Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee became a pioneer in the SUV market, especially in the 1980s. Even though it was initially released in 1974, the later models of the Cherokee captured the attention of automotive enthusiasts. Blending rugged off-road capability with everyday practicality, the car was known for its compact size and versatility, making it a popular choice amongst off-road adventurers.
Plymouth Laser
Back in the day, the Plymouth Laser was often overlooked due to the popularity of the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon. Despite this, however, it was still a highly sought-after vehicle and offered an incredibly impressive performance. Well, with a name like “laser”, it had better!
Toyota Celica All-Trac
The Toyota Celica All-Trac, which many of us common folk also called the GT-Four, was a rally-inspired turbocharged AWD sports coupe (we know, quite a mouthful). It was produced between 1986 and 1999, which is quite a long run. The vehicle offered an impressive performance and surprisingly great handling, especially considering the car was, well, turbocharged. On top of this, it had a very distinctive look with headlights that looked like two gleaming eyes blinking at you.
Buick Reatta
The Buick Reatta was a stylish two-seater luxury coupe. Fitted with a 3.8L V6 engine, it offered a number of advanced features, including a touch-screen display, which was groundbreaking for a car released in the 80s. Consequently, the Reatta has turned out to be one of the most popular cars in Buick history, making it a highly sought-after vehicle to this day.
Pontiac Grand Prix
The Pontiac Grand Prix evolved from a stylish coupe in the 60s to a mid-size sedan by the 80s and 90s. Known for its powerful V6/V8 engines and sporty appearance, the car balanced performance with reliability and everyday practicality, making it a car both speedfreaks and soccer moms could appreciate.
Isuzu Impulse
The Isuzu Impulse was a sleek and sporty coupe, known for its eye-catching design and innovative suspension. The car offered the perfect mix of performance, agility, and affordability, making it a popular vehicle for its era.
Honda CRX
The Honda CRX was a lightweight, compact sports car, a popular little car known for its nimbleness, impressive fuel efficiency, and iconic design. The CRX gained a strong following among driving enthusiasts for its performance and practicality, turning it into a collectible item on today’s market. And if you’re wondering what the “CRX” stands for, don’t expect any verified answers anytime soon!
Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2, produced between 1984 and 2007, was a compact, mid-engine sports car. Known for its sharp handling, distinctive styling, and affordability, the car offered a solid performance and lightweight design. It became a favorite among driving enthusiasts and isn’t as difficult as some others to track down!
Volkswagen Golf
Who hasn’t already had the pleasure of knowing the Volkswagen Golf? Introduced in the early 1970s, the Golf became a global icon for its practicality, versatility, and distinctive design. Known for its hatchback style, reliable performance, and sporty GTI versions, it’s still a popular choice for everyday drivers, as well as vehicle collectors.
Subaru BRAT
The Subaru BRAT was a quirky, compact utility vehicle that blended the comfort aspect of a regular car with the utility aspect of a truck. Known for its rough - (one could say, bratty) - rugged off-road capability, it featured jump seats in the bed, which made it popular with would-be adventurers.
Mitsubishi Starion
The Mitsubishi Starion, produced between 1982 and 1989, was a turbocharged sports coupe, known for its sleek design and rear-wheel-drive layout. With impressive (see also: turbocharged) performance and advanced features for its time, it became a favorite among enthusiasts and laid the groundwork for all high-performance Mitsubishi vehicles to come.
Acura Integra
The Acura Integra was a sporty compact car, celebrated for its sharp handling, reliable performance, and memorable design. Produced between 1986 and 2006, it was a favorite among enthusiasts and collectors. The car combined reliability and practicality with a touch of driving excitement, making it a popular choice amongst automotive enthusiasts. You could say it was integral for Honda’s brand visibility!
AMC Eagle
The AMC Eagle, produced between 1979 and 1987, was a ground-breaking vehicle for its time, combining passenger car comfort with off-road capability (and if you’ve ever been on an off-road trip, you’d know just how rare that is). As one of the first crossover SUVs, its all-wheel-drive system and rugged design made it ideal for adventurous drivers and varied terrains.
AMC Hammer
The AMG Hammer was a concept vehicle that quickly gained popularity amongst automotive enthusiasts. Can you blame them - it’s a rare Mercedes-Benz! With the aim of pushing boundaries, it featured an advanced design and innovative engineering. Nowadays, the Hammer is considered a collector’s item.
Audi Quattro
The Audi Quattro revolutionized rally and road cars with its advanced all-wheel-drive system. Combining sporty performance with groundbreaking technology, it dominated motorsport events and inspired Audi's iconic Quattro legacy. Produced between 1980 and 1991, the Quattro set the standard for rally cars at the time, making it an important part, not just of Audi history, but automotive history in general.
BMW M3
The BMW M3, introduced way back in 1986, is a high-performance version of the 3 Series. Known for its powerful engines, precise handling, and sporty design, the car became an icon in both motorsport and among automotive enthusiasts.
Buick Grand National GNX
The Buick GNX, produced in 1987, was a limited-edition, turbocharged muscle car. Has there ever been a more American set of adjectives, ever? Delivering 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque, it offered a blistering performance, earning its reputation as one of the fastest cars of its era. Renowned for its distinctive black styling, the GNX is considered a collector's item on today’s market.
Dodge Omni Shelby GLH/GLHS
The Dodge Omni Shelby GLH/GLHS was a high-performance hatchback that dominated the 1980s. The GLH in its name was said to stand for “Goes Like Hell”, a moniker it lived up to with its nutty turbocharged power. The car also had agile handling and was quite affordable, making it a standout in the hot hatch segment. Produced between 1984 and 1986, the Shelby was one of the most popular cars of its era.
Honda CRX Si
The Honda CRX Si (Spanish for “yes”, of course), was produced between 1985 and 1991, and was a sportier variant of the popular CRX. Equipped with a peppy fuel-injected engine, sharp handling, and lightweight design, it delivered an exhilarating driving experience, making it a favorite among enthusiasts and daily drivers alike.
Mazda 323 GTX
The Mazda 323 GTX was a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive hatchback that was originally designed for rally racing. With a “spirited engine” and supreme handling, it’s no wonder it had car enthusiasts frothing at the mouth.
Merkur XR4Ti
The Merkur XR4Ti, produced between 1985 and 1989, was a performance-oriented hatchback that featured a turbocharged engine, rear-wheel drive, and a distinctive bi-plane rear spoiler. It’s important to note, however, that the car could only fly in the metaphorical sense.
Ford Taurus Sho
The Taurus Sho was so popular after its release that it famously saved Ford from bankruptcy in the 1980s (which, nowadays, is an absolutely insane prospect to consider). It had a futuristic design and offered a number of innovative safety features, making it the perfect family vehicle. Moreover, the car was very affordable, offering great value for money for both consumers and Ford themselves, apparently.
Nissan Pulsar NX
The Nissan Pulsar NX, produced between 1983 and 1990, was a compact and versatile sports coupe, known for its unique styling and innovative design. On top of this, it had sporty performance and removable roof panels, allowing drivers to individualise their vehicle to their liking.
Saab 900 Turbo
The Saab 900 Turbo, produced between 1978 and 1993, was a pioneering performance car, popular for its turbocharged engine, innovative safety features, and iconic Scandinavian design. Offering a unique blend of practicality and spirited driving, it became a favorite among enthusiasts and professionals alike - and Scandiphiles, of course.
Subaru XT
The Subaru XT was a futuristic-looking coupe with distinct wedge-shaped styling and innovative technology. Featuring all-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine, and advanced aerodynamics (again, these cars cannot actually fly), the XT offered a unique blend of performance and quirky design that stood out in its era. Produced between 1985 and 1991, the XT seemed to tick all of the right boxes, making it a revolutionary vehicle for Subaru.
Toyota Celica Supra
The Toyota Celica Supra was the performance-oriented variant of the Celica, featuring inline-six engines, as well as rear-wheel drive. It laid the foundation for the iconic Supra, becoming a standout sports car of its time. Produced between 1978 and 1986, the Celica was popular for its innovative features and affordability.
Volkswagen Rabbit GTI MkI
The Volkswagen Rabbit GTI MkI, known as the first hot hatch, combined practicality with sporty performance. Featuring a powerful engine, sharp handling, and lightweight design (clearly living up to that rabbit comparison), it offered a unique driving experience that attracted plenty of buyers. For this reason, it was one of the most popular cars of its era and is now considered a collectible.
Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon
The Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon, produced between 1985 and 1992, was a rugged and stylish station wagon, known for its turbocharged engine and reliability. Combining practicality, ample cargo space, and sporty performance, it became a favorite among families and automotive enthusiasts alike - and who would have thought we’d hear the words “turbo” and “wagon” so close together? Try explaining that to your forefathers.
Honda Civic CRX
The Honda Civic CRX was a sporty, compact hatchback, popular for its agile handling and lightweight design. Combining spirited performance with excellent fuel efficiency, it became a favorite among automotive enthusiasts, offering both practicality and driving excitement. Nowadays, the car is considered a collectible item, but the Civic brand is still going strong.
Chevrolet Corvette C4
The Chevrolet Corvette C4 was a revolutionary sports car that featured sleek styling, advanced aerodynamics (as we've already covered - it doesn't actually fly), and improved handling. Produced between 1984 and 1996, the car was powered by a V8 engine and delivered a thrilling performance. It became an icon of American automotive innovation during its production era, and Corvettes are still popular today.
Volkswagen Golf GTI MK2
The Volkswagen Golf GTI MK2 was a refined evolution of the iconic hot hatch. Offering improved performance, comfort, and handling, it featured a sporty design and powerful engine, cementing its reputation as a favorite among driving enthusiasts worldwide.
Toyota Supra MK3
The Toyota Supra MK3, produced between 1986 and 1993, featured refined styling and a powerful inline-six engine, including turbocharged options. (Side note, we’ve never had to use the term “turbocharged” so frequently before, which gives you an idea of what collectors love these days) With rear-wheel drive, innovative technology, and impressive performance, it became a favorite among collectors.
BMW E30 3 Series
When most of us think about classic BMWs, this car is likely the one we're all imagining. The BMW E30 3 Series, produced between 1982 and 1994, was a versatile and iconic compact car, popular for its timeless design, balanced performance, and engaging driving dynamics. Available in various trims, it became a favorite among enthusiasts and motorsport fans alike.
Volkswagen Beetle
There's perhaps no other vehicle on this list more iconic than the trusty stead known as the VW Beetle. Produced between 1938 and 2019, most of us still remember its distinctive design and versatility. A symbol of practicality, the Beetle became a global cultural phenomenon. It embodied simplicity, reliability, and individuality through decades of production. Today, it's still one of the most popular vehicles ever made, the dream car of many a “quirky” hipster.
Toyota Corolla
We all know the famous Toyota Corolla, which was introduced to the public in 1966. Since then, it's become a globally renowned compact car, celebrated for its reliability, efficiency, and practicality. Toyota has offered a wide range of models over the decades, and it has become one of the best-selling vehicles, trusted by millions of people around the world. Today, the older models may as well be Hot Wheels, given their collector’s item status. If you can get your hands on one, it may be worth your while snagging it - we would!
