Top 10 Cars from The 1980s That Redefined Speed & Power

The 1980s was a decade of automotive innovation and excitement, as car manufacturers competed fiercely to produce machines that redefined speed and power on the roads. In this article, we will take a nostalgic journey back in time and explore the top cars from the 1980s that left an indelible mark on the automotive world. From the raw and powerful muscle of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 to the futuristic design and blistering performance of the Porsche 959, these cars captivated enthusiasts and cemented their place in history.

The BMW E30 M3 was a legend in its own right and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential sports cars of its era. It has left a lasting impact on BMW’s M Division and remains a symbol of driving purity and performance. BMW manufactured just over 17,000 units worldwide during its production run, which makes it a rare classic car too. The M3 won numerous races and championships, including the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

Here is a list of used BMW M3 cars for sale in the UAE and new BMW M3 cars for sale in the UAE.

The Porsche 944 Turbo marked a significant milestone for Porsche as it became their first production car powered by a turbocharged engine. Renowned for its superb handling, the 944 featured an ideal 50-50 weight distribution, contributing to its impressive on-road performance. Its sleek and aerodynamic look was further enhanced by the distinctive pop-up headlights. Despite being a high-performance sports car, the 944 Turbo didn’t compromise on comfort. Inside, it boasted a well-appointed interior with power-adjustable seats, air conditioning, and the option of a sunroof, providing a pleasant driving experience for its fortunate occupants.

Here is a list of used Porsche cars for sale in the UAE and new Porsche cars for sale in the UAE.

The performance and technologically advanced Corvette ZR-1 is often regarded as one of the most expensive cars on sale at the time of its launch in 1988. The base price of the ZR-1 was around $58,995, which was significantly higher as compared to the standard Corvette’s price of approximately $29,480. Chevrolet produced only 2,043 ZR-1s were produced, making them a rare find today. The 1988 ZR-1 was one of the first production cars to feature a keyless entry system, known as the “Active Key.” It allowed the driver to unlock the doors and open the hatch remotely.

Here is a list of used Chevrolet Corvette cars for sale in the UAE and new Chevrolet Corvette cars for sale in the UAE.

The Ferrari Testarossa, whose name translates to “redhead” in Italian, pays homage to its red-painted camshaft covers on the powerful 4.9-liter flat-12 engine. This moniker is inspired by the iconic 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa race car. The car’s distinctive side strakes, or “cheese grater” vents, became one of its most recognizable design features.

Beyond its automotive prowess, the Testarossa achieved cultural stardom by making appearances in various TV shows, movies, and music videos. Most notably, it became an emblem of style and sophistication in the TV series “Miami Vice,” where Sonny Crockett cruised in a white Testarossa equipped with a distinctive body kit. Despite its fame, the Testarossa’s production remained exclusive, with a total of approximately 7,177 units crafted throughout its manufacturing journey. 

Here is a list of used Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE and new Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE.

The name “5000 QV” of the Lamborghini Countach refers to its 5.2-liter engine displacement and the “Quattrovalvole,” indicating the presence of four valves per cylinder. Revered for its striking design, the Countach 5000 QV stands out as an iconic and visually captivating supercar. True to Lamborghini’s style, it featured signature scissor doors, opening vertically, adding to its allure. As with previous Countach models, production was limited, with Lamborghini crafting approximately 631 units of the Countach 5000 QV during its production span.

Here is a list of used Lamborghini cars for sale in the UAE and new Lamborghini cars for sale in the UAE.

The AMG Hammer is based on the Mercedes-Benz W124 E-Class, and it received a substantial performance upgrade from AMG, turning it into a high-performance sports sedan. The AMG Hammer was fitted with iconic AMG “Penta” wheels, featuring a five-spoke design, which became synonymous with AMG’s high-performance offerings. The production numbers of the AMG Hammer or Mercedes-Benz 300E 6.0 AMG, were relatively low due to its limited-production nature and the extensive modifications performed by AMG. It is estimated that around 12 to 15 units of the original AMG Hammer were produced. 

Here is a list of used Mercedes-Benz cars for sale in the UAE and new Mercedes-Benz cars for sale in the UAE.

The V8 Vantage Zagato was produced in limited quantities, with only 50 units built between 1986 and 1988. The car’s design was a result of a collaboration between Aston Martin and the renowned Italian coachbuilder Zagato. The bodywork featured Zagato’s signature “double bubble” roof, which provides extra headroom for the occupants. The rarity and unique design of the V8 Vantage Zagato have made it a highly sought-after collector’s car. It often commands a premium price in the classic car market.

Here is a list of used Aston Martin cars for sale in the UAE and new Aston Martin cars for sale in the UAE.

The “GTO” in the name stands for “Gran Turismo Omologata,” indicating its purpose as a homologation model to meet Group B racing regulations. However, Group B was disbanded before the 288 GTO could participate, and it became a street-legal supercar instead. Ferrari produced only 272 units of the 288 GTO, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Ferraris in history. The combination of its low production numbers and being part of Ferrari’s illustrious history makes the 288 GTO one of the most valuable classic cars ever produced.

Here is a list of used Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE and new Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE.

The Porsche 959 was one of the first high-performance sports cars to feature an all-wheel-drive system, known as Porsche-Steuer Kupplung (PSK). To reduce weight and improve performance, Porsche extensively used lightweight materials in the 959’s construction. The body panels were made of aluminum and Kevlar, while the chassis incorporated steel, aluminum, and Nomex honeycomb. 

The Porsche 959 was not only a high-performance road car but also proved its capabilities in off-road racing. It won the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally in 1986, showcasing its ruggedness and versatility. Porsche originally intended to produce 200 units of the 959 to meet FIA homologation requirements for Group B racing. However, due to its high development costs and complexity, only around 337 units were built. The Porsche 959 was a technical masterpiece that led the innovation in automotive technology for years.

Here is a list of used Porsche cars for sale in the UAE and new Porsche cars for sale in the UAE.

The Ferrari F40 is an iconic and highly regarded supercar, introduced by Ferrari to commemorate the company’s 40th anniversary. The F40 was the last car approved by Enzo Ferrari before his death in 1988. As a result, it holds special significance as a tribute to the founder of Ferrari. At the time of its release, the F40’s top speed of approximately 201 mph (324 km/h) made it the fastest production car in the world. 

Ferrari planned to produce 400 units of the F40. However, due to its high demand and the car’s complexity, a total of 1,311 units were eventually built, including a few special editions and prototypes. The Ferrari F40 has been featured in several installments of the “Need for Speed” franchise, such as “Need for Speed II” (1997), “Need for Speed: High Stakes” (1999), “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2” (2002), and others. The F40 is commonly regarded as a Super Go-Kart due to the raw feel the supercar delivered. The F40 was the opposite of what the 959 was — old-school no electronics perfection. Here is a list of used Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE and new Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE.

Here are a few honorary mentions 

The Audi Quattro is a legendary car that revolutionized the world of rallying and all-wheel-drive technology. The Audi Quattro became renowned for its incredible success in rallying. It made its debut in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1981 and went on to dominate the sport, winning two driver’s championships and two manufacturer’s championships in 1982 and 1984. 

The original Audi Quattro was produced in limited quantities. Approximately 11,452 units were built over its production run. Beyond its racing achievements, the Quattro was a commercial success, as well. It garnered a strong following among enthusiasts and helped establish Audi’s reputation for performance and engineering excellence.

Here is a list of used Audi cars for sale in the UAE and new Audi cars for sale in the UAE.

The RS500 was created to meet homologation requirements for Group A touring car racing. It was based on the Ford Sierra three-door hatchback and underwent significant modifications to become a high-performance racing car. The RS500 achieved great success in touring car championships, particularly in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

Ford initially planned to produce 500 units of the RS500 to meet homologation rules, but due to its popularity and demand, they ended up producing 5,000 units. The RS500’s popularity and performance led to it becoming affectionately known as the “Cossie” among enthusiasts, a nickname that endures to this day.

Here is a list of used Ford cars for sale in the UAE and new Ford cars for sale in the UAE.