Forgotten gems of the '80s | Six of the Best
From superminis to sports cars, the '80s were a decade unlike any other - time for a trip down memory lane
Toyota Supra, 1986, 19k, £21,000
With the fervour that continues to surround the 2JZ-powered A80, sometimes it can feel like the Toyota Supra didn’t exist before 1993. There were in fact three generations prior, all the way back to the Celica Supras of the '70s. The A70 generation, as seen here, was notable for being the first known as just a Supra; the Celica would become a predominantly front-wheel-drive sports coupe (occasionally becoming a 4WD rally rocket), while the Supra would assume a role as Toyota’s luxury GT. It was sleek, stylish, straight six-powered and rear-wheel drive, themes that would run throughout the Supra from this point on. What was a huge hit new (with almost a quarter of a million sold globally) is now a much rarer sight; thank oxidisation and overexuberance for that. This one, however, hardly looks to have seen anything more inclement than a drizzle, dry stored for decades with its original owner. An incredible survivor, pop-up lights and all - at much less than any A80 would cost.
Alpina 323i, 1984, 63k, £35,000
While the '80s are well known for BMW launching the first M3, it was also the decade that Alpina really stepped up its 3 Series hot rodding as well. It had first made its name in motorsport with compact BMWs, so it made sense to transfer that expertise to cars like the E30 when the road cars came. These days the very best Alpina 3 Series of the '80s can command almost £200k, such is the reverence that surrounds them. This one isn’t quite of that calibre, but it is a Sytner-supplied 3 Series of the '80s, complete with the stripes, the wheels, and a straight six. It’s therefore very cool. Exactly what flavour of Alpina this E30 is isn’t quite clear, but you know what to expect: it’ll be a fantastic version of what’s still a much-loved BMW 3 Series. Here with low mileage, a very clean underside and a recent specialist inspection. Who wants an M3 anyway?
Ford Fiesta 1.4 S, 1988, 75k, PH Auctions
A Blue Oval hot hatch of the '80s without an XR2, XR3 or XR4 badge? Yes, they do exist. And no, it isn’t an RS Turbo either. This is a Fiesta Sport, probably more a warm hatch than a true fire breather, but an intriguing bit of fast Ford history nonetheless. It aimed to bring a bit of XR2 sportiness to a lower price point, which it did with those natty wheels, red pinstriping, badges and spotlights. Nothing said sporty in the '80s like spotlights. There was no mistaking this for your Nan’s Ghia, and that was important, even if the engine wasn’t much changed. Popular when new, the 1.4 S is now virtually extinct as most attention in classic circles has been on the XR2. Happily love has been poured into this one, and it’s a Fiesta fresh from restoration and ready for the road. Just imagine turning up to a classic car show in one of the rarest things there - and it’s a Ford. Just a couple of years away from being MOT and ULEZ exempt, expect a lot of bids when this PH Auction goes live next week.
MG Maestro Turbo, 1988, 124k, PH Auctions
Who now cannot claim to harbour a weird affection for the Maestro? It goes without saying that it speaks to much that was wrong with British Leyland (the wonderfully glum Wikipedia entry for the original MG is a succinct description of a firm tripping over its shoelaces), yet the Turbo, with its clumsy, bodykit’d attempt to follow contemporary hot hatch fashion, is impossible to behold now without a smile. This one, up for auction next week, is doubly notable for a wonderfully maverick effort to extract modern-day performance from the old girl, including the novelty of a 340hp, fully forged T-Series engine. Apparently it’s good for 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. If you want to know what that feels like, bidding starts on Tuesday.
Jaguar XJS, 1989, 60k, £15,995
Any sentence containing the letters XJR-S and TWR is going to timewarp you to a certain time and place. Ditto the vision of any V12-powered Jaguar in Westminster Blue, a combination as proud as seeing the White Ensign fluttering high over HMS Belfast. The 5.3-litre engine was a product of JaguarSport, a joint venture between the OEM and its touring car race partner. It was good for 320hp, a figure helped to the ground in this case by a further smattering of TWR cost options, including Bilstein dampers and an aero kit. In 2026 it looks the business, having being returned to the road after what looks like a lengthy stint of inactivity. Who could resist that interior?
Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5 16, 1989, 95k, £39,995
Hard, admittedly, to call the W201 forgotten because its decade-long run has passed into legend, and did much to lay the groundwork for Mercedes’ modern-day reputation. Perhaps you need to be an enthusiast to pick a 190 E 2.5-16 from a crowd, but the enormous fame of the subsequent Evo versions means no car is far from the spotlight - hence the £40k being asked for this nice-looking example. The secret sauce, of course, is ladled underneath courtesy of Cosworth-built cylinder heads. Preferably, you’d want one with the idiosyncratic Getrag five-speed manual, but we’d imagine the car is still a blast from the past with the auto 'box. Certainly it looks the part and has been with its last owner 18 years. Let’s hope the next one gives it the public airing it deserves.
That Supra is amazing, it looks new….always had a soft spot for the big Japanese coupes of the 80s. The Japs were about to take over the world then…
Traction would be a limiting factor, but I don't think I've got the testicular fortitude to even try testing that.
Traction would be a limiting factor, but I don't think I've got the testicular fortitude to even try testing that.
it s just fwd is a nightmare to get off the line unless proper drag prepped, like a sitting dog trying to drag itself with its front legs only. My 400bhp civic with modern anti torque steer tech was no better than stock in that regard. But I d be delighted to be wrong! I had so much fun in 80's cars.
3x AE86's
That engine was a peach. Not sure if true but I heard Toyota took the original 1.6 lotus twin cam and played around with it and added fuel injection.
I had so much fun in 80's cars.
3x AE86's
That engine was a peach. Not sure if true but I heard Toyota took the original 1.6 lotus twin cam and played around with it and added fuel injection.
I always used to run Mazda RX7 FB's and missed a beauty when UK prices went skywards. My own fault by agreeing the guys asking price. He did some more research and realised he could ask considerably more.
I had some nice Audi 90 Coupe when they were cheap cars. Always wanted a UR but never managed it.
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Best car I've owned...
E21 2.8 and M3.
Every manufacturer seemed to have cool models and the 70's / 80's is just the best era for me.
I nearly bought one back in the early '90s, Car Giant had one for about £2500 but I thought the insurance would be about as much as the car.
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