Good 80s cars for restoration?

[themadscientist]

I need a caddy with some space in the back.

[Eikon]

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3052811442.html

[Gold Digger]

8 Series...drooooooool.

There's one for sale in Hachioji near Yakota AFB. I couldn't see the price as I didn't notice it was an 8 series til it was too late. But, it was super clean from about 15 feet away. I wanted to go back and look at it when we drove by it yesterday, but the wife gave me a big emphatic NO.

I've wanted one of those for years. But, I've read they weren't as great as they were hyped to be. Still a good car, just not great.

[Gold Digger]

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3052811442.html

My grandfather had the Mercury version of that car with a 460CI in it if I remember what my dad told me about it.

[RicerX]

Fun thread. That 8 series sure is gorgeous.

I was thinking Z31 Turbo personally =D I'll be "that guy" too.

[themadscientist]

Just don't take it on a blind date.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Sorry, but Z31 2+2s are genuinely fugly.

[Koshin]

if youre going 80's, there is only one car that is worth a s***. A Buick Grand National

[MinisterofDOOM]

I think the 80s A/G body is the most suggested option in the thread. And I'm not just saying that because I suggested it myself on the previous page.

Definitely a GN or a Hurst/Olds 442. I think I'd go with the 442 because it's less well known and I love that grille. But the GN is defintely epic win.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Eh, I've driven with Jesda... he really isn't a speed demon by any means. He cares more about how a car feels, sounds, and rides than 0-60 times or frying tire. I would think a kraut wagon would serve him best.

Personally, I'd love to have a grand national

[MinisterofDOOM]

You telling me a 350 doesn't sound good?!

I tried to prove it but apparently EVERY SINGLE CUTLASS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE WAS RECORDED IN A HURRICANE WITH MICROPHONES FROM THE 1930s!

So instead here's a 350 in a K20.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCUkLKZPJcc[/youtube]

[Koshin]

I picked up an '87 GN about 2 months that had a built motor from Kenne Belle for 7500 bucks. It was running like s***. 1000 dollars worth of parts and a week in the garage it made 650 whp. I loved that car, then I sold it for 13000

I will without a doubt buy another GN. If you havent driven one, you must. Probably the most impressive stock car you can drive, especially from that era. They look nasty too and the interiors are cool and old school.

The GN was a special car. The last of the "muscle cars" and the first car of its kind really. Lots of GN love from me.

[Mr1der]

You're usually gonna pay a premium for a GN or T-Type that's in decent shape though. Most of them have been run hard.

I dig GN's though. I remember going stoplight to stoplight in my old Thunderbird Supercoupe with one. Got about two cars in first gear and it was all downhill from there.

[audtatious]

I think the 80s A/G body is the most suggested option in the thread. And I'm not just saying that because I suggested it myself on the previous page.

Definitely a GN or a Hurst/Olds 442. I think I'd go with the 442 because it's less well known and I love that grille. But the GN is defintely epic win.

Hurst Olds, pictured above, was available from '83-84 and limited to 3001 the first year and 3500 the second (they were almost $20k back in 1983!!!....the same year my mom bought a '83 corolla coupe for 9k). 1983 Hurst/Olds were black/silver whereas the '84 was silver/black. The 85-87 442 was limited to 3000 the first year and mid 4k range the remaining. 307HO is low on hp by today's standards but it's a classic body style, IMO. I had a '78 Cutlass done up like a Hurst "back in the day" and would love to buy a real one in a few years.

[Heavy]

sweet deal right here i tell you what, got two of dem monte carlos with them hairdryer lookin thingamajigs on them there motors.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/3057085299.html

[Rex]

Some great suggestions.

- I always liked the 8 series myself, but doesn't fit the "affordable" concept.
- I liked the 6 series as well, but again an (older) BMW doesn't affordable concept.
- The Cutlass, Monte Carlo & Regal's of the 80's are fun, but I can't see you with a little boy pissing on the #24 on your back window.
- I wanted an 86 LX 5.0 BAD when I was just getting out of High School, I could completely understand one of those, but see above.
- Conquest TSi's are fantastic and can be had pretty cheap, but it has to be the fully flared TSi, or don't bother.
- There were some nice MB's in that era, specifically the 190 and the Cosworth was unbelievable. But again not an "affordable" car unless you're going to do your own wrenching.
- I can't see you driving an older 280 or 300 ZX, I wonder if that video of you test driving the turbo one for me is still on The Org.
- I like the mid-80's 200SX suggestions as well, I really wanted a V6 Coupe with a stick shift back int he day, but could only find V6 hatches with AT's.
- I would like an 85-86 (not 86.5) Celica GT-S (Coupe) or Surpa (Hatch), you'd just need to find one not eaten up by rust.


On a similar note, I bought an SC400 ~ 3 yrs ago, because I wanted one from the time I saw one at the Baltimore Auto show in 1992.

So, I'd suggest a Trofeo`. To me that just seems like a Jesda kind of car.

[alphapig]

Why has this not been posted?

[Bubba1]

Why has this not been posted?

I think the next generation MR2's (particularly the turbo) are so much nicer than the first gen, (the one that looked like a baby Ferrari) but I believe they fall outside Jesda's 1980's requirement.

[themadscientist]

I drove an MR2 like that with the HKS overdrive pulley. That s*** was spooky! I had never driven a car with so close to perfect balance and it felt like the rear end was trying to get around the front; really quick car.