Yahoo News 14 cars from the Eighties now considered classic – including the Ford Sierra
The car industry has changed a lot in the past 40 years, but now as we head inexorably towards electrification – with a ban on the sale of all new petrol- and diesel-engined cars by 2030 – there’s surely nothing better than a bit of motoring nostalgia such as these cars that are celebrating their 40th birthday this year.
And if you fancy owning one of them, remember that this year will see them achieve historic vehicle status so you won’t have to pay for road tax or an MOT.
BMW 3-Series
For those wanting a compact saloon with a premium image the E30 incarnation of the 3- Series was de rigeur back in 1982. Entry-level versions were basic by today’s standards – think wind-up windows and plastic wheel trims – but higher-spec, six-cylinder cars were the ones to go for.
The range grew to encompass a convertible and Touring estate, along with the ultra-desirable M3. It was produced until 1994 but many fell into neglect so you’ll need care to ensure you get a good one.
Citroen BX
It was the car advertised as “Loves Driving, Hates Garages” but even if you didn’t fall for the marketing this was still a sharply-styled family hatchback. Marcello Gandini penned the angular shape, and the BX offered a smooth hydropneumatically-suspended ride and enough character and quirky touches to keep French car aficionados happy. Efficient petrol and diesel engines added appeal, while the cavernous estate still makes a useful classic today.
Ford Sierra
The “jelly mould” styling was something of a shock after the staid and square-set Cortina, but aerodynamics were the future and the new family Ford would ultimately gain acceptance. Utterly conventional beneath the bodywork, it was spacious and practical transport that found plenty of willing buyers.
More interesting variants followed, including the sporting XR4i and be-winged RS Cosworth that offered incredible performance for the money. Sierra production lasted until 1993 when the Mondeo arrived.
Lancia Prisma
Essentially a booted version of the Delta hatchback, the Giugiaro styling was smart and there was a range of lively engines, but neither attribute would lead to many UK sales.
In fact you’d be forgiven for not remembering it at all, and should you be tempted the hardest thing will be finding one for sale as fewer than half a dozen remain on the road. A rare and interesting classic saloon, though.
Mercedes-Benz 190
Mercedes invested a huge sum of money in developing its BMW 3-Series rival; it paid off, with almost two million examples of the 190 produced.
Cosworth versions aside, there was no real sporting pretension here; instead, the 190 was about making the three-pointed star more accessible, bringing comfort, refinement and bank-vault build quality to the compact saloon ranks. This would have felt very special 40 years ago – and a good example still does.
Porsche 944
While the pretty 924 struggled to shake off its associations with Volkswagen underpinnings, the 944 brought more Porsche-ness and a more muscular aesthetic to the upmarket coupé sector.
Retaining the transaxle layout, the near-perfect weight distribution ensured fine handling that was backed up by strong performance, with the Turbo (introduced in 1986) being especially potent. Bigger engines arrived in S2 guise, and you could also enjoy the 944’s charms as a Cabriolet.
Volvo 760
Big, boxy, solid and comfortable, the 760 is pretty much what you’d have expected from Volvo at the beginning of the 1980s, and those loyal to the marque were more than happy with that.
The V6 engine was smooth and provided a decent turn of pace – the four-cylinder 740 model arrived a few years later – and the estate version gave all the carrying capacity you could ever need. Production lasted until 1990.
Mitsubishi Starion
The name apparently came from a contraction of “Star of Orion” (Mitsubishi’s logo) but whatever the case this sharp-looking coupé would find plenty of fans.
The punchy turbocharged engine helped, of course, while the later wide-body version added beefier looks to the package. It’s rare now, too, with just a few dozen on the road in the UK and when they do come up for sale a good example will command in excess of £20,000.
MG Metro
MG purists were less than keen to see their beloved badge applied to a humdrum city car, but the sporting Metro was undeniably fun.
The revvy A-Series engine managed a handy 72bhp, while October 1982 saw the launch of the more powerful Turbo model that could crack 0-60mph in under 10 seconds. And what Metro buyer could resist the lure of red seatbelts and carpets, along with natty alloy wheels?
Vauxhall Nova
Okay, so this small hatchback was launched in European markets as the Corsa in 1982 – re-badged Nova, it arrived in the UK the following year – but this capable and popular supermini deserves its place here. It was neatly-styled and nice to drive, while buyers could choose from hatchback or saloon variants.
The sporty GTE that arrived later was a proper little pocket rocket. Another car that’s becoming endangered in the UK; when did you last see one?
Austin Ambassador
A substantial re-working of the Princess, with the car’s practicality boosted by the new hatchback layout. But while the wedge-shaped offering still provided the same spacious interior and smooth ride, it struggled to compete with the more modern Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier, with sales suffering as a result. By 1984 it was gone. Still, we rather fancy the plush Vanden Plas version that treated passengers to acres of velour and deep-pile carpet…
Lotus Excel
Essentially a heavily-revised Eclat, input from Toyota resulted in a fine sporting coupé that offered punchy performance and sharp handling.
During a production run lasting a decade some 2,000 examples left the Norfolk factory, with a number of updates during that time keeping things fresh. It would be unwise to buy a neglected one, but a car that’s been cherished will have lost none of its desirability four decades on.
Panther Kallista
That this stylish two-seater appeared to have come from a bygone age when it first rolled out of the Surrey factory was all part of the appeal, and it’s no surprise they have a loyal following today.
Ford mechanicals kept things simple – the V6 version was a lively performer – and with production amounting to fewer than 1,500 cars over eight years it makes for a rare and interesting British classic.
Reliant Rialto
It’s fair to say this three-wheeler wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but it proved popular with the Reliant faithful. Replacing the Robin, the new model might have offered modest performance from its 850cc engine but nigh-on 60mpg economy kept running costs low, while space and stability had both been improved compared with its predecessor. An affordable and practical choice, it actually outlasted all the other cars in this list by remaining in production until 1998.
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