The 1980s aren’t especially known for a thriving automotive horsepower war or a bevy of iconically styled cars. Still, we think that there is a number that deserve to come back from the dead. Branching off of that same idea, we wonder which car from the 1980s was most ahead of its time.
Let’s be clear that we’re digging deeper than the skin. Sure, simple exterior design elements can get a car into this competition but don’t let that be the only thing that you focus on. With those caveats in place, let’s dig into a few of the more obvious options from the history books.
The DeLorean might be the easiest to pick in terms of styling alone. Those doors wrote a check that its engine couldn’t cash but they looked great while doing it. Lots of cars feature similar doors these days but the whole DMC-12 body deserves some credit. Modern concept cars like the Hyundai N Vision 74 emulate some of those iconic body panels.
More: What If BMW Had Made Its X SUVs In the ’80s?
Our runner-up would probably be the Porsche 959. It broke the mold in a lot of ways by including a lot of advanced technology including an adjustable suspension. On top of that, it was still recognizably Porsche, a theme that continues in the company down to this day. Still, we think one car probably earns this victory based on looks, segment, and drivetrain.
If this competition is completely up to us we’ll have to pick the original Rambo Lambo. The LM002 combined an SUV body and driving position with real off-road prowess and a super sports car engine. At the time that the LM002 came out an SUV of its sort seemed impossibly impractical. Those days are long gone. Only in the last decade or so have we seen similar projects come out of Rivian, Aston Martin, Porsche, and of course, Lamborghini again.
What car from the 1980s was most ahead of its time in your eyes? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to vote for your favorites too!
