80s cars at simplyeighties.com - old cars videos and photos from the eighties

80s Cars

(Plus, some 70s cars, too!)

Alfa Romeo Alfetta

Audi Quattro

Austin Metro

Best 80s Cars!

Chevrolet Corvette

Citroen Visa

Ferrari F40

Fiat X1/9

Ford Cars Slideshow

Ford Cortina

Ford Granada

Ford Sierra Cosworth

Jeep CJ-7

Leyland Princess

Lotus Esprit

Pontiac Firebird

Porsche 911 Turbo

Reliant Scimitar GTE

Vauxhall Cavalier

VW Golf GTi

So what car did you or your parents drive in ther 80s? Well, I didn't pass my test until 1987, but my first car was a red Austin Metro (this eventually became the Rover Metro in 1990).

Before this, I rode a Kawasaki 125cc motorbike for about two years - until I crashed it into a ditch! Fortunately, the bike came out worse than I did, but I decided that I would get a car after this incident!

Here is a selection of 80s cars to have a gander at - note how many red, orange and white cars there are...

An Austin Allegro Estate.

The Austin Allegro was manufactured by British Leyland under the Austin name from 1973 until 1983. 642,350 Austin Allegros were produced during its ten year production life.

A shiny 1982 Austin Maestro.

The Austin Maestro was produced from 1983 to 1994, initially by the Austin Rover subsidiary of British Leyland. Then from 1988 onwards it was produced by The Rover Group. A sporty MG model was also produced.

Austin Metro

This "supermini" was launched in 1980 as the Austin mini Metro. During its 18 years of production, the Metro wore many names: Austin Metro, MG Metro and Rover Metro. It was re-badged as the Rover 100 series in 1994. I had a red Metro City+ in 1987 and the gearbox needed replacing at just 20,000 miles - it was extremely unreliable!

An abandoned Citroen Visa GTi (aww!)

The Citroen Visa was produced between 1978 and 1988. I once had a go in the GTi version when I worked at the local garage in the late 80's, and it accelerated so quickly I could hardly keep it on the road!

The Citroen AX was launched at the 1986 Paris Motor Show to replace the Visa. It was built between 1986 and 1998. My second car was a red AX and it replaced my unreliable Austin Metro! The AX was economical, nippy and pretty reliable.

Citroen 2CV

This iconic economy car was produced by Citroen from 1949 to 1990. In it's heyday it was technologically advanced (the suspension was great!) and it will always be remembered for it's unusual bodywork. I can highly recommend visiting the 2CV page at wikipedia, where you'll find dozens of great photos! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_2CV

Ford Capri 1.6 Laser at Blackpool, England. Image from an original photograph by Amos Wolfe taken 7th September 2003.

Ford Sierra (Early model)

The Ford Sierra was built between 1982 until 1993. Launched on 21st September 1982, it replaced the Cortina and Taunus. Its aerodynamic styling was ahead of its time, although there were plenty of people who didn't like it.

Ford Escort MKII (1974 to 1980)

During the second half of the 1970s, the Ford Escort continued to prove hugely popular with buyers in Britain and other parts of Europe. Like the MK1, the MKII Escort had a successful rallying career, but unlike the MK1 which was entirely British built, these were also developed with Ford of Germany.

The MKIII Escort was built from 1980 until 1986 and the MKIV was built from 1986 until 1990.

Ford Escort XR3i (1986 model)

Ford Fiesta XR2 Mk1 (1982)

My dad actually bought one of these second hand when I was about 14 years old and it was one of favourite cars! He was car mad and bought a different model every year. The funny thing is I now own a new shape frozen white Fiesta (white seems to have come back into fashion) and boy, it makes this one look dated! But it looked great at the time.

Why not visit the XR2 Website -

http://www.xrtwo.com/

The latest Fiesta

Fiat Panda (1982-86 model)

Nissan Cherry N12 (1982-86)

Vauxhall Nova (Opel Corsa outside UK) produced 1982 - 1993.

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk II Cabriolet

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III (1988 - 95)

The Vauxhall Cavalier was a popular family car that was produced between 1975 and 1995. The Mk 1 was produced between 1975 and 1981, the Mk II between 1981 and 1988 and the Mk III between 1988 and 1995.