Looking at today’s cars, you get the feeling that nothing radically new can be invented in them. They are powerful and fast, they have electronic aids and computerized engine management, turbocharging and injection systems, and much more. But in 1980-90s there was nothing of this – nevertheless, the cars were interesting, despite the angular by today’s standards design. There are some car enthusiasts who prefer the cars of the 80-90s, even though they are very old.
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Honda Civic
The Honda Civic car has been produced since the early 1980s. These models still run on the streets of Russian cities. If German cars rarely change generation, then with Japanese cars it happens quite often. The third generation of Civic appeared on the market in 1983, and the fourth – in 1987 and was produced until 1991.
Among the advantages of the model, motorists note the “live” motor, stylish appearance and excellent controllability, as in sports cars. Honda Civic of the third and fourth generations were equipped with gasoline engines with a capacity of 1.2-1.6 liters and 54-110 hp.
Mazda 626
The second generation of the popularly loved in our country Mazda 626 was produced in the period 1982-1987. This auto was presented in three bodies:
- sedan;
- liftback, which was more often called a hatchback;
- coupe – a two-door sedan.
Mazda 626 was equipped with 1.6-liter gasoline engines with 80 hp and 2-liter with 120 hp. There was also a variant with a 2-liter diesel engine with an output of 63 hp, but in Russia the model with gasoline power units was widespread.
Volvo 740
The Swedish car Volvo 740 was produced in 1983-1992 in sedan and station wagon bodies. Despite the “suitcase” appearance, the car could boast a spacious, comfortable interior and powerful enough atmospheric or turbocharged engines:
- 2.4-liter diesel;
- 2.3-liter gasoline;
- 2.0-liter gasoline – a great rarity.
At one time this business class car was quite prestigious.
Nissan 300ZX
A large sports car Nissan 300ZX was produced from 1983 to 2000. At home in Japan, it was called Fairlady Z. The car was produced in three versions of the body:
- convertible;
- coupe;
- coupe-tagra with removable top part of the roof.
The Z31 was the most successful model in the Z series.
Most of all such cars were sold both in Japan itself and in the USA.
The second generation received a simple and clear, uncomplicated name Z32. The redesigned car received new power and a comfortable interior. Despite the fact that Nissan 300ZX was never positioned as a supercar, the second version was quite powerful for that time – 300 hp. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. A special system of double intercoolers allowed the car not to overheat for a long time.
In Japan itself, more interesting modifications with a mirror hatch, not allowing the interior to overheat in sunny weather, folding mirrors, antilock brake system were sold. The absence of power steering was compensated by a large ratio in the steering mechanism. Due to this, the car reacted sharper on steering.Also on the domestic market were sold models, which came directly from the factory with a lock in the gearbox. They could drive even sideways, not to mention successful drifting.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126)
Stylish and elegant Mercedes-Benz S-Class is loved by drivers all over the world, who appreciate respectability and prestige. A special place in this gallery belongs to the sedan W126.
If you buy a model of 1984 release with automatic transmission and wood-trimmed interior, you will have to invest in repair, of course.But there’s a good chance the body won’t be affected by rust – except minimally, on the edges of the fenders in the turn signal area and the panel under the rear window.
BMW 735i (E32)
“Cool” car-sedan BMW 735i – a real flagship of the Bavarian factory, despite the short base and six cylinders in the engine. These “predators” were quite common in Russia from 1986 to the mid-1990s.
Prerestyling version in the basic configuration was equipped with a manual transmission and had a fairly decent electronic “stuffing”, including central locking, power windows, interior lighting and mirror adjustment.Fans buy this car and tuning to feel the unique aura of an expensive “apparatus” with the soul of a sports car.
Mazda MX-5
The 1989 Mazda MX-5 roadster has an extraordinary appearance. In style, it resembles English sports cars, thanks to which it gained a lot of fans. The all-steel convertible has an aluminum roof.
The rear-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 has a fairly simple body structure.It was designed that way to reduce the cost of this auto. The length of the first-generation model was 3.97 meters, and the weight was 980 kg.With the change of generations, the dimensions did not change.So, the fourth modification in length also fits into 4 meters.
In the first generations of Mazda MX-5 put rather modest motors – volume of 1,6 liters, capacity of 116 hp.But the fourth version in the top configuration can not boast of a large power plant capacity: 2 liters, 181 hp. Also “fourth” Mazda MX-5 with 1.5-liter engine is produced. In the basic configuration, the car weighs 961 kg, in the top – 1058 kg.There is a manual transmission.
In 1993, a limited series of Mazda MX-5 LE was produced: only 1500 cars of black color. They had a luxurious interior, upholstered with red leather. The models were equipped with power steering, power windows, cruise control and rear spoiler.
Jaguar XJ220
The two-door, two-seat sports car Jaguar XJ220 was produced from 1991 to 1994 by the British factory in partnership with the racing engineering company Tom Walkinshaw Racing. This firm owns the development of V12 engine with a capacity of 6.2 liters, 520 hp. The model is based on the all-wheel drive concept car XJ-13, which never went into production. As for the Jaguar XJ220, it was started to be developed in 1988, and was put into production only three years later. But a simplified version went into production.
The V12 engine was replaced by a V6, and the lift-up doors were standard.This led to a fading interest in the version, as the manufacturers deceived the expectations of consumers. At the same time, the price of the simplified car did not decrease.It cost, as stated, 800 thousand dollars. For several years, only 275 consumers bought Jaguar XJ220, then production was stopped. More Englishmen did not experiment with supercars.
As for the Jaguar XJ220, it is still possible to buy it now, but for very big money. Not so long ago, one copy was sold at an auction for 47 million rubles. It is unlikely that this car can be seen on the street – most likely, it will be dusting in a luxurious garage in a private collection among the same expensive “brothers”.
Honda S2000
The car Honda S2000 was presented by the Japanese in 1995 on the day when the 50th anniversary of the company was celebrated. But serial production of this sports coupe with an open top began only in 1999 and continued until 2009. Externally quite simple, this car has always attracted admiring glances.
In the first modification stood a 2-liter motor with an output of 214 hp. Torque of 218 Nm allowed to gain 9 thousand revolutions per minute. The car was equipped with a manual transmission and a gearbox with a pre-installed self-lock, which in those days Japanese manufacturers practiced quite actively. That is why the Land of the Rising Sun was considered the birthplace of drifting.
The second generation has undergone external and internal changes. Stylish and winning exterior design turned out due to new headlights, mirrors and dodger. The engine volume increased from 2.0 liters to 2.16 liters, but the rev cutoff decreased from 9 thousand to 8 thousand.
On the domestic market there was its own version Type V. In the steering of the model it was possible to change the gear ratio directly during driving. This made the car more controllable. But the adjustment of the gear ratio was not manual, it depended on the speed. It was the first car with such a system, where the total number of revolutions of the steering wheel changed from 1.4 to 2.4.
In the exclusive variation there were other shock absorbers, stabilizers, self-locking differential. Now there are few Honda S2000 cars in good condition left, so the price tag on them is growing.You can become the owner of such a car for 2,500,000 rubles.
Cadillac Eldorado
A huge 1997 Cadillac Eldorado two-door with a 4.6-liter V8 engine with 275 hp can be bought quite cheaply. The length of this giant from the crested nose to the chopped tail with vertical keels of lanterns is 5.1 meters.
Dimensions, power, stylish leather interior with wooden trim… Not a car, but a dream of retro fans! True, you will have to invest in repairs.
But you will realize that only you and the stars of the first magnitude have such a car!