When Chrysler sold off its European assets to Peugeot in 1978, the former Simcas, Chryslers, and Hillmans that comprised the disparate lineup mostly became Talbots for 1979 (though the Simca named lingered on some small…
Posts tagged 1980s
Sporting Modern: Honda Civic CR-X Mk1
It wasn’t quite a sports car, it wasn’t quite an economy car, and it wasn’t quite a hot hatch – but cleverly, Honda’s original CR-X could be all three.
Fuel Crisis Fleetwood: 1981’s Cadillac V-8-6-4
The excellent downsized GM full-sizes of 1977 were reworked with a more formal look in the late fall of 1979 as 1980 models. The more upright looks belied better aerodynamics which, in some cases, yielded…
The Future is Now: 1986 Mercury Sable
The 1986 Ford Taurus and it’s close sibling, the Mercury Sable, were landmark cars six year in the making, and they revolutionized Ford’s U.S. operations.
All’s Rad: BMW 325iX
Some months ago, we looked at the BMW E30 Touring, noting that the all-wheel-drive E30 325iX was worthy of its own story – and here we are with Anthony R.’s excellent iX. 325iXs are rare,…
Saving the best for last: Volkswagen Scirocco 16V
The basic bones of the Volkswagen Scirocco were over a decade old by the time of the 16-valve version, but the 16V was definitely a case of saving the best for last. The fastest factor…
Iron Man: 1985 Toyota 4WD Pickup
These are the unmistakeable colors of eighties racing Toyotas and in particular the look of Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and his PPI (Precision Performance Inc.) offroad race trucks. The N50 Toyota Pickup (aka the Hilux) was…
AMC and Renault’s Alliance
Word of a potential merger between FCA and Renault can’t help but evoke memories of the long ago tie-up Renault-AMC tie up; which began in 1978 as both parties were struggling in North America and…
Good Old “Good Olds” Guys: 1990 Oldsmobile 98
It’s impossible to overstate the impact of the two 1970s fuel crises had on the automotive industry and, in particular, American giants like GM. By 1980, GM had enjoyed three consecutive major hits with downsized…
Totally Rad: 1987 Ferrari Testarossa
When you see a Ferrari Testarossa, you can almost hear Jan Hammer, although Prince’s “Lets go Crazy” would be appropriate too, since it peaked around the time the Testarossa first appeared at the 1984 Paris show.
Coming to America: Mitsubishi Tredia
All but forgotten today, this nondescript little sedan is a Mitsubishi Tredia. This a late Tredia with flush aero lamps instead of sealed beams, but the Tredia, along with its coupe companions the Cordia and…