rgs944

10 Best 80's Sports Cars



By: Mark Clement

Break Studios Contributing Writer





Curious about the 10 best '80s sports cars? When one thinks of the cars of the 1980s, it is not uncommon to think of the underpowered, heavily restricted cars that roamed the streets and highways of this great country. However, contrary to popular belief, there were actually a few gems that were produced during those years.

Dodge Shelby Charger. Throughout the early 1980s, Chrysler was having an identity crisis and needed a spark in design. In 1983, automotive legend Carroll Shelby was recruited to put his name and subtle touches to the Charger. With the advent of the Shelby Charger, the horsepower jumped 107 in 1983 and finished up with a whopping 174 horsepower twin turbo version in 1987.
Pontiac Fiero. Ranking the Fiero as one of the 10 best '80s sports cars was a difficult decision; however, it has earned a spot due to being the first mass produced mid-engine sports car manufactured by an American company.


Nissan 300 ZX. Improving upon the popular 280Z was no easy task for Nissan in the early '80s. By taking the spirit of the 280 and adding a V-6 engine and improving the aerodynamics, Nissan did just that. Using the horsepower and aerodynamics now available in the 300 ZX, Nissan had tremendous success in the racing world, making the 300 ZX one of the 10 best '80s sports cars.

Ford Mustang. Through the late '70s and into the early '80s, Ford was losing many customers to the more popular and better styled Camaros and Firebirds. Ford then came out with the fox body Mustang. Once they coupled their mighty 5.0 liter V-8 with the lighter body, a new muscle car was formed. For the first time in several years, the Camaros and Firebirds of the '80s had some stiff competition. The fox body Mustang of the 80's is still one of the most popular and easily recognizable cars on the road.

Chevrolet Camaro / Pontiac Firebird. The Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird became lighter and faster in the early '80s. These cars came with modern fuel injection and numerous performance levels, from the legendary Z-28, to the IROC Z along with the WS6 package from Pontiac. The Camaro became the car of choice for the International Race of Champions (IROC series) in the 1980s. These cars can be found on almost anyone's 10 best '80s sports cars list for good reason.

Porsche 944. As a revised version of the 924, the Porsche 944 was intended to continue production well into the 1990s. The 944 had significant improvements in aerodynamics and power from the 924.

Chevrolet Corvette. Rebounding from the gas struggles of the late 1970s, Chevrolet introduced a fourth generation Corvette with a more fuel efficient power plant. Even though the engine performed better in the mileage arena, it was still powerful enough to be called a Corvette.

Buick Grand National. Piggybacking on the success of the Buick, Monte Carlo and Grand Prix in the world of Nascar, Buick decided to one-up the competition. Placing a turbo charged 3.8 liter V-6 into the lightweight body of a Buick Regal, the Grand National paid tribute to the Grand National series in Nascar. The Grand National is one of the most coveted collector's cars of the 1980s, placing it highly as one of the 10 best '80s sports cars.

BMW M1. Being one of the rarest BMWs on the planet, along with being designed by Lamborghini, makes the BMW M1 one of the most sought after cars of the '80s.

Lamborghini Countach. The Countach began production in 1974, and wasn't discontinued until the end of the 1980s. With its edgy styling and powerful V-12 engine, the Lamborghini Countach has been a childhood dream for millions of children. Given even more exposure through its roles in classic films, the Countach is still one of the top cars in the world, as well as being one of the 10 best '80s sports cars.

Posted on: Apr. 28, 2010

17prospective buyer

Cool...

Imo000

As far as I know the Charger was not sold with a twin but a single turbo and the ZX was a straight 6 not a V.

bordin34

The Charger was just the 2.2L turbo I4.
I think the 300zx used the VG30 V6.

Imo000

I had a Daytona Z back then and did a lot of work. They were just a 4 cylinder with a turbo. The V6 ZX came out in 1990. Thr generation that was sold in the 80's was a straight 6.

rgs944

I ran accross this list and found it as kind of amusing but not real accurate. If someone wants to take the time what would be the best 10 sports cars of the 80's. Meaning something that a well to do buyer could drive out of the show room and then to work the next morning. I know the 928 would be at the top of my list. The 911 and 944 would be in there somewhere in the top 10 and I would also have a Z car in on my list. The Vette would also likely make the top 10 and you know at least one Farrari and Lambo would have to be near the top.

illini-heel

Drive a Lambo to work the next day?

JWise

1984-on 300ZX (Z31 chassis) was a 3.0 liter V6, as was the Z32 chassis you referenced. The straight 6's you're thinking of were in the 280ZX and older.

rgs944

Yea, that one might be a little stretch. When I look at a best of list, I don't consider price a factor but "bang for the buck" has too be a consideration. That might take the Lambo out of the list.

GeorgeM

I would replace the 300ZX on this list with the Toyota Supra. The MKII Supra, introdued in 1982 was a superb car. The 5MGE straight-6 is still one of the best engines they ever built. I can still remember the commercials with Dan Gurney at the wheel smokin through downtown somewhere in the wedge shaped Supra... This '84 was my college car and is still in the family. It has over 250K miles and still runs like a top.

hacker-pschorr

I agree it's a stupid list because most of the cars on that list are not even sports cars. Neither is the 928, so at least they got that right.

The 928 is a GT, as it was designed to be. Not to be confused with a raw, pure sports car. Which is what the 911 was back when the 928 was dreamed up.

Randy V

No 928 - move it out of here.

911SLOW

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Clement's list..

timothymoffat

Me too.

I thought he was referencing cars that would work on a budget. Then I hit BMW M1 and the Countach. If we're including that level of machinery, how about Ferrari 288 GTO, Ferrari F40, Porsche 959 etc?

hacker-pschorr

I did, hit F5.....