Best Cars from the 80s at simplyeighties.com

This first video isn't my own personal choice of the top eighties cars, but there are some decent ones featured with many old and classic American cars, and also British and European models, too.

Unfortunately, there is no soundtrack as it has been removed by Youtube due to copyright reasons, but I hope you enjoy the slideshow, nonetheless. The video includes many sporty cars, including the Dodge Shelby Charger and the DeLorean which featured in Back To The Future. Being from the UK, it was interesting to see the Ford Escort GT and how different it looks to the British Ford Escort. There are also some great vans and pick-up trucks featured, too.

If I were to make a video compilation of my favourite 80s cars, then it would have to include a Fiesta XR2, mainly because my Dad bought a white one and I loved the acceleration! One of the most reliable cars my parents bought was a Mitsubishi Colt Mirage. It was only a small car, but as with many Japanese cars, seemed way ahead of its time in the electronics department, with an electric aerial and mirrors. I remember my Dad wanting to buy a replacement due to its reliability, but not being able to find a Mitsubishi garage as the local one had closed down.

Below I have created a gallery of a few of my favourite 80s cars, and I hope you may like some of them, too.

1982 Mitusbishi Colt Mirage - White 4 door

A 1982 Mitsubishi Colt Mirage

Not an obvious choice as one of the eighties finest cars and hardly desirable, but it was a solid, reliable and economical car. The model in that photo isn't the best example around, but it's public domain and will have to suffice.

It was every boy racer's dream to own a Golf GTi, although a brand new model was out of most young people's price range, and still is to this day. Nonetheless, young driver's worked hard and saved hard to buy a used model, and there was a vibrant market for second hand, white hot hatches in the 80s.

The first GTi was launched in 1976 with a 1.6 litre engine capable of 110mph. In Sept 1983, the MK2 was introduced and featured an improved 1.8L 8 valve fuel injected engine. In 1985, a 16 valve version was introduced which could reach around 140MPH.

The Fiesta XR2 was a nice, cheaper alternative to the Escort XR3i. It was a predecessor the the ST. The price in 1989 was £8,430, which was well out of my price range back then. To give a more sporty look, It featured pepperpot wheels and rally car spotlights. But the main improvements over the standard Fiesta models was the improved suspension, ventilated front disc brakes and, of course, a much beefier engine!

Of course, then we have those desirable cars that featured in 80s movies and on TV shows, including the Ghostbusters ECTO-1. The photo above shows the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor combination car used as the "Ectomobile" in Ghostbusters.

As Back To The Future is one of my favourite 80s movies, then I just had to include a Delorean DMC-12. The car was used as a time machine in the movie trilogy, of course, but with it's brushed stainless steel body and gull wing doors, it was certainly a car that turned heads. However, the old saying "style over substance" springs to mind here, as the car had a poor build quality and disappointing performance, and it also suffered from mechanical issues.

Ford Mustang GT (1985-86) public domain image

1985-86 Ford Mustang GT - public domain photo

The Mustang was made very much for the American market, but it didn't stop us Brits wanting one. It's now in its sixth generation and available to buy in the UK, but back in the 80s, it was the third generation that everyone wanted.