A Definitive Collection Of The Super-Coolest Cars That Were Totally Awesome In The 80s

The '80s were productive in terms of cool machinery and this list is proof.

Maryjane

• Published in Nostalgia
• July 23, 2022

The 1980s were defined by cringe-worthy television, the disintegration of the Soviet blocs, “Morning in America,” and the emergence of the Japanese car as a mainstream option rather than a quirky option. Surprised? Oh well...

Thanks to Buick’s turbocharged V-6s and Ford’s V-8-powered Fox-body Mustangs, the decade saw the start of a muscle renaissance. And then there are the white-painted small cars and fully realized European performance cars like the Lamborghini Countach and Volkswagen GTI.

It's pointless to explain why the Ferrari Testarossa is among the classiest 1980s cars because it simply is. The Testarossa was all about the looks of a generation of kids who hung its poster on their bedroom walls, with pop-up headlamps, wide, finely diced hips, and louvered stop signs.

If the cars of the decade weren’t always wonderful, they were often attractive, as the industry started to make emissions-friendly power, started to experiment extensively with turbochargers, and started major work on the all-wheel-drive systems we now take for granted. If the depressing 1970s signaled the final chapter of the postwar production boom, the 1980s heralded a new wave of innovative thinking.

So turn on some New Wave, crack open a Bartles & Jaymes, and scroll through this collection of the coolest cars from the 1980s that we’ve gathered for your viewing pleasure.

1. Acura Integra (1986–1989)

2. Acura Integra (1986–1989)

3. AMC Eagle (1980–1987)

4. AMG Hammer (1986–1988)

5. AMG Hammer (1986–1988)

6. AMG Hammer (1986–1988)

7. Audi Quattro (1983–1985)

8. Audi Quattro (1983–1985)

9. BMW M3 (1988–1991)

10. BMW M3 (1988–1991)

11. BMW M3 (1988–1991)

12. BMW M3 (1988–1991)

13. BMW M3 (1988–1991)

14. Buick Grand National GNX (1987)

15. Buick Grand National GNX (1987)

16. Buick Grand National GNX (1987)

17. Buick Grand National GNX (1987)

18. Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z (1985–1990)

19. Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z (1985–1990)

20. DeLorean DMC-12 (1981–1983)

21. DeLorean DMC-12 (1981–1983)

22. Dodge Omni Shelby GLH/GLHS (1984–1986)

23. Dodge Omni Shelby GLH/GLHS (1984–1986)

24. Ferrari F40 (1987–1992)

25. Ferrari F40 (1987–1992)

26. Ferrari Testarossa (1984–1991)

27. Ferrari Testarossa (1984–1991)

28. Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (1987–1993)

29. Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (1987–1993)

30. Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (1987–1993)

31. Honda CRX Si (1985–1987)

32. Honda CRX Si (1985–1987)

33. Jeep Cherokee (1984–2001)

34. Jeep Cherokee (1984–2001)

35. Lamborghini Countach (1974–1990)

36. Lamborghini Countach (1974–1990)

37. Mazda 323 GTX (1988–1989)

38. Mazda 323 GTX (1988–1989)

39. Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (1987–1991)

40. Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (1987–1991)

41. Mercedes-Benz G-Class (The Late Triassic Period–2018)

42. Merkur XR4Ti (1985–1989)

43. Merkur XR4Ti (1985–1989)

44. Merkur XR4Ti (1985–1989)

45. Mitsubishi Starion (1983–1989)

46. Mitsubishi Starion (1983–1989)

47. Mitsubishi Starion (1983–1989)

48. Nissan Pulsar NX (1987–1990)

49. Porsche 944 Turbo (1986–1989)

50. Porsche 959 (1986–1989)

51. Porsche 959 (1986–1989)

52. Saab 900 Turbo (1978–1993)

53. Subaru XT (1985–1991)

54. Toyota Celica Supra (1982–1986)

55. Toyota Celica Supra (1982–1986)

57. Toyota MR2 (1985–1989)

57. Toyota MR2 (1985–1989)

58. Toyota MR2 (1985–1989)

59. Toyota MR2 (1985–1989)

60. Volkswagen Rabbit GTI MkI (1983–1985)

61. Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon (1984–1992)

We all know that the 1980s were a decade filled with neon, synths, mustaches, hairy chests, and adorable hairstyles. However, the 1980s were particularly productive in terms of cool machinery.

Which of these amazing cars did you fancy as a kid in the 1980s? Your personal thoughts are welcome in the comment section below.

Maryjane