What are the most iconic cars of the 1980s?

[white_goodman]

Putting the obvious exotics aside (Ferraris, Countach QV etc), what do you think are the most iconic cars of the 1980s? Although I fully accept that your average family hatch probably wasn't that great, every model range had a halo model. Hot hatches were in and they all looked great (even the MG Maestro), there were loads of sexy, affordable cars that the average Joe could aspire to such as fast Fords and the motorsport-derived homologation special. I tried to narrow it down to 10 but couldn't, so here's a few suggestions to start with. I would happily own a handful of these rather than one exotic. So get your 1980s icons posted up!

In no particular order:

Audi Quattro 20v
Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth
BMW M3 E30
BMW M5 E28
BMW M635CSi
VW Golf GTi (mk1)
VW Golf GTi 16v (mk2)
Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera
Porsche 944 Turbo
Ford Fiesta XR2
Ford Escort RS Turbo (series 1)
Ford Capri 280 Brooklands
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (hatch)
Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution
Saab 900 Turbo 16v
Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi
Renault 5 GT Turbo

Edited by white_goodman on Sunday 20th November 13:27

[JDMDrifter]

Mk2 Golf
Ferrari F40
Audi Quattro

All 3 cars brought new things to the industry.

[white_goodman]

JDMDrifter said:

Mk2 Golf
Ferrari F40
Audi Quattro

All 3 cars brought new things to the industry.

I'm not disagreeing with you as you're entitled to your opinion but what did the mk2 Golf and F40 bring new to the industry? I imagine you said the Audi Quattro because it was one of the first performance cars to use 4WD effectively?

[Zwolf]

white_goodman said:

I'm not disagreeing with you as you're entitled to your opinion but what did the mk2 Golf and F40 bring new to the industry?

F40 was the first 200mph super/hypercar IIRC.

[voyds9]

Delorean

[Baryonyx]

The Sierra Cosworth. Blistering performance and eye-wateringly good looks.

[Adam205]

Mk1 MR2 brought mid engined motoring to the masses.

[OldSkoolRS]

Adam205 said:

Mk1 MR2 brought mid engined motoring to the masses.

As did the Fiat X19 before it. Not that I'm a fan of the Fiat, but credit where it's due and all that.

[NiceCupOfTea]

As much as this is a subject dear to my heart, didn't we do this thread a fortnight ago!?

My personal fave is the Saab 900 T16S in black. Just had a fair bit of work done to mine and looking very nice it is too.

[Liquid Tuna]

OldSkoolRS said:

Adam205 said:

Mk1 MR2 brought mid engined motoring to the masses.

As did the Fiat X19 before it. Not that I'm a fan of the Fiat, but credit where it's due and all that.

Did the masses buy the Fiat though?

[Adam205]

Liquid Tuna said:

Did the masses buy the Fiat though?

Thats the question. More Mk1 MR2s were sold its its 5 years of production than x19s in its 17 years!

I would argue that the X19 was still a niche car.

[obscene]

F40

[DrTre]

Integrale evo wasn't an 80's car

[300bhp/ton]

First and foremost for me is this:



These have quite a place for me too:

[300bhp/ton]

Adam205 said:

Liquid Tuna said:

Did the masses buy the Fiat though?

Thats the question. More Mk1 MR2s were sold its its 5 years of production than x19s in its 17 years!

I would argue that the X19 was still a niche car.

What about the Pontiac Fiero then?

[Adam205]

300bhp/ton said:

What about the Pontiac Fiero then?

I was more thinking about the UK.

[300bhp/ton]

Adam205 said:

300bhp/ton said:

What about the Pontiac Fiero then?

I was more thinking about the UK.

No worries.

[Zwolf]

300bhp/ton said:

These have quite a place for me too:

I thought barring the Sixties Mini, the rest were '70s icons.

[Jw Vw]

Audi Quattro and Ferrari F40.

Both 80s icons.

[DanielC4GP]

white_goodman said:

Putting the obvious exotics aside (Ferraris, Countach QV etc), what do you think are the most iconic cars of the 1980s? Although I fully accept that your average family hatch probably wasn't that great, every model range had a halo model. Hot hatches were in and they all looked great (even the MG Maestro), there were loads of sexy, affordable cars that the average Joe could aspire to such as fast Fords and the motorsport-derived homologation special. I tried to narrow it down to 10 but couldn't, so here's a few suggestions to start with. I would happily own a handful of these rather than one exotic. So get your 1980s icons posted up!

In no particular order:

Audi Quattro 20v
Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth
BMW M3 E30
BMW M5 E28
BMW M635CSi
VW Golf GTi (mk1)
VW Golf GTi 16v (mk2)
Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera
Porsche 944 Turbo
Ford Fiesta XR2
Ford Escort RS Turbo (series 1)
Ford Capri 280 Brooklands
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (hatch)
Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution
Saab 900 Turbo 16v
Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi
Renault 5 GT Turbo

Edited by white_goodman on Sunday 20th November 13:27

It has to be the F40 in my opinion but I find it hard to believe you mentioned 2 Porsche's and not mentioned the 959. If it's not the most iconic car of the 80s it must be the most iconic Porsche of the 80s.