10 Best 1985 Performance Cars

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
  • 1985 was the model year when performance finally turned the corner in the U.S. car market. After a continual performance slide of a little over a decade, a horsepower uptick for most performance cars finally occurred in 1985. Here is a list of the best performance cars available in the U.S. market for 1985.
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ความคิดเห็น • 406

  • @trbstang
    @trbstang 2 ปีที่แล้ว +125

    Best bang for the buck, yes! That's why I bought my 87 Mustang LX 5.0 when I was 22. It was $251.75 a month, and had cheaper insurance than my former 81 Cutlass! Drove it 306k miles over the next 24 years, and it is now waiting for the new engine to be installed. Thanks for the video and the memories!

    • @gabrielpichardo1492
      @gabrielpichardo1492 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Great story! Awesome how you’ve kept it all these years .

    • @marcomoreno8188
      @marcomoreno8188 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      My man Thomas ok now it was worth it.

    • @justinreel5546
      @justinreel5546 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That’s awesome! They just don’t make them like they used to!!!!

    • @dukecraig2402
      @dukecraig2402 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yep, great cars.
      And like all the other V8 American cars from the mid 70's and throughout the 80's I don't understand why everyone holds up their factory power numbers as some type of measurement of the car as if it was something etched in stone, they're V8 American engine's, the easiest engines in the history of mankind to pump up, they're not Ferrari's for christ sake, a car where there's virtually no aftermarket and you have to have a factory trained mechanic to get into the engine, V8 American engines are so easy to hop up because of their basic design and all tthe aftermarket support, back then every high school kid could do it, it's nothing to take a V8 from that era and add 50 to 60 percent HP to it, cam, intake, carb, eliminate all the smog BS and away you go, and not only were there multiple aftermarket companies that made affordable parts you could scrounge around the countryside and find all kinds of parts for sale at half the price that people were collecting for a project car and for whatever reason didn't do it so those parts could be got for half price.

    • @gabrielpichardo1492
      @gabrielpichardo1492 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@dukecraig2402 even easier to find parts now with the internet

  • @RyanGallager
    @RyanGallager 2 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    Never clicked an Old Car Memories video faster after seeing the thumbnail of the 85 Trans Am!

    • @louyork8379
      @louyork8379 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Same lol

    • @DerrickOil
      @DerrickOil 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I usually hit the like button prior to watching the video. 😁

    • @V8AmericanMuscleCar
      @V8AmericanMuscleCar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      LOL, me too!

    • @gradyneal
      @gradyneal 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Right?! 🤣💯🤣

    • @magicItYdon
      @magicItYdon 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The homie "Old Car Memories" has THE best car channel on TH-cam.....hands down!!!!!

  • @carlhawks2915
    @carlhawks2915 2 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Styling was especially important in an era when performance had been reduced. I had a red and Silver 86 Trans Am. Loved that car!

    • @Blackferret66
      @Blackferret66 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yeah, I think the 80's were the last great styling era, where everything had a distinctive look. Not always the best look, but distinctive. Starting in the mid-90s, you began to not be able to tell one maker from another on a lot of cars without the badging. Take the badging and grills off a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Lexus from the late 90s on and I'll bet 7 out of 10 people couldn't tell you which was which.

    • @obivankeno2068
      @obivankeno2068 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Blackferret66 Just like smartphone compare with multimedia cell phone

  • @righty-o3585
    @righty-o3585 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    The Grand National just looked so completely badass too. Love those cars 🤘

  • @lancemannion4113
    @lancemannion4113 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Having been a teenager in the '80s, happily I got to experience all of these cars and I've owned a good chunk of them. Including two 5 L Mustangs. And having been there in the thick of it I can definitively say the Mustang was the king of the street especially given the price you can get one for. It's insane to think you can get a stripped 5 L Coupe that could run a very low 14 second quarter mile for close to $10,000. The engines were bulletproof, and the cars took a beating with little complaint which is why you'd see them at the drag strips in droves. Simply adding gears, subframe connectors, a proper shifter and them learning/ mastering the launch without going up in tire smoke! - these could easily dip into the 13s. Obviously not impressive today, but considering how abysmal the 70s were, these even made a lot of the legends of the '60s look slow!

  • @gradyneal
    @gradyneal 2 ปีที่แล้ว +76

    The 1985 Grand National was an amazing car. Personally it should have been higher up on the list.

    • @paulcorreggio4925
      @paulcorreggio4925 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Exactly, I was expecting top 3 if not number 1.

    • @richarddobreny6664
      @richarddobreny6664 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      in 1986 was when the big change happened, the GN became the fastest 0-60 car in North America, a tenth faster than the Lambo at 4.6

    • @mattfarahsmillionmilelexus
      @mattfarahsmillionmilelexus 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      1986 was the year of the intercooler, and an increase in HP from 200 to 245. '86 and '87 were the best years for the GN.

    • @grandspringdale1564
      @grandspringdale1564 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I agree, it was even faster than the Foxbody. Problem is it didn't have that cool factor the Mustang had👍

    • @05gtdriver
      @05gtdriver 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@grandspringdale1564 What? The all black GN was called Darth Vader by the press, it was menacing in 1986-7 model years.

  • @gradyneal
    @gradyneal 2 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    The 1985 Pontiac Trans am was my favorite car in this line up.

    • @V8AmericanMuscleCar
      @V8AmericanMuscleCar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      My too. I may be biased but I really like the third gen Trans Am. ❤️

    • @8corymix8
      @8corymix8 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I remember the GTA when it was new. What a beautiful car. You were the man if you had that in the 80s. But the Grand National & 442 were pretty sweet too

    • @melrose9252
      @melrose9252 ปีที่แล้ว

      @stevemagnantehatr69< You do because you responded.

  • @michaelsimko7694
    @michaelsimko7694 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    13:35-13:41
    That had me thinking the Mustang GT
    The Fox Body Mustang equipped with the 5.0 HO during the mid to late 80s was very fast, had great power, and was a bargain. I love the refreshed styling the Fox Body got in 1987. The sound those Stangs make with the manual really grabs my attention.

  • @edwardautrey3671
    @edwardautrey3671 2 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Thanks for real Grand National specs , people get it confused with the GNX thinking 0-60 in 4.8 for any GN

    • @ChuckG92
      @ChuckG92 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      The '85 GN didn't even have an intercooler. That came in '86.

    • @Boblib1970
      @Boblib1970 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The 86s and 87s had the intercooler which pushed HP ratings higher and 1/4 mile times lower. They were 14.2 cars and quicker than the Vette, in between the 85 GNs and GNX's.

    • @pierrelenormand1762
      @pierrelenormand1762 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      He gave the GNX numbers. 87 GN made 235hp and 330p/f torque.

    • @bobforpples
      @bobforpples 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@pierrelenormand1762 no he didn’t. 200hp is not GNX horsepower.

    • @pierrelenormand1762
      @pierrelenormand1762 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bobforpples Right, 84 and 85 with hot air turbos were rated at 200hp, then 86 and 87 with the intercooler were rated at 235hp and the GNX at 245hp.

  • @henrymorgan3982
    @henrymorgan3982 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I never owned any of these cars, but eyed out all of them in real life or in car magazines.

    • @evorider3689
      @evorider3689 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I personally owned or drove 7 out of the 10 cars on this list because I owned a rabbit GTI , and my friend owned a golf GTI, and I worked at a Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick dealership during 1986/87. Part of my job was to check all of the fluid levels on the cars as they were delivered to the dealership, then take the car for a test drive to make sure everything functioned properly. Some of my test drives were a lot longer than they were supposed to be! Especially when I was driving a Corvette, a Grand National, or a GTA Trans am, or IROC camaro ! The pay sucked, but I had a blast!

  • @josemontano7767
    @josemontano7767 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Ohhhh that blue IROC Z looks so beautiful. If GM would have made the new camero look like the IROC in instead of the 60s Camero I would have bought one in a heart beat.

    • @mr.puddintater1805
      @mr.puddintater1805 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      yes the Iroc is Iconic but you missed out on the 6th gen camaro.

  • @nolarobert
    @nolarobert 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I graduated high school in 1985 so this video brought back a lot of good memories. I agree with the Mustang being at the top of this list. It was the car I lusted after the most in high school. Actually, I wanted the turbo-4 SVO which produced 205 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque. I would have gone for the Nissan 300 ZX as well. It's amazing to see how far automotive technology and engineering have come since the halcyon days of my youth.

  • @danbaumann8273
    @danbaumann8273 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Great video. Great list and brings back the memories. That Ferrari. 😳😘🤯

  • @stevem20121
    @stevem20121 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I used to visit the Buick dealership while in highschool , it was a few blocks away. I kept the sale's staff busy with questions about the grand national. Such a beautiful car ,

  • @butternutfingers
    @butternutfingers 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was a nice trip down memory lane.
    I subscribe to many channels but this is the only one I set up notifications for.

  • @neilouellette3004
    @neilouellette3004 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Owned a new 1986 Chevy Z28 and a new 1987 IROC Z28 5.7 back then. Five years I sold a 1986 Trans Am trailer queen that I had and was only used for car shows. The 80's were a good time growing up in my 20's.

  • @whitsundaydreaming
    @whitsundaydreaming 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Dave came back to life when he finally got to #6!
    I had the mustang GT at the time and loved it. But more than a 911 or Lambo? Hardly, but I’d take any of them today.

  • @danielmonahan6195
    @danielmonahan6195 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The addition of "for the money" to the title would make this list a lot more palatable.

  • @justsomeone6835
    @justsomeone6835 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    All very nice cars great job in putting this together thanks my friend had a 85 GT and after he dumped the clutch and went through the gears I knew what car I wanted and loved the interior on the 85 and 86 cars as well and outside look I ended up with a 86 GT was some of the best times of my life at 17 years old

  • @jared101502
    @jared101502 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great Great Video, Thank you.

  • @Paulie1232
    @Paulie1232 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Perfectly done....

  • @briancenti5423
    @briancenti5423 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    the '85 Mustang GT had a Lot more than it's rated 210HP. i should know. i am Not a ford fan, but back in the day, i took one out and Loved it. first year with the roller rocker cam as well.the IROC-Z & Trans-am didn't come with man. 5-speeds with the TPI 305. it may have been a different story if they had. if you wanted a 5-speed, you had to take the 305 L-69 H.O. 305 at 190HP.
    Loved that 288 GTO, one of my favorite Ferrari's.the 288 is Gorgeous.
    things changed for the Grand National in the next two years,1986 & 1987.. 13.8@100.8 1/4 mile times in cold weather.
    this video was an absolute Gem.

  • @andregonsalvez9244
    @andregonsalvez9244 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video ! I remember all these cool cars growing up in the 80s .

  • @aaroncurry279
    @aaroncurry279 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This guy sounds about as excited as if he was reading a telephone book cover to cover.

  • @mattfarahsmillionmilelexus
    @mattfarahsmillionmilelexus 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Can't argue with the #1 choice.

  • @bayareanewman1566
    @bayareanewman1566 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love this list!! Thank you!!! Man though, it was HARD seeing the GTO with the mustang, although I understand it. Keep up the great videos!!! I love them!!!!

  • @davidedutremblay5050
    @davidedutremblay5050 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great list
    I enjoyed your list !!

  • @famasmaster2000
    @famasmaster2000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video....brought me back to my teen years

  • @Gr8thxAlot
    @Gr8thxAlot 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Great to see the 300ZX! I'll add that this car had the best ergonomics of any car I've owned.

    • @wadet73
      @wadet73 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agreed. Nissan was way ahead of the rest in the 80s. I love that mid to late 80s Maxima too.

    • @justinreel5546
      @justinreel5546 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      A friend of mine had a black 300zx in high school and that thing would fly! His was the 2+2

    • @fastdude2002
      @fastdude2002 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was 18 in 1985, I drove a 1973 Datsun 240Z. I loved that car..I got married two years later and the first car we bought together was a lightly used Datsun 280ZX. (Still married😁)

  • @CoastalAutoReactionCAR
    @CoastalAutoReactionCAR 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Another great video man !

  • @CoastalAutoReactionCAR
    @CoastalAutoReactionCAR 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So good to see ya at 150k! We are just past 45k subs now your channel is one that inspired us to start! Cheers

  • @richarddobreny6664
    @richarddobreny6664 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    it was 1983 that was the turnaround years. The 5,0 HO engines came out in the FBodies. The Mustang and Capri RS’s had HO V8’s as well.

    • @deathtrapgarage506
      @deathtrapgarage506 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yes, but the power wasnt much more than the LO engines, and the mustang's 302 still only made like 140hp

    • @RyanGallager
      @RyanGallager 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yep and 83 was also the first year V8 Camaros and Firebirds had a 5 speed tranny available. Big advancement when that T5 came out. The future maaaan!

    • @richarddobreny6664
      @richarddobreny6664 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@deathtrapgarage506 the HO motors had 40hp over the 150hp standard motors, the HO in the Mustang/Capri was 175(as i recall). it was the first sign of increasing power.

  • @ChuckG92
    @ChuckG92 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Nice list, but disappointed you didn't note the ASC/McLaren Coupe, a modified Mercury Capri that was far more capable than the Mustang GT with which it shared a chassis.

  • @charlesdoran5877
    @charlesdoran5877 2 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    The Dodge Omni GLH Turbo should have been on this list. I bought an '86 GLH Turbo new and I had absolutely no problem blowing the doors off of new stock Z-28s, Trans Ams, and Mustang GTs, and My GLH was bone stock...I could consistently run the 1/4 mile in 14.95 seconds @ 93 MPH.

    • @andyhamilton8940
      @andyhamilton8940 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      My friend had a GLHS he had the Shelby ECM upgrade to 200hp. He stripped all the interior and spare tire/ jack out. He would run around with 5 gallons or less of fuel and blow away Mustangs and any other so called muscle cars of the day.

    • @deanstevenson6527
      @deanstevenson6527 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      To add the GLH would mean removing the Grand National...or a Ferrari or Lamborghini. The car was awesome...but so was the SVO and 307 4-4-2 Cutlass Tbird TurboCoupe. A "Hobson's" choice from OCM...and probably the right one. That doent mean the Omnipresent Omni wasn't a valid Great Little Hellraiser!

    • @charlesdoran5877
      @charlesdoran5877 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      The VW GTI should be removed and replaced with the Omni GLHT, which was quicker and handled better than the VW GTI.

    • @deanstevenson6527
      @deanstevenson6527 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@charlesdoran5877 Yes. I agree with you, despite the tirque steer ut was The ultimate Sleeper! But what OCM has written, he has written. but there is a volume production verses results thing. The GTI Golf was such a lot better than the Rabbit GTi, and sold in volume. One thing....low 14.9s were just the start with the GLH. It really should Tee off the Golf.

    • @loum7008
      @loum7008 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I agree with you. I was looking at the GLH Turbo then Shelby released the GLHS. I was lucky enough to get one! It was a killer performance car at the time. I actually still have it 😀

  • @justanotherdrunk
    @justanotherdrunk 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    *Bought a 88 Mustang GT 5.0 5sp new*
    *Bought a 90 IROC-Z 1LE 5.7 new*
    *Bought a used 87 Grand National in 94*

    • @stuartb9323
      @stuartb9323 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ahhh...those were the days my friend !
      Purchased a 67 big block 4-speed conv Vette in 86
      An 88 Stang LX conv 5.0 5-speed new
      69 big block 4-speed conv Vette in 88
      And a new 89 F-250 Ford pickup
      I still have both Corvettes, but I miss my 5.0 too

    • @rickybobby5950
      @rickybobby5950 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s Legendary Trifecta there bro! Bet you wish you still had them all!

    • @justanotherdrunk
      @justanotherdrunk 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rickybobby5950 Yep

  • @grandspringdale1564
    @grandspringdale1564 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I think the Foxbody Mustang from 86 to 93 was also extremely under-rated during that time period.

  • @tc6580
    @tc6580 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great times in the 80s car makers had a performance version for every budget. Bang for your buck performance just a memory now.

  • @vassa1972
    @vassa1972 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video

  • @metalloadedbakedpotato4382
    @metalloadedbakedpotato4382 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    What about the Dodge Omni glh or Merkur x4ti/svo Mustang. Or Mitsubishi Starion/Dodge Conquest. The Omni glh was so unsuspecting but surprisingly quick.

    • @knytrydr73
      @knytrydr73 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He could do a whole separate list of performance compacts.

    • @bobforpples
      @bobforpples 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Certainly quicker than the GTi.

    • @engineer_alv
      @engineer_alv 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I really thought I was going to see the 1985 SVO here

  • @radsk8rbigollies594
    @radsk8rbigollies594 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That Trans Am still looks cool. I had a 91" convertible mustang back in 93" and it was a quick, fun, 5-speed V8. I was young and went through a lot of tires. Started buying retreads because all I'd do is roast them off anyway.

  • @Red-rl1xx
    @Red-rl1xx 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The Mustang looked good!

  • @etiennegiroux9146
    @etiennegiroux9146 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This chanel is the best, you deserve a lot more members. Well presented of vehicles without having that used car salesman feeling.

  • @JustLikeParadise
    @JustLikeParadise 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I had purchased my first new car and a Gray Mustang GT was my car. My GF had a Camero and I used to whip her all the time. She was a great driver. I have a 92 LX now and love it!

  • @joserosado2721
    @joserosado2721 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I was hoping it includes the 1985 Dodge Omni GLH. Greetings from Puerto Rico🇵🇷

  • @robertstone9988
    @robertstone9988 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My favorite car channel

  • @chriss5949
    @chriss5949 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. You can't post a video like this without some disagreement. It was a great time in the mid to late 80s. Drove a buddies 85 Mustang GT and was hooked. Not 1985 but I picked up a 1988 Mustang 5.0 high output 5-speed LX notchback in 1989. Without the GT's spoiler and hatchback it was 250 lbs lighter and the first year with fuel injection. Power to weight ratio was scarey. Granny grey was her color. The ultimate sleeper. I used to troll Bimmers, Vetts, Camaros, Trans Ams, and anything else I could find on the Garden State Parkway and 287 in NJ. Beat everthing I found. Bury the speedo in 2nd gear (it was over by then) hit 3rd and they would break out the box of puffs to cry into. I miss that car everyday. Thank you for the memories.

  • @fergitapepita6397
    @fergitapepita6397 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Shocked to see the Grand National at number 10. It should be higher on the list as it turned more heads than the GTi, iroc and T/A. Sweet list nonetheless. And that Ferrari, 😍

  • @gsadow
    @gsadow 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    i don't think that the Ferrari 288 GTO was available in the US in the 1980s. In fact, it only fairly recently is allowed into the US as it is a classic car (25 years old at this point) that are exempt from those rules. Its engine did not meet US emissions standards, and, if you look, the bumper wouldn't have met US code either.

    • @culcune
      @culcune 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I believe some got in as 'gray' cars. The feds, however, never did allow the 959 Porsche in (except now).

    • @88tcoupe
      @88tcoupe 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You are correct. I'm surprised this got past him, as these videos and his information is usually accurate. The 288 GTO was never offered to the North American market.

  • @johnhall8364
    @johnhall8364 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Even though I was always a 60’s muscle car guy at heart these were the cars I grew up with in my early 20’s. I recall a few stories about some of them.
    A friends sister went to the 84 Olympic s and as a reward her dad bought her a new 85 vette with the then new TPI 350. Since she didn’t have a drivers license her brother and
    I took a greyhound bus to the only dealer who had one about 300 miles from home. The car magazines made a big deal out of the fact that this car could do 150 and we were determined to try just that. Heading home on open interstate with just a few miles on the odo we got it up to 142 (interestingly turning on the pop up headlights dropped the speed by 4 mph). Disappointed we pumped up the tires and removed the air filter. This got us to 148, we never did see 150!
    Another friend had an iroc with the 305 tpi and it was pretty strong by 85 standards but not very torquey. It ran about even with concurrent year 5.0 mustangs. A guy in our town had a then new GN which was very temperamental. On a hot summer day even my then slug of a ride (78 trans am with a smog gear 400, automatic and 2.56 gears) could beat it soundly but on a cold night that GN would whip those 5.0’s and TPI cars. In 89 I bought a new GTA trans Am with the 350 TPI and it was a much faster car than the earlier 305 version. However the 86-87 GN’s that were running around town could all beat me on cold days.
    My GTA and all those 82-91 Camaro’s and Firebirds had a brutal ride and were rattle cans. Mine had T-tops and if I parked it with one wheel say in a pothole the rain would come in through the roof even when it was new. However that 350 TPI was a sweet engine, nice low end torque meant power always available on demand. The 86-87 GN’s had a much better ride and were quicker on cool days but the 3.8 never had that smooth big V8 feel.
    By today’s standards all those 80’s hot cars were slow rough cars with crappy plastic rattle interiors but they were actually often more fun because they weren’t so big, heavy and bulky. These 2020 era perf cars are so wide and heavy they just aren’t fun to toss around even though they are incredibly competent. No matter what you do to a 4,400 pound car, it can never have the zippy feel of a sub 3,000 pound car.

  • @fastdude2002
    @fastdude2002 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was 18 in 1985, I drove a 1973 Datsun 240Z. I loved that car....

  • @Porschedude8
    @Porschedude8 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love that Targa! 💕💕

  • @eddyheredia8194
    @eddyheredia8194 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My buddy had a 85 GT. My favorite model year. First year in that body style with true duel exhaust and the last year with the Holley carb. 86 looked identical but was fuel injection. And had the 3rd brake light in the spoiler.

  • @BruceLee-xn3nn
    @BruceLee-xn3nn 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I have a fox mustang , loved the lambo and Magnum PIs car but a GN is cream of the crop.

    • @BradThePitts
      @BradThePitts 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have a Fox Body Mustang as well. I have no idea why they call it a Fox Body - it's the chassis that remained the same, but the body changed every few years. It should be called a Fox Chassis Mustang.

  • @larry309
    @larry309 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I drove alot of 80s cars. I had a few 85 mustangs. They were the fastest, most fun and reliable cars!

  • @gabrielpichardo1492
    @gabrielpichardo1492 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video!! Wow i would love to have that fox body at the end there

  • @agoodandy1
    @agoodandy1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I street raced a Nissan 300zx with my built hemi Cuda. Why he thought he could beat me, I just don’t know, but my Cuda had a tunnel Ram with a 300 hp nitrous setup, reverse manual valve body and 9 inch torque converter. I was across the intersection before he got out of first gear and pelted he’s car with pebbles from my wheel tubs. That car was brutal. I had an eight point roll cage and only two seats in it. I had stripped all the parts that were not used for racing. That car made 875 ho on the Dyno.

  • @mach1yell66
    @mach1yell66 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    86 merc Capri, I regularly beat irocs. Handling was great,fast and really good gas mileage. Put 150 hp nitrous on it and I was the king for a long time. Great fun

  • @komradkolonel
    @komradkolonel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    One thing about the Mustang, especially the GT from the 80s and early 90s is that there really wasn't another car out there that could give the performance for the money that it could. The Corvette was only slightly faster but it cost twice as much. Young people today scoff at the Countach putting out "only" 455 hp. That was with no turbos, no variable valve timing, an no direct injection. It was just simple, brute power.

    • @Blackferret66
      @Blackferret66 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And the Lambos back then had really low gear ratios on them, to get them up to Autobahn speed. I think it was only 2.32 or something like that. I've heard of people who put 3.23 or 3.50 in them and they were much faster accelerating. Top speed dropped to maybe 150, though, but who cares in the US.

  • @jeffreyrogers8151
    @jeffreyrogers8151 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video. I'm old enough to remember, and this video is correct. Everyone knew, in the mid 80's, the 5.0 Mustang was fastest car on the road. However, the iroc-z and trans ams were VERY good-looking cars.

  • @JONMEREDITH
    @JONMEREDITH 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow! Your videos are what I feel is #1 the best of the best! Thank you Hughley!

  • @phantom0456
    @phantom0456 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love this video and the channel, but as always, it’s best to set the playback speed to 1.25.

  • @FunkyMonk4Life
    @FunkyMonk4Life 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Technically not an 80s car but I had a 1990 Mustang LX 5.0 that was a monster. With a performance chip it was 315 hp. That sob was a rocket out of the hole and third gear was a monster. Not even a Ford guy but that was a great car for quarter mile racing.

    • @crankychris2
      @crankychris2 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Me too, same year. The 'Stangs really responded well to 3.73 gears, underdrive pulllies, and bigger fuel injection. It came with factory headers and a cam tthat would rev to 6,000 rpm. The 5.0 TPI GM engines required much more prricey mods to keep pace.
      In '93, GM stuffed an LT Corvette engine in the F bodies, ending a decade long reignn for the Fox 5.0.

  • @KTJohnsonkidThunder
    @KTJohnsonkidThunder 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I pretty much agree with this list. Though, Camaro IROC-Z & Firebird Trans-Am should be a tie given they're literally the same car. What about the Ferrari Testarossa? That was a beloved car in the '80s, let along a major staple in '80s pop culture (i.e., OutRun, Miami Vice).

    • @BradThePitts
      @BradThePitts 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The IROC-Z was notably faster than the Firebird, Trans-Am, or even "regular" Z28 as it had completely different gearing. The Firebird and Trans-Am were more of a touring car, or at least for the time.

  • @Blu3_SK33
    @Blu3_SK33 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    1st like!! My grandmother used to have a 1989 iroc-z Camaro it was so clean I could eat off the motor!!

    • @johrons
      @johrons 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Your grandmother was a true car person. Salute

    • @jgboys1
      @jgboys1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I bought a brand new IROC Z back in 1985. Now I feel old.

  • @SpudsFamilyJewels
    @SpudsFamilyJewels 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Owned the 85 mustang gt convertible 5speed manual, 1988 mustang gt 5speed manual, and currently 1989 firebird formula 5speed manual 305tpi..... by far the firebird is most exciting and my fav of these great 80s muscle cars

  • @desiderium3243
    @desiderium3243 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Friend has an 85 IROCZ Camaro project and it’s amazing

    • @garrisonnichols7372
      @garrisonnichols7372 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I love the 3rd Gen F- Bodies. They're much better than the Fox body mustang's. I owned both and my 89 Camaro RS 305 V8 was a better car than my 1988 Mustang LX convertible. It handled and stop better too.

  • @r3mmym444
    @r3mmym444 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    So cool, my first car is #1 on the list. I still have it too! It is factory stock, only Mac headers were added on. It dynoed at 300lb ft torque and 215 hp just like the factory stated. That’s with over 100,00 miles on it.

  • @mikedinno8413
    @mikedinno8413 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What's not mentioned about the TransAm/IROC-Z is that it's 305TPI made it's peak HP in 85. The following year they made a cam change and power dropped 15 HP. So back then the 85 model year was the car to have with the TPI. I had a 86 with the 305TPI and my friend had an 85 and we couldn't figure out why the 85 was so much faster. We didn't know about the cam change from the factory till years later.

  • @Richaag
    @Richaag 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    10:50 … oh that U.S. spec bumper 🤦🏼‍♂️

    • @garrisonnichols7372
      @garrisonnichols7372 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Gotta love the Safety Nazi's in our government!🤣 They know what's best for us peasants.

  • @johnpena9165
    @johnpena9165 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    In 1985 my dad bought a Chevy Monte Carlo SS which was a good running car with the classic muscle car sound with its dual exhaust small block chevy .

    • @UsefulEntertainment
      @UsefulEntertainment 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Too bad the exhaust ran into a y pipe into a single exhaust and converter back into 2 tailpipes for esthetic purposes.

  • @ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474
    @ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My Cousin had a GTI back in the late 80's. Very cool car, quick and nice handling

  • @anthonyg6221
    @anthonyg6221 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was waiting for the Foxbody. #1 earns a thumbs up from me.

  • @steveferguson823
    @steveferguson823 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Miss 80’s cars

  • @erongli6681
    @erongli6681 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I had a 85 trans am automatic and tuned port 305 this thing was really quick ttops

  • @tylerbonser7686
    @tylerbonser7686 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Tuned Port Injection is my favorite intake style. While its performance is limited it sure looks cool.

  • @patrickfraley4545
    @patrickfraley4545 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Had a 1985 TA with the tuned port and t-tops. Very fun car. Buried the speedometer on a country road one day and seemed to have throttle left. Would like to have one again someday.

    • @melrose9252
      @melrose9252 ปีที่แล้ว

      Did it have 85 or 100 mph on the speedo?

    • @patrickfraley4545
      @patrickfraley4545 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@melrose9252 I don't remember that much. I just recall it was off the other end. I only ever did it one time out of curiosity and that was enough for me.

  • @rayF4rio
    @rayF4rio 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Surprised to see you put the Mustang GT at #1. But, its still my favorite car to drive, as I bought one new in Dec 84: an 85 Mustang GT, Light Blue with T-Tops and a 5 speed. So,,,,Much,,,,Fun!! And many speeding tickets. I definitely rate it more fun than my 88 Iroc 5.7 and the 97 Camaro Z28 30th Anniversary.

  • @barryf5479
    @barryf5479 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It's interesting that these "muscle cars" had similar horsepower to my Toyota Camry V6 engine from nearly twenty years ago.

  • @JonathanMoosey
    @JonathanMoosey 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The days before Hellcats, AMGs, Audi RSes and BMW M cars and Tesla Plaids, which I think have pretty much pushed the limits of vehicle acceleration or close to it

  • @ilopancharov
    @ilopancharov 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Funniest comment I heard was the Mustang GT handled well and great feeling steering 😄 for the price yes but it had more lean than MJ in Smooth Criminal 😎

    • @Porschedude8
      @Porschedude8 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      🤣🤣🤣

    • @Rchiwawa
      @Rchiwawa 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      😂

    • @gabrielpichardo1492
      @gabrielpichardo1492 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Remember these were times when most cars were literally boats on the road

    • @grandspringdale1564
      @grandspringdale1564 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I've owned 5 of them cars and you are correct. My current 91 LX goes great in a straight line and despite the 5 lug conversion it still isn't the best handling car of the 80's👍

  • @johnnoeth2191
    @johnnoeth2191 ปีที่แล้ว

    I always like the look of those tuned port intake manifolds. (They looked the part anyway.).

  • @manthony225
    @manthony225 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I kinda expected the SAAB 900 Turbo to be on this list. 0-60 in 7.5. Plus you could easily buy one in the US unlike the Ferrari or the Countach

  • @hwirtwirt4500
    @hwirtwirt4500 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Bought an 85 Mustang GT new in spring of 1985 (black/grey interior) loaded with every available option except the T-Top chose the Sun Roof instead for $10,200. Loved that car and it was fun to drive and quick.

  • @nathanlink4926
    @nathanlink4926 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Surprised the 944 didn’t make the list

    • @sebbonxxsebbon6824
      @sebbonxxsebbon6824 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Porsche 944 was slow.

    • @nathanlink4926
      @nathanlink4926 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@sebbonxxsebbon6824 the turbo wasn’t it was actually quite fast and had amazing handling

  • @TheCarCrazyGuy
    @TheCarCrazyGuy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Those were the days!

  • @jays9211
    @jays9211 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had a white 86 IROC Z. Loved that car

  • @goodbonezz1289
    @goodbonezz1289 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excellent video, thanks! But I noticed you didn’t mention the GTI’s hp and performance numbers..

  • @hertzair1186
    @hertzair1186 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had a 1984 300ZX Turbo 5-speed….was quick for its day and a head-turner

  • @brentvance3958
    @brentvance3958 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I bought a 1985 Mustang GT in 1991 for $4,500 with only 60k miles on it. So easy to upgrade. For less than $1,000 I had that running great low 13s in the 1/4 mile. Not bad for a 21 year old kid.

  • @wallacebentley6655
    @wallacebentley6655 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When you came of driver's licence age in the magic golden years of the 60's, all of this is so sad to remember. My 68 GTO Ram Air, close ratio 4 speed with a posi 4:10 rear end compared with these? Exception being the GTI. One of the best driving cars I ever had other than my Triumph TR 250. Both Well balanced with willing engines and suspensions that allowed you to use the power they produced. Pure driving experience at its best.

  • @Rockinruffhouser
    @Rockinruffhouser 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was wondering if mustang was gonna be on this list. Was not disappointed.

  • @danam0228
    @danam0228 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great top 10 list. Totally agree with it

  • @IcelanderUSer
    @IcelanderUSer 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a perfect year to focus on.

  • @flaccogrande1464
    @flaccogrande1464 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I still own my 85 iroc z. Its not stock anymore. Its got nearly double the hp now. It's a blast to drive. I love that car

  • @olysean92
    @olysean92 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I got my license in 1988. The IROC-Z was it for me.

  • @keithbaker1951
    @keithbaker1951 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Volkswagen gti on this list but no 85 celica gts? Blah otherwise still a great video

  • @mach1mustangguy992
    @mach1mustangguy992 ปีที่แล้ว

    The mustang was the best sports cars of my birth year! Very cool to know!

  • @05gtdriver
    @05gtdriver 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The Ferrari 288 GTO was never legally sold in North America. Any ones that did make it to the U.S. were "grey market" cars, meaning an outside importer would "federalize" it and get it EPA/DOT certified for road use.

  • @FirebirdDude
    @FirebirdDude ปีที่แล้ว

    Don't forget about the GM 5.0 H.O. which debuted in the '83 F-Bodies. In '85, Motorweek compared the L69 in a Trans Am to the new fuel injected 5.0 and the H.O was faster and even broke into the 14s in the 1/4 mile! I own an '84 L69 Trans Am and it's awesome! Oh yeah, Monte Carlo SS's had L69's too. Therefore, performance OFFICIALLY returned in 1983!!

  • @stuartb9323
    @stuartb9323 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A friend purchased a 1985 Corvette brand new. She had multiple problems with her engine. All under warranty luckily.