Flashback to the ’80s, a time when hair was big, music was loaded with synthesizers, and cars? They were nothing short of legendary. But were you paying attention? Think you know your cars? We’ve got a lineup of the coolest, most iconic cars from the ’80s. Let’s see if you can guess them all correctly.
The Rally-Bred Speedster
Imagine a car born from the fiery crucibles of Group B rallying, equipped with a PSK 4-wheel drive system that could catapult it to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds. With a top speed that flirts with the 200 mph mark, this beast was not just about speed; it was about revolutionizing performance with every inch of its design. In 1987, this car set the benchmark for what a supercar could be. If you guessed the 1987 Porsche 959, then you’re spot on!
The Silver Bullet
With a distinctive Silver Rose Metallic finish and a Burgundy plaid interior that screams ’80s, this car was more than just a looker. Under the hood lay a 250 bhp powerhouse at 6000 rpm, courtesy of the KKK K26-8 turbocharger unit, propelling it to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. If the 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S came to mind, you nailed it!
The Rally Revolution
This car is a legend among legends, introducing four-wheel drive as an indispensable asset for World Rally Championship cars. With only around 200 units made, its rarity is matched only by its performance and technological prowess, featuring ABS, four-wheel drive, and self-locking differentials. Its hatchback-like profile hid a beast eager to dominate the rally stages. If you guessed the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro, you’re right on the money!
The Underdog Racer
This machine was a force to be reckoned with, a homologation special designed for the cutthroat world of Group A rallying. Though it didn’t clinch any major victories, its potent combination of over 200 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and a feisty turbocharged engine made it a formidable contender, outpacing rivals with its agility and speed. Tipping the scales in its favor against heavyweights like the BMW E30 M3, this car proved that power-to-weight ratio and heart could make an underdog shine. If you guessed the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, then you’re absolutely right!
The Rally King
Dominating the World Rally Championship with six consecutive manufacturer titles, this car eclipsed legends like the Lancia Stratos and Audi Quattro. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivered 163 horsepower, but it was the car’s spirit and agility on the rally stages that made it a true icon. The Lancia Delta HF Integrale not only rewrote the rules of rallying but also captured the hearts of fans worldwide. If you guessed the 1986 Lancia Delta Integrale, you’ve got it!
The AWD Pioneer
In the ’80s, the idea of an all-wheel-drive supercar was almost unheard of. Yet, Ferrari dared to dream, leading to the creation of a prototype that would challenge the norms. With an awkwardly proportioned body necessitated by its innovative four-wheel drive system, this car was a radical departure from Ferrari’s typical design ethos. If you’re thinking of the Ferrari 408 4RM, you’re spot on!
The Efficient Speedster
Introduced as a niche offering in the early ’80s, this car combined peppy performance with remarkable fuel efficiency. Its ability to reach a top speed of 135 mph while still sipping fuel made it a favorite among those who valued economy without sacrificing fun. Though its production run ended in 1991, it’s a classic that we love. If you guessed the Honda CRX, then you’re right!
The Mid-Engine Marvel
A true testament to engineering ingenuity, this car emerged as a standout with its mid-engine layout and sporty demeanor. Borrowing components like its engine and suspension parts from the Corolla, it was anything but ordinary, thanks to tuning by American racing legend Dan Gurney and final touches from Lotus. With a 112-hp engine and nimble handling, this two-seater was a pioneer in making mid-engine sports cars more accessible. If you guessed the Toyota MR2, you hit the nail on the head!
The Swedish Innovator
Blending turbocharged performance with cutting-edge technology like an intercooler and computer-controlled fuel injection, this car was a marvel of its time. With 160 hp on tap from its 1985 cc engine, this Swedish machine was a smog-legal performance car that defied expectations. If you’re thinking of the Saab 900 Turbo, you’re absolutely right!
The Record Breaker
This car started its journey with a bang, setting multiple world records on the high-speed track in Nardò. With a new engine boasting four valves per cylinder and producing 185 hp, it was a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s engineering prowess. The car’s achievements laid the groundwork for future performance sedans. If you guessed the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16, then you’re spot on!
The Open-Air Rocket
With a staggering 450 horsepower under its hood, this car was a beast on the road, embodying the pinnacle of American performance engineering. Its unique carbon fiber body and special air inlets for the intercoolers made it not just fast, but also a marvel of design. Sadly, only 12 of these beauties were made. If you guessed the 1989 Callaway Speedster Corvette, you’re right!
The Track-Born Legend
This compact powerhouse was engineered for dominance on the race track, with its high-revving 195 bhp engine propelling it to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds. Its creation was necessitated by motorsport regulations, but it quickly transcended its racing roots to become a coveted performance car. If you guessed the 1988 BMW M3, you’re absolutely correct!
The Pocket Rocket
Before the era of the WRX and Focus RS, this unassuming hatchback brought the excitement of rally performance to the everyday driver. With a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, it was a sleeper hit that could sprint to 60 mph in under 9 seconds. If you guessed the Mazda 323 GTX, then you’ve nailed it!
The Hot Hatch Hero
This car turned the hot hatch concept on its head with its mid-engine layout and aggressive bodywork. Pumped up with wide fenders and a turbocharged engine producing 160 hp, it was a rally car disguised as a city car. If you guessed the 1981 Renault 5 Turbo, you’re on the money!
The Last RWD Champion
This car marked the end of an era as the last rear-wheel-drive vehicle to win the World Rally Championship. With its supercharged engine and lightweight construction, the Lancia 037 was a force to be reckoned with engineering excellence to clinch victory in the 1983 championship. If you guessed the 1982 Lancia 037 Group B, you’re right!
The Kammback Concept
This iteration of the Trans Am brought a unique design twist with its squared-off “Kammback” rear, a concept that flirted with aerodynamic efficiency and distinctive style. Though it never moved beyond the prototype stage, with a 190 hp engine under the hood, it promised performance that matched its aggressive looks. If you guessed the 1985 Pontiac Trans Am, you’re spot on!
The SUV Pioneer
Revolutionizing the SUV market, this vehicle combined rugged capability with a size and refinement that appealed to both families and adventurers. Its design was both practical and stylish, setting the stage for the modern SUV era. With its solid-axle durability and unibody construction, this vehicle was as comfortable on rough trails as it was on city streets. If you guessed the Jeep Cherokee, introduced in 1984, then you’ve got it!
The Poster Child Supercar
This car wasn’t just a vehicle; it was an icon that defined automotive excess and ambition. With its scissor doors and V12 engine, it was the stuff of dreams and bedroom posters across the globe. The Countach was a radical departure from automotive norms. If you guessed the Lamborghini Countach, you’re absolutely correct!
The Rally-Bred Rare Breed
This car blended British engineering with rally racing pedigree. With a limited production run and a competition-tuned engine, it was a force to be reckoned with on the rally stage and a collector’s dream on the road. Its high-performance engine and nimble handling made it a standout of its time. If you guessed the 1981 Lotus Sunbeam, you’re right on the money!
The Mid-Engined Italian
This car was a breath of fresh air in the sports car market, offering mid-engine dynamics in a beautiful Italian package. Though it shared its name with other Lancia Betas, it was a distinct entity designed to deliver pure driving joy. Its sleek lines and balanced handling made it a favorite among those who appreciated the finer points of automotive design. If you guessed the 1981 Lancia Beta Monte Carlo, you’ve nailed it!
The Black Beast
In ’87, Buick unleashed this monster. It was all business with a blacked-out exterior and a turbocharged V6 under the hood that cranked out 276 horsepower. This car wasn’t just fast, it was a straight-up bullet, hitting 60 mph faster than you could say “muscle car.” McLaren Performance Technologies fine-tuned this beast, making it a rare breed that could leave sports cars of its era in the dust. Only 500 were made, turning the GNX into an instant legend. If you guessed the Buick Grand National GNX, you’re right on target!
The Trailblazer
Long before the crossover craze, there was this bad boy, a car that didn’t care much for labels. Part wagon, part SUV, it had 4×4 capability that could tackle trails while still being cool enough to drop the kids off at school. It had a look only a mother could love, but under that quirky exterior was a heart of adventure. If you guessed the AMC Eagle, you’ve got it!
The Euro-American Mashup
This was Ford’s attempt to bring European flair across the pond, and boy, did it stand out. With its biplane spoiler and distinctive styling, it was something of an oddball, but in the best way possible. Underneath that unique exterior was a turbocharged engine that promised fun behind the wheel. It might not have been a sales smash, but it left a mark for those who appreciated its blend of American muscle and European handling. If you guessed the Merkur XR4Ti, you nailed it!
The Turbocharged Challenger
In the ’80s, Mitsubishi decided to show the world what it could do with this car, a turbocharged sports car that could hang with the best of them. It had pop-up headlights, flared fenders, and an engine that loved to rev. It might have been a bit of an underdog, but it earned its stripes on the streets. If you guessed the Mitsubishi Starion, you’re spot on!
