Totally Awesome Cars of the ’80s

Like the era's pop culture, the best cars of the '80s were often about fun and opulence; about over-the-top dreams and original thinking.

Many of the emerging trends were a direct result of what happened in the '70s. Domestic automakers were looking for a way to regain some of their footing, which led them to experiment with new ways to capture the attention — and pocketbooks — of American consumers. Here's a look at some of the trends that shaped those cool '80s cars.

Japanese Invasion

Beginning in the 1970s, Japanese-made cars began to gain ground in the U.S. But these sporty, lightweight automobiles really came into their own in the 1980s. They were relatively inexpensive, reliable, fun to drive, and had a more modern look than many of the cars built by U.S. manufacturers.

Names like Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, and Datsun became some of the hottest cars on the lot, and favorites quickly emerged. The Toyota Supra, for example, won over hearts with its second-generation version in 1982. Gone were the rounded edges of the '70s, and in their place was a wedge-shaped aggressive styling that seemed to suit the times. The use of plastic trim for edges and spoilers not only made the Supra lighter and more fuel-efficient, but it also contributed to a much sportier look.

Luxury Gone Wild

The '80s attitude may have best been summed up by "Wall Street" character Gordon Gekko when he said, "Greed is good." Luxury and affluence were common themes in 1980s culture, and the cars rose to the occasion.

Imports like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Porsche were redefining cars as status symbols. Perhaps no marque enjoyed — or represented — the '80s more than BMW. Its entry-level luxury model, the BMW 3 Series, was one of the most coveted cars of the decade. Its 733i set a new standard for automotive aspiration, with features like cruise control, power sunroof, leather seats, and power windows, all of which were unusual for the time. Meanwhile, imports like the Ferrari Testarossa and the Lamborghini Countach combined supercar performance standards with sleek, head-turning '80s-friendly styling.

Domestically, automakers were doing their part to contribute to the luxury car boom. Lincoln held onto its reputation for crafting impressive luxury vehicles, and its Mark VII had upscale options like power windows and locks, keyless entry, and even a package featuring an in-car phone.

While those options would later become standard, at the time, they raised the bar on what buyers could expect from a car.

More Than a Footnote

The car that made perhaps the biggest impression in the 1980s is also one that disappeared after just two years. The DeLorean DMC-12, better known simply as "the DeLorean," is the only car ever made by the DeLorean Motor Company, namesake of former GM engineer John DeLorean, who helped create the Pontiac GTO muscle car. With gull-wing doors, a steel chassis, and brushed stainless steel body panels, the DeLorean was instantly recognizable and has proven unforgettable.

With a price tag of $25,000 — about five times the cost of an average car in 1981 — the DeLorean was poised to become the next big thing, but bankruptcy and drug charges against the owner caused the company to shutter in 1983, and only about 9,000 of the cars were made.

The car's mystique lives on, however, largely thanks to its immortalization in the 1985 movie, "Back to the Future." In many ways, it was a perfect depiction of the cars of the 1980s, which seemed to be working hard to capture the promise of the future while still being grounded by the limitations of the day's technology.

The best cars of the '80s embraced the era's spirit of adventure and experimented with new styles, materials, and features in a rapidly changing world. The '80s set the stage for more change in the '90s and prepared buyers for the high-tech world that was just around the corner.