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80s - Cars of the eighties
About this topic channel
The 1980s were the decade of automotive icons. From the unforgettable GTI era and the birth of high-tech sports cars to the indestructible workhorses of the mid-range – we're reviving the era of shoulder pads and cassette radios. Discover captivating profiles of iconic 80s cars, fascinating firsthand accounts, and everything about the classics that now proudly grace our roads as historic vehicle plates.
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Ford Fiesta 1.1 "X" - quite a loud appearance
The Ford Fiesta will be 50 years old in 2026. It started out with slender 1.0 and 1.1-liter versions, but the desire for more power and a sporty look quickly emerged. And Ford delivered, initially with the RS parts program, later with complete cars such as the "X" and the "Super S". The Ford Fiesta 1.1 "X" portrayed here shows what this felt and looked like ...
BMW Z1 - from concept car to fun and long-term automobile
Engineers and designers are rarely able to design on a greenfield site, and it is even rarer for the results of such work to be sold to customers at moderate prices. The BMW Z1 is such an exception; in the meantime, the last examples built have already matured into classic cars. And they stand out among their peers with their timeless design and still impressive features today. Hardly any other classic car manages the balancing act between suitability for everyday use and individuality better than the Z1.
VW Golf GTI 1800 "Pirelli" – the special model
At the end of the first VW Golf generation, Volkswagen produced a special GTI model that still holds an exceptional position today, the "Pirelli Golf". Just over 10,000 examples were produced, making it a particularly sought-after model today. How it differed from the rest of the range and how it drove is described in this driving report on the 50th anniversary of the GTI.
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Racing car for the road - BMW M1 in (historic) test
The BMW M1 marked the Bavarian Motor Works' debut in the super sports car segment. The detailed test from 1980 shows that even a 100,000 franc car does not only have positive aspects.
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Toyota MR2 - Wedge for the people
A rare mid-engined two-seater with folding headlights, preferably ordered in red - no, not expensive and capricious, but affordable and reliable: Curtain up for the Toyota MR2
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VW Iltis - The "missing link"
A "Brückentier" is one of those creatures that occupy the transition between two evolutionary stages, or that can be found at the nodes of forks in the evolutionary tree of development. The coelacanth is such an animal, the first fish with four limbs, or the platypus, the egg-laying but milk-giving unique animal. If the VW polecat were an animal, it would probably also belong in this category...
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Audi Sport Quattro - the most expensive Audi of its time
Between 1984 and 1986, Audi built 214 Sport quattros, which were designed as the basis for rallying. While the cars sold relatively poorly at the time, prices have risen continuously since then, leaving every other Audi behind. This driving report explains how the short quattro feels behind the wheel.
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Seat Ibiza Bimotor - Driving in stereo
With a talent for improvisation and creativity, Seat built the most unconventional version of an all-wheel-drive rally car imaginable in 1986. An exclusive drive at the limit with the Ibiza Bimotor.
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Renault Rodéo - healthy escapism
In 1970, Renault countered the Citroën Méhari with the Rodéo based on the R4 Fourgonnettes. With a plastic body and Sinpar all-wheel drive available for an extra charge, the Rodeo was a robust and versatile leisure vehicle, but failed to make a major breakthrough on the market. This report proves that driving pleasure is also possible with 34 hp, with plenty of historical and current photo material.
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Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0 TS 16V - Turning point
With the Alfa Romeo GTV of the Tipo 916 generation, the Milan-based manufacturer not only switched from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, but also surprised the Alfisti with a completely different design language. However, the new GTV was well received and still proves today that it is a genuine Alfa Romeo despite its corporate components. This driving report tells the story of the model and shows it in many photos.
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Lotus Etna - the Esprit successor that wasn't meant to be
In 1984, Lotus presented a possible successor to the Esprit called the Etna, which, with its newly developed V8 engine and aerodynamically optimized shape, was supposed to run at almost 300 km/h and give the super sports car elite a run for their money. But it remained a prototype. This article tells the story of the one-off from the beginning to the present day.
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Alfa Romeo GTV6 and Porsche 944 - better hot-blooded or balanced?
Anyone who celebrated their professional success by buying a sports car at the beginning of the 1980s was almost certainly also shortlisting the Alfa Romeo GTV6 and the Porsche 944. The two coupés are more similar than you might think at first glance. And they are still a lot of fun today. This article compares the two eighties sports coupés.
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Audi quattro - From early to late
Sometimes you get the feeling that Audi itself didn't really know what it was doing when it unveiled the Quattro super-coupé at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show. As we know today, the car changed the perception of the manufacturer from Ingolstadt in Bavaria forever.
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Alfa Romeo Delfino - Bertone's alternative to the GTV6
In 1983, Zagato and Bertone each presented an Alfa Romeo coupé with a V6 engine at the Geneva Motor Show. The two designs could hardly have been more different. Despite close-to-production technology, neither prototype made it into series production and today they are long forgotten.
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Limousine luxury from Japan - Toyota Crown 2.8 Super Saloon and Toyota Century V12
Lexus was neither the beginning of Toyota's premium ambitions, nor is the classy subsidiary brand the pinnacle of them. Before that was the Crown, and the Century still hovers above it today. Together, they represent the Alpha and Omega of the Japanese luxury class. This article tells the story of the two luxury gliders and shows two examples in comparison.
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BMW M 535i - Tuning from the manufacturer
Inconspicuous would be different. The fastest BMW sedan of its time came with an eye-catching spoiler and widening. How convincing is it some 40 years later? This article tells the story of the M5's predecessor and shows it in current and historical images.
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Porsche 911 Speedster - flatter and more valuable
The Carrera 3.2 Speedster from 1989 is one of the rarities in the Porsche 911 line of ancestors. It was only built for a few months and the number of units was correspondingly small. And it looked very different from the other vehicles from Zuffenhausen. As a result, it proved to be very valuable. This report, which also looks back at its predecessors, clarifies whether the car meets the high expectations from the driver's point of view.
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(Daimler) PMG Rapport Forte - from convertible to estate-coupé wedge
The most famous car wedges are called Lancia Stratos, Lotus Esprit or Maserati Boomerang, but the little-known Daimler Rapport Forté was at least as consistently shaped as the examples mentioned ... and significantly rarer. This article tells the story of the forgotten sports station wagon and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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Rolls-Royce Corniche - Duel of the two-doors
With the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, the manufacturer from Crewe broke new ground in many respects in 1965. For the first time, a car with the Flying Lady on the radiator was self-supporting. And for the first time, there was more than just a standard body ex works: in addition to the saloon, there was also a convertible and a coupé.
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Talbot Matra Rancho - Leisure party (La Boum)
The supporting role was the fate of the Talbot-Matra Rancho: in the model of all teen movies from 1980 as well as in real life, the original SUV remained a marginal phenomenon. This article tells its story and shows the Rancho in modern and historical footage.
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Jaguar XJ-SC Convertible - Yes, no, maybe
The Jaguar XJ-SC has always been polarizing. Not really a coupé, not really a convertible. And something in between? Not really either. Even for the manufacturer, it was only an improvised stopgap solution. But in the end, this niche model of all things became the savior of the brand. Our article explains how it came about - accompanied by a V12 model and lots of historical footage
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Audi Quartz by Pininfarina - the Quattro with an Italo look
In March 1981, Pininfarina presented the Audi Quartz at the Geneva Motor Show, a reinterpretation of the Audi Quattro, which had been shown for the first time a year earlier. Created with the help of Automobil Revue to mark its 75th birthday, the elegant coupé thrilled visitors to the show at the time. The prototype was an exception in many respects, not least because it was drivable and even underwent a test drive. This report tells the story of the Audi Quartz and shows it together with its production counterpart, the Audi Quattro, in many pictures.
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Technology in race cars (50): Brabham BT55 - The F1 flat-twin
The Formula 1 monoposto Brabham BT55 was perhaps the last witness to a technical culture in which a single star engineer could attempt to reinvent the racing car. He could establish a new technical trend that dominated the competition for a while, but he could also fail magnificently...
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Citroën CX 2400 GTI - The flying express carpet
In August 1974, the Citroën CX, which would later become a long-running model, made its debut. It was built for 15 years, even longer as a station wagon. We drove one of the first series from 1981.
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DeLorean DMC-12 "Manufaktur Marton" - back to the future
The DeLorean DMC-12 was a commercial flop. But its appearance in the film trilogy "Back to the Future" made it a legend, not least as a nuclear-powered time machine. Hardly any other car with a combustion engine seems so suitable for conversion to electric drive. Marton has carried out such a project. This driving report tells you what the result feels like.
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Technology in race cars (49): Brabham BT 49 C - hydropneumatic revolution
With the Brabham BT 49 with Cosworth engine, Gordon Murrey built a progressive and fast Formula 1 racing car. But it was only with the hydropneumatics introduced in the BT 49 C that the monoposto became truly superior ... when it worked.
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Pininfarina Spidereuropa - Once upon a time in America
When the Fiat 124 Sport Spider returned to Europe in 1982 under a false name, it was unrecognizable at first glance. But those who could look past the exterior soon realized that not so much had changed between the thick bumpers. At a time when reason increasingly ruled in automotive engineering, it was nice that it still existed at all. As the Pininfarina Spidereuropa, it was one of the last representatives of the classic two-seater sports convertible.
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Porsche 959 - Why can't it be perfect?
Nothing is so good that it cannot be improved - with one exception: in the mid-1980s, Porsche explored the limits of what was technically feasible and redefined them to some extent. The Porsche 959 was a highly complex masterpiece that was just as suitable as an everyday car as it was as a racing car and felt just as comfortable at 30 km/h as it did at 300 - Karl Ludvigsen tells the story of the best super sports car of its time.
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Seat Ibiza GL 1.5i Cat 1989 - Joint venture
In 1980, the Spanish car manufacturer Seat was on the brink of collapse, and the only way out was to move forward. As an independent model, the Seat Ibiza was completely redeveloped together with Porsche, ItalDesign and Karmann in just four years and sold successfully from 1984. In 2024, the Seat Ibiza celebrates its 40th birthday, but looks much younger thanks to its simple design. This driving report is about a Seat Ibiza GL 1.5i from 1989 and tells the story of its development.
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Porsche 911 SC 3.0 Cabriolet - The mystery of the red convertible
In March 1982, the Porsche 911 SC 3.0 Cabriolet was shown to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. The center of interest was a red example. Did it survive? At first it looked like it had, the photos were in the can. However, in the style of the not particularly successful Edgar Wallace film from 1961 entitled "The Mystery of the Red Orchid", the search for clues then turned into a real detective job ... This vehicle report follows the research work and shows the early Cabriolets in historical and modern images.
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Ford aerodynamics - The line of reason through the ages
Reason had a long tradition at Ford: as early as 1936, the Eifel placed great emphasis on streamlining and economy. The Taunus P3 and Sierra followed this ideal and competed with their ancestor in 1984 to compare the generations. In the meantime, even the then brand-new model with the aero rear end is over 40 years old. Has the last sentence of this historical article come true?
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Technology in race cars (42): Lotus 88 - One chassis is not enough
The Lotus 88 seemed like the next big thing in the first grand effect era of Formula 1. To meet the enormous demands of aerodynamic forces on man and material, the Lotus designers opted for two chassis. But then everything changed - today the Lotus 88 marks the beginning of the racing team's decline.
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Technology in race cars (41): McLaren MP4/1 - Black magic
McLaren was the first team to start with a carbon fiber chassis in 1981. The "black magic" had several advantages over other materials. Not only did the driving and aerodynamics benefit from the new material, but driver safety also improved significantly thanks to the new material.
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Citroën Karin - the moving pyramid of Fiore
One of the most controversial concept cars of the early 1980s was the Citroën Karin, a compact sports car for three people designed by Trevor Fiore. The study was full of new ideas, the usual framework conditions for car construction were deliberately ignored and series production was not even remotely envisaged. This report describes the revolutionary concept and shows it in historical and current images, supplemented by documents from the time.
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Italdesign Aztec - The past of the future
Once unimaginable visions of the future usually look rather outdated a short time later. The Italdesign Aztec, on the other hand, still looks like science fiction even 35 years after its debut. This article presents the ready-to-drive concept study, which has even gone into small series production.
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Far East turbolenses - Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo in (historical) test
A turbocharger makes the Mitsubishi Lancer so powerful that one wonders whether it is not too much for the rather staid sedan. The chassis and gearbox couldn't quite keep up with the 170 hp, as this test report from 1981 shows.
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Mitsubishi Debonair - exclusive opulence
There may be other opulently equipped vehicles. But hardly any other is so uncompromisingly designed for comfort. Not to mention the exclusivity of a Mitsubishi Debonair: we are only aware of this one example registered in Germany, in which we were chauffeured through Berlin by the owner on a sunny fall day.
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Aston Martin Virage Prototype - Lagonden formation
This is a boring story. What can you write about a car that has only covered a good 3000 kilometers in its 30 years with its first owner? After all, it has hardly ever left the garage. Quite right. But what happened in the seven years before that is enough to dedicate an article to the Aston Martin Virage prototype disguised as a Lagonda Series 2.
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VW Polo Fox - An everyday hero
It looked as if a normal Polo had fallen into a paint bucket shortly before completion: with reduced equipment, an interior covered in body color and wheels painted in the same color, the VW Polo Fox set out at the end of 1984 to appeal to a more youthful clientele. Today, the former economy model is threatened with extinction. An enthusiast from Germany has rescued a saima green Fox from the first year of production, which illustrates this article about the long-lived special model.
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Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 "Niki Lauda" - The eternal runner-up
Normally, nobody in motorsport is interested in the runner-up. Especially not at a short show race without any championship reference somewhere in the German provinces. But when Mercedes-Benz gathers 20 motorsport celebrities at the Nürburgring, even the first loser is sure to attract attention. This article tells the story of the car in which Niki Lauda finished second in the inaugural race of the new Grand Prix circuit in 1984 - behind a young Brazilian who was barely known at the time.
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The hot three - Alfa Romeo GTV6, BMW 323i and Ford XR4i in (historical) comparison
The new Ford Sierra XR4i raised an often-asked question again 40 years ago: Who builds the best family-friendly sports sedan? A comparison test with the still freshly christened Alfa Romeo GTV6 and BMW 323i was intended to answer this question. This article reproduces the original wording from back then, supplemented by historical images and sales literature of the three rivals.
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Confection with a twist - Fiat Uno in the mirror of technology
In 1983, Fiat presented the Uno, a pretty and not overly complicated compact car. In 1984, the speedster, which was available as a three- and five-door model, was voted "Car of the Year". Just how right the Fiat engineers were is shown by the fact that almost nine million Uno cars were built. This historical technical report analyzes the design of the Fiat Uno, supplemented by many illustrations.
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Audi 200 Avant Quattro - Four rings, a heart and a crown
Four rings, four driven wheels, five doors and five cylinders with turbo - equipped in this way, the Audi 200 Avant Quattro was the perfect car for Switzerland - and also for actress Audrey Hepburn, who once ordered the "lhasa green" example in our photos. Thanks to its outstanding aerodynamics, the all-wheel drive truck from Ingolstadt left far behind. However, it lost valuable cargo space due to its sleek hatchback. This article presents the top version of the Audi Type 44.
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Ferrari Mondial 3.2 - entry with added value
Four seats and a mid-engine were only available twice at Ferrari: once in the Dino 308 GT4 and then in the Mondial, which took its name from famous ancestors. The Mondial was built in four variants and embodied not only the most suitable vehicle type for everyday use, but also the most successful of its era, even if an average of less than 500 units were produced each year. This vehicle report focuses on the Mondial and the Mondial 3.2 in particular, showing it in many current and historical pictures as well as in the sales literature.
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Bertone Cabrio Palinuro - The Ritmo and its handle
After the open-top VW Golf had established the genre of the compact bow-top convertible in 1979, the European competition gradually began to cut the roof off their hatchback saloons as well. One of the first to enter the ring against the open-top Wolfsburg exile was the Fiat Ritmo Cabriolet from 1981, which was not officially called that at all and also did not roll off the production line with its closed brothers. This article sheds light on the development of the Ritmo offshoot built by Bertone and shows a fine "Palinuro" from 1985 in many photos as well as other models on historical material.
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VW Golf Bimotor "Pikes Peak" - the Volkswagen with two hearts
In 1987, Volkswagen almost beat the Audi Quattro on Pikes Peak - with a Golf. However, the racing version had little in common with the well-behaved off-the-shelf compact car. With an additional engine in front of the rear axle, there was certainly no lack of propulsion. This report describes the twin-engined Golf and shows it in many pictures.
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VW Corrado G60 - Sporty in parts
Volkswagen broke new ground with the Corrado in 1988. Unlike the Scirocco and Karmann-Ghia, the new VW coupé was not only intended to look like a sports car, but also to drive like one. After the successful Polo G40, the Corrado was therefore the brand's second model with a mechanical spiral loader. However, the result was almost a little too civilized for the intended goal. This article introduces VW's first real sports car.
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Ferrari 412 - underestimated Granturismo?
The Ferrari 412 is one of the cheapest ways to get behind the wheel of a twelve-cylinder Ferrari. The 2+2 coupé styled by Pininfarina was built for around 18 years with various model designations and was considered the most suitable product from Maranello for everyday use thanks to its ample space. The Type 40 was also the first Ferrari to be delivered from the factory with an automatic transmission. Nevertheless, the manual versions are less rare than you might think. And particularly attractive. This report tells the story of the Ferrari 412 and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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Rolls-Royce Corniche II - for the top twelve hundred
No other open-top car can convey more comfort, more luxury and more prestige than a Rolls-Royce Corniche. Anyone who tries to explain the essence of a Rolls with numbers will inevitably fail. You have to feel it, smell it, hear it and enjoy it to understand it. This vehicle report is dedicated to the Rolls-Royce Corniche II, which was only built for a short time and has retained its special flair to this day.
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Porsche Turbo 3.3 Liter Cabriolet - Double whammy
In 1965, Porsche abandoned the Cabriolet for the time being. It would be 17 years before it was possible to buy a completely open 911 for the first time. But only with the naturally aspirated engine - turbo fans had to wait even longer, even though the 1981 prototype still had a turbocharger. It was not until 1987 that the factory finally delivered the open Turbo to customers. This driving report with many current and historical photos attempts to clarify whether the long wait was worth it.
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Opel Corsa A - the small mass sports car
With some cars, one detail is enough to make them recognizable. On the Opel Corsa A, with which the Rüsselsheim-based company entered the market for modern small cars rather late in 1982, nothing was as striking as its flared fenders, which made it look powerful even with 45 hp. With the 100 hp GSi, however, the driving performance also matched the muscular appearance. This article tells the story of the Opel Corsa A and its sporty offshoots and shows it in current and historical images
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Audi 90 2.3E quattro - when 90 is not bigger, but still more than 80
Today, the almost 35-year-old Audi 90 2.3E quattro is hardly noticeable. At the time, however, the third edition of the Audi 80/90 series embodied innovation and top-class aerodynamics. You can still feel something of this today, especially as almost all the Audis that followed it performed worse in terms of aerodynamic drag. This extensively illustrated driving report explains how the Audi 90 feels today.
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Citroën 2 CV Charleston - youthful nostalgia
At first glance, naming a 30-year-old car after a 50-year-old dance is not a sign of exuberant youthfulness. But when the Citroën 2 CV Charleston appeared at the end of 1980, the double dose of nostalgia went down particularly well with buyers who were barely older than the Citroën 2 CV and much younger than the Charleston. This article presents the two-tone Döschwo and shows it in current and historical images.
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BMW 520 - The way to the top
With the BMW 520, the Munich-based car manufacturer presented a modern upper mid-range passenger car almost exactly 50 years ago. Initially equipped exclusively with four-cylinder engines, the famous six-cylinder units were soon added to the engine compartment, making the five-cylinder an extremely comfortable and fast touring sedan, which was also appreciated by Stephan Derrick and Harry Klein. This driving report tells the story of the first Five and shows it in historical and current images.
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Alfa Romeo Spider "aerodinamica" - with a cheeky lip
If you opt for the third series Alfa Romeo Spider, you can save a lot of money without having to sacrifice much, because technically the Spider "aerodinamica" was close to its predecessor. Behind the steering wheel, the differences are minimal anyway. Only a little bit of rubber speaks against the cheap purchase. However, this does little to dampen the enthusiasm for this wonderfully nostalgic car. This driving report focuses on the Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 of the third series, built between 1983 and 1989, and shows it in current and historical images as well as in the sales literature.
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The three from the steam room - BMW M3 from E30 to E46
In 1986, the first BMW M3, unmistakably a child of its decade with its wide cheeks and rear spoiler, rolled onto the road. The homologation model of the E30 series for the DTM laid the foundation for the legendary sports car dynasty. From this first generation to the more discreet M3 E36 and its successor from the E46 series, the Munich car was constantly refined and underwent major changes. This article tells the story of the three classic M3s and shows the powerful Bavarians in many pictures.
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Lancia Delta HF Integrale - the rally winner for everyday use
Lancia built the first Delta from 1979 to 1993. Over time, the initially elegant but not particularly fast four-door car developed into an almost unbeatable rally weapon that hardly knew any opponents, even in road trim. This driving report explains how a Delta HF Integrale feels after 30 years and shows the car as well as its predecessors and successors in many pictures.
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Fiat 127 Sport - The eternal youth
When the Fiat 127 Sport 75 HP appeared in the fall of 1982, it was already an eleven-year-old discontinued model. But the Fiat 127 had never been better: faster, wilder and more entertaining than ever before, the 75 hp compact was able to skilfully disguise its age. After a ride on the little cannonball, it's not the Fiat, but the driver who has it in the back. This driving report presents the hottest of all 127s and shows it in many photos.
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Ferrari Meera S - how a one-off lost part of its individuality
At the beginning of the 1980s, the golden age of special bodywork was actually already over. Nevertheless, in 1983 a young Saudi prince commissioned Studio Michelotti to redress his Ferrari 400i. The result was quite special, but packed with interesting technical gimmicks. This article tells the story of the Ferrari Meera S and shows it in many photos.
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Audi 200 Turbo Quattro world record car – Same thing in black
50 years after Bernd Rosemeyer, records were to be broken again. With a five-valve five-cylinder engine and 650 hp, Audi launched an attack on Mercedes-Benz in 1988 and sent a specially prepared 200 Turbo Quattro to Italy. The Nardò project was preceded by a similar one with NASCAR ambitions, but it was equally disappointing. This article recalls Audi's record attempts in the USA and Italy and shows many photos of the 1988 car.
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Sixteen-cylinder super sports car Cizeta V 16 T - a man and his dream
Only a few manage to see their dreams and visions come true (and ride). Claudio Zampolli is one of them. He dreamed up the ultimate super sports car and built it in line with his ideas and visions. The Cizeta V16T anticipated superlatives long before the Bugatti Veyron and is still the only one of its kind today. This article tells the story of the only super sports car with a transverse V16 engine, showing the first two examples in many pictures, supplemented by many never-before-seen historical illustrations, sound samples and sales documents from the time.
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Bertone (Chevrolet Corvette) Ramarro - Emeralds and scales
Tom Tjaarda led the way in 1963 in the service of Pininfarina and designed the Italian interpretation of the Corvette Sting Ray with the Rondine. After a delay of 20 years, Carozzeria Bertone drew level with its closest competitor and presented the Ramarro based on the brand new Corvette C4. This article tells the story of the wedge-shaped battleship with the unusual doors and shows it in many historical (and current) pictures.
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DeLorean DMC-12 - the sporty long-term automobile from the past
After less than two years of production, the supposed success story of the DeLorean DMC-12 was already over, at least for the time being. Gullwing doors and a stainless steel body could not compensate for the lack of financial strength of the young car company, which manufactured its cars in Northern Ireland. Then came bankruptcy and thousands of cars were left on the scrapheap. It is not least thanks to a movie that they are in increasing demand today. And so the DeLorean finally became a long-term automobile after all. This report tells the story of the DMC-12, describes driving impressions and shows a specimen in many pictures.
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Hesketh V1000 - Nobility waived
Thomas Alexander Fermor-Hesketh did not spend much time on child's play. After selling his Formula 1 team to Walter Wolf, he wanted to single-handedly save the British motorcycle industry. Of course, despite several attempts, things went horribly wrong. Not even 200 Hesketh V1000s were built between 1980 and 1984. This article tells the story of the failed English luxury bike and shows an early version in the picture.
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Rinspeed Porsche 969 Turbo - broadside
Car customization was very popular in the 1980s; discerning sports car customers did not want an off-the-peg car. Companies such as Rinspeed offered a high degree of customization and often also vehicle versions that were not available from the manufacturer. With the Rinspeed Porsche 969 Turbo, Frank M. Rinderknecht even succeeded in creating a small "series", as twelve of these coupés with flanks reminiscent of the Testarossa were produced. This report tells the story of the Rinspeed Porsche and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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In Hamburg they say goodbye! - The elaborate export of a Bertone X 1/9
Even in normal times, the private sale of a classic car abroad can be an adventure. In times of Corona and Brexit, exporting a Bertone X 1/9 to Germany became a nerve-wracking full-time job. A field report describes why exporting became so time-consuming, especially in times of corona, and shows the X 1/9 in many pictures.
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Mazda MX-81 - Air supremacy
Forty years after its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda presented the Bertone MX-81 prototype to the public for a second time - fully restored. The design, which was both futuristic and had retro elements, is still impressive today. This article shows the prototype then and now, but above all tells the story of its creation and restoration.
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Lotus 99 - the first of its kind
The Lotus 99 turned the Formula 1 world upside down in 1987. How? With an active suspension. The system was a sensation at the time and extremely innovative. However, the racing car failed to achieve great success - only two victories in the hands of Ayrton Senna were enough. And so, unfortunately, it was largely forgotten. We took this as an opportunity to review the history of the yellow racer in this article. It is shown in many modern and historical pictures.
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Geo Metro - a different kind of open classic
In the 1990s, American cars were rarely mentioned in the same sentence as reliable and economical. Chevrolet wanted to change this with the Geo brand. Japanese technology was to be used to change the image. The Geo Metro Convertible was to be an affordable and economical convertible. This article tells the curious story of the little American-Japanese car and shows it in pictures.
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The oldest Audi quattro still in existence - Lord of burnt rings
When a car collection goes up in flames, it is always a cause for mourning. But if one of the burnt cars is a car that made rally history, there is no other option, at least for a true enthusiast, than to rebuild the car as originally as possible without sparing any expense. This article explains how a burnt rally Audi quattro was restored and turned out to be the oldest Audi quattro still in existence.
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Sauber's M1 - the very special BMW M1 for Group 5
The end of the Procar racing series was not the end of the racing career for some BMW M1s. Sauber built two M1s according to Group 5 regulations, which raced at Le Mans in 1981. Now the former drivers Marc Surer and Dieter Quester celebrated a reunion with their car and its builder Peter Sauber. This article tells the story of this racing car and shows it in many pictures.
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Alfa Romeo 33 4x4 Sport Wagon - elegance, space and traction
With the Sport Wagon, Alfa Romeo also offered the Alfa 33, which was based on the Alfasud, as a station wagon and also with all-wheel drive, just the thing for a demanding and leisure-oriented clientele. The compact five-door model was certainly convincing, but was no bargain. Only a few examples of the Alfa 33 Station Wagon are likely to have survived; a well-preserved example is shown in this report, which covers the entire history of the "33" model series, supplemented by an original brochure of the first saloon version.
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The racing cardboard (alias Trabant P601)
Although the GDR car Trabant was not developed for racing, it also developed undreamt-of talents on the race tracks and rally tracks, not least thanks to substantial weight reductions and additional horsepower from the two-stroke engine. This vehicle report tells the story of the Trabant and its racing successes, illustrated with pictures of a historic racing car.
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Triumph TR7 Cabriolet - towards the sun with Italian help
At the end of the 1970s, British Leyland announced a fully convertible based on the Triumph TR7 in difficult times. The joy was dampened by the simultaneous demise of the MGB and Triumph Spitfire, but the open TR7 did its job better than expected, even if not all wishes were fulfilled. This driving report is dedicated to the Triumph TR7 Convertible and its history. It is comprehensively illustrated and also includes sales documentation and a sound sample.
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Renault Espace - plastic space miracle
It is certainly no exaggeration to describe the Renault Espace as a milestone. Of course, there were already buses and vans before the Frenchman, but it was only with the Espace that the single-volume vehicle really established itself in the comfort and family segment. No wonder the Espace was eagerly imitated, but its design remains unique to this day. This vehicle report tells the unusual story of the Renault Espace and shows the elegant all-purpose car in two versions in many current and historical pictures.
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Lancia Autobianchi A112 Abarth - durable and sporty supermini
With the A112 Abarth, the car manufacturer Autobianchi, which operated under Fiat/Lancia control, launched a sporty small car that could give even much more powerful sports cars a hard time on narrow roads. In the city, the A112 was almost unbeatable anyway and it was so good that it was built largely unchanged for around 17 years. During these years, its fan base grew steadily, which is why the Italian small car is now a sought-after classic car. This driving report is about a late Lancia Autobianchi A112 Abarth 70 HP and tells the whole story of the model series, illustrated with historical and current pictures, sales literature and supplemented by a sound sample.
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BMW R 80 G/S - The long-distance machine
"The best road motorcycle BMW has ever built" was the title of the first ride report on the BMW R 80 G/S in Motorrad magazine in 1980. In the gnarled-looking model designation, G/S stands for off-road/road, R means two-cylinder boxer engine, the number 80 stands for 800 cc displacement. This report tells the exciting story of this legendary motorcycle.
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VW Golf I Cabriolet - Sky and handles
The Beetle Cabriolet's fan community would probably have been large enough to give it another 10 years of production, but there were good reasons why the Beetle had to make way for the open-top Golf. And it did a really good job and managed to be built for 14 years with only minor changes. Even today, when almost all Golf Cabriolets are already classic cars, it still manages to impress with its modern virtues. This driver's report is about a late VW Golf Cabriolet and summarizes the 14-year history of the first open Golf generation, extensively illustrated and supplemented with the sales brochure of the time.
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The slippery slope from sports car to hypercar
Car fans once dreamed of top-of-the-range or super sports cars. Since the turn of the millennium, however, hypercars have been regarded as the ultimate in automotive transportation. But whether they offer real driving pleasure is doubtful. To prove this thesis, this article takes you through the development of the sports car up to the present day and shows many of the cars mentioned in pictures.
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BMW 320i Convertible - serene time machine for sun worshippers
You realize how old you are when you celebrate a reunion with cars that you once drove when they were new. The BMW 320i Convertible portrayed for this article is already 32 years old, a veritable classic car. But age and maturity don't have to be a negative thing, as you can see with this car. This driving report is about a BMW 320i Cabriolet from 1988 and shows it in current and historical pictures, as well as in the sales literature.
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Four wins - 40 years of Audi quattro
Forty years ago, permanent all-wheel drive began its triumphant advance in passenger cars. Audi used the drive concept in large-scale passenger car production for the first time. It started with the original Quattro, but gradually the 4x4 concept became established in all model series. How have the cars aged, which ones have an exceptional status? Are there alternatives to the original Quattro? This report looks back to the beginnings and traces the career of all-wheel drive in Audi passenger cars.
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Ford Sierra RS Cosworth - Inconspicuous is different
Ford had its sights set on the successful BMW M3 and Mercedes 190 E 2.3-16 sports cars and wanted to cause a sensation in Group A racing. We tell the story of the "Cossies", whose huge rear wing not only caused a stir, but also provided the necessary downforce at high speeds.
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Austin Metro - British space miracle on wheels
The Austin Metro had everything it needed to be successful. Nevertheless, it could not overtake the classic Mini that it was supposed to replace. We have driven the English road flea in the rare "Moritz" version and show it in many photos, and show it in current and historical pictures, as well as in the sales literature of the time.
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Reaching for the stars - The Japanese company Subaru
The Japanese company, named after an astronomical term, is now world-famous. The cars of the Subaru brand are part of the everyday street scene. But where did the company start? What problems did it have to contend with and what successes did it achieve? The 1981 report from the "Oldtimer Chronik" sheds light on the company's unique history. The written word is supplemented by many contemporary pictures and sales brochures.
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Mercedes-Benz 300 TE 4Matic - Estate with the best drive system in the world
With the "T-Wagen" of the W123 model series, Mercedes-Benz had created the genre of the lifestyle estate, and with the successor of the W124 model series, the Sindelfingen-based company doubled down and added an extremely sophisticated all-wheel drive system. Now it was not only possible to transport a lot, but also to do so in almost any weather and road conditions. However, the Mercedes-Benz 300 TE 4Matic became very expensive, which prevented it from becoming widespread. This driving report is about a Mercedes-Benz 300 TE 4Matic from 1987, it tells the history of the model and shows the various evolutionary stages in current and former pictures, as well as in the sales literature.
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Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire - you're happy to do without a chauffeur
Britain's wealthier society liked to be driven around in their personal chauffeur. However, when the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire was introduced in the fall of 1952, this changed abruptly. This car was so pleasantly different and sporty that people couldn't resist getting behind the wheel themselves and really making the most of its performance. These sporty attributes and the generally very good performance helped the Star Sapphire and its modifications to become very popular. But those who fly high also fall low. The brand disappeared and only a few people still remember the Star Sapphire. A good reason to look back ...
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Renault 11 Turbo - The compact car under (turbo) pressure
Renault gave the R11 a turbo in 1984 in order to be able to compete with the sporty compact cars. This made it a veritable rival to the Golf GTI & Co, which it outperformed in many disciplines. There may have been various reasons why the competition still seemed to be more successful. This article looks back and shows the R11 Turbo in current and historical pictures.
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Maserati Shamal - Italian shock therapy
Not only the brand's fans were shocked, the trade press was also irritated when Alejandro de Tomaso presented the Shamal. Despite all the efforts made by designer Gandini, hardly anyone described the latest addition to the Maserati family as a classic beauty at the time. This vehicle report tells the story of the V8 coupé and shows it in many historical illustrations.
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Zimmer Quicksilver - eccentric coupé from Florida
The Americans call them "neoclassics", we Europeans would probably rather call them "fantasy cars", the coupés, convertibles and saloons designed by Paul Zimmer, who dug deep into the design box of the 1930s and made use of mass production technology. For the Quicksilver, he focused on a more modern design, the design was created by Donald Johnson, who was a designer at General Motors. Nevertheless, the two-seater sports coupé is striking, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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Fiat Ritmo 75 CL - unconventional anti-Golf from Turin
In the spring of 1978, Fiat launched the Ritmo as the spearhead of a comprehensive renewal of the car range, which had to hold its own in an already well-stocked competitive environment with the VW Golf, Opel Kadett, Simca Horizon and Renault 14. An individual appearance and a well thought-out design were to make this possible. Did they succeed? This article portrays an early Fiat Ritmo 75 CL, tells the model history and shows the car in historical and current pictures. The sales brochure and sound samples are also included.
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Renault 18 Turbo - family car with pressure
At the start of sales in 1978, the Renault 18 was offered with engines that produced a modest 64 or 79 hp. With the advent of the turbo wave, however, the French gave the R18 a 1.6-liter 1980 turbocharged petrol engine, which resulted in a remarkable output of 109 and later 125 hp. Although this did not turn the saloon into a sports car, it did make it a fast touring car with impressive torque at low revs. This report is dedicated to the Renault 18 Turbo with 110 hp and shows it and its relatives in current and historical photos.
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Toyota Celica Supra 2.8i - Nippon-Granturismo suitable for everyday use
Toyota did not want to leave the field to Datsun, successful with the 240/260 Z models, and launched a rival coupé with the Toyota Celica XX, known abroad as the Celica Supra from 1979. The second edition appeared in 1981, which now differed more clearly from the four-cylinder Celica and attracted many sports coupé buyers to Toyota thanks to its elegant design, low price and generous equipment. This driving report is about a Toyota Celica Supra 2.8i from 1983 and shows it in current and historical pictures.
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Lorenz & Rankl Silver Falcon - the realization of a dream
Seeing your own name as a brand on a sports car is one of the great dreams of many a car enthusiast. Friedrich Peter Lorenz and Heiner H. Rankl came a long way in realizing their dream, even if the project was not a financial success. One of the twelve cars produced ended up in Switzerland. This driving report tells the story of this special sports car and shows it in many pictures and in the original brochure.
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Toyota Celica 2.0 GT-i Liftback - striking turnaround
The year 1985 was a shock for fans of the traditionally designed Toyota Celica, as the fourth generation came with front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, a transversely mounted four-cylinder engine and aerodynamically rounded bodywork. But even traditionalists had to admit that the new coupé was much better than its predecessors. But the model had not become cheaper. This driving report tells the story of the fourth generation of the Toyota Celica, describes driving impressions and shows an original example with an almost unique history in pictures.
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Renault Fuego Turbo - the fire came with the wind
Independent coupés such as the VW Scirocco or the Opel Manta were popular at the end of the seventies. Nevertheless, Renault took its time to replace the R15/R17 models, which had become outdated in the meantime. The result then attracted a lot of attention and with the subsequent turbo version, the French had a really hot iron in the fire. This driving report describes the history of the unusual coupé and shows it in historical and current pictures.
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Opel Rekord LS 1.8i Caravan - the end of the record
From 1953 to 1986, Opel built mid-range Rekord cars. They were a great success, as they were among the best-selling cars of their kind for decades. They were popular as business, touring and family cars, as saloons, estate cars or coupés. In 1986, however, the successor was named Omega. But how does one of the last Rekord feel over 30 years later? This driving report takes a close look at the Opel Rekord E2 and tells its story in words and pictures.
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Renault 5 GT Turbo - the 200 km/h compact sedan
40 years ago, Renault celebrated the first victory of a turbo Formula 1 racing car with the RS10. Subsequently, the turbo engine was also widely used in production cars and mostly powered the top versions of the various model series. One of these was the Renault 5 GT Turbo, the 200 km/h version of the second R5 edition. The competition had to measure itself against it. This driving report describes the history of the Renault 5 GT Turbo and shows it in current and historical images.
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The Super Silhouette racing cars from Nissan
Japanese racing cars are rarely seen in Europe, especially the horsepower monsters of the so-called "Super Silhouette" series, the counterpart to the DRM in Europe. Our article takes a look at all the Super Silhouette vehicles from Nissan.
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Tritan Aero Car 2 - or how the pizza gets to the customer faster
Less than three liters of fuel per 100 km and a top speed of over 100 km/h were impressive characteristics for a car over 35 years ago, even if it only had three wheels. The Tritan Aero Car was so interesting for Domino's Pizza that ten prototypes were ordered to deliver pizzas. The final breakthrough was not achieved, but the Tritan A2 is still a highly interesting vehicle today. This report describes the brief history of the Tritan Aero Car and shows it in historical and current photo material.
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The Jet Electrica 007 or how the American electric car invasion almost happened in the 1980s
The Americans almost became trendsetters in automotive electromobility in the early 1980s due to the impending energy crisis. While the Europeans were building small series and prototypes, US companies were getting down to business. Tens of thousands of electrically powered mid-range cars and commercial vehicles were to be built, one of which was the Jet Electrica 007. This report turns back the clock and tells the story of an American electric car of the 1980s.
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