20 Coolest Sports Cars Of The 80s

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Many people consider the 1980s to be the best decade to live. Not only the music but the iconic cars that came out in that era were amazing. Many car lovers believe that the 80s were the peak era for car technology. Here are the 20 coolest sports cars of the 1980s.

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Ferrari Testarossa

The best part about the Ferrari Testarossa is its cheese-grater sides. This model of Ferrari had undoubtedly the most unique look when compared to other compact cars at that time. With 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 160mph, this model turned out to be the best mid-mounted 12-cylinder luxury car.

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Chrysler Conquest

Chrysler Conquest came out with two different body styles, a narrow one and a wider one. The narrow one with the 2.0-liter engine was made for Japan due to Japanese regulations. Whereas the wider one with the 2.6 liter was specially made for the American market. What most people don’t know is Chrysler Conquest is a modified version of the Mitsubishi Starion.

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Ferrari 308 GTBI

With 12,000 models sold in 1975-1985, this model turned out to be Ferrari’s biggest-selling sports car. Ferrari saw this model as a way to keep their brand name on the streets. With a 2.9 liter engine and a top speed of 146 mph, this car was fairly used in rally races.

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1980 Audi Quattro

The Audi Quattro is one of Audi’s earliest sports cars. With its top speed of 138mph and 62 mph in 7.1 seconds, this model was highly used in rally races. Audi initially planned to launch this model for a short period. However, seeing the popularity, they continued the production until 1991.

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AMC Eagle

The AMC Eagle was not loved by Americans due to its build, but in Japan, this car became one of the most trusted sports cars of the 80s. The car was only produced for three years and made its name in the market. Many pro drivers even used the AMC Eagle in the Pro Rally series.

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1986 BMW E30 M3

BMW made this model just to compete in the DTM series, but to race, they had to make another 5000 units of this model. They wanted it to be as lightweight as possible and thus manufactured spoilers and splitters using plastic. With 62 mph in 7 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph, this model stood out from the rest of the sports cars.

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1987 Buick Grand National GNX

The Buick Grand National GNX was the fastest car in America one could buy in 1987. With high performance and functional body modifications, this model could reach 60mph in just 4.7 seconds. However, even after so much appreciation, only 547 Buick GNX were made in 1987.

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Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV

With a top speed of 182 mph and 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, the Countach QV revolutionized the era of the sports car. People were just awe-struck by the styling and performance. You must have seen this car in many movies, like The Wolf Of Wall Street.

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Ferrari 288 GTO

The 288 GTO stood out as one of the fastest cars Ferrari has ever made. With 60 mph in just five seconds and a top speed of 189 mph, this model showcased immense performance. After the success of the 288 GTO, Ferrari launched the legendary F40 and Enzo models.

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Porsche 959

Many people believe the 959 was the most advanced car built back in those days. Porsche planned to involve this model in Group B rallying. With a top speed of 197 mph and turbocharging, the 959 became a great rival to Ferrari’s F40 series.

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1987 Ferrari F40

The iconic F40 series came out after Ferrari’s 288 GTO and people instantly fell in love with it. With a top speed of 201 mph and acceleration power of 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, this model became one of the fastest sports cars ever made. The best part was the paint, which was so thin-coated that one could see the texture beneath it.

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1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Z28

The Camaro Z28 became one of the best pony cars ever made in the 80s. Due to its high torque ratings, it became an instant rival to other top sports cars at that time. It was considered the American muscle and became a favorite both on track and the road.

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1981 DeLorean DMC-12

One could easily recognize this car, as it was highly grossing in the 80s, after the appearance in the movie Back To The Future. This model stood out due to its elegant design and unique style. With a 2.85L V6 engine and 12 boasted aesthetics, it became one of the most beloved collector’s cars.

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1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am became a symbol of American muscle due to its strong styling and performance. With a 4.9L V8 engine and a sleek aerodynamic design, this model maintained its spirit for muscle car enthusiasts.

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Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary

The Datsun 280ZX was highly loved due to its automotive excellence in the 1980s. It came out with a unique black and gold texture, which displays the Japanese style. With the 2.8L inline-six engine, the Datsun 280ZX gave a smooth driving experience. Only 3000 units are made today, which makes this model a collector’s item.

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1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

The Mustang GT, popularly known as the American Muscle, delivered a profound driving experience. With a strong raw power, hatchback design, and throaty exhaust, it instantly became the heartthrob of muscle car lovers.

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Mazda 323 GTX

The Mazda 323 GTX was a rally-inspired car that turned out to be an underdog. This compact hatchback became an instant classic in the world of rally racing. Though there was only limited production of the 323 GTX, it still left a lasting impression due to its blending power and aerodynamic build.

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, popularly known as the G-Wagon, was immensely loved due to its durability. It was initially used as a military automobile due to its heavy build quality. But, with gradual modifications, it turned out to be a pure classic that never faded in style.

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Nissan Pulsar NX

The Pulsar NX was considered a versatile car back in the 1980s due to its design and build quality. With the aerodynamic build and four-cylinder choices, it could easily outrun the other sports cars built back in those days. Lastly, this model captured the very essence of that realm and could be considered a gem in the era of the 1980s.

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SAAB 900 Turbo 16S GT

The SAAB 900 GT was considered one of the safest cars on the market in the 1980s. This model came with 16 valve heads, which made it easy for the driver to handle the car smoothly. With a top speed of 136 mph and an acceleration of 0–60 mph in 8.7 seconds, they were widely used in rally races.