Category: Debut

1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL sedan

“Most capable cars in 95 years”

For 1981, Mercedes-Benz’s big W126 S-Class sedan made its way into the North American market after a year of sales in Europe. There were two offerings—a 300 SD diesel sedan and a 380 SEL with an extended wheelbase. The BMW 733i and the Jaguar XJ6 Series III were putative competitors, though the new Mercedes was considerably more expensive.

The 380 SEL’s only available powertrain was the M116 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 ci V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Road & Track clocked a 0-60 time of 10.1 seconds in a car with a 3,800-pound curb weight while mileage was 17 mpg by the day’s standards. With a relatively large 23.8-gallon fuel tank, range was between 330 and 365 miles with a 10% reserve.

1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL and 300 SD advertisement
1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL and 300 SD advertisement

The 380 SEL listed for an eye-watering $44,298—about $165,900 in today’s dollars (a modern S 580 4MATIC sedan starts at $128,600). Standard exterior and mechanical included tinted glass, halogen head lamps, an automatic power antenna, power assisted four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, and Michelin XVS 205/70HR-14 tires (a size still available) on 14-inch light alloy wheels. Interior equipment included 8-way electrically adjusted front seats, an electrically adjustable rear seat, a choice of leather or velour upholstery, cruise control, climate control, electric windows, a central locking system, and an electronic AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player.

Options, Production Numbers, & Period Reviews

Since the 380 SEL came loaded, there were not a lot of options beyond the exterior and interior colors. An electrically operated sliding roof ($795) and heated seats ($360) were available.

Production numbers are hard to come by, but an estimated 20,000 380 SELs were imported into the United States for the 1981 model year. Period reviews were extremely positive—Road & Track concluded theirs with “quite simply, Mercedes’ new S-class is a class unto itself.”

The View From 2025

There is excellent club support for the 380 SEL, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benz’s. That same club support warns potential buyers against the M116 engine’s notorious timing chain issues, though I believe nearly all of the original single chains have been replaced with double chains by now. There’s also frequent mention that the 380 SEL’s climate control did not meet the standards of domestic luxury car manufacturers in the early eighties.

That said, the W126 is frequently cited as the best S-class ever made—substantially improving over the already impressive W116.

According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL in #1 condition is $42,600, with a more normal #3 condition car going for $13,400. 380 SELs frequently appear for sale in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring A Trailer.

Make mine Astral Silver Metallic, please.

Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about included the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1985 300SD coupe, the 1986 560SEC coupe, and the 1989 560SL convertible.

1984 Chevrolet Corvette hatchback coupe

As a high school student in the early to mid-1980s, I worked part-time at Frankel Chevrolet (a dealership in Ardmore, Pennsylvania). I’ll never forget seeing my first C4 Corvette in early 1983: small block V8 engine with “Cross-Fire Injection” rumbling, lovely over-engineered retractable headlamps up and on, fancy new metallic paint with clear coat looking its best in the setting sun. Viewing this car was a visceral experience for a fifteen-year-old. It was the exact moment when my opinion of Corvettes changed from a grudging respect (I was more of a BMW and Pontiac fan then) to “I will have one of those someday.”

“You’ve never seen anything like this before.”

The phrase “all-new” is rarely accurate in cars, but the 1984 Corvette was close. Only the standard powertrain carried over from 1982, and even that was changed in some visible (a brand new magnesium air cleaner) and measurable (an additional five bhp) ways. The exterior, interior, suspension, and steering were truly all-new for the Corvette.

The standard powertrain was the L83 Cross-Fire 205 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with throttle-body fuel injection paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission. The Doug Nash 4+3 manual transmission with automatic overdrive was available as a no-cost option, but only became available about halfway through the extended 1984 model year. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds (Road & Track took 7.1 seconds) and a top speed of 138 mph. Estimated fuel economy was 16 city/28 highway by the day’s standards. With a 20-gallon gas tank, a Corvette coupe’s proud new owner could expect a range of between 325 and 355 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

Cutaway page from the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette brochure
David Kimble’s cutaway page in the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette brochure

The 1984 Corvette’s base price was $22,361—about $74,200 in today’s dollars or a little over what a 2026 Corvette Stingray 1LT coupe goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included a one-piece removable fiberglass roof panel, a frameless rear glass hatch, single rectangular hidden headlamps, integral grille-mounted halogen fog lamps, rack-and-pinion power steering, power disc brakes, and P255/50VR-16 tires on 16 x 8.5 inch cast alloy aluminum wheels. Inside, air conditioning, power windows, a tilt and telescope steering wheel, a driver information system, cloth bucket seats, and an AM/FM stereo radio with a power antenna were all included.

Options & Production Numbers

The Z51 Performance Handling Package ($600) included a quicker steering gear, a performance axle ratio, an engine oil cooler, an additional radiator fan, higher-rated Delco-Bilstein shock absorbers, thicker stabilizer bars, and 9.5 inch rear wheels.

Optional exterior and mechanical equipment included two-tone paint ($428), a removable transparent roof panel ($595), a performance axle ratio ($22), and Delco-Bilstein shock absorbers ($189). Optional interior equipment included cruise control ($185), a power door lock system ($165), custom adjustable sports seats ($625), leather seats ($400), a six-way power driver’s seat ($225), and the Delco-GM/Bose Music System ($895).

Chevrolet rarely makes Corvette television commercials, but they usually produce one when introducing a new generation. For the 1984, they pulled out all the stops, at least by the standards of eighties automobile commercials—a spacesuit, lasers, and a cheesy jingle all make an appearance.

The new generation Corvette was very well-received by buyers. Chevrolet sold 51,547 in about eighteen months, making 1984 the second best sales year ever (only 1979 had a higher production total).

Period Reviews & Owner Feedback

Reviews of Chevrolet’s pride were positive but evenhanded. Car and Driver disliked the fact that the new generation was no lighter than the previous generation—a Corvette complaint that extends to today. Many writers also commented on the “Tokyo by Night” digital instrument panel.

Within a year or so, there would start to be an acknowledgment from the automotive press that the optional and heavily hyped Z51 performance handling package was suitable for only the most perfect roads. In their owner’s report, Popular Mechanics quoted a New York salesman as saying “bad ride on rough roads,” while a Texas retiree stated “body rattle is frustrating.” Chevrolet began to adjust beginning in the 1985 model year, but early C4 Corvettes continued to be seen as having an unnecessarily rough ride.

The View From 2025

There’s been a lot written about the 1984 Corvette—both good and bad—and I doubt I have much to add. Despite being pushed back several months from an actual 1983 model year release, it still felt rushed. On the other hand, many people think of the almost all-new fourth-generation Corvettes as the first “modern” version of Chevrolet’s sports car. However, modern is undoubtedly a fluid concept now—more than forty years later. Developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the C4s were the first Corvettes with rack-and-pinion steering and a removable one-piece “targa” roof.

There is strong club support for the 1984 Corvette, as there is for all Corvettes. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a 1984 Corvette with a clear top and the 4+3 manual in #1/Concours condition is $35,500, with a more typical number #3/Good condition car going for $8,400. 1984 Corvettes are regularly featured in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. Early C4s are also often seen at in-person auctions such as Barrett-Jackson and Mecum. As I update this blog entry in October 2025, a Gold Metallic car with saddle cloth adjustable sport bucket seats and 34,000 miles is available on Hemmings, asking $18,000.

Make mine Light Blue Metallic, please. That 1984 Corvette I mentioned seeing earlier was Light Blue Metallic, and I bought, drove extensively, and eventually sold a 1985 model in the same color.

Other Corvettes I have written about include the 1980 coupe, the 1981 coupe, the 1982 coupe, the 1986 convertible, and the 1988 35th Anniversary coupe.

Last updated October 2025.

1985 Volvo 740 Turbo station wagon

“… an unmistakable outlaw edge.”

The 700 series Volvos had been available in the United States for a few years before Volvo brought the station wagon to our shores to offer Volvo loyalists a step up from the aging 240. The most interesting version of the 700 series wagon to enthusiasts was the 740 Turbo, which was formally introduced in the middle of the 1985 model year.

The 740 Turbo‘s standard engine was a B230FT 160 bhp 2.3 liter/141 ci inline four with fuel injection, a Garrett T3 turbocharger, and an intercooler. A four-speed manual was standard, while a four-speed automatic with overdrive was optional. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 7.9 seconds in a 740 Turbo sedan with the manual. With the manual, mileage in the 3,042-pound car was rated at 19 city/25 highway by the day’s standards (17/23 by today’s standards). With a 15.8-gallon fuel tank, 740 Turbo drivers could expect 285 to 310 miles of range with a 10% reserve.

1985 Volvo 740 Turbo station wagon advertisement
1985 Volvo 740 Turbo station wagon advertisement

The 1985 740 Turbo station wagon’s base price was $21,340—about $64,400 in today’s dollars or about what a 2025 V90 Cross Country Ultra station wagon goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included tinted windows, a front spoiler, halogen high and low beam headlights, a manual sunroof, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, power-assisted disc brakes, and 195/60R15 Michelin MXV tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch wheels. Inside, a rear window wiper/washer, power door locks, cargo tie-down rings, and air conditioning were included. Trim and upholstery features included adjustable front bucket seats with integrated head rests and lumbar support, a heated driver’s seat, a 60/40 split rear seat, and full carpeting including the trunk.

Options & Reviews

Like all Volvo models in the 1980s, the 740 Turbo had few individual factory options—you chose the exterior and interior colors, and that was about it. Cruise control and an AM/FM-stereo radio/cassette with four speakers ($800) were available.

The automobile press of the day liked the 740 Turbo wagon, and it’s interesting to watch MotorWeek‘s review. Common complaints were the lack of an oil pressure gauge—considered essential for turbocharged engines at that time—along with the “archaic” driver’s seat height adjustment. Everyone also felt the need to comment on the Volvo’s very square design.

The View from 2025

All vintage Volvos have strong club support, and there is definite collector interest in the 740 Turbo. 740 Turbo station wagons are often available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and at online auctions such as Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market.

Make mine Silver, please.

Other Volvos that have been covered in Eighties Cars are the 1985 240 station wagon and the 1987 780 coupe. I should write about a Volvo sedan or two at some point.

1980 Datsun 200-SX coupe

A 1980 Datsun 200-SX coupe sold for $10,000 at the 2025 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction.

“Thrill-injected”

Datsun’s 200-SX was almost entirely new for 1980, with exterior styling notably changed and a significantly enhanced engine. Nissan advertised improved visibility and increased door opening for 1980, but the real upgrade was that the 200-SX was no longer as weird-looking as the 1975-1979 had been. Nissan was in the process of transitioning away from the Datsun name, so the 200-SX’s official name was a clunky “Datsun 200-SX by Nissan.” No matter what, marketing used 200-SX instead of 200SX in 1980, so I’ll follow that in this post.

The only engine available for the 1980 200-SX was the NAPS-Z Z20E 100 bhp 2.0 liter/120 ci inline four with L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection paired with either a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 13.3 seconds in the 2,620-pound coupe. EPA fuel economy ratings with the five-speed were 28 city/40 highway—with a 14.0-gallon gas tank, a 200-SX coupe’s owner could expect a range of 430 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

200-SX pages from the 1980 Datsun brochure
200-SX pages from the 1980 Datsun brochure

Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on the $6,689 1980 200-SX Deluxe (about $28,300 in 2025 dollars or just a little more than a 2025 Nissan Altima S costs) included four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, partially recessed windshield wipers, and 185/70SR14 tires (a size still readily available) on 14-inch wheels with full mag style wheel covers. Inside, a quartz sweephand clock, deep pile carpeting, and full reclining front bucket seats with soft vinyl upholstery were included.

Options & Production Numbers

The Sport Luxury (SL) package upgraded 200-SX buyers to soft cloth upholstery, a multi-warning system, a driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar and thigh support, and a four speaker AM/FM stereo radio with power antenna.

The 1980 200-SX had few individual options, and most of them—except for California emissions—seem to have been available only if you had already ponied up for the SL package. These options included power steering, a lift-out skyroof, two-tone paint, and air conditioning.

The buff books liked the 200-SX for its intended purpose—Car and Driver wrote that the new version had “better looks and better manners.” They gently asked for more power, but that would be a long time coming and only in slight increases for the coupe. The 200-SX got 103 bhp in 1982, and the third-generation coupe got 105 bhp in mid-1984 (only the hatchback would get the 133 bhp turbo option).

Nissan sold 92,514 200-SX coupes and hatchbacks in 1980—a notable success, and soundly beating many competitors. This version of the 200-SX would run for four years.

The View From 2025

There is limited collector interest in these second-generation 200-SXs, so it isn’t that surprising that Hagerty’s valuation tools do not track any eighties Datsuns or Nissans other than the Z-cars and Skylines. Eighties 200-SXs rarely appear in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, eBay Motors, or Bring a Trailer.

Make mine Satin Blue Metallic, please.

Other Datsuns I have written about include the 1980 280ZX hatchback coupe and the 1981 810 Maxima sedan. Later Nissans I have posted on include the 1984 300ZX hatchback coupe and the 1989 Maxima sedan.

1988 Buick Reatta coupe

Buick made things more than a bit confusing for some of its higher-end coupe buyers in the middle of the 1988 model year by introducing the two-seater Reatta. For the first time since its introduction in 1963, the Riviera was definitively no longer the top of the two-door Buick line—with a base price of $25,000, the Reatta’s barrier to entry was almost 16% higher.

“Beauty with purpose.”

Designed to be a sporty car, but with no delusions of being a sports car, Buick targeted the Reatta at a perceived niche in the two-seater market for a luxury coupe at a substantially lower price than the high-end luxury convertibles of the day. As Buick general manager Edward Mertz said in January 1988, it was “priced many thousands of dollars less than luxury and sports cars at the top end of the market.” The Reatta was not nearly as expensive as the Cadillac Allanté convertible (which had a base price of $56,533 in 1988) or the Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible ($61,130 in that same year) but could claim to be nearly as comfortable. Compared to the Cadillac and (especially) the Mercedes, the Reatta lacked refinement and prestige—both important to potential buyers.

Despite being based on the same E-platform as the Riviera, the Reatta’s exterior styling was distinctive, even if some of the proportions looked a little off to some. However, many parts of its interior were familiar to Riviera buyers—indeed, Buick benchmarked the Reatta’s two seats to the Riviera’s driver and front passenger experience. Because of this, the Reatta’s Electronic Control Center was essentially the same as the Riviera’s, and the Reatta’s optional driver’s seat closely resembled the one in the Riviera T Type.

The Reatta’s sole powertrain was a 3800 165 bhp 3.8 liter/231 ci V6 with fuel injection paired with a four-speed automatic. Car and Driver tested a 1988 Reatta, and recorded a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds in a vehicle with a 3,380-pound curb weight. Mileage was respectable—19 city/29 highway by the day’s standards (17/26 by today’s measures). With an 18.2-gallon gas tank, a Reatta owner could expect a range of 355 to 390 miles with a 10% fuel reserve—enough to take those road trips that Buick was convinced the Reatta would be primarily used for.

1988 Buick Reatta brochure cover

Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on the Reatta included Soft-Ray tinted glass, fast-ratio power steering, an independent four-wheel Gran Touring suspension, four-wheel anti-lock disk brakes, and P215/65R15 Goodyear Eagle GT+4 tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch wheels. Inside, power windows, electric door locks, six-way power seats, and Electronic Touch Climate Control air conditioning were included. The standard and only audio system was an ETR AM stereo-FM stereo radio with seek and scan, a cassette tape player with auto reverse, search/repeat, a graphic equalizer, a clock, eight Concert Sound speakers, and an automatic power antenna.

Options & Production Numbers

Buick’s new coupe came loaded, with only two options in its introductory year: an electric sliding steel sunroof ($895) and a 16-way adjustable leather and suede driver’s seat ($680).

First-year sales of the Reatta were decent for a new two-seat coupe without that all-important pre-existing audience that many of its competitors had—Buick moved 4,708 of them in about nine months.

The View From 2025

There is collector interest in the Reatta, including club support. According to Hagerty‘s valuation tools, a 1988 Buick Reatta coupe in #1/Concours condition is $22,700, with a far more normal #3/Good condition version going for $4,200.

Reatta coupes are often available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, at online auctions such as Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market, and at in-person auctions such as Barrett-Jackson and Mecum.

Make mine Claret Red Metallic, please.

Other Buick coupes I have written about include the 1980 Rivera S TYPE, the 1983 Skylark T TYPE, the 1984 Regal Grand National, the 1984 Riviera T TYPE, the 1985 Somerset Regal, the 1987 GNX, and the 1987 LeSabre T Type. I seem to find Buick coupes interesting.

Last updated August 2025.

1983 Mazda 626 coupe

“A concept crystallized.”

For 1983, Mazda’s 626 coupe, sedan, and liftback were all new as they switched from rear-wheel-drive to front-wheel-drive. Styling was also more aerodynamic, with the coupe receiving a 0.34 Cd. Finally, almost every interior dimension was expanded.

The 626’s standard powertrain was the FE 83 bhp 2.0 liter/121 ci inline four with a two-barrel carburetor paired with a five-speed manual. 0-60 mph took about 12.5 seconds in a car with a 2,545-pound curb weight. EPA fuel economy ratings were 29 city/41 highway by the day’s standards. With a 15.8-gallon fuel tank, a new 626 coupe owner could expect an impressive range of 405 to 450 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

626 page from the 1983 Mazda brochure

Standard equipment on the $9,295 626 DL coupe (about $30,100 in today’s dollars or about what a 2025 Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition sedan goes for) included rack-and-pinion steering, vacuum-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes, and 185/70R-14 tires (a size still available) on 14 x 5.5 inch wheels. Inside, electric window lifts, electric adjustable mirrors, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo cassette were included.

The LX coupe added power steering, cruise control, and the trick Electronic Variable Shock Absorber (EVSA) suspension.

Options & Period Reviews

Options included 15 x 6 inch cast alloy wheels with uprated 195/60R-15 tires (a combination that yielded class-leading skid pad results and is still readily available), an electric sunroof ($430), and air conditioning ($650).

The third-generation 626 got a very good reception from the automotive press, with Road & Track stating that it was “an impressive update” that had been “delivered as promised.” AutoWeek gave Mazda a splash quote they used in advertisements—”about as perfect as an automobile can be built.”

The View From 2025

The third-generation Mazda 626 was once quite common (at least in the Philadelphia suburbs), but I haven’t seen one in over a decade. This era of 626 is sometimes available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and at online auctions such as Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market.

Make mine Silhouette Blue Metallic, please.

The only other Mazda I have written about is the 1985 RX7 GSL-SE hatchback coupe. I’ve got to get to a GLC at some point.

Last updated March 2025.

1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Sport Coupe

A 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with 156 miles sold on Bring a Trailer for $32,000 in early 2021.

“Chevy SS tradition comes alive …”

In the middle of the 1983 model year, Chevrolet announced the Monte Carlo SS. Designated RPO Z65, the SS was designed to help Chevrolet compete better in NASCAR on Sundays—and sell more Monte Carlos on Mondays. There were only two exterior color choices—White and Medium Dark Royal Blue. The changes in the front end and the addition of a rear spoiler cut the drag coefficient by 15% compared to the “civilian” Sport Coupe, making it a respectable 0.375, though not quite the Ford Thunderbird coupe‘s 0.35 Cd.

Aside from the exterior looks, the powertrain was the star—an L69 “H.O.” 175 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Period road tests resulted in 0-60 mph times of about 8 seconds—about as quick as the Monte’s Buick Regal T-Type and Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Hurst/Olds platform-mates in the same year. Fuel economy was rated at 17 city/25 highway by the day’s standards (14 city/18 highway by 2025 measures). With an 18.1-gallon gas tank, the enthused new owner of a Monte Carlo SS could expect a range of 260 to 340 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS flyer

The Monte Carlo SS had a base price of $10,249—about $34,900 in today’s dollars. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included Sport mirrors, a rear spoiler, a dual outlet exhaust system, power steering, the F41 sport suspension, power front disc/rear drum brakes, and Goodyear Eagle GT P215/65R15 white letter tires (a size still readily available) on 15 x 7 inch stamped steel wheels. Inside, the SS was less differentiated, but it did get a gage package with a tachometer. The standard seat was a blue cloth bench seat with white vinyl inserts and matching door trim.

Options, Period Reviews, & Production Numbers

Many of the standard Sport Coupe’s options were also available for the SS. Exterior examples included tinted glass ($105), hi-beam halogen headlamps ($10), and twin remote Sport mirrors ($60). Inside, options included an intermittent windshield wiper system ($49), an electric rear window defogger ($135), power windows ($180), an electric power door lock system ($120), a power trunk opener ($40), automatic speed control with resume speed ($170), a Comfortilt steering wheel ($105), and air conditioning ($725).

A blue cloth 55/45 seat with white vinyl inserts was available for an extra $133, but no bucket seats were available for the 1983 Monte Carlo. A series of four radios were available, with an AM/FM stereo radio with stereo cassette tape and four speakers ($298) being the top of the line. A fixed mast black antenna was an SS-only option and was included with all radios.

The sportier Monte Carlo was generally received in the press, though many scribes noted the lack of a console, bucket seats, Positraction, and a four-speed automatic—all issues Chevrolet promised to fix. Motor Trend‘s title was “Mid-American GT Revival,” and much of the coverage agreed.

Along with the late introduction, there were production problems in 1983, so the first year total for the fourth-generation Monte Carlo SS was only 4,714. SS sales would hit their stride in the following year, with Chevrolet moving 24,050 out the door.

The View From 2025

These Monte Carlos have enthusiastic forum support, and there is definite collector interest. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Sport Coupe in #1/Concours condition is $33,300, with a far more normal #3/Good condition version going for $16,400. Monte Carlos SS coupes are often available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and at online auctions such as Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market. As I update this blog entry in August 2025, there’s a White 1983 Monte Carlo SS Sport Coupe with 53,000 miles for sale on Hemmings, asking 29,000.

Make mine Medium Dark Royal Blue, please.

I’ve written about one other Monte Carlo—the 1981 Sport Coupe. Other sporty G-platform cars I have written about include the 1980 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ coupe and the 1982 Buick Regal Grand National coupe.

Last updated August 2025.

1980 Toyota Corolla Tercel Liftback

“… a price that belies its good looks.”

1980 was the first year that Toyota sold the Corolla Tercel in the United States. Despite its name, the front-wheel-drive Tercel was not related in any meaningful way to the rear-wheel-drive Corolla. Still, Toyota evidently figured that adding the Corolla name would make buyers more confident in their purchasing decision. The Tercel was available as a 2-Door Sedan and a 3-Door Liftback (a four-door sedan would arrive one year later).

The Corolla Tercel Liftback was a small and light car, with a 160-inch length (about 22 inches shorter than a 2025 Corolla) and a curb weight of 2,030 pounds. The Liftback’s standard powertrain combined a 60 bhp 1.5 liter/99 ci inline four paired to a five-speed manual (a three-speed automatic was optional). Unusually for a front-wheel-drive car, the Tercel’s engine was longitudinally placed, which Toyota claimed resulted in easier serviceability.

Road & Track clocked a 0-60 time of 14.8 seconds in a loaded Tercel Liftback SR-5. As might be expected with a 99 cubic inch engine and a five-speed, fuel economy was impressive—33 city/43 highway by the day’s standards. With an 11.9-gallon fuel tank, a Tercel driver could expect a range of 330 to 365 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

Corolla Tercel Liftback pages from the 1980 Corolla brochure

At $4,848 (about $20,500 in today’s dollars or a little less than a 2025 Corolla LE sedan goes for), the Corolla Tercel Liftback Deluxe had more standard equipment than the 2-Door Sedan, which was the loss leader at $4,198. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included body side moldings, front-wheel-drive, rack-and-pinion steering, power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes, and 145SR13 steel-belted radial ply whitewall tires on 13-inch wheels. Inside, vinyl reclining hi-back front bucket seats, a split-back fold-down rear seat, brushed nap wall-to-wall carpeting, an electric rear window defogger, and a day/night rear view mirror were included.

Packages & Options

The $600 SR-5 package required the five-speed manual and added black accents, “brazen” side striping, and 165/70SR13 steel-belted radial ply tires (a size still available thanks to Vredestein) on 13-inch wheels. Inside, SR-5 features included cloth reclining low-back front bucket seats, a rear deck cover, a cargo compartment light, an electric tachometer, and an AM/FM/MPX stereo radio.

Options were relatively few, but did include aluminum alloy wheels ($215), a rear window washer/wiper ($75), and factory (not dealer-installed) air conditioning ($520).

The View From 2025

I haven’t seen a first-generation Tercel in decades—they seem to have largely vanished. Tercels rarely appear in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds or on eBay Motors, but they do occasionally show up on Bring a Trailer.

Make mine Light Blue Metallic, please.

Other Toyotas I have written about include the 1981 Celica Sport Coupe, the 1982 Celica Supra hatchback coupe, the 1983 Camry sedan, and the 1985 MR2 coupe. This list hints that I should write about an actual Corolla soon.

Last updated March 2025.

1986 Hyundai Excel hatchback coupe

“The good-looking car at the great-looking price.”

Hyundai was new to the United States in 1986, and the first product they sold was the Excel, available in hatchback coupe, hatchback sedan, and sedan versions.

The Excel L‘s standard powertrain was a 4G15 68 bhp 1.5 liter/90 ci inline four with a carburetor paired with a four-speed manual. The GL and GLS upmarket trims included a five-speed manual and had a three-speed automatic available as an option. Whichever transmission was chosen, the Excel was not exactly fast: Car and Driver reported a 0-60 time of just over 16 seconds.

Fuel economy by 1986 standards was 28 city/31 highway with the four-speed manual—24/28 by current measures. Predictably, the five-speed manual was better on the highway than the three-speed automatic. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank on all but the GLS/automatic combination, Excel owners could expect a range of between 235 to 300 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Excel’s styling was pleasing, if somewhat anonymous. At the time, some Hyundai executives were concerned that it looked a little too much like the concurrent Izuzu I-Mark/Chevrolet Spectrum—also designed by Giugiaro.

1986 Hyundai Excel advertisement

With a base price of $4,995 (about $14,700 in today’s dollars), the Excel L was the second cheapest car for sale in the United States—the Yugo GV was, of course, the most affordable. One of Hyundai’s strategies was to differentiate with standard equipment compared to the economy car competition. Thus, standard exterior and mechanical equipment included halogen headlamps, an electric rear window defroster, front-wheel drive, rack-and-pinion steering, power front disc/rear drum brakes, and name-brand Goodyear Corsa P155/80R13 all-season tires (a size still available) on 13-inch styled steel wheels. Inside, a lockable glove box, a color-keyed dash, vinyl reclining front bucket seats, and split fold-down rear seats were included.

Moving up to the $5,895 GL added tinted glass, styled steel wheels with hub covers and wheel trim rings, a remote hatch release, dual remote control rearview mirrors, an analog quartz clock, a full center console, cloth/vinyl front bucket seats, and Luxury door trim with cloth inserts.

The top-of-the-line $6,395 GLS included full wheel covers, thicker carpeting, a color-keyed Luxury steering wheel, cloth front bucket seats with driver’s side height and lumbar adjustment, and a Panasonic ETR AM/FM stereo cassette deck with auto-reverse and two speakers.

Options & Production Numbers

Individual options were few—a power sliding sunroof, Goodyear Corsa P175/70R13 all-season tires on aluminum alloy wheels, air conditioning, and a Panasonic ETR AM/FM stereo cassette deck with auto-reverse, Dolby noise reduction, and four speakers. Initial reviews of the Excel were decent and initial sales were quite strong, with 168,882 sold in the 1986 model year.

The View From 2025

The view of the Excel from today is not so kind. The Excel turned out to be notably less reliable than the Yugo and also had significant rust problems—even compared to other mid-1980s economy cars. Hyundai now barely acknowledges the Excel, though it occasionally gets mentioned in press releases. I haven’t seen a first-generation Excel in many years.

Make mine Medium Red Metallic, please.

This post is my first Hyundai article, but one of many on vanished vehicles.

Last updated April 2025.

1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition hatchback coupe

Every May, the Indianapolis 500 race is a “tentpole” event in the international racing schedule. Since 1911, there have been designated pace cars, with replica versions often sold. A 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition with 2,630 miles sold for a $35,000 hammer price at the 2021 Mecum Indy. Are these distinctive and good-looking (I think) cars finally attracting significant interest?

“Even its shadow boasts performance”

The 1982 Chevrolet Camaro could reasonably be described as all-new. This moniker applied to the “pleasing and exciting” exterior, the interior, much of the chassis, and most of the engines. Road & Track stated that the new Camaro was “keenly anticipated.”

The Z28‘s standard powertrain was the LG4 145 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a four-barrel carburetor paired with a four-speed manual transmission. An optional LU5 Cross-Fire 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with throttle-body fuel injection and 165 bhp set the buyer back $450 and required the $72 three-speed automatic transmission. 0-60 took just under 10 seconds with the base V8 and the four-speed manual, and shortened to 9 seconds with the top-of-the-line Cross-Fire motor and the automatic.

The Z28 had a base price of $9,700—about $33,600 in 2025 dollars. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on all 1982 Z28s included a front air dam, “ground effect” lower body extensions, a rear spoiler, body-color dual Sport mirrors, power front disc/rear drum brakes, and 215/65R-15 tires (a size still readily available) on 15 x 7 inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels. Inside, every 1982 Z28 came with full instrumentation, an electric quartz analog clock, courtesy lamps, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

1982 Camaro Commerative Edition flyer
1982 Camaro Z28 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition flier

Standard equipment specific to the $10,999.26 (yes, that was really the price) Z50 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition included Silver Metallic/Blue two-tone accent paint, red accents on the wheels, specific commemorative edition decals, Custom interior trim, and blue Custom cloth bucket L/S Conteur (Chevrolet’s spelling) front seats.

Options, Production Numbers, & Period Reviews

Among the many options available for the Camaro Z28 were tinted glass ($88), removable glass roof panels ($790!), power windows ($165), a power door lock system ($106), an electric rear window defogger ($125), automatic speed control ($155), air conditioning ($675), a Comfortilt steering wheel ($95), and a host of radios ($111 to $390).

Chevrolet sold 6,360 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition cars in 1982, in addition to 63,563 “normal” Z28s. However, the most popular Camaro was actually the base Sport Coupe, which moved 78,761 units. The somewhat more luxurious Berlinetta sold another 39,744 copies.

Reviews of the new Camaro were decent. Road & Track liked the Z28‘s exterior and the handling, but bemoaned the interior packaging and the fuel mileage (EPA rated at 17 mpg but rarely attaining that in real life). Car and Driver famously accused the Z28 of being “Emily Post polite” but later retracted the remark.

The View From 2025

Third-generation Camaros attract plenty of collector interest, and there is substantial club support. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a 1982 Camaro Z28 hatchback coupe with the Cross-Fire motor in #1/Concours condition is $42,000, with a far more normal #3/Good condition version going for $13,500. 1982 Camaro Commemorative Editions are often available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and at online (Bring a Trailer) and in-person auctions. As I update this blog entry in October 2025, a Commemorative Edition with the Cross-Fire, an automatic, and 40,000 miles is for sale on Hemmings, asking $20,000.

Other Camaros I have written about include the 1980 Rally Sport coupe, the 1980 Z28 coupe, the 1985 IROC-Z hatchback coupe, and the 1986 Berlinetta hatchback coupe. Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams with blog entries here include the 1981 coupe, the 1982 hatchback coupe, the 1984 15th Anniversary Edition hatchback coupe, the 1985 hatchback coupe, and the 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo hatchback coupe.

Last updated October 2025.