The '60s were a great period for the American performance car scene. Phenomenal muscle cars pushed the boundaries of performance with each iteration. Then came the oil crisis of 1973, and the five-month-long embargo had a massive impact on the motorsport and automotive industry, ruining some legendary nameplates from the muscle car golden era. Manufacturers and motorists had to downsize from big V8s to smaller, more fuel-efficient engines. Alternatives from Europe and Japan went mainstream. But the American performance car culture wasn’t dead, and the '80s saw a revival of the muscle car with cars like Buick with their turbocharged V6s and Ford with the V8-powered Fox Body Mustangs.

The '80s was the decade America and the rest of the world started producing emission-friendly performance, creating a new wave of innovation. Powerful and fast cars were back in business. While this era produced some dreadful cars, there were special creations that have stood the test of time, are desirable collector items, and are considered reliable classics today. Here are the most reliable American performance cars from the 1980s.

10 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z--Bring a Trailer
via: Bring a Trailer

The 1970 Z28 was arguably the last great Camaro before the oil chaos of the 70s ended the nameplate’s impressive run. However, in 1985 the IROC-Z entered the chat and took over the reins as the performance leader of the third generation Camaro. Any gearhead who got into the car scene in the '80s can vouch for the IROC-Z. While it wasn’t a big seller in its day, it remains a beloved Camaro model.

1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
Mecum

Besides being very fast with a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds, the IROC-Z proved a durable car and almost guaranteed a good ride if previous owners haven’t trashed it. They are also easily attainable, with most fetching sub $15,000 today.

RELATED: 10 Classic American Performance Cars We Wouldn't Touch With A 10-Foot Pole

9 Buick GNX

1987_buick_gnx
via Bring a Trailer

Buick dropped the GNX in 1987 as a higher-performance trim of the Grand National, which had proven a surprise hit on its debut in 1982. With help from McLaren Performance Technologies, Buick turned the GNX into a potent car that could launch to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, a sinister performance by '80s standards.

The 1987 Buick GNX parked on the road.
via: BaT

Only 457 examples saw the light of day as the GN swan song and cost a premium. Today the car is of the most legendary American performance cars of the decade. Performance is still great, and the car’s quality reminds you of the best of the '80s.

8 Ford Mustang SVO

Mustang SVO
Mecum Auctions

In the sea of the uber-popular fox-body Mustangs, the SVO is one of the most overlooked models because it came with four cylinders less than its celebrated nasty GT sibling. But it made up for lack of displacement with a T03 Garret turbo and lighter weight that turned it into one of the best-performing Mustangs of all time. Some consider it the original American tuner car.

1984 Ford Mustang SVO in a Parking Lot
Bring a Trailer

Earlier, 2.3 Turbos suffered severe reliability issues like overheating and seized turbos. But, the SVO came with an evolved 2.3L Turbo with fuel injection, air-to-air intercooler, a crossflow eight-valve head, and a bullet-proof Tremec T-5 transmission. The 2.3T remains reliable and has good mileage if kept in stock.

7 Chevrolet Corvette C4

Chevrolet C4 Corvette
Chevrolet

The Corvette C4 is a genuine bang-for-buck-used performance car from the '80s. Many enthusiasts still don’t like the C4, which is hard to explain since it features the nice period-correct looks and an awesome V8 powerplant and is a solid sports car. It is a classic sleeper that can derive far less supercar performance, especially in the ZR-1 trim.

Red Chevrolet Corvette C4
Bring A Trailer

It came in convertible and coupe body options, and the engine characteristically shrugs off most abuse. The cars are mostly reliable if they receive good maintenance.

RELATED: These American Performance Cars Should Have Never Flopped

6 1989 Pontiac Firebird 20th Anniversary Trans Am

Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am - Front
Via Mecum Auctions

By the early '80s, Pontiac’s pony car shared plenty with its distant sibling, the Camaro, like the massive V8 powerplants. But, in 1989, Pontiac took a different direction by sticking a Buick turbocharged V6 on the Firebird Trans Am and making for a capable rival to the Italian sports cars of the time.

A Black 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Parked
Via: Mecum Auctions

The 1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am is one of the most underrated Pontiacs and remains one of the best performing Trans Ams ever. Going by CarGurus, the car is pretty solid, cheap, easy to maintain, and reliable.

5 1987 Ford Mustang 5.0

1987 Ford Mustang GT
Via Bring A Trailer

Ford debuted the Fox platform in 1979 with a 5-liter V8 and was epically one of the best cars of the dark '70s. But it enjoyed performance dominance in the '80s, culminating with the extensive 1987 facelift, which turned it into a street legend. It was light, affordable, fast, and a tuner delight.

1987 Ford Mustang GT
Via Bring A Trailer

It came in the GT and LX trims with the V8 punching 225 hp stock. A few tweaks and only a handful of Buick GNXs could keep up with its sub-14 seconds quarter mile. Some have survived in good condition, and the 5.0 is arguably the most reliable gasoline power mill Ford has ever built.

4 1990 Eagle Talon TSi

Eagle Talon TSi, blue, front quarter view, parked
Via: Cars & Bids

The Eagle Talon TSi came out at the far end of the '80s and is one of the most underappreciated classic cars. It was an incredible result of a partnership involving several marques, including Plymouth, Jeep, Dodge, Renault, and Mitsubishi, all under the Chrysler Corporation at the time. While the Eagle brand is defunct, the Talon TSi remains their best work of art.

1990 Eagle Talon TSi, blue, rear quarter view, parked
Via: Cars & Bids

The car came with all-wheel drive, blistering performance, and turned into an instant hit. It could keep up with the Mustang 5.0 but sold for a song. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine earned a spot among the best thanks to its reliability, durability, and eagerness to generate more power.

RELATED: 10 Most Overrated American Performance Cars We'll Steer Clear Of

3 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe

1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, black, front quarter view, infront of garage
Via: Barn Finds

In 1989, Ford Introduced the 10th generation Thunderbird with more wind-cheating aerodynamics and a longer wheelbase. A higher-performance supercharged 3.8-liter in the new Super Coupe replaced the ninth-gen Turbo Coupe. It increased output to 210 hp over the standard 140 hp. Also, Ford threw in a limited-slip differential, ABS, a stiffer suspension, and a standar4d five-speed manual transmission.

1989 Ford Thunderbird SuperCoupe
via Wikipedia

The nameplate doesn’t get the respect it deserves because of its questionable styling and the difficult, tough task of living up to the legacy of the early Thunderbirds. Still, the SC proved reliable, comfortable, and a joy to ride.

2 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

1988 Chevy Monte Carlo SS
Via Mecum

With 396 wins and twice as many second-place finishes, the Chevy Monte Carlo is the most successful nameplate in NASCAR. It is responsible for Chevy’s 24 of 40 manufacturer’s championships. The '80s car continued the racing dominance with its aggressive black paint and red stripes.

1988 Chevy Monte Carlo SS side
via Mecum

The 1988 Monte Carlo SS was the last to feature the G-body platform and the last mid-size Chevy until 1995. It was a mechanically dependable ride with surprisingly good handling and suspension.

RELATED: 5 American Performance Cars That'll Last You 200,000 Miles (5 That'll Crumble)

1 1988 Callaway Corvette Sledgehammer

Corvette Sledgehammer - Front Quarter
Mecum Auctions

Callaway Cars is a Corvette specialist founded in 1978, but the world took notice when they built a one-off C4 Corvette. The hand-built twin-turbo V8 generated a massive 898 ponies in 1988, helping the car to set a 254.76 mph top speed record. Impressively, it accomplished this while retaining all the interior creature comforts and adding a roll cage, making it a street-able supercar.

Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette Aero Body Sledgehammer
via Collecting Cars

The aero-bodied C4 is an American icon, and its speed is still quite high by modern standards. The owner has kept the car in excellent condition, and it runs like new. It recently went to the BaT auction, but the owner turned down a $500,000 bid.