The ‘80s were an exciting time for the world. The IBM personal computer was unveiled. The Cold War came to an end. NASA launched its first space shuttle. Technology was advancing at a rapid pace and humanity was focused on innovation and progress. The ‘80s were also an incredible time for automobiles.
Almost 100 years after Carl Benz created the first automobile, new decades ushered in new technology and new body styles for the vehicles that took over the world. As we got closer to the 21st century we dreamt of the future and sought to bring elements of those grandiose visions of years to come to the present. These futuristic thoughts brought a new age of design and engineering to the vehicles of the '80s. Some of these ‘80s vehicles left a lasting impression and remain close to the hearts of auto enthusiasts. Others...not so much. Here’s a list of five ‘80s sports cars that aged like a fine wine and 5 that aged like spoiled milk.
10 Aged Well: 1988 BMW M3
Decades later, the '88 BMW M3 is still iconic. The '88 was one of the first high-performance BMW M3s ever made. The "M" for Motorsport is well-warranted because this beast churns out a massive 192 horsepower.
This M3 was built to have the performance of a race car while still incorporating the comfort and convenience of a road car.
9 Aged Well: 1982 DeLorean DMC-12
One of the stars of 1988's Back to the Future, the DeLorean is still championed as one of the most innovative vehicles of its day. It reminds auto enthusiasts of a bygone era while still managing to look futuristic decades later.
The DeLorean DMC-12 may not be as fast or sporty as some of its competitors, but its unique design managed to capture the hearts of generations of auto enthusiasts.
8 Aged Well: 1987 Ferrari F40
The 1987 Ferrari F40 occupied the pages of many car calendars. This sporty and luxurious classic only gets better with age. It's no surprise this coupe's value has historically sold for more than triple its original price. Its top speed of 201mph isn't too shabby either.
The 87 Ferrari F40 was one of the classic sports cars that kept the Italian automaker at the pinnacle of speed and style in the '80s.
7 Aged Well: 1989 Porsche 959
The 1989 Porsche 959 came with a turbocharged engine and outclassed the 911 in many ways. It wasn't just one of the faster sports cars on the market at the time, it was also one of the most stylish.
This Porsche's body style may not fit in with modern sports cars but its high-performance specs and unique body make it a classic.
6 Aged Well: 1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II
The '87 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II featured a twin-rotor 160 horsepower engine and a top speed of 143 mph. The body style perfectly captured the quintessential '80s automobile aesthetic with its hidden headlamps and stylish hood scoop.
The Pure Red colorway is iconic and this RX-7 Turbo II reminds auto enthusiasts of when the automaker was at the top of their game.
5 Did Not Age Well: 1985 Oldsmobile Calais
General Motors shut down Oldsmobile in 2004 because it had become extremely unprofitable. The automaker was in better shape in the 80s but the '85 Calais is a reminder that we could live without the company.
The dated body style and clashing tacky interior and exterior colors make this coupe a ride even grandpa wouldn't be proud of. Oldsmobile produced some great muscle cars in the '60s but the Calais proves that their best days were unfortunately behind them.
4 Did Not Age Well: 1986 Hyundai Excel
The boxy exterior, rectangular headlights, and horrible radio antennae positioning did not age well on the '86 Hyundai Excel. Hyundai might have designed a sedan that fit in with the times but there's nothing desirable about this car's aesthetic today.
Hyundai's current sedans prove that the '86 Hyundai Excel wasn't exactly built to last the test of time.
3 Did Not Age Well: 1986 Cadillac Eldorado
The '86 Cadillac Eldorado was hardly the gold standard in the mid-80s so it doesn't stand a chance in today's day and age. Its extremely long hood, ugly front bumper and grille, and dated large rectangular headlights are a relic of the past no one seems to miss.
If an auto enthusiast wanted any Cadillac in the '80s, it'd be the superior Fleetwood Brougham V8 Coupe.
2 Did Not Age Well: 1980 Ford Thunderbird
The 1980 Ford Thunderbird comes from a great lineage but the legendary automaker clearly missed the mark on this one. The personal luxury coupe was a tough sell and led to some big financial losses for Ford.
The 8th generation Thunderbird was in fact so unsuccessful that Ford completely redesigned the Thunderbird with the 9th generation model, hoping to leave this Tbird in the past.
1 Did Not Age Well: 1983 AMC Eagle 4X4 Station Wagon
Station Wagons may have been all the rage between the 50s and 70s but all good things must come to an end. If you don't quit while ahead, you risk falling flat like the '83 AMC Eagle 4X4 Station Wagon.
It's hard to find anything redeemable about this wagon other than personal nostalgia former owners may have. Some things are better left in the past.