Nearly everything we use gets better or changes in some fashion over time. Back in the early twentieth century, there were only jalopies and steam machines. Now, we have hybrid technology, all-electric vehicles, and (secondary) sustainable energy sources.

When looking at the raw data, it's easy to assume that anything new can outclass its older counterpart. However, that isn't always the case. In fact, there are many classic cars that are far superior to what we have nowadays, particularly sports cars from the 1980s.

To showcase these old 'speed demons,' we gathered ten of the fastest '80s sports cars capable of not only beating a new car but outright embarrassing it too.

10 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R

1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R for sale
Toprank Importers

Although some may consider the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) to be a '90s car, it still falls under the '80s banner, albeit by one year. Nevertheless, it's an awesome classic that's still sought after to this day.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 rear
Motor1

With the right set of mods, you can get an R32 GT-R up to some impressive speeds, especially when pitted against brand new vehicles. And that's with mods. Even stock, the R32 still dusts plenty of 2020 models.

RELATED: Hoonigans Pit The 2020 Maxima Against The 1990 Skyline GT-R R32

9 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 (930)

1984 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 (930) - gray - front
Via Mecum

Next up is a somewhat infamous sports car: the 930-body Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3. It's not controversial for its quality, but rather for its danger when driven.

1984 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 (930) rear
Via Elferspot

Often referred to as 'The Widow Maker,' the 930 Turbo was no easy beast to tame. Its gigantic turbo produces a lot of lag, so inexperienced drivers will find the sudden boost of power to be too much to handle, leading to many unfortunate crashes.

Though if you've got the skill, courage, and money, the 911 Turbo 3.3 will get you close to 160 MPH in a straight line.

8 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE

Lotus Esprit Turbo SE on the road
Autocar

It’s better to judge Lotus based on its past glory days than the automaker’s shortcomings today. Contrary to the failing Lotus of today, the old version was quite the force to be reckoned with.

Lotus Esprit Turbo SE for sale
Mecum

One of their most popular models was the 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo; similar to the first-gen version that appeared in the 007 film, The Spy Who Loved Me. However, the later model (shown above) was much more powerful. On a good day, the turbocharged Esprit could max out at 163 MPH.

RELATED: Lotus 3-Eleven: Costs, Facts, And Figures

7 1980 BMW M1

1980 BMW M1 for sale
Hemmings

No greater tragedy has befallen the automotive community as badly as the M1 did. No, it wasn't because it was a bad car, but rather because there were so few of them. Sadly, those that were available quickly rose in price, with one in Riedering, Germany, currently up for sale for more than $600,000.

BMW M1 Pro Car
BH Auction

Designed as a homologate racecar, the BMW M1 was purpose-built to be extremely fast both on and off the race track. BMW would make over 400 M1s, all of which were works of art, inside and out.

Using its 3.5-liter inline-six (the same one found in the 6-Series of that year), you could expect its horsepower to range between 270 to 280.

6 1988 De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S

De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S
Pinterest

Since Italy is the home of legendary companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani, smaller, less well-known alternatives from there tend to get overshadowed. One such company that (sort of) broke out from this was De Tomaso.

De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S rear end
WSupercars

Of all their cars, their fastest was the Pantera GT5-S. It did what not many other European sports car producers would do: combine Italian design with American engineering. What resulted was a mid-engine supercar that looked and drove way better than it honestly should've. It’s no wonder they sell for so much.

5 1989 Ferrari Testarossa

1989 Ferrari Testarossa up for auction
Mecum

Of all the cars that latched onto us as kids, it was those that had a significant presence and a degree of pedigree that stayed with us up to this point. Perhaps it was because of TV appearances, or maybe simply due to its brand. Whatever the reason, we know that the Ferrari Testarossa will always be a dream.

Ferrari Testarossa in white
Wikipedia

Everything about this car just screams "1980s." The wedge design, boxy sides, modernist aesthetic, and so on. Sitting next to a brand new car would certainly show the Testarossa's age, though it would easily surpass it in terms of speed and looks.

RELATED: These Dirt-Cheap Sports Cars Are Faster Than A Ferrari Testarossa

4 1987 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV S

1987 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV S
Motorcar Classics

Similar to the Ferrari Testarossa, The Countach is one of those vehicles we drooled over in our youth that left a lasting mark. Consequently, the car that would directly compete with Testarossa was also a beloved European supercar. Of course, we're talking about none other than the Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV S.

Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV S rear
COACHBUILD

This is when Lamborghini started to look more and more like the company we know and love. With the Countach, Lamborghini shot to the top-spot quickly; they even outdid their biggest rival, Ferrari. It's still shocking to think that a car from the '80s could reach 185 MPH, but that's what Lamborghini is all about: breaking the mold.

3 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi

1984 Ferrari 512 BBi for sale
Man of Many

Eight years before Ferrari would make the Testarossa 512 TR, they built a road-going car that would forever change Ferrari's trajectory: the 512 BB. It was the first consumer-purpose mid-engine Ferrari to hit the road and people absolutely loved it.

1984 Ferrari 512 BBi rear end

Five years after the 512 BB's initial launch, Ferrari introduced fuel injection systems into the old BB, turning it into the '512 BBi'. Using the new and improved tech, the 512 BBi far outclassed its carbureted sibling. While the BB could reach similar top speeds, it was in the corners where the BBi excelled.

RELATED: RM Sotheby's Preview: Blacked Out 1979 Ferrari 512 BB Custom

2 1987 Porsche 959

Porsche 959
Car Pixel

Lamborghini was the only car company back in the 1980s that was vying for a top spot against Ferrari. Just as it is now, Porsche presented a large threat to the prancing horse. Nothing exemplified this more than Porsche's most advanced supercar at the time: the Porsche 959.

Porsche 959 side profile
Mecum

Unlike the standard 911, the 959 was much longer and shaped a bit differently, especially at the rear. What was the same, however, was the engine layout in the back – a 2.8-liter, twin-turbocharged flat-six.

On average, the Porsche 959 could hit around 197 MPH. Yet there were others that displayed a greater deal of power, sometimes maxing out at 211 MPH instead. With that figure, the 959 was (briefly) the world's fastest production car.

1 1989 Ferrari F40

Ferrari F40
Classic Driver

Last up is a supercar that just about everyone has heard of: the Ferrari F40. It's far more than just another supercar. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that the Ferrari F40 is the greatest car ever made.

Ferrari F40 LM
Top Speed

As we've said time and time again, the F40 is (in essence) a racecar that snuck its way onto the road. Literally everything inside the F40 was designed to go faster, leaving nothing to spare. Though it may lack some creature comforts, its 201 MPH top speed certainly makes up for it. That, along with the sound, stylish looks, and historical pedigree.

Sources: encycarpedia.com, Top Speed

NEXT: 10 Coolest Forgotten Sports Cars Of The '80s (And How Much They're Worth)