1982sday

"bwp240" (bwp240) 04/07/2015 at 16:05 • Filed to: 2sday

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Last week we took a trip back to the 1970s. Today we are in the 1980s. Well that's unfortunate.

Welcome back to 2sday, the weekly series where the Oppo community takes a look back at cars of the past (or in this case, a college student's present). The eighties were a time of mostly abysmal car design. GM, everyone's favorite 1980s crap producer, just enacted a company policy that all cars must look like boxes. Just look at the squareness...

But for every era of depressing car design there is always one unicorn that everyone loves. 1982 marked the first year of production for the Toyota Camry. Yes, everyone's favorite bland sedan began in 1982. This is not to be confused with the Celica Camry that was produced 3 years beforehand. The Camry began its first model year as a standalone car in 1982.

Well now that I have lead you on and you have probably clicked away by now, here is the real unicorn car that everyone loves from 1982, the Porsche 944.

The Porsche 944, everyone's favorite exotic LeMons racer, debut in 1982. Sharing the same platform as the 924. The 944 began as a collaboration between VW and Porsche, which if you remember the 914, you may expect how it might turn out. Thankfully, VW pulled out of the deal after they released the Sirocco. This allowed Porsche to have free reign over many aspects of the 944. The 944 came with a 2.5L 150hp NA straight 4 engine which the tried to make as smooth as a 6 cylinder. This engine was put in to help the cars fuel economy. However, the tiny 4 cylinder was able to push the car up to 137mph, which isn't too bad. The car came out with rave reviews with drivers praising the luxury refinements and near 50/50 weight distribution. Guess it shows that you can't judge a car by it's cover, unless it is a K-car.

So Oppo, what good/interesting cars from 1982 can you find? I know it might be a difficult task, but give it a shot.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:07

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MAXIMUM TROLL ENGAGE

TheHondaBro > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:08

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1982 Toyota Celica, because sexy liftback Japanese sports car.

lone_liberal > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:11

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Cars from then can be fun, it just takes a little imagination, time and money.

bwp240 > lone_liberal 04/07/2015 at 16:13

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That is true, with a bit of work I can turn a K-car into a useful Zamboni

KnowsAboutCars > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:14

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The first year for 3rd gen Firebird/Camaro.

lone_liberal > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:15

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Ah, I did forget the handyman's secret weapon in my list.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > lone_liberal 04/07/2015 at 16:17

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Dem Draglites.

bwp240 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 04/07/2015 at 16:25

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Well played the Fox Body SSPs also came out in 1982.

Here is a prize

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4967467883…

bwp240 > KnowsAboutCars 04/07/2015 at 16:28

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I do like the 3rd Gen Camaro, especially the old IROCs.

The 82 Firebird is a car with a polarizing resume: Knight Rider and Smokey and the Bandit 3.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:30

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Very nice. It's even possible some Californian would pay that for what is, effectively, an SSP Mustang that's too nice to flog on the track... and that's the trouble, isn't it?

LoremIpsum010101 > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:43

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1982 was also the first year of the E30! So, good times! ::Cues Hall & Oates::

Twism > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 16:46

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Starion turbo:

It could have been Mitsubishi's 240SX.

Steve in Manhattan > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 17:01

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I had driven a '79 diesel Rabbit made in Germany, and I wanted one. But when I went to the dealership, in 1981, they had 1982 Rabbits built in Westmoreland, PA. They were certainly interesting.

Where to start? The interior had gone from Germanic to Buick. The panel gaps were awful. The wheel covers were hideous. The colors just sad. I walked away.

Clay...Bill Clay > bwp240 04/07/2015 at 17:06

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I've got a smorgasbord of Blue Oval goodness that the SSP Mustang overshadows. The '82 model year was the first for the glorious bug-eyed Ford EXP/Mercury LN7 - names oozing with class and 80s techno sophistication.

Behold the bubbleback awesomeness of the LN7!

This was Ford's answer to the MR2 and Fiero. And what an answer it was; 70 (later 80) thundering horsepower thrilled the drivers every sensation.

But I save the best for last. 1982 also brought the triumphant return of the dearly missed Mercury Cougar wagon.

Didn't know there ever was a Cougar wagon, huh? The above beauty is presented in desirable Villager trim, woodgrain, whitewalls, and all.

So there you have it. Ford really let the competition have it with these 3 monuments to 80s greatness.

Dunnik > bwp240 04/10/2015 at 15:29

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Two of the 10 worst cars of the 80's are on this list, the 82 Camaro and the 82 Cimarron.

Was not a great year in the automotive kingdom.