The rise of the supercar was a sight to behold. Car Manufacturers were letting their imagination run wild, and we were regularly getting vehicles that are still on bedroom posters today. Some of the most iconic supercars of all time were a part of this generation. From Ferrari’s to Lamborghini’s, there’s an incredible amount of diversity to choose from.
This era saw an explosion of speed, as newer supercars continually began to challenge the realms of automobile performance. Everything had to be better than before. The Supercars needed to become faster and handle better.
There were also superb technological innovations, several of which form the basis of some of the modern equipment we see. Looking back, it’s clear to see that the '80s were a very significant era. So many cars serve as an inspiration for modern vehicles that we see today. Here are 15 of the sickest supercars of the 1980s.
15 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
The Ferrari 288 GTO was a car that was far ahead of its time. Its design looks like it would fit in with modern supercars today. Inside the vehicle beats a 2.8-liter V-8 heart that’s capable of churning out 395 horsepower. The car goes from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and handles beautifully because of the double-wishbone suspension!
14 1988 Porsche 959
Arguably one of Porsche’s most iconic cars, the 959 was the universal supercar of the time. It was the fastest car in the world. In a world of V-8s, it came powered with a flat-six engine that’s capable of producing 450 horsepower. It was a racing car; however, that didn’t stop it from being a very luxurious vehicle!
13 1980 BMW M1
BMW is known for their sensible look, yet ludicrous performance vehicles. However, sometimes every company has a one-off. The BMW M1 is the equivalent of what would happen if Lamborghini were to make a sensible car. At the heart of this magnificent car is 3.5-liter straight-six that offers a 274-horsepower engine.
12 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo
Getting a turbo right is one of the hardest things for car manufacturers to do. However, Lotus get it perfect with the brilliant Esprit. It’s one of the most iconic supercars of all time and features a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Due to its lightweight and the excellent turbo setup, this car was a rocket!
11 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato
When you’re looking at the rarest cars from the era, there’s no question about the Vantage V8. Aston Martin only went on to make 52 units of the coupe and 37 of the convertibles. In its day, thanks to the 5.3-liter engine, it was the fastest convertible on the market. The double light design in the front is just iconic.
10 1986 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV
When it comes to the ultimate poster car, there’s arguably none that can match up to the legendary Countach. Even by today’s standards, the car looks bonkers. Imagine the type of reaction you would get back in the day. Especially when the very same vehicle could do 182mph flat out.
9 1987 Ferrari F40
Not to be outdone by Lamborghini, Ferrari came out with their version of the ultimate poster car. The F40 is a gorgeous looking car; some features are outrageous. Its massive and iconic rear spoiler is more than just for show. It helps significantly improve the handling of the vehicle by giving it more grip.
8 1989 De Tomaso Pantera GT5
Often forgotten in all the big names, the DeTomaso Pantera GT5 was a brilliant mid-engine sports car. The Pantera combined European styling with a powerful American engine. It could compete with the best cars of the era with a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds. Once you see the Pantera, you can immediately tell it’s for the 80s.
7 1989 Ferrari Testarossa
There are very few names in the automobile industry that are as iconic as the Testarossa. It’s one of the wildest looking sports cars ever made. On the sides of the doors, it had multiple large vents that would help with airflow making the car handle better. It’s a perfect symphony of speed.
6 1988 Callaway Sledgehammer ZR1 Corvette
The 1988 Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer was an instance of the company wanting to beat all possible performance barriers. It had an incredible 898 horsepower and reached a top speed of 254.76mph. It’s an American icon and a great answer to the European supercars of the time. In terms of pure speed, nothing in the '80s came close.
5 1989 Vector W8
We’ve already seen one American supercar, and the Vector W8 follows it closely. The car was an attempt to help forge America’s reputation in the supercar market. It had a 6-liter engine capable of producing 625 horsepower. The vehicle could reach a top speed of 218mph. It is incredibly fast, even by today’s standards!
4 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S
There’s already been one Countach on this list, and you can’t blame us for including another. The car is just too iconic to ignore. This particular car was just as bonkers to drive as it is in appearance. You had to be a proper driver to stand any chance of getting this vehicle around a track.
3 1987 Porsche 959 Sport
Porsche can arguably take the crown for the best driving supercar of the '80s. The 959 is just an exceptional vehicle. It’s a symphony of automation, and we’ll forever be in awe of this brilliant car. The highlight is Porsche’s four-wheel-drive system, which at the time could outmaneuver everything in the corners!
2 1986 Lamborghini Jalpa
The Jalpa arguably looks like a tamer version of the Lamborghini Countach. However, it’s a brilliant supercar in its own right. It has a 3.5-liter V8 that’s capable of producing 350 horsepower. It has a top speed of 145 mph and can easily reach 60mph in 6 seconds flat. It might look tamer, but it’s a proper driver’s car!
1 1986 Ford RS200
Ford wasn’t known for making supercars back in the day, but the RS200 was an exception. It’s a weird-looking car; however, once you get it onto the tracks, it would go mental. The rallying pedigree meant that it was brilliant in the corners, and it’s a unique choice! You surely won’t see a lot of these outside the UK.