Looking back at the best ’80s G-body coupes

The 1980s GM G-body coupes, built on a 108-inch wheelbase, mixed rear-wheel-drive performance with personal luxury style, making them ripe for a modern comeback. Lightweight at 3,000–3,500 pounds, with big engine bays and aftermarket support, they’re tuner favorites. For those who know their cars, here are ten G-body coupes from Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac that could shine today, with specs and context.

1983 Buick Regal T-Type

Photo by dave_7 / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The 1983 Regal T-Type’s 3.8-liter turbo V6 made 180 hp and 260 lb-ft, hitting a quarter-mile in ~16.5 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,400 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

Subtle blacked-out trim and 15-inch wheels kept it low-key. The interior had bucket seats, a console, and analog gauges. A modern version with GM’s 2.7-liter turbo four (310 hp) could rival a Charger, with values at $20,000–$50,000, per Hagerty.

1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Photo by dave_7 / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The 1983 Monte Carlo SS’s 305-cubic-inch V8 made 180 hp and 245 lb-ft, hitting 0–60 mph in ~8.5 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase and 3,400-pound frame used a three-speed automatic.

Red stripes and SS badges added flair. Cloth buckets, a sport console, and optional T-tops felt sporty. A revival with a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 (455 hp) could match a Mustang GT, with values at $25,000–$60,000, per Hagerty.

1983 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds

Photo by artistmac / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

The 1983 Hurst/Olds’ 307-cubic-inch V8 made 180 hp and 245 lb-ft, running a quarter-mile in ~16 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,500 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

Black-gray paint and Lightning Rod shifters stood out. Bucket seats, red pinstripes, and a plush interior were upscale. Only 3,001 were built, valued at $30,000–$70,000, per Hagerty. A modern 5.3-liter V8 swap could make it a Camaro rival.

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2

1986 Pontiac GP 2+2
Image Credit: JOHN LLOYD, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2’s 305-cubic-inch V8 made 165 hp and 245 lb-ft, hitting 0–60 mph in ~9 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,400 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

Its Aerocoupe glass and red stripes were unique. The interior had cloth buckets, a console, and optional T-tops. Only 1,225 were built, valued at $25,000–$60,000, per Hagerty. A modern LT4 V8 (650 hp) could make it a Dodge Hellcat competitor.

1987 Buick GNX

A 1987 Buick GNX at the Sloan Museum at Courtland Center in Burton, Michigan (United States).
Image Credit: Michael Barera, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The 1987 GNX’s 3.8-liter turbo V6 made ~300 hp and 420 lb-ft, hitting 0–60 mph in 4.7 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,545 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

All-black exterior and 16-inch wheels hid its power. Tan or black cloth seats and Stewart-Warner gauges were functional. Only 547 were built, valued at $100,000–$300,000, per Hagerty. A modern 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 (400 hp) could challenge BMW M3s.

1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham Coupe, front right (Cruisin' the River Lowellville Car Show, June 19th, 2023)
Image Credit: MercurySable99, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The 1984 Cutlass Supreme’s 307 V8 made 140 hp and 240 lb-ft, hitting a quarter-mile in ~17 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,400 pounds with a three-speed automatic.

Silver paint and chrome trim looked classy. The interior’s velour bench seats and woodgrain dash were comfy. Values hit $15,000–$40,000, per Hagerty. A 6.2-liter LT2 V8 (495 hp) could make it a modern luxury-performance coupe, appealing to Cadillac fans.

1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Aerocoupe

Photo by Alden Jewell / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The 1986 Monte Carlo Aerocoupe’s 305 V8 made 180 hp and 245 lb-ft, hitting 0–60 mph in ~8.5 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,400 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

Tapered rear glass and SS decals were NASCAR-inspired. Cloth buckets and a sport console added flair. Only 200 were built, valued at $30,000–$70,000, per Hagerty. A modern 5.3-liter V8 swap could rival a Challenger R/T.

1987 Oldsmobile 442

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 2016
Image Credit: Gr678537, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The 1987 442’s 307 V8 made 170 hp and 250 lb-ft, hitting a quarter-mile in ~16.5 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,500 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

Black-red paint and 15-inch wheels looked sharp. Bucket seats, a digital dash, and T-tops were sporty. Values range $20,000–$50,000, per Hagerty. A modern 3.6-liter V6 (335 hp) could make it a stylish, affordable Audi A5 alternative.

1985 Buick Regal Limited

1985 Buick Regal Limited - 51482815327
Image Credit: Greg Gjerdingen, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The 1985 Regal Limited’s 3.8-liter V6 made 125 hp and 200 lb-ft, hitting 0–60 mph in ~10 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,300 pounds with a three-speed automatic.

Vinyl roof and chrome trim screamed luxury. Plush velour seats and power windows were comfy. Values hit $15,000–$35,000, per Hagerty. A modern 2.0-liter turbo four (270 hp) could turn it into a sleek Cadillac ATS rival.

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix (29177390193)
Image Credit: Greg Gjerdingen, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The 1986 Grand Prix’s 305 V8 made 165 hp and 245 lb-ft, hitting a quarter-mile in ~16 seconds, per. Its 108.1-inch wheelbase weighed 3,400 pounds with a four-speed automatic.

Clean lines and 14-inch wheels were understated. Cloth seats, a console, and optional gauges were practical. Values range $15,000–$40,000, per Hagerty. A modern 6.2-liter LT1 V8 (455 hp) could make it a retro-styled Mustang competitor.

Source: Hagerty

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