list, because you can't just have a reason-based system for classics, it's often down to personal preference. I often consider old PanelVans to be crass, while the owner considers them to be utterly classic. Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder, so is Classic Status.



Just wanted to get people thinking.... Most of the cars on my list are too common, but they either have signifacant enthusiast following (clubs, popular culture, etc) or were groundbreaking in some way (Audi 100-aerodynamics). Age will eventually make them rare. "Classics" are personal preference. Thats why I decided that for "my" list the cars should fit one of the four catagories I mentioned. Perhaps that explains why some misguided people believe that Hillman Avengers, Ford Cortina Mk3s, Morris Marinas, Vauxhall Vivas and other ordinary 1970s cars are now "classics".

[motorsportnerd]

In no way is a camaro or corvette rare enough to be considered a classic. In addition, they are poor excuses for their older brothers from the 60s and even the 70s. In 10 or 15 more years when a good example is indeed rare, then maybe I would reconsider your comment. .

I think many enthusiasts of those cars would disagree with you. But you're right - they are common. They don't fit the rarity or age catagories. The 83 Corvette did introduce a lot of plastic to the body - so it may be possible to argue that they are "significant" for that reason. But as I said, there are plenty of enthusiast clubs out there for these cars.


I disagree with your comment of every exotic. There are plenty of ferrari 308's and 328's that don't impress me much. I wouldn't kick one out of bed, but it doesn't thrill me the way some other cars do for a quarter of the price..

They're relatively rare. Not necessarily good. The Ferrari Mondial doesn't impress me, for example. But since all exotics are relative rare they meet the criteria I set down.


I also disagree with some of the choices you made. You said cars from the 80's....I'm thinking early, MAYBE mid-eighties, but you're bringing up the skyline. Perhaps in 20 years, yes, but right now that car is still modern. Miatas-same thing...

The 80s ran from 1980 to 1989. Both cars were introduced in 1989. They are marginal, but both are significant and definitely future classics. I belive I said "which cars from the 80s can be considered classics, either now or in the future.


In addition, don't throw crap on all American automobiles. I agree they made some crap, but so did Japan. I would offer up the AMC Spirit AMX, the Buick Grand National, the Chrysler GLHS and Daytona GLHS. I fail to see how an underpowered yet big engined rustbox would appeal to any bean counter (mind defining what a bean-counter is?)....

I knew I'd upset people with that comment about American cars. Bean-counter equals accountants. And if the underpower yet big engined rustbox sold well, the accountants would have been happy. Not all American cars from that era were bad. I agree with you re the Buick Grand National and Daytona GLHS. I'm sure there are Cadillac fans out there that would nominate some Cadillacs as well.

All comes down to personal preference. As pointed out many times "classic" is a wide term. Thats why I defined my idea of a classic with catagories into which they could fit.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Every Car manufacturer has duds and gods, Sandwich. The 80's was a decade of extremes in this sense, with, as you said, the Buick Grand National GNX, coming from a rather boring, staid line-up. it actually happens that every continent had duds during the decade, the Citroen BX and Toyota Cressida come to mind as majors, but all in all it was a decade of advancement.

you seem to be showing a blind patriotism to your preferred country during this discussion and it may be time to rethink your view. Granted, there were some american stunners, but there was also some American Shockers, stuff like the Cadillac Seville and Lincoln Mark 9 come to mind. you need to learn that these things are not meant personally, or in a racist light, but are meant to be frank and honest, i for one agree with Motorsportnerd on most of his choices, and his thoughts that time will make the boring of yesteryear become classics.

[motorsportnerd]

it actually happens that every continent had duds during the decade, the Citroen BX and Toyota Cressida come to mind as majors, but all in all it was a decade of advancement..

Uh... which model Cressida do you mean? I can think of four models - can't remember all the dates of production. However, from memory - the 1st generation was from about 77-81. The 2nd generation was from 81-84. The 3rd generation was from 84-88. The 4th generation was from 88-92. The first two generations were pretty ordinary cars. The third gen was reasonable. However the fourth gen car was an excellent car. Shared Toyota's straight 6, 3.0 litre 24 valve engine producing 140 kW with the Supra. That engine was probably one of the better engines from the 80s. Wheels magazine did numerous comparisons involving this car and rated it very highly against both European and Japanese opposition. In fact, it won all comparisons Wheels put it in. In 1989, the car sold for A$37,500, which was good value even at the time for a car that was of a similar concept and size to the BMW 535i. I'm not suggesting that its a classic, but I'm sure you don't mean the 4th gen car with your statement about the Cressida been a dud.


i for one agree with Motorsportnerd on most of his choices, and his thoughts that time will make the boring of yesteryear become classics.


Thanks for the support.. :)

[sandwich]

you seem to be showing a blind patriotism to your preferred country during this discussion and it may be time to rethink your view. Granted, there were some american stunners, but there was also some American Shockers, stuff like the Cadillac Seville and Lincoln Mark 9 come to mind. you need to learn that these things are not meant personally, or in a racist light, but are meant to be frank and honest, i for one agree with Motorsportnerd on most of his choices, and his thoughts that time will make the boring of yesteryear become classics.


whoa...you're putting this on me? I'm not the one who said all american cars from the 80's were crap; I said that they had some good ones if you dig deep enough, just like any other country.

don't spin this around on me, i was DEFENDING american cars against a general statement from somebody who was lumping an entire country into the "junk" bin.



However, I consider most US cars of the 1970s and 80s to be ugly, overweight, low tech machines designed to appeal more to bean counters than enthusiasts. The exceptions I've listed above. Sorry if that offends any fans of 80s US cars.

Believe me, my favoritism does NOT lie with America, I would much (MUCH) rather drive an italian car (eg Lancia) than an American automobile, I just wanted to say that not all US cars were junk...is that wrong?

[motorsportnerd]

whoa...you're putting this on me? I'm not the one who said all american cars from the 80's were crap; I said that they had some good ones if you dig deep enough, just like any other country.

don't spin this around on me, i was DEFENDING american cars against a general statement from somebody who was lumping an entire country into the "junk" bin.



Believe me, my favoritism does NOT lie with America, I would much (MUCH) rather drive an italian car (eg Lancia) than an American automobile, I just wanted to say that not all US cars were junk...is that wrong?


No, its not wrong for you say that. However, read my earlier reply to you. I DIDN'T say ALL American cars were crap. I actually like the 80s American muscle cars and consider the Taurus SHO to be one of the better cars of the period. I was thinking of the (generallising here) overweight, overstyled Lincolns, Cadillacs, Fords, Chryslers, etc of the time.
The Americans led the auto industry up until about 1970. Events of the 1970s such as the two oil crisis of the 73 and 77, the emergence of a strong Japanese auto industry, the lowering of tarriff barriers around the world and a lack of enertia by Ford, Chrysler and GM to radically change the designs of their cars to meet these challenges resulted in the US losing its industry leading tag. Chrysler nearly went bankrupt in the late 1970s. Ford and GM lost a lot of money. Solutions such as switching from rear drive to front drive but not improving interior space or fuel efficency didn't help. The British industy collapsed under the weight of the challenges in the 1970s that I just mentioned. The very fact the US manufacturers survived is to their credit. But the fact that times were tough meant that they produced conservative designs throughout the period. There wasn't the money to produce the radical designs, so half hearted measures like switching to front drive were made. However, by the middle of the 1980s, more fuel efficient, modern designs from Japan in particular started to outsell the local American cars. The Ford Taurus is evidence the US manufacturers were able to get their act together to meet this challenge. And by the 1990s the Americans were again leading the industry in many areas. They had reinvented the muscle car (Dodge Viper) and produced many excellent, efficient designs which could be compared favourably to the best of Europe or Japan (ie: Dodge Stratus, Chevrolet Lumina, etc).
I've read a few issues of Road & Track and C&D from the 80s. One gets the feeling that the US auto mags were dispairing a little for the future of their industry during the 80s. They seemed to favour the imports over the locals, thats for sure. In recent years, they seem much more favourably disposed towards US cars.
The Euro mags have even started to grudgingly admit that the US is producing good designs again. The Corvette C5 got some praise. Mainstream Chryslers, Fords and GM vehicles were given much better reviews.

The US auto industry has clearly refound its feet. The Cadallic STS/CTS and Chrysler 300C are fantastic cars that deserve every success.
I'm sorry if it offends you that I believe that the 1970s and 80s were not great decades for US auto design. That's just my opinion. Hopefully the above explanation clarifies my position about.
Anyway, the US wasn't alone. The 80s were not the best decade for Australian auto manufacturers...especially for Australian muscle cars. Holden nearly went bankrupt. Ford produced vehicles the public were happy to buy. But Ford's best selling car, the Falcon used 1960s underpinnings and their best designs, the Laser and Telstar, were badge engineered Mazda's. The local Mitsubishi Magna was a notable attempt to turn a medium size Japanese Sigma into a decent competitor to the big Aussie cars, but it suffered badly from quality woes. The best engineered "Aussie" car from the time - the Nissan Skyline suffered from terribly conservative body design.
And the British didn't produce any notable designs during the 80s. Only forgettable vehicles like the Austin Montego, Austin Metro and Rover 800 (which was really a Honda Legend anyway). The Jaguar XJ40 was let down badly by quality woes. The Rover SDI Vitesse was a great car, but it was designed in the 70s... The Vitesse was probably the last really good British car in my opinion.
The Europeans and the Japanese produced the best, most significant designs of the 1980s, but even they had their dross. Some Japanese cars were dreadful. And anyone remember the Lanica Y10??

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Sandwich, i am not trying to pin this on anyone, calm down. I'm just saying from what i saw that you seemed to have a bit of blind patriotism going on. obviously i was wrong, heaven forbid me to offend anyone.....

Let's face it. this thread was always going to inflame people and there preferences. I myself am quite partial to saying that the Audi 80 (I do like my audis) is a classic of design. but i know most other people think it looks horrifically boring.

i was also talking about the 1988 or so Cressida, Motorsportnerd. A friend of mine has one and it rolls like no ones business, is falling apart and never seems to run smoothly, in my eyes it is a dud.

The car industry thrives on Adversity, just look at the turmoil Japan went through in the early 90's to come out smelling like roses now, with Nissan (I think) almost having the same return per car as Porsche, which does about 10.2%. So did the american market, it responded to the Fuel Crisis by making smaller cars, then the industry downturn by restructuring into the business it is today. Every car has a place, simple.

[sandwich]

I agree...the point i was trying to make wasn't that the US was faultless in the 80s....that's not true at all, not even close; but rather that some good cars did make it out, and they are not to be overlooked. My comments werent to offend or religiously support the us, they were just to say that not all was lost (most was, however).

If the US didn't suck so bad in the 70s and 80s, japanese cars would not nearly have the market they do today. Everything you said was true, but broad statements like "the us is teh sux0rz" don't say much of anything, so I wanted to make sure you knew what you were talking about.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I can assure you that i do not have the foggiest idea what the hell i am talking about :p

glad to see we are on the same page, sandwich, i knew you weren't a US fanboy, but you had the makings of one, judging by that post alone. Thank god everything worked out ok!

[motorsportnerd]

Everything you said was true, but broad statements like "the us is teh sux0rz" don't say much of anything, so I wanted to make sure you knew what you were talking about.

Whats "suxOrz"?? I'm not sure if you were responding to IBrake4Rainbows or myself. I'll generalise, but I'll back it up if someone disagrees and then challenges me.

Pity the thread was about the 80s. I'd have an easier time identifying great US cars if we were talking about the 50s, 60s, 90s or even the 00s...

[motorsportnerd]

i was also talking about the 1988 or so Cressida, Motorsportnerd. A friend of mine has one and it rolls like no ones business, is falling apart and never seems to run smoothly, in my eyes it is a dud.


Could be a 3rd gen rather than 4th gen. What engine does it have? The 2.8 litre or the 3.0litre? Either way, its an old car now. Maybe he's unlucky. Could be his car is a dud rather than the range in general. People who have problems with their cars never say they're great cars.. I've never known anyone who owns a Toyota to have problems with them.
Wheels has got plenty of things wrong over the years, but they usually admit it (ie: Leyland P76, Holden Camira). Never read Wheels admitting that they were praising a dud in regard to the 4th gen Cressida... Thats experts for you. Never know who to trust...

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Methinks it might be a dud because it's a 4th gen and it's really screwed up.

Might be because of it's hard life.....

[WOOFFY]

Metro 6R4.

Lancia Stratos.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Lancia Stratos was a 70's car.

[bk4uyeah]

uh, i think you've misunderstood your own thread a little bit.

In no way is a camaro or corvette rare enough to be considered a classic. In addition, they are poor excuses for their older brothers from the 60s and even the 70s. In 10 or 15 more years when a good example is indeed rare, then maybe I would reconsider your comment. Just to lay out an example, I counted some 58 camaros between 30 miles north of the NC/South Carolina border and Myrtle beach. Seemed like everybody had at least one in their backyard. We stopped the game when we spotted an IROC.


I disagree, an early 80's version on any of those American muscle cars could be considered a classic, as long as it had a V-8

[Smokescreen]

I see classics as ANY car, no matter the age, that was special, and changed cars altogether. The STi, LanEvo, and RX-8 I see as classics be cause they proved that an everyday sports car can have 4 doors.

CRX: One of the first real FWD sports cars that could out-handle nearly anthing.

Grand National: A turbo-six is rare from an american manufactuer, and that made the just GN so much cooler. It was the quickest american car made in the 80's and it did 0-60 times in the low 5's, and the GNX did it in 4.6 seconds! The GN was and still is the ULTIMATE sleeper; all black, and a stock interior inseprible from a run-of-the-mill Buick.

DMC-12: The most optimistic car and the most ahead of it's time. Sure it was a piece, but who cares?

[DasModell]

http://www.classiccarsmagazine.co.uk/nav?page=classiccars.specialfeatures.detail&resource=445818

can somebody use the ten steps for other cars . i'm to lazy ..

[Falcon500]

Well i think thats far to biased about the ferrari i doubt everyone would give it a 10 for damn near everything...and a 10 for style on the E-type? ye gawds...

[DasModell]

lol .. uk magazine biased .. to italian cars .. LOL.. it must really deserve those 10s :)

[Matra et Alpine]

...and a 10 for style on the E-type? ye gawds...
It is the original '61 3.8 and not the lardy-assed US-market ones that came later (4.2) !!

[henk4]

it actually happens that every continent had duds during the decade, the Citroen BX and Toyota Cressida come to mind as majors, but all in all it was a decade of advancement.


As I have been driving 4 BX's in my life I have to disaggree with the qualification you give here. It was really a very spacious and comfortable car with its unique suspension, and with the turbo diesel engine quite performing as well. I would not mind driving the 16 valve version which poured out a healthy 160+ BHP with a kerb weight below 1100 kg.

As for my choice of classics, MSnerd gave a nice list, mine would include the Lancia Delta Integrale, the Fiat Abarth Ritmo/Strada, the Citroen XM, (the CX was already from the mid seventies) and of course the Alpine 310/610, the Porsche 924GT Turbo, the Maserati Biturbo, and the Ferrari 288GTO, even more so than the F40, the Ford Sierra Cosworth and possibly a few more.

[Falcon500]

It is the original '61 3.8 and not the lardy-assed US-market ones that came later (4.2) !!
Well call me bised but there funny looking :p nahh they arnt bad looking and suprsingly aredynamic but great looking nahhhh....
Also some cars will not become classics for many years to come....even your average vintage dunger is a classic to some extent nowdats say for example if a mitsubishi starion survived 60 years (notice how i said if) it will be a classic of some description and will show a large strak of individuality....now look at the statts the starion was a good car...came standard with leather intior and electric window which was a paying option on most cars...and the price while hefty for the car (imho) was still quite level with our XE ESP (for lack of a more international example) it had a track record....granted a good portion was blowing turbos up but in the later years in group A like when Bradly jones manged to make the carlast a race got some very good results....and it also went like stink on the road too....

Sowill my eaxmplebe a classic in 10-20 years time...possibly int he latter part but will it become a classic in 30-40 most probably...hell even some of the worst pommy cars we got here in australia have made their way into classic mags...(leyland p76,marina,tr7 etc etc) i dont know if you may agree with but but i think that given enough time anything can become a classic...

[Matra et Alpine]

...hell even some of the worst pommy cars we got here in australia have made their way into classic mags...(leyland p76,marina,tr7 etc etc) i dont know if you may agree with but but i think that given enough time anything can become a classic...
Come on :) The only Marina to make it into classic cars is the one painted like General Lee ! That's only in for the humour.

NO WAY is a Marina or an Allegro EVER going to be classic.
Rare, yes but desirable - never.

There are thousands of cars made over the last 100 years that have just disappeared into oblivion deservedly so.

[sandwich]

I like that chart- with some arguments, including desirable when new. It seems, to me at least, that a lot of cars that were not quite incredibly desirable when they came out, will (or could) be in several years.

I'd like to offer the E30 m3, if it wasn't mentioned already, will definately be a classic.

[SilverArrowZ]

I consider lots of '80s cars to be classics, including mine, the Nissan S12-series Silvia (200SX in the U.S., Gazelle in Australia).
Other '80s Classics, IMO, include the MkII Supra, Ferrari 308/328, the 86-89 Honda Accord which skyrocketed the model into prominence, the Lamborghini Countach which was the ultimate supercar for most of the '80s, the first-generation RX-7, the BMW 6-series, the Jaguar XJS, and of course the AE86.

I don't know much about the others, but locally at where i live, the only car it will come over their mind if you randomly ask somebody about what car in the '80s can be counted as a clasic, they will say its the Hachiroku.

Maybe its my personal taste, but it is never out of style. I get tired of new cars with fancy modern design very quick(with a few exception), but i never get tired looking at the old Hachiroku.

Performance wise, 130PS with 1.6liter 4AGE on a sub 1000kg car. Not to mention about the LSD. I have no info about American cars here, but if you compare the 18 year old car with all the new cars made in malaysia, mainly the Protons, the Hachiroku still shines. You are using new technology to compete with a 18 year old and you still lose. The only two cars that can outperform the Hachiroku will be the 2liter V6 Perdana (20ps extra) and the Satria GTI (recently won a race in the Australia production car race, superb handling at wet condition), but if you swap a 20v 4AGE inside that Hachiroku then everything is gone, the Hachiroku wins all.

Btw the price for the Hachiroku is sky rocketing here.

[Matra et Alpine]

Btw the price for the Hachiroku is sky rocketing here.
How about some pics, specs and prices :)

[Falcon500]

Btw the price for the Hachiroku is sky rocketing here.
A what?

[cls12vg30]

A what?

Hachiroku, literally "eighty-six" in Japanese. Refers to the AE86-platform Toyota Trueno/Levin/Corolla. I'm not sure about elsewhere, but in the U.S. it was available from 1985-87 under the names Corolla SR-5 and Corolla GT-S. Coupe and hatchback body styles, with the hatch being the most desirable.
It's very light, RWD, and packs a classic 4A-GE under the hood. Considered by some to be the world's best drift car, but has been a bit over-hyped by the Japanese street-racing cartoon series, Initial D.

[Falcon500]

Ohhh ok then...i have no idea what they are here?

And intial D the game was kewl...and i gave that iggy bloke whodrove one a flogging he wont forget anytime soon :D of course i was in a series VI rx7 but thats niot the point...he challenged me :p so there was a cartoon? and is it nothing but rice? (ME NO RIKE RICEE lol)

[motorsportnerd]

Ohhh ok then...i have no idea what they are here

They were sold without the 16 valve engine in Austrlia and known as the Corolla Levin. Had an ordinary 1.6 litre carb engine. Sold from 84-87 roughly.
NZ on the other hand got some new examples of the full spec Corolla AE86 GT 16-valve in both RWD Liftback and Coupe bodies. They later became very popular as Japanese imports.
Australia did get the 16-valve 4A-GE engine in the FWD Corolla FX Hatch and Liftback from 1986 on. The FWD Corolla GTs have an enthusiast following as well, but no one raves about them quite as much as the AE86.

Note, the 1984-87 Corolla came with both FWD and RWD. The AE86 was the RWD version, both as a 2-door coupe (Levin) and 2-door liftback (Trueno in Japan). The FWD came in sedan, 2 & 4 door hatchback and 5-door liftback versions. Toyota, I believe, kept the RWD layout for two reasons - racing and as a hedge against the front-drive layout not being popular.

In Australia, the AE86 Corolla GT won its class at Bathurst in 1985, 86 and 87 (all three to Toyota Team Australia cars) - which is a pretty good record.

[Falcon500]

Tehm dull rice bubbles are supposed to be a cult car? good as they may be i cant agree on the styleing to be honest...i would much rather an 85 celica imo....

But i cant knock their perdformance at all...and maybey even after a drive i may change my tune...who knows....

[motorsportnerd]

Tehm dull rice bubbles are supposed to be a cult car? good as they may be i cant agree on the styleing to be honest...i would much rather an 85 celica imo....

But i cant knock their perdformance at all...and maybey even after a drive i may change my tune...who knows....

I'd prefer the Celica as well, the 85 model was a particularly good one.
But I do understand the Corolla AE86's rep. It has a motorsport pedigree for example, whereas the Celica doesn't.

[Falcon500]

I'd prefer the Celica as well, the 85 model was a particularly good one.
But I do understand the Corolla AE86's rep. It has a motorsport pedigree for example, whereas the Celica doesn't.
Well good to see we agree there...my mate had an 85 and despite its serious overstearing problem it was a fun car...if it didnt have that problem it would of been a good car....
But yeah the cars pedigrees peaks for itselfas and if queationable (not bad but not great) looks are my only complaint about the car then it should be quite nice...

[blazer]

volkswagen golf mk1 gti

[foto_choppa]

300zx? is that 1980s? i thnk its 1989 :confused:

[fpv_gtho]

the latest generation started 1989 yes, but there was also a revious generation that looke alot like the 240SX i believe

[foto_choppa]

the latest generation started 19989 yes, but there was also a revious generation that looke alot like the 240SX i believe
yay i was right!

[Bravawatch]

But I must mention the BMW M1, the M635CSi, and last but not least the E28 M5.

While writing other steels spring to mind. The Merc 450 SLC 5.0 (remember Walter Röhrl rallying one?). The Urquattro, many choice Italian steels. The Integrale, but also the Thema 8.32. The Alfa Sei (seriously), the Alfa Rio (rare).

Ah, well. Inspiration is fading but there's so much to choose from.

Regards,

Brava

[emoo]

Toyota Celica Supra Mkii

i dont know about the whole official age to be a classic, but it sure was a good mixed bag of technology. It looks pretty and is now quite rare, especially finding one in good condition. I bet one in factory-new condition would be worth a pretty penny.

[charged]

I disagree, an early 80's version on any of those American muscle cars could be considered a classic, as long as it had a V-8
Just because it has an V8 doesnt make it aclassic unless it has quad cams and 32 Valves,my mate has a 68 fastback mustang with av8 and when i drove it it felt old slow and dangerous he says it has character and its not like a modern car,my definition of that "character" is woeful engineering flaws

[Slicks]

Just because it has an V8 doesnt make it aclassic unless it has quad cams and 32 Valves,my mate has a 68 fastback mustang with av8 and when i drove it it felt old slow and dangerous he says it has character and its not like a modern car,my definition of that "character" is woeful engineering flaws
So classics must have quad cams and 32 valves now? A classic is a classic despite the engine, or specs of the car. The 68 stang felt old, slow and unsafe? Well duh, its over 30 years old, and most likley has around 230hp, its not going to be fast...

[charged]

So classics must have quad cams and 32 valves now? A classic is a classic despite the engine, or specs of the car. The 68 stang felt old, slow and unsafe? Well duh, its over 30 years old, and most likley has around 230hp, its not going to be fast... Funny when I go for club runs with my mate in his Mussy all the owners tell me new cars are heaps and the only thing they would be v8 American Cars so who really is being closed minded and biased

[Slicks]

Funny when I go for club runs with my mate in his Mussy all the owners tell me new cars are heaps and the only thing they would be v8 American Cars so who really is being closed minded and biased
Im sorry but that makes no sence, try and use proper grammar.

[fpv_gtho]

Funny when I go for club runs with my mate in his Mussy all the owners tell me new cars are heaps and the only thing they would be v8 American Cars so who really is being closed minded and biased

Both you and the Mustang owners IMO.........

[cossie]

Would have to be the Cosworth Sierra,RS500 had good running gear but shite body,was never designed for that engine power and electrics of early models up to Sapphire was hmmm:rolleyes:laughable,the VH HDT Commodores as it was an awesome Australian road tourer with awesome mid range and great suspension/wheel setup to soak up bumps and yet still handle exceptonal(though not on track),and my favorite the F40 which needs no explanation :cool: :cool:

[jcp123]

I have a hard time calling anything from the 80's classic yet...to me it's just old, needs maybe another 10-15 years before anything will be classic if indeed it does happen.

[sandwich]

how about all the homologation specials? Ie: quattro, 323 gtx, Impulse..eh, i guess most of those came out late 80s early 90s

[DieterCabral]

Definitely Ferrari was the big winner in the 1980’s partially due to Miami Vice, the introduction of the 512, and the boom of Ferrari in the USA my personal fav is the 288 GTO with a fabulous 140 hp/liter.

[RS6]

The 288GTO is stunning but I would definately go for the Audi Sport Quattro. It doesn't really matter if you are biased about the Quattro because it really does deserve the classic car status for what it has brought along.

[Turbonutter55]

What about the Lotus-Carlton? The only car to have had its morality debated in the house of commons (UK). I'd say that makes it a classic, especially if it did 176mph with space for 5.

[PsychoChimp22]

The is a BADASS car!!! It's so... Vice :D.

[Deutscher Adler]

Volkswagen Rabbit???

[Clunker]

I'd consider Ferrari a definite classic of the 80's. The Rabbit? Well, maybe.

[TDI15]

What about three times World Rally Champion, last in 1980, FIAT 131 Abarth?

[Dahlis]

bmw e30

[Radoman]

I'd like to jump in here and mention... well, look at my avatar. They are rapidly disappearing, and they are plenty special enough to be considered... well, a modern classic, so's to speak. And it doesn't have to be supercharged.

[motorsportnerd]

I agree, especially the supercharged and to a lesser extent the 1.6 16valve versions. But I think the 1.5 litre carb versions don't have the same appeal. A mate of mine used to have one in NZ - it had a basic Corolla engine in it. I think this was the base engine in Japan, unless there was an even smaller engine..
Most import markets on got the 16 valve or supercharged engines, but plenty of secondhand imports made it into NZ from Japan, most with the basic carb engine in them.

[Deutscher Adler]

Interested in any opinions on which cars built in the 1980s can be regarded as classics, either now or in the future?

Myself, I'd nominate the Ford Sierra RS500, Audi Quattro, BMW M3. The Sierra and BMW for their track successes and current day desirability. The Quattro because it redefined the direction of both high performance road vehicles and rallying. The Subaru Impreza WRX, Mits Lancer Evos, Lancia Delta Integrale, etc, would not have been produced if the Quattro hadn't paved the way.
Any comments?
quattro men needs to see this one..... :p

[charged]

the first generation RX7,is aclassic as it was a affordable sports car for the masses

[Falcon500]

the first generation RX7,is aclassic as it was a affordable sports car for the masses
and wernt they classic with the tartan interiors :cool:
And we cant forget the latter opartsof the 80 with them either.

[Matra et Alpine]

and wernt they classic with the tartan interiors
The first Lotus Esprits had tartan insets in the seats - hideous :)

[Falcon500]

The first Lotus Esprits had tartan insets in the seats - hideous :)
I thought a scottish gent would of appreciates "ach laddie that b me familys tarrrrtan therrrrre" :)

[Matra et Alpine]

I thought a scottish gent would of appreciates "ach laddie that b me familys tarrrrtan therrrrre" :)
Most of the tartans are a creation of Victorian sassenachs.

Think about it, how many deer could you stalk walking round in bright fecking red, white and yellow plaid ? :)

Could just see it round the fire at night ...
"Right lads we're going to ambush the English in this valley...
..... and I want you to wear THIS gaudy red kilt to help you hide".
"lads?, lads?? where ahve you gone ??? Come back, it'll work - honest"
nah, never happened :)

REAL tartans are all subdued and earthy colours.

Also tartan is for a kilt or skirt - never bloody trousers or jackets (to all Americans! ) and certainly NOT bloody cars !!!!!

HOWEVER, I do have to say I wear the SRU plaid on formal occasions. A nice blue/purple heather colours !!!

[charged]

My sister had the Tr7 with green and black tartan inserts,YUK

[Falcon500]

lol :D

I thought the bright Red almost orangehair that alot of scotts have would of attracted enough attention...A bloke i know his parents are scotish and his hair is bright as all hell....and frigging long too and it just about rustles when he walks :D

Alot of the car one ive seen is even more gross then the bright red tartan....a yellow simlar to aged cheease with 2 diffrent coloured red lines going through it....bleh

And its terrible when people genralise isnt it?(or simply dont know) :) I had an american shelia ask me to say something in australian (she was serious she thought our own spin on the language was practically a diffrent language) so i said G'day :D and i made the mistake of telling her i was half austraian "oh so you year them leatherpants"..."errr yeah shure i wear leaderhosen (spelling) and i also wear and akubra and carry a swag around and drink Fosters too all while tameing and rideing kangeroos :rolleyes: De Versa idiota"

[Matra et Alpine]

Over a beer I'll tell you my favourite "tourist-taunt" about the catching of the haggis :)

I take the language one the other way round. I've had lost of folks in bars practising the strongest and craziest Scottish sayings over a few beers. Had all of Pat O'Briens in New Orleans learnign pick up lines in Scottish. If they try ANY of them in Scotland they'll get slapped REAL hard :)

AND the red hair thing is down to a bloody ENGLISH comic !!!
We've very little red-heads around ( shame coz they're my favourite :) )

[Falcon500]

Over a beer I'll tell you my favourite "tourist-taunt" about the catching of the haggis :))lol ill hold you to thatone


)[/QUOTE]I take the language one the other way round. I've had lost of folks in bars practising the strongest and craziest Scottish sayings over a few beers. Had all of Pat O'Briens in New Orleans learnign pick up lines in Scottish. If they try ANY of them in Scotland they'll get slapped REAL hard :))[/QUOTE]
Lol Any sailors or truckies around...youd have to haveone on hand to untie their tounge after wards ;)

)[/QUOTE]
AND the red hair thing is down to a bloody ENGLISH comic !!!
We've very little red-heads around ( shame coz they're my favourite :) )[/QUOTE]Im set very impartial to brunettes :D A lot of redheads i find have fiery tempers and foul mouths that wouldmake a sailor cringe lmao :D
And it was all caused by anenglish comic?trust the poms to do that :rolleyes:

[F1_Master]

Matra refers to his Alpine which is only 10 years old as being a classic in another thread. However, I take your point. Most 80s cars wouldn't be regarded as classics yet. However, which ones are likely to be classics. I think the three I mentioned will be. Obviously any Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini will be classics. Also, such cars as the BMW 635 CSi, Mazda RX-7 series 1, Peugeot 205 GTi, VW Golf GTi Mk 1 & 11, Mecedes 190E 2.3-16. I guess I'm not referring to everyday cars which will only fit the "classic" definition once they become scarce. I'm referring to something a bit special, for any reason.

TO go along with the BMW 6 Series, it'll be maybe a few years before the 8 series becomes a classic. Maybe in a deacde or so, though.

[Carmaniac]

Any Ferrari, old Volvo, or Porsche (excluding the Carrera GT) would be a classic car. A Mustang is definitely a classic.

[Porsche ´77]

An Alfa Romeo is always a good car...
even of the 80´s.
My favourite is the 75

[250 GTO]

F 40 or 288 GTO

[Juggs]

the GNX id probably say is the most classic of the 80's cars at least in america. i love them (regular grand nationals too) they look so bad ass and stealthy but they are quick from the factory and with a couple cheap mods can be extremely fast.

other honorable mentions- pontiac trans am GTA (3.8 liter turbo- same motor as the grand national)

chevy corvette ZR1 (DOHC 5.7 liter)

ford mustang SVO (turbo 4 banger)

[Piacki_117]

Renault 5 Turbo (thank you Matt..),
and the GTI's wich are non-riced are classics, I think.

[Egg Nog]

Porsche 944.

I'm biased, but it's still a classic :)

[henk4]

Porsche 944.

I'm biased, but it's still a classic :)

not yet, just an upgraded 924 :D

[Classic Anycar]

DeLorean
any BMW
Buick Gran Sport
Datsun 280Z
Mazda RX-7

That's all the true classics.

CATEGORIES BY DECADE

1980-99 Nostalgic
1960-79 Retro
1940-59 Classic
1920-39 Vintage
1900-19 Antique
1870-99 Ancient

[Prius]

Pontiac Fiero

it was pretty much a pocket Ferrari, but it was made for comuting and not top speed, and unfortunately, well many enthusiests made that mistake causing alll the engine fires.

[Matra et Alpine]

Pontiac Fiero

it was pretty much a pocket Ferrari, but it was made for comuting and not top speed, and unfortunately, well many enthusiests made that mistake causing alll the engine fires.
JEEEEZUS, you're weird :)

Fiero is POS and worse peolpe add panels to try to make them look like Ferrari's and it's STILL a POS.

how the *** can that be a classic ?

There are soooo many other cars in the 80s due that before the Fiero.
eg Matra Murena - the last of the 3 seat sports cars ( until a certain designer decided 3 was best :) )

[ZeTurbo]

Pontiac Fiero

it was pretty much a pocket Ferrari, but it was made for comuting and not top speed, and unfortunately, well many enthusiests made that mistake causing alll the engine fires.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Some cars do not need to be old to be considered classics, a bmw Z8 and a McLaren are allready considered classics and they barelly have 10 years on them.
"classic" cars are a matter of taste. some consider the 80's mustang a classic, i think its an abomination...

[pAinTrAin]

Well when I was talking to the bank about buying a 1985/86 Monte Carlo SS it was in the classic bracket...which to me is cheaper insurance:D

[Matra et Alpine]

Well when I was talking to the bank about buying a 1985/86 Monte Carlo SS it was in the classic bracket...which to me is cheaper insurance:D
yeah, in ther UK even the Morris Ital is a "classic" for the insurance companies :)
http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/images/mar2002_03.jpg

BMC were proud they took the car from drawing office to production in 18 months. This about matched the duration it would survive AFTER as rust and enough bits would break to condemn the car !!!!!

[Prius]

JEEEEZUS, you're weird :)


There are soooo many other cars in the 80s due that before the Fiero.
eg Matra Murena - the last of the 3 seat sports cars ( until a certain designer decided 3 was best :) )


wtf is a Matra Murena? :confused:

[dydzi]

wtf is a Matra Murena? :confused:

you don't know that car?

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/dauphine1093/Alfa/Cote_Pegomas2003/Pegomas2003_MatraMurena.JPG

[ZeTurbo]

wtf is a Matra Murena? :confused:
i dont think you were born yet...

[IBrake4Rainbows]

This is Prius, unless he can make fun of it or worship it blindly, it doesn't exist.

[Matra et Alpine]

wtf is a Matra Murena? :confused:
and let's not forget the 4WD rallycross special - now in the Matra museum :)
http://www.matramagic.co.uk/FS_fujifilm/eztouch/dscf0214.jpg
or the 350BHP Politecnic special :)
http://www.politecnic.com/img-matos/photosmatra/murenanoirblancavecjpb.jpg

[pAinTrAin]

wtf is a Matra Murena? :confused:


I never heard of it either but a nice looking car!

[Alfasudcrazy]

This is my 1983 Alfasud 1.5Ti - I know it may be regarded as a 1970's car but production did not end until 1984 - so it qualifies. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/sud1.jpg[/IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/sud2.jpg[/SIZE]

[Alfasudcrazy]

This is my 1983 Alfasud 1.5Ti - I know it may be regarded as a 1970's car but production did not end until 1984 - so it qualifies. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/sud1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/sud2.jpg

[Piacki_117]

wow nice car. Have you more pics?

[Ferrer]

One of the defenitve classics that I think no one has mentioned are the RWD Alfa Romeo Spider's, which were build from 1966 to 1994, and that includes the 80's.

[chevrolet]

wow not to be rude but i can not believe that none of you guys thought of the 1987 buick grand national and GNX. These are the same car but the GNX had better trim. These were the fastest production car of the 80's. yes even faster than the corvette. Theses Buicks are somewhat rare but definitely a classic of the 80's. If you do not no what one is go look at one on the web.

[Wouter Melissen]

wow not to be rude but i can not believe that none of you guys thought of the 1987 buick grand national and GNX. These are the same car but the GNX had better trim. These were the fastest production car of the 80's. yes even faster than the corvette. Theses Buicks are somewhat rare but definitely a classic of the 80's. If you do not no what one is go look at one on the web. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=316829&postcount=89
or
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2302

[Alfasudcrazy]

wow nice car. Have you more pics?

Yes - here you go. I have a few jobs to do to it before I use it on a regular basis but its virtually rust free.
Bought it on Ebay before Christmas. Was not used during the past 10 years but was in a good garage :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/77_1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/72_1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/33_1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Alfasudcrazy/5e_1.jpg

[Piacki_117]

ok thanks

[Spastik_Roach]

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=316829&postcount=89
or
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2302

Melissowned!

[ERBEE]

Lancia Delta Integrale
Volkswagen Golf GTi
Peugeot 205 TI

[Max_RF]

totaly the porsche 959, Ferrari F40, Alfa Spider, and the 911 (1963-2005), incluiding the 80's

[Qster]

The Lancia Thema 8.32. A little biased on this one, but I think it was a classic from birth.

www.8-32.com

[Gt1Street]

Surley the Delte Integrale deserves a spot high up the ranks here...
and so does the E30 seires, especially the M3

[sebas]

My list:
Sierra Cosworth, Delta Integrale, R5 Turbo, Audi Quattro, BMW M3
Ferrari 288 GTO, Porsche 944, Alpine GTA
Here in Argentina:
Renault Fuego GTA, Ford Sierra XR4.

[Nerys]

Alpine A 310
Alpine GTA
Porsche 928
DeLorean
BMW 6 series
Honda CRX AS
R5

[henk4]

Alpine A 310
Alpine GTA
Porsche 928
DeLorean
BMW 6 series
Honda CRX AS
R5

anyone you got of those as a birthday present today? Happy BD anyway :D

[Nerys]

anyone you got of those as a birthday present today? Happy BD anyway :D
Thank you!! I'm afraid not, but hubby bought a M3 (E36) last week. I simply try to persuade myself that's the present for me. :D

[Ersing]

I think that U have forgotten about the Vauxhall Astra Mk2 STi, And the Opel Kadett GT 8v that had a gearratio that made it very fast. ;)

[092326001]

I think the 288 GTO is a classic

[greg.harvey]

I see someone mentioned the Alfa GTV6. Lovely car! My girlfriend's brother has one. It was a daily car for a friend of his on loan until recently. It's now in her parents' garage where I believe the intention is to turn it in to a weekend racer, but how and when I don't know. Drove it a couple of times. It's awesome, though the space between you and the end of the bonnet is quite unnerving, accentuated by the fact the windscreen slopes so steeply away from you it's nearly 2 metres "high" and you can't reach the bottom of it from the driving position!

The engine is fantastic - pulls from nothing and then pulls smoothly all the way through. Awesome performer. :D :D :D

[D2LTA]

I think the 288 GTO is a classic

.....lol

I watched in total absorbtion one being driven from a local classic car lock up onto a low loader giving it far too much revs than was nessesary :D .... this has to be the ultimate 80's classic.

........with the Isdera Imperator 108i

[Prius]

I would say Ford Taurus, mostly because of it's domination over the american market.

[pAinTrAin]

I would say Ford Taurus, mostly because of it's domination over the american market.


what that they can run on 3 cylinders??

HEHE!

[kennyknoxville]

Gnx..

[nota]

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned these 150+mph big bangers, W126 560 sedan & coupe. You can pick them up relatively cheaply today .. a mate recently purchased the pictured example for about the same money as a crappy 1990s Hyundai econobox

I can't think of any volume-produced vehicle from the 1980s that came close to offering their combination of quality, technology and performance

[magnumpi9]

Definatly the Porsche 944, DeLorean DMC-12, and Buick Grand National. Also some muscle: Chevy Monte Carlo SS, and Ford Mustang (predicted by some to be very collectable soon)
Probably the most influential car would be the Audi Quattro, but i dont know if it would be a classic becuase of its rarity.

Also the K-Car!!!

[greg.harvey]

nota - they're so cheap because when you have to get parts your eyes will water! (Well, that's true here - unless you source the parts in Poland, which is apparently becoming a good place to get cheap Merc spares if you're close enough to take advantage like we are in the UK.)

For example, you can pick up an early one of these (see link below) now for £1,500 (about $2,500 US) and it will be in excellent condition. Simply because it's a write-off if anything major goes wrong, so no one wants them. Same story with the big Mercs - actually, any Mercs apart from the A-class. It's not like an old Ford where you can change the engine for £500!

http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/women.executives/05.jaguar.xj.500.jpg

Ps - note, I'm not disagreeing with you - they are an absolute bargain, but you are playing Russian roulette with your wallet! ;)

[nota]

Hi Greg - yeah, it's a sobering thought to realise that a 'simple' engine R/R (remove/replace) for W126 V8 consumes about 20 hours of labour alone .. not including repair! :eek: In Oz, to supply/fit timing chain & guides runs about 1000 euros or so, but it's a double-row so these can last for 7 or 10 years of motoring

Like most used cars be it Lotus or Lada, the trick of course is to start with a decent well-maintained example in the first place - principally one which requires no internal engine work. Astute buyers can pick these M-Bs up at knockout prices. But if the vehicle is basically sound, for enthusiasts the remainder of W126 ownership costs aren't as daunting as you seem to imply. Nor in my experience is the cost of most new parts, plus a popular car when new so a large pool of wreckers exists for which there is little demand. Coupe panels & trim is rarer/pricier than sedan. Nevertheless W126s are a durable well-fettled design, and most ancillarys are easily dismantleable so it's often the case of simply chucking a (cheap) new seal or gasket in. Unlike modern vehicles for example, most electrical components - even the power windows & motors - are fully rebuildable. The rear self-leveller (optional on front) is similar to Citroen, so long-lived & pretty straightforward to fix once understood. Transmission rebuilds run to similar or less $$ than for those modern electronic FWD automatics, like Camry eg

For sure, not an ideal city car and more suited to highway work where they really do give a modern (albeit luxo barge) premium drive-experience. Fuel costs are commesurate - for Europeans especially - however LPG conversions remedy this. Nowdays ignored & unwanted, but for a practical classic I'd much rather risk putting my $ into a used W126 over an old Jag, as the depth of engineering is far superior - also superior imo against those wanky exotics of the era like plastic-bodied Ferraris - not to mention Corvettes ;)

Admittedly not 560s or coupes, and I've since sold the trusty W108 LPG, but to illustrate the vagaries of used car prices & demand, my combined cost to purchase these two W126 sedans (6 & V8) barely matches the equivalent local price of one plebian '93 Camry 4cyl shitfighter .. :rolleyes: .. and so far, so good (touch wood!)

[furious_fiero]

1987 Buick Grand National
1987 Buick GNX
1987 Buick T-Type

[greg.harvey]

Like most used cars be it Lotus or Lada, the trick of course is to start with a decent well-maintained example in the first place - principally one which requires no internal engine work. Astute buyers can pick these M-Bs up at knockout prices. But if the vehicle is basically sound, for enthusiasts the remainder of W126 ownership costs aren't as daunting as you seem to imply.

Absolutely. I completely agree. With all classics, buy a good one and keep it good. :)

You need to buy carefully, maintain the vehicle in a pre-emptive and precautionary manner, and be prepared to maybe have to spend a few thousand pounds/dollars in one year if you're unlucky. But the chances are if you've been sensible on all other counts you'll be fine. Didn't mean to say "DON'T TOUCH!" quite so strongly... I myself looked at the early 70's Merc saloons - they're nice looking cars.

I've got a bit of a Jag bug from my father though, and while I'm not qualified to comment on the merits of the engineering of the two brands, I do like a Jag! Favourite classic cars are like favourite football teams in that respect I always think ... they're practically chosen for you. ;)

[dcsbeemer]

Personally I've got a soft spot for these: BMW E30 M3 Evo III, Alfa Romeo 3.0 GTV 24v, Opel Kadett 2.0 GSi Superboss, Porsche 930 Turbo, 288 GTO (of course).

[lego]

i reacon most of u r missin the point. classics dont have to b old they just are classic ! i cant explain it, certain shapes and designs just are classic or timeless is probably a better word.
my list would ave to b
205 gti
golf mkii
bmw m3 (e30)
renault 5
rx3i
rs turbo
lancia delta
pretty much any hatch of the 80s

but there is only 2 sports cars of the 80s for me
tvr v8s
and the king............ lambo countach!! coz it just says sex drugs n rock n roll all mangled up in a yellow mash 6ft up a lamp post

[pAinTrAin]

My car turns heads and its an 81, its in the Classic insurance bracket.

(Its not mint be nice)

[Equinox]

well its a nice car... if i saw this car drive by i would have to look at it.

[roushzx2]

I had a 86 Nissan 200sx turbo that should be a classic only a few were built.

[pAinTrAin]

I had a 86 Nissan 200sx turbo that should be a classic only a few were built.


No that makes it rare

[kingofthering]

The Yugo. Classic

[acemotorsport]

you are smoking something that car is shit

[kingofthering]

yes, exactly my point.

[mattmacklind]

Lots of cars probably already mentioned (didn't read them all); 944/951, Rx7, 280Z, Celica/Supra, M3, Merc Benz 190 2.3 16v, the aforementioned Alfa, the last of the Tr7's and MGB's, although I think they are the worst of the bunch, 911 (pretty affordable, at least to buy), The last of the US Alpha Spiders, Lancia Delta, Rabbit/GTi, Corrado (or is that 90's?), Renault Turbo 4.

One or more if I think of more that are rare but very cool, the Mitsubishi Starion/Dodge Conquest. That was a sharp car with some performance, too.
http://bewilderment.geeksanon.ca/pics/Sig/Conquest-Left.gif

Another that will likely never approach classic status but is so uncommon in good shape these days is the Dodge Daytona. Not too shabby performance wise, but a bit boring I suppose.
http://www.carsurvey.org/images/dodge_daytona_1.jpg

[pAinTrAin]

Another that will likely never approach classic status but is so uncommon in good shape these days is the Dodge Daytona. Not too shabby performance wise, but a bit boring I suppose.
http://www.carsurvey.org/images/dodge_daytona_1.jpg


LOL a K-Car on drugs..thats what my dads calls them....I owned a 85 Shelby-Z version, T-tops red...2.2 turbo blew 3 times sold it to a friend.

[greg.harvey]

The Yugo. Classic

Ha! Superb! I remember my piano teacher and her husband had two identical red Yugos when I was a kid. The memories... ;)

http://www.stangbangers.com/Yugo_Ad.jpg

[LandQuail]

Fiat 131 Abarth for sure. Great car.

[NetoPingeRy]

Hi. Test post 333 4
1

[greg.harvey]

Hi. Test post 333 4
1

Uh huh... ;)

BTW, saw the Yugo again and reminded me - the company behind the Yugo started out selling re-badged Fiat 600s in Croatia back in the 1960s - check out my blog entry about it, if you're interested:
Classic Cars Blog: The new, new Fiat 500 (http://classicmotoring.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-new-fiat-500.html)

G

[pAinTrAin]

for the 1980's I think all G-bodies are classics :D

[dustinbrc]

ive racked my brain and cant figure it out please help im stumped looks 80s to mee

[Schlappklotte]

Nicest car of the 80s was the wonderfull Peugeot 604 Gti V6 2,8 and 604 Sti V6 2,7 with Pininfarina design by
Sergio Pininfarina and Paolo Martin, also the 504 spider and Coupe....wonderfull
understated high quality cars! ( Okay the design of those cars came from the 60s and 70s period
but they were still in production during the mid 80s!)

Peugeot 604 V6 TI Vue extérieure - YouTube

Peugeot 604 2.5 - YouTube

Peugeot 604 V6 Ti Vue extérieure statique - YouTube

Peugeot 604 V6 Ti tour capots ouverts - YouTube

The 604 was the French Maserati Quattroporte!
Best leather interior ever!

peugeot 504 coupé - vidéo 2 - YouTube

Peugeot 504 Cabrio Probefahrt - YouTube

These cars with their great silent DOHC V6 engines are wonderfull, so much fun to drive!
Fast, crisp, well handling and they still feature a typical french ultra quality suspension
that make long yourneys to a relaxing joy of driving !

[csl177]

ive racked my brain and cant figure it out please help im stumped looks 80s to me

Zimmer Quicksilver... built on Pontiac Fiero chassis. Why they thought this would be a good idea is a mystery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmer_(automobile)

[Kitdy]

Sikk whipp. Welcome back!

[dustinbrc]

thank u 177

[jcp123]

Zimmer Quicksilver... built on Pontiac Fiero chassis. Why they thought this would be a good idea is a mystery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmer_(automobile)

All those fake classics were popular back in the day. The worst were the Mercedes SSK replicars...yuck.

[EHass40062]

In the USA, I'm thinking maybe mustang GT's, at least the later ones when they were given a proper motor.