TOP 80S MUSCLE CARS THAT STILL TURN HEADS TODAY

The 1980s was a decade and time of big ideas, big hair, new technologies, big sounds, and most importantly, for us and you, huge advances in the automotive industry and a return to brute power. We can all see that there has been something of an 80s revival in the U.S., some for the good, some for the bad, but if there is one thing that we can all be proud to see stay popular, are the muscle cars of the era.

With leading car manufacturers of the time, like Ford, Dodge, Buick, and Chevrolet all bringing their A-game in the 1980s and making the most of some great V-engines, there are some insanely cool boxy muscle cars from the 1980s still turn heads today

All the cars on our list of 1980s muscle cars have been chosen for their awesome performance stats, for their funky design, retro appeal, how they changed the automotive world, and for their down-right legendary status. So, whether you are looking for a drag-strip beast or a comfy cruiser, there will be one here that'll get that nostalgic heart of yours thumping to the electronic synth beat.

Related: The Top Muscle Cars Of The 60s And 70s

1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Average Used Price: $6,450

Kicking off our list of cool 1980s muscle cars is the 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Boasting a wide, low-to-the-road stance, sharp hood ornament, and mean-looking split front grille, the Cutlass Supreme certainly commands any road it is driven on. Featuring a four-barrelled carburetor that does help slightly with some oomph, but unfortunately no fuel injection, dual exhausts, and sleek lines through the body, it is a car that will make you feel like you are driving something with some performance and luxury value.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Edmunds, and Car & Driver)

The luxurious interior features a slight wrap-around to the dash which was ahead of its time in the early 1980s, with plush seats, plenty of room, and a touch of class. It is a car that won't get you excited by its power or handling prowess, but you will sure like being there.

Pros

• A respectable amount of torque
• Comfortable cabin to be in
• Awesome retro look

Cons

• Only made with automatic transmission
• Low horsepower
• Heavy and wide

1986 Mercury Cougar

Average Used Price: $9,283

A brute of a two-door muscle car, the 1986 Mercury Cougar is a reasonably priced '80s muscle car. Unfortunately, Mercury disappeared from the automotive world, but the Cougar lives on. With its thumping V-8 paired with sequential fuel injection, you won't feel too slouchy whilst burying the gas pedal on the floor. Not as quick as others in its segment, it does bring a certain charm and style.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car & Driver)

Featuring a blend of sleek sophistication with some muscle car looks, the ‘86 Cougar’s aerodynamic profile and distinctive front grille oozes a sense of elegance whilst its smooth lines along the body hint at some performance edge. Inset headlights also add to its retro charm. A car you will love being seen in!

Pros

• Comfortable ride
• Distinct look
• Spacious cabin

Cons

• Slower than competitors
• Not the best handling compared to competitors
• Not the most reliable

1985 Pontiac Grand Prix

Average Used Price: $9,500

The 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix. Yes, a very unique-looking car. Weighing in at 3,150 pounds, this is not a small run-around car, but let's face it. You are looking at 1980s muscle cars, not an economical hatchback.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car and Driver)

Unfortunately, this is by no means the quickest car to reach 60 miles per hour, but you will look mighty fine getting there in plush seats, roomy cabin, staring at the many dials (which Pontiac was, and probably still is, very proud of), and a huge field of vision from its large windshield. Handing should be crisp, thanks to the '85 Grand Prix boasting a front independent suspension and a rear four-link coil spring setup. So, not bad for cruising and a bit more 'spirited' driving.

Pros

• Handles quite well for such a big car
• Reliable for its age
• Unique looking

Cons

• Slow to 60 miles per hour
• Prone to rust and rot
• Brake cylinder prone to failure

Related: Best American Muscle Cars From The 1990s

1983 Ford Thunderbird

Average Used Price: $10,985

Not exactly one of the iconic 1950s Ford Thunderbird models, but the 1983 Ford Thunderbird is still an awesome muscle car that you will love driving. More compact than its predecessors, the '83 Mustang features things that not only make you comfortable in its nterior but also, let you pin the gas and fling back into your seat from a standstill. Not so much at high speeds though!

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Ford and Edmunds)

The '83 Ford Thunderbird features a traditional suspension setup comprising of an independent front suspension and solid rear axle. Smooth on bumpy roads, and pleasant to handle, it's a car that, for the price you pay for a good used example model, is fun to drive, cool to be in, and is bound to get people taking.

Pros

• Smooth ride
• Reasonable used car prices
• Luxury interior

Cons

• Doesn't look as good as past models
• Not fuel efficient
• Electrical system prone to failure

1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Average Used Price: $11,600

Boasting a boxy and uncompromising stance, the 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is a car that looks the part and has some pretty good performance specifications. Designed to rival the Mustangs, Firebirds, and Oldsmobiles of the 1980s, the Monte Carlo SS did just that and has become a firm favorite again for modern-day enthusiasts.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Hagerty, and Car & Driver)

Sitting in its roomy cabin, you will be comfortable hitting the gas and being able to reach 60 miles per hour in a fairly respectable 8.2 seconds. Not bad really for the age of the car, if you can find one on the market that is still in good order. At a very healthy 3,500 pounds, the '83 SS is a big ole boy that needs to make the most of every horse under the hood to get it going.

Pros

• Spacious interior with bench seats
• Relatively low price for what you get
• Decent power output

Cons

• The only color options are white and blue
• A little lackluster
• Not the most interesting-looking car in the segment

1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Average Used Price: $14,000

The 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is the kind of car that makes people look back to the 1980s and think of the good old days gone by when things were made to last and do what they were meant to! Smokey And The Bandit has of course helped cement the legendary reputation of the Firebird, but the '84 Firebird Trans Am is one of those cars that does still deliver. It has helped to renew the interest of enthusiasts and get younger people into 1980s muscle cars with its unique design, quirky features such as pop-up headlamps, and fierce power under the hood.

Performance specifications

(Data was collected from Hagerty)

Featuring a 5.0 Liter V-8 that kicks out an impressive 190 horsepower, the Trans Am combines a sleek but menacing design with power and brute force. In addition, the crisp handling continues to help the Firebird Trans AM transcend into a car that not only has oodles of retro 80s style but a car that would not look out of place even today.

Pros

• The sleek and aggressive design
• Good handling
• Very good power output

Cons

• No manual transmission option
• Only 1,500 are made so parts may be a little hard to find
• Difficult to find one in good condition with low miles

Related: 10 Best Classic American Muscle Cars

1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Average Used Price: $17,000

When the 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was released, it was a real head-turner that was considered a very modern-looking design. Today, it does the same. Featuring thick five-spoke rims, an aggressive front nose styling, a large glass hatchback, and razor-sharp body creases, it is a car you will not be embarrassed to be seen in.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car & Driver, and Road & Track)

It isn't all about looks though. The 1982 Camaro Z28 features the new '82 Throttle Body Injection (TBI) which still helps to ramp up the horsepower of the V-8 today. Also boasting a fire glass hood, hood scoops, and nimble handling thanks to coil suspension, the Z28 is a beast of a car that we know you'd have fun in.

Pros

• Great handling
• The exterior looks sleek and modern for its age
• Fun to drive

Cons

• Low power output compared to competitors
• Slower than competitors
• Catalytic converters are prone to failure

1987 Oldsmobile 4-4-2

Average Used Price: $19,527

The 1987 Oldsmobile 4-4-2. Yes, not the quickest car, so if you are looking for face-melting speed, please look further down the list. But, the 4-4-2 is still an awesome 1980s muscle car that will be sure to turn a head or two. And if it doesn't, oh well, you get to drive one! Featuring a sophisticated suspension that includes front and rear stabilizer bars, the 4-4-2 is an awesome car for you to pin into a corner at the highest speed you can muster from this admittedly heavy beast.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Hagerty, and Car & Driver)

The 1985 4-4-2 boasts the Rochester Quadrajet carburetor, the same used in the golden era of Oldsmobile muscle cars, the only difference being that it is computer-controlled, so when driving you'd feel the slightly crisper transfer of gas. Unfortunately, the 4-4-2 doesn't have fuel injection so won't compete in a lot of ways compared to some of its rivals.

Pros

• Great handling for such a big car
• Very comfortable interior
• Simple but comfortable interior

Cons

• Quite slow to 60 miles per hour
• No manual transmission option
• A little on the heavy side

1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

Average Used Price: $21,400

You probably guessed that this car would make an appearance somewhere on the list. The 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z. The epitome of throwing caution to the wind, juicing up a thumping V-8 engine and going fast in a straight line. Sponsored by IROC during Chevrolet's better racing years, the 1985 IROC brought something interesting to the muscle car segment and to the automotive world who were looking forward to sleeker and more refined cars. The IROC somehow did muscle car and somewhat refined very well.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car & Driver)

Featuring a wide and low stance, the Camaro IROC-Z handles pretty well for the segment, but more importantly, looks the part doing it. Boasting its iconic pinstripes around the bottom of the body, inset headlights, hood vents, and gawping grille, the '85 IROC-Z is quite a car to look at, and anyone in the know will tell straight away that it is the vastly improved sibling of the Camaro. That is all without mentioning the very respectable 6.9 seconds 0 to 60 miles per hour time.

Pros

• Iconic and unmistakable style
• Higher top speed than some competitors
• Comfortable interior

Cons

• Hard to find one today in good condition or low miles
• Fuel pump prone to failure
• Could be faster to 60 MPH

Related: 15 Forgotten American Muscle Cars Every Enthusiast Should Know About

1987 Buick Regal GNX

Average Used Price: $164,629

Now, this is a very special, legendary muscle car from the 1980s. All hail the 1987 Buick Regal GNX. Based on the 1983-1987 Buick Regal, the GNX is the rarest of its type from the 1980s. Though not feature a V-8 powertrain like the other entries on the list, it really doesn't need to. Turned over to McLaren engines for some upgrades, the 3.8 liter V-6 that is under the hood is complemented by a Garret turbocharger which churns out quite ridiculous for the time; 300 horsepower. In terms of speed, the GNX could outpace Ferraris, Porsches, and Corvettes of the time!

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car & Driver, and Edmunds)

As the 1987 GNX is a rare muscle car (only 547 made in 1987), it will be sure to set you back over $100,000 and over $200,000 for a mint-condition example, to have one of these sitting pride of place in your garage. We'd say it was worth it as you'd get to feel the prestige of driving one in its unique interior, get to listen to the dual, non-restrictive exhaust, and feel real traction from the unique torque arm that mounted to the GNX's rear differential. The 1987 Buick GNX was king of the 1980s muscle cars in a segment that was dominated by V-8 engines.

Pros

• Very fast from 0 to 60 miles per hour
• A very prestigious car to own
• Awesome grip from the rear end

Cons

• Very expensive to buy
• Limited to 124 MPH
• Not particularly sophisticated... oh well!

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