UNUSUAL CARS COLLECTION
Forgotten 1980s performance cars: guides, stories and buying advice
The 1980s did not produce only the obvious icons. Beyond the Sierra RS Cosworth, Golf GTI and Audi quattro were cars that were quicker, stranger or more technically ambitious than their reputations now suggest. This collection explores the overlooked performance saloons, hot hatches, homologation specials and turbocharged oddities worth understanding properly.
Explore the collection
Ford Sierra XR4i
The V6, rear-drive Sierra that fell into the Cosworth’s shadow. Its distinctive bi-plane rear spoiler and short production run make it a proper period performance Ford.
Peugeot 205 GTI Dimma
A Belgian wide-body interpretation of a great hot hatch, with a direct link to the era’s rally-inspired road-car culture.
Nissan March Super Turbo
A tiny Japanese hatch with both a supercharger and turbocharger—a technical curiosity that deserves more than a novelty label.
Mini ERA Turbo
One of Britain’s more unusual turbocharged Minis, where originality and correct model identification are essential.
Lancia Thema Turbo
An understated Italian executive saloon from the Type Four family, combining long-distance comfort with turbocharged character.
BMW E30 M3
Not forgotten, but crucial context: the homologation special against which so many Eighties performance cars are judged.
Fiat Strada / Ritmo Abarth
The loud, twin-cam Italian hot hatch: understand the 125TC and Group A-homologated 130TC before looking for one.
Fiat Uno Turbo i.e.
The small Italian turbo hot hatch: compare early and later cars, then buy on shell condition and systems health.
Renault 5 GT Turbo
The front-engined Supercinq hot hatch—not the mid-engined Group B Turbo. Compare Phases 1 and 2 before buying.
MG Maestro Turbo
The Tickford-finished 152 bhp British sleeper: rare, distinctive and worth buying on completeness and history.
Ford Escort RS Turbo
Series 1 and Series 2: a fast-Ford buying guide focused on condition, originality and turbocharged CVH health.
Image credits
Ford Sierra XR4i: Wouter82, CC BY-SA 4.0. Peugeot 205 GTi Dimma: Phil Sangwell, CC BY 2.0. Nissan March Super Turbo: Iwao, CC BY-SA 2.0. ERA Mini Turbo: dave_7, CC BY 2.0. Lancia Thema Turbo: Charles, CC BY 2.0. BMW E30 M3: Jeremy, CC BY 2.0. Fiat Uno Turbo i.e.: CC BY-SA 4.0. Renault 5 GT Turbo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0. MG Maestro Turbo: Cactuseasy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Ford Escort RS Turbo: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 4.0. All images via Wikimedia Commons.
What makes an Eighties performance car worth researching?
Engineering before marketing
The decade accelerated turbocharging, fuel injection, four-wheel drive, electronic engine management and rally or touring-car homologation. Some models were developed to win races; others used emerging technology to give ordinary-looking road cars surprising pace.
The survivor question
Many cars from this period were modified heavily, neglected when values were low, or repaired with incorrect parts. A desirable badge cannot make up for missing history, corrosion, poor wiring, tired turbo hardware or a lack of specialist support.
Context matters
A performance model often makes most sense beside the ordinary car from which it came. A normal BX, Sierra, Micra or Mini makes the engineering ambition of its unusual relative more visible.
Recently expanded guides
The collection now includes detailed buying guides for the Fiat Strada / Ritmo Abarth 125TC & 130TC, Fiat Uno Turbo i.e., MG Maestro Turbo and Ford Escort RS Turbo. Each adds model-specific history and practical checks, so use the hub to compare the cars before going deeper.
Related Unusual Cars collections
For the rally-homologation end of the decade, explore the Group B rally cars guide. For unusual model-by-model histories and preservation advice, visit Rare & Forgotten Cars.
Editorial scope: specifications and surviving-car condition vary. Each linked guide should be read alongside a specialist inspection and model-specific owners’ knowledge when considering a purchase.