What did you drive in the 80s?

[underwhelmist]

Gavarnie said:

This seemed like a very good way to spend £60 in 1984. It had been owned from new by a university professor and ran well (on 3 cylinders). Insurance company didn't play ball though.

Looks familiar but I can't quite place it...what is it?

[Gavarnie]

underwhelmist said:

Gavarnie said:

This seemed like a very good way to spend £60 in 1984. It had been owned from new by a university professor and ran well (on 3 cylinders). Insurance company didn't play ball though.

Looks familiar but I can't quite place it...what is it?

Fiat 124 Sport Coupé - this one was the 1600cc rather the 1800cc version.

[LuS1fer]

Gavarnie said:

This seemed like a very good way to spend £60 in 1984. It had been owned from new by a university professor and ran well (on 3 cylinders). Insurance company didn't play ball though.

I went to look at one of those once.
To say the paint along the bottom of the doors was rusty, was an understatement.

You could practically see the paint moving as it rusted, like Frosties in milk.

[Gavarnie]

This turned out to be an excellent way to spend £300 in 1985 (still have the car). My brother was convinced his motorbike was quicker. All I can see from this slightly later photo is that it may be a Honda but I suspect he was probably right.

[LuS1fer]

Gavarnie said:

This turned out to be an excellent way to spend £300 in 1985 (still have the car). My brother was convinced his motorbike was quicker. All I can see from this slightly later photo is that it may be a Honda but I suspect he was probably right.

CBR600R - a smidge quicker.

[neutral 3]

My first road car, in Jan 82. This “ tweaked “ 72 3000GT, was the fastest 3 Litre Capri in East London in the early 80s.

[Veesix75]

Excuse the poor photos.

17 yrs old and a Fiat 131 Mirafiori, embarrassed to say I crashed it on L plates, but replaced by the green Alfasud below 6 weeks later. The 4 below from 86 to early 90 when a scirocco replaced the red Alfasud ti.









And I also rode this in the 80’s before the cars came along

Edited by Veesix75 on Thursday 25th February 18:32

[Miglia 888]

Ford Capri 3.0 Ghia (LVE 700P) in metallic bronzey gold with a brown vinyl roof like this - borrowed from Mum while a learner driver - 138bhp V6 and great fun getting it sideways with L plates on. It rusted, and was last taxed in 1987.


Vauxhall Astra 1.6L estate (DOY 311Y?) in light blue like this - borrowed from the company car pool after passng my driving test - 90bhp with light weight made it surprisngly brisk. Last taxed in 1997 (and resprayed red?).


Opel Senator 3.0E (DOY 308Y) in metallic green like this - also borrowed from Mum after passing my test - 180bhp straight six with a great ride/handling balance, and a luxurious green velour-everywhere interior... Last taxed in 2000.


Herald 13/60 saloon (XNO 604F) like this but cactus green with red vinyl interior - ex-brother & sister's car, saved from being scrapped as I liked its 50's rear fins. Like Frankenstein's monster, kept alive with various body parts from other Heralds. Only 60bhp, but the light weight and the swing-axle rear suspension's lift off oversteer made things entertaining enough when required. Lent out to friends of a friend but last taxed in 1994.


Manta GT/E Coupe (C875 GUH) in 80s white like this - chosen as my first company car - 110bhp with light weight and a decent spec including Recaro seats & sunroof (!) as standard for the low list price kept it competitive for the day, it handled very well and was great fun getting it sideways, and it was still quick enough to outrun other mid-80s hot hatches on top speed until the Astra GTE 130's arrived... Last taxed in 1997.


Herald 1200 Mk1 coupe (JAS 708) in two-tone similar to this - sister's friends non-runner car, rescued, stored and finally MOT'd 20 years later - sold to another Herald enthusiast for restoration - Last taxed in Sep 2020, but stll alive I hope.


Triumph Vitesse 2 litre Mk2 Convertible wth overdrive (UWD 849G) like this - ex-next-door-neighbour & fellow Triumph enthusiast's fully restored Vitesse convertible - Only 100bhp, but the light weight and very short gearing plus switchable overdrive on 3rd & 4th made it warm-hatch quick in a straight line, and thanks to the lower wishbones on the Mk2 rear suspension, it handled well enough through corners when required. Owned & enjoyed for 17 years, then sold on to another Vitesse enthusiast - Currently SORN, but should be very much still alive.


Monza GSE (A 3 GSE) in 80s white - this one - The Manta was p/ex'ed aganst this as my next company car, then owned & cherished for 15 years. Its 1980s 205/60 15 Bridgestone RE71s had plenty of grip and rode beautifully, while the 180bhp straight six coupled to the Getrag 5-speed box with standard LSD provided the entertainment on-demand together with the LCD instruments. A great car. Sold on to another Monza enthusiast - Currently SORN but hopefully will be seen out on the road again this summer.

[Rob 131 Sport]

lockhart flawse said:

TR6 - Old English white/rust
Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV - red/rust
Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 - silver/rust (the only silver car I have ever owned)

Kawasaki KDX175
Honda VF750F
Honda VF1000R
Yamaha FZR1000

There some great Italian Cars in there plus some nice bikes. What year and colour was the FZR1000.

[jontymo]

1.3L Mk2 Escort, my 1st car - good memories.

[caley64]

Frozennorth said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

Slightly off thread as it’s into 1990. Having just turned 18 I bought a V Reg Fiat 131 Mirafiori Sport (JLA71V) finished in Racing Orange.

I’d always lusted after these since their launch in 1978 as my Dad had a 124 Sport Coupe.

The 131 was a fantastic car and I suspect mine had been slightly warmed over as it was noticeable quicker then a coupe of friends who also ran 131 Sports. The engine, gearbox, interior and looks were all top notch. However after 9 months I got fed up with the ever increasing rust, low 20’s petrol consumption and noise on motorway journeys.

Mine was racing orange too as you say engine etc were brilliant just let down by rusting I traded it for a fiat Uno turbo C308OCU which was much the same.

Mine was orange as well. Maybe that was the only colour they did 😂
Loved the front, different sized round headlights and grille with all the cut outs. Pity about the crap metal !!
Do any still exist ? Haven't seen in since the 80's

[LuS1fer]

caley64 said:

Mine was orange as well. Maybe that was the only colour they did ??
Loved the front, different sized round headlights and grille with all the cut outs. Pity about the crap metal !!
Do any still exist ? Haven't seen in since the 80's

Orange initially but I think they added black. Black Fiats matter 😉

[Gary C]

Bit boring in the 80's

Past my test in 84 and got a Vauxhall Chevette, yay RWD, that was followed by a red and black Mk1 Astra SR and it went everywhere. In 88 I then got the first of my Manta GTE;s and there the 80's ended.

Great times.

Being able to drive flat out cross country without worrying about your licence was great (partially the lack of cameras and partially because the cars were so slow).

I really miss the 80's driving more than the cars to be honest.

[Rob 131 Sport]

LuS1fer said:

caley64 said:

Mine was orange as well. Maybe that was the only colour they did ??
Loved the front, different sized round headlights and grille with all the cut outs. Pity about the crap metal !!
Do any still exist ? Haven't seen in since the 80's

Orange initially but I think they added black. Black Fiats matter ??

In the UK they were always marketed in Orange with Black Velour Trim and IMHO that was the best colour combination. Initially you could also get them in Metallic Silver or Gun Metal Grey. The black cars were as you say offered later and only with a Brick Dust Red Interior. The Gun Metal Grey could be specified with either the black or red interiors.

They were so much better then the RS2000 in every respect and after my Ford Capri Mk 3 1.6S it felt like a rocket ship. Whilst i’d love a 131 Sport now, prices are often £20k plus.

[white_goodman]

I was born in the 80s, so will have to defer to my parent"s choices.

1978 Citroen 2CV6
1980 Citroen Dyane 6
1982 VW Polo Formel E
1986 Fiat Panda 1000S
1984 Peugeot 305 GR Estate

[coppice]

2CV 6 - wonderful
Suzuki SC 100 - appalling
AlfaSud Ti - sublime
Golf GTi 1.6 - faster than a Sud , but worse in every other respect
Citroen Visa Super E - a long striding , high geared , roly poly hoot , mais oui
Alfa Sud Ti - see above
Fiat Uno 70 SX -much nicer than an XR2
Fiat Uno Turbo ie - f****ing ballistic . shame about the ride and traction
Fiat Uno Turbo ie - even more of the same
Golf GTi Mk 2 - grown up, rock solid gem

[Hol]

A trip out with friends would have looked like this for me.

[ian2144]

coppice said:

2CV 6 - wonderful
Suzuki SC 100 - appalling
AlfaSud Ti - sublime
Golf GTi 1.6 - faster than a Sud , but worse in every other respect
Citroen Visa Super E - a long striding , high geared , roly poly hoot , mais oui
Alfa Sud Ti - see above
Fiat Uno 70 SX -much nicer than an XR2
Fiat Uno Turbo ie - f****ing ballistic . shame about the ride and traction
Fiat Uno Turbo ie - even more of the same
Golf GTi Mk 2 - grown up, rock solid gem

What didn't you like about the little Suzuki SC100 whiz kid ?

I bought a new one, late 79 and loved it, a bit like the Imp in many ways.
the only issue I had ...... it required a regular spray with WD40 as it didn't like water.

[Pit Pony]

Glosphil said:

Cortina 2.0 XL(?)
Cavalier 1.6L
Cavalier 1.8SRi
Sierra XR4x4

Enjoyed the XR4x4 but the SRi had much better front seats.

Was it the 18e engine in the SRi? From.the Astra the mk1 originally? Preface lift ? If you ever took a seat out, you would find that Recaro were the supplier. When I had mine, in 2005, the drivers seat was a right mess, but i found someone selling a full interior on migweb, and paid him.the full price and only took the passenger seat, which was perfect. Just meant tthe adjustment for back rect angle was on the wrong side. But it wasn't an issue functionally

[Om]

Pit Pony said:

Was it the 18e engine in the SRi? From.the Astra the mk1 originally? Preface lift ? If you ever took a seat out, you would find that Recaro were the supplier. When I had mine, in 2005, the drivers seat was a right mess, but i found someone selling a full interior on migweb, and paid him.the full price and only took the passenger seat, which was perfect. Just meant tthe adjustment for back rect angle was on the wrong side. But it wasn't an issue functionally

My Dad's 1.8 SRi (84 on a B) seats had the Recaro label on the seat back - as here:



PH - trivia matters...