Modern-day performance vehicles are starting to push the very boundaries of what people think cars can do. However, in every era there have been dozens of iconic performance cars. One of the most iconic eras for the automobile industry has to be the 80s.
In terms of styling, performance, and creativity there were so many innovations. So many of the new design features were major breakthroughs that would revolutionize the methods of automobile manufacturers.
There are so many iconic vehicles that are a product of the 80s. From Lamborghinis to Pontiacs, many of these cars are forgotten due to the lofty standards of the industry today. However, some of the vehicles on this list can still give some modern cars a run for their money. Some of them can even be a fun restoration project if you’re willing to put in the time! Here are 15 forgotten performance cars from the ‘80s
15 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo
While the Trans Am was around before the '80s, it was during this era that Pontiac engineers came up with the 301 Turbo engine. It was a roaring 4.9-liter V8 that was capable of producing 210 horsepower. It led to an acceleration 0-60 mph in 8 seconds and a top speed of a 116mph!
14 Ferrari Mondial 8
The Mondial is one of the most unpopular Ferraris in history. It most certainly looks the part, with exciting styling and brilliant pop-up headlamps. However, it doesn’t perform or handle anything like a Ferrari. Many hot hatches of the era could outperform it. This is one performance car from the 80s that is best forgotten!
13 Pontiac Fiero
Fans of mid-engine sports cars might remember the Fiero from the '80s, but you wouldn’t expect others to. It was a car that was so different from the traditional American performance car. At the heart was a 2.8L V6, yet they went wrong with the 4-speed gearbox! It definitely did have potential though.
12 Gemballa Avalanche
The Gemballa Avalance is a bespoke design 911 that was available for a mind-boggling $500,000 in 1986. It’s that car that brought a lot of attention to Gemballa. The car had a tuned engine that would produce a blazing 375 horsepower. It could easily outpace any 911 from the Porsche factory!
11 Corvette “305” California
The 305 is often forgotten because of its reputation for being one of the worst Corvettes of all time. Due to California’s strict emissions requirement, the 350-cubic-inch V8 went to 305. It was only producing 180-horsepower from a 5.0-liter engine! It looked the part however, you were going nowhere fast in this particular Corvette!
10 Subaru XT
The XT name now is synonymous with the Forester lineup however, it once belonged to a futuristic-looking coupe from the '80s. It was the most aerodynamic production car in the world when it came out. Powering it was a punchy little 1.8-liter turbo engine capable of producing 134 horsepower.
9 Lamborghini Jalpa
It’s hard to believe that Lamborghini could release a forgettable car, but many people completely overlook the Jalpa. Lamborghini put in a 3.5-liter V8 engine capable of producing 255 horsepower. The car could do 0-60mph in 6 seconds flat and had a top speed of a 155mph. It was the affordable Lamborghini of the 80s!
8 1984 Skoda Rapid
While the Rapid is now a sedan, back in the 80s, it was a sports coupe. A pretty terrible sports coupe, but a coupe nonetheless. The performance figures of the car were laughable. In the most powerful variant, you’d get a 1.3-liter engine producing 58 horsepowers. All that power meant a 0-60mph time of 16.5 seconds!
7 Renault Fuego
The Fuego is another forgotten performance car from the 80s. It's just a case of not offering anything at all. In its most powerful variant, you’d get a turbo but it was still very slow. 0-60 took more than 10 seconds, and it would eventually reach a top speed of a 110mph.
6 Ford EXP
While Ford came out with some great cars in the '80s, the EXP is essentially a failure. It was meant to be sporty however, it was heavier than the Escort it was based on. The problem was that the engine was still the small 1.6-liter four-cylinder. With 70 horsepower, the car took its sweet time accelerating!
5 Chrysler TC By Maserati
No one remembers the Chrysler TC and for good reason. Maserati is known for making some of the most brilliant performance vehicles, and the TC is a blemish on their record. It was a big hunkering vehicle, that wasn’t going to go anywhere fast. It’s one of the dreariest looking convertibles ever!
4 Chevrolet Camaro Iron Duke
The Iron Duke isn’t a proud moment for the iconic muscle car. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine had a very measly output of 90 horsepower. While the car looked sporty, it had a laughable 0-60 time of 20 seconds! Many automobile enthusiasts consider it one of the worst cars of all time!
3 1989 Maserati Biturbo
When it comes to forgotten cars, the Biturbo is one that doesn’t really deserve that standing. In these days it’s quite a rare classic car. While the performance isn’t particularly special, it’s got a smooth V6 engine that provides a very comfortable drive. Plus, the three trident badge looks incredible!
2 Nissan Pulsar NX
Often forgotten the Pulsar NX is the only car of its kind. It came with different detachable roof types that would allow you to get creative with the look of your car. To our knowledge, it’s the only modular car in history. It’s one of the coolest forgotten vehicles you can find! Don’t expect any game-changing performance though!
1 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport VR
We’ll forgive you if you’re never head of this car but it’s a very retro-looking vehicle that no one seems to remember. While the performance figures aren’t particularly impressive, it’s got a comfortable drive and it looks very sporty! If you’re looking to buy one of these classic cars, the VR is one you’re better off avoiding!