Not everything from the ’80s has aged well. But while the decade gave us plenty of forgettable flash, it also witnessed the production of countless modern classics we’d still be proud to own today. At Windrush, we’ve been lucky enough to welcome some of the greatest models of the ’80s into our long term car storage. From the world-beating pace of the Ferrari F40 to the endearing madness of the Lamborghini LM002, here are ten classics that define the era.
Sierra Cosworth
Launch year: 1986
Spec: 204hp, 149mph, 6.5 0-60
What made it special:
From humdrum roots as a family workhorse, Ford Motorsport’s Head of Europe Stuart Turner reimagined the Sierra as a turbocharged race winner, armed with Cosworth’s near-mythical British-made YBD engine.
Audi Quattro
Launch year: 1980
Spec: 197hp, 137mph, 7.1 0-60
What made it special:
Saluted in throwback BBC series Ashes To Ashes – “Fire up the Quattro!” – the Audi had substance and style, with the formerly staid German marque serving up a five-cylinder turbo engine and the first 4wd system seen in competition racing seeing it dominate the world of rallying.
Ferrari F40
Launch year: 1987
Spec: 477hp, 201mph, 4.1 0-60
What made it special:
Marking Ferrari’s 40th anniversary – and the final model signed off by Enzo himself – the F40’s striking Pininfarina design and twin-turbo 200mph top speed made it every schoolboy’s fantasy. Stealing the title of ‘fastest car in the world’ from Porsche’s 959 was the cherry on top.
BMW E30 M3
Launch year: 1986
Spec: 192hp, 146mph, 6.2 0-60
What made it special:
The original M3 – and many argue the best – BMW’s ’86 game-changer optimised the aerodynamics, sliced back the mass, turned heads with those box arches and gave buyers the exclusivity of a limited run in LHD only. The four-cylinder ‘S14’ engine revved it to touring car immortality, but even on the road, it handles like a dream.
Mercedes 560SEC
Launch year: 1981
Spec: 275bhp, 149mph, 7.2 0-60
What made it special:
It took cues from the S-Class, but the SEC was a different beast, with Bruno Sacco’s pillarless two-door styling giving off a robust aura backed up by the 5.6 V8 within. Despite the steep price tag, the 560 sold 28,929 units. If you own one, treasure it.
Golf GTI 16V
Launch year: 1986
Spec: 137hp, 124mph, 9.0 0-60
What made it special:
The Golf was already VW’s highest-volume seller, but the GTI raised the spec as the definitive ’80s hot hatch, complete with assertive big bumpers and 1.8-litre, 16-valve engine to outpace the yuppies.
Lancia Delta Integrale
Launch year: 1989
Spec: 197hp, 137mph, 5.7 0-60 (16v stats)
What made it special:
The Lancia Delta’s late-’70s roots as a modest family hatchback hardly signposted the rally icon to come. A turbocharged 4wd whose aggressive looks were tempered with Italian charm, the 16v incarnation won its first run-out at 1989’s San Remo Rally.
Porsche 959
Launch year: 1986
Spec: 444hp, 196mph, 3.9 0-60
What made it special:
Groomed for Group B rally glory, the 959 was briefly the fastest car in the world – before the F40 stole its thunder. Even so, it arguably remains the era’s quintessential status symbol, crowned by Sports Car International in 2004 as car of the decade.
Lamborghini LM002
Launch year: 1986
Spec: 444bhp, 118mph, 7.7 0-60
What made it special:
Close your eyes, picture a Lamborghini – and the image in your head will look precisely nothing like the LM002. An audacious off-roader dubbed the ‘Rambo Lambo’, with a growling 5.2-litre Countach engine and hopeless fuel efficiency, the LM002 is an accidental icon – and the ultimate labour of love to own.
RUF CTR Yellowbird
Launch year: 1987
Spec: 463hp, 213mph, 3.65 0-60
What made it special:
The Yellowbird might have been based on the Porsche 911, but this aftermarket-tuned cult hero carved out its own legend, posting speeds that trumped the era’s star names – including the Countach and GTO – while capturing our imaginations in the footage of test driver Stefan Roser’s outrageously fast laps of the Nürburgring.
Choose Windrush for your long term car storage
Back to present day, and Windrush has the long term car storage solution to keep your ’80s classic in the prime of life. Following our famous twelve-step induction, we’ll lead your vehicle to a dehumidified, climate-controlled indoor storage bay, backed by 24/7 security, twice-daily checks and weekly battery and drip tray inspections. Plus, every 60 days, we’ll give your car a full maintenance checkover and run it up to temperature on our internal rolling road.
At Windrush Car Storage, we’re proud to treat every vehicle with personal care and attention. Contact our facilities in Central London and the Cotswolds to learn more about our prestige long term car storage.
