Back when hair was big, jeans were high, and synth ruled the airwaves, sports cars had their own kind of swagger. The ‘80s weren’t just about neon and cassette decks—there was some real magic under the hoods, too. Turbo badges, pop-up headlights, digital dashboards… it was the golden age of cool that didn’t care about lap times—it just wanted to make an entrance.

So what happened to all those rad rides? Let’s rewind the tape and take a look at 10 sports cars from the ‘80s that still make you double-take.

1984 Pontiac Fiero

The Fiero had all the ingredients—mid-engine layout, plastic body panels, and sleek two-seat design. What it didn’t have at launch was horsepower. Early models made do with a 2.5L inline-four putting out just 92 hp.

Pontiac later added a V6 and sharpened up the suspension, but it was too late to shake the image. Still, the idea was solid, and it found a second life with kit car builders and modders. You still see Fieros at shows, usually far faster than they started.

1985 Toyota MR2

Toyota’s first-gen MR2 was small, sharp, and didn’t need big power to be fun. The 1.6L DOHC inline-four made around 112 hp, but in a car that barely broke 2,300 pounds, it was plenty to keep things interesting.

Later versions brought a supercharged option, pushing output closer to 145 hp. Mid-engine handling, great balance, and that signature wedge shape made it a hit with drivers who cared more about corners than drag strips.

1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31)

The Z31-gen 300ZX was a big step forward from the 280ZX. It kept the long-hood style but brought turbocharged power to the mix. The 3.0L V6 Turbo made 200 hp and ran through either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto.

It was fast for its time, smooth on the highway, and loaded with ‘80s tech like digital dashes and adjustable suspensions. Today, clean ones are climbing in value—but they’re still way cheaper than the Z-cars that came later.

1987 Buick GNX

The Grand National was already a beast, but the GNX turned it up to 11. Buick teamed up with ASC/McLaren to build 547 examples of this factory-built sleeper. Under the hood was a 3.8L turbocharged V6 making 276 hp and a brutal 360 lb-ft of torque.

It could hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds—faster than Corvettes and Mustangs at the time. Blacked out, mean, and completely unexpected from Buick, the GNX is one of the most legendary American cars of the decade.

1981 DeLorean DMC-12

No ’80s sports car list skips the DeLorean. Built in Northern Ireland with stainless steel panels and gullwing doors, it looked like a time machine even before Hollywood got involved. Power came from a 2.85L V6 making 130 hp.

Performance wasn’t impressive, but the design turned heads everywhere. John DeLorean’s vision was short-lived, and production ended in 1982. But the car’s pop culture status keeps it alive today, especially among collectors and fans of Back to the Future.

1983 Porsche 944

The 944 was Porsche’s answer to a more affordable, front-engine sports car. Powered by a 2.5L inline-four making 143 hp (and later 190+ in turbo form), it was balanced and handled like a champ thanks to its transaxle layout.

It wasn’t a 911, and that was the whole point. The 944 offered legit performance without the rear-engine quirks, and it gave younger drivers a way into the Porsche scene. These days, they’re creeping back up in value—if you can find one that’s been taken care of.

1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

The IROC-Z was Chevy’s move to bring some bite back to the Camaro lineup. It came with a 5.0L V8 making up to 215 hp and a suspension tuned for sharper handling. The name came from the International Race of Champions, and the look backed it up.

You got deep ground effects, a mean stance, and optional T-tops for extra style. It wasn’t the fastest car on the street, but it had enough power and swagger to make a statement. And it still does.

1989 Mazda RX-7 Turbo (FC)

The second-gen RX-7 kept the rotary magic alive and added forced induction. The 13B rotary engine in the Turbo II made 182 hp and revved like nothing else. Lightweight and agile, the RX-7 was a favorite for people who liked their performance a little different.

It had pop-up headlights, wide fenders, and that unmistakable exhaust note. Rotary engines require some care, but when they’re dialed in, they deliver a driving experience you won’t get from a piston engine.

1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo

The Esprit had exotic looks and a chassis tuned by Lotus, which meant razor-sharp handling. The Turbo model came with a 2.2L inline-four making around 210 hp, which was plenty thanks to its featherweight construction.

It wasn’t built for comfort, but it was fast and cornered like it was glued to the road. The Esprit flew under the radar compared to Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but real car guys knew what it was capable of. It still looks futuristic today.

1987 Ferrari 328 GTS

The 328 was Ferrari’s bridge between the analog charm of the 308 and the more modern 348. It came with a 3.2L V8 making 270 hp, and it loved to rev. With a 5-speed gated shifter and that signature open-top GTS style, it checked every box for an ’80s dream car.

It wasn’t rare at the time, but good ones are getting harder to find. And while the Testarossa had the hype, the 328 had the balance. Simple, fast, and still turning heads 40 years later.

*This article was hand crafted with AI-powered tools and has been car-fully, I mean carefully, reviewed by our editors.