Before we even get to the selections/omissions, the headline of this piece alone is sure to send some muscle-car purists into a fit of rage. The 1960s were certainly the golden age and the 1970s were solid despite legitimate environmental concerns, a pair of energy crises and increased governmental regulation. But 1980s muscle cars and sports cars are like current-day Sylvester Stallone: He may not be at his Rambo peak, but he’d still win most of his arm wrestling matches.

Consumers’ desire for increased efficiency and reliability came at the expense of big engine blocks; but even as the sun was setting on the muscle car era, the ’80s put out a handful of righteous rides. Cuz Rocky had to drive something in Rocky III–V…

(This article is the third in a series highlighting the best muscle cars from each decade. Click here to seeour picks from the ’60s, and here to seeour picks from the ’70s.)

1980 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo ===========================

By 1980, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo, along with the Corvette, were the only models to top 190 horsepower. That year, as a result of emissions regulations, Pontiac dropped its large displacement engines. Nonetheless, the Trans Am stayed close to its roots in trying to make a competitive rally car — the Firebird Trans Am Turbo was placed in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR races thanks to its turbocharged 185-hp 301 4.9-liter V8. The engine was backed by a 3-speed TH350 automatic transmission and ran to a limited slip rear end. It could usually hit 210 hp at 4000 RPM with 345 foot-pounds of torque pushing the Trans Am 0-60 in eight seconds and the quarter-mile in 16.5 seconds. With a WS6 chassis package, it was among the decade’s best American cars with handling and steering. And with the changing times, it was also the only turbocharged V-8 available in a production car. The 1980 Trans Am maintained the 1970s model’s same basic shape and 108-inch wheelbase. Despite the lessened performance under the hood, the car sold steadily, proving that sometimes, for better or worse, image trumps performance.

See Pontiacs for sale here.

1983 Chevy Monte Carlo SS =========================

Chevy’s Monte Carlo SS badge was revived in 1983 after a dozen years of being discontinued, which was serendipitous since a gasoline shortage was reversed and the economy finally started to rebound that year. The Monte Carlo SS impresses as soon as the ignition is turned with its 180-hp 305-inch V8. Overall, the sleek shape of the Monte Carlo SS is a beauty, including a droop-snoot nose to provide a little liftoff while remaining under control. It was designed for NASCAR racing and they used the body style until the car went out of production. The look helped rekindle buyers’ interest in performance. Inside, it got a revised grille and interior trim patterns.

See Chevys for sale here.

1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z ============================

Equipped with NASCAR-type tube frames, Camaro IROC-Z’s are built ready to race. The car has the soul of a racer, which complements its gorgeous look. But you don’t need to be a professional to take advantage of its performance. Just slide in behind the wheel and feel the awe of true capability. Powered by a track-proven small-block V8, the engine allows bursts of power as needed. It’s also a natural on corners, aided by a refined torque-arm rear suspension.

When Chevrolet started making the Camaro bodies longer in the 1970s and putting smaller engines in, they might have been better used for chauffeuring preschoolers or making trips to the grocery store. Around 1983, however, horsepower ratings started going up. This enabled the Camaro to become the official car of the International Race of Champions (IROC) in 1985. It was also an option package on the Camaro Z28, which would upgrade the suspension and lower the ride height, and, for looks, a special decal package. The Camaro was equipped with unidirectional Goodyear Gatorback tires, which Corvettes also used. The 1985 Camaro IROC-Z ended up taking home awards, such as being named to Car and Driver magazine's “Ten Best” list.

See Camaros for sale here.

1987 Buick GNX ==============

A new marketing approach spelled the end of Buick’s modern muscle GNX after 1987 when a mere 547 were built. Buick catered to the wealthy with an advertisement, which read, “A high-performance investment for the fortunate 500.” For the year, Buick dropped to fifth place in production, below Oldsmobile and Pontiac. But the GNX itself was solid — at 276 hp and with a blinding 4.7-second 0–60 mph, as well as 13.5 seconds at 102 mph in the quarter-mile, it would compete with any car that wasn’t heavily modified.

Touted as the “Grand National to end all Grand Nationals,” the GNX received a new Garrett turbo, a new intercooler, a revised rear suspension, larger wheels, and louvers in the front fenders. The car may have gone out of production, but it definitely went out in style.

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1987 Ford Mustang GT

After a facelift in 1983, the Mustang was finally restyled in 1987. This was perfect timing — in 1986, Ford had ended GM’s 42-year reign as America’s most profitable automaker. The Mustang GT was for the free-spirited and it didn’t hurt that a convertible option (with room for four) was available. The car was more aerodynamic than the base models, thanks to new rocker skirts and mini-blind tail lamps with a ground effects exterior. The 1987 GTs had a muscular 5.0-liter V8, which gained 25 horses (up to 225 at 4,000 RPM), which was the highest-rated engine offered by Ford. The transmission is a Borg-Warner 5-speed manual with overdrive fifth. The suspension matched the performance, with gas-pressurized struts, progressive rate springs, and a larger stabilizer bar in the front. The rear has the Ford Quadra-Shock setup and horizontally mounted axle dampers to help control axle movement and resist torsional roll. All these details and more made for a diamond vehicle in a rough decade.

See Mustangs for sale here.

[1986 Shelby GLHS

The name Shelby doesn’t automatically conjure up a compact hatchback sports car for muscle car enthusiasts, but the limited production run (a scant 500, numbered) of the Shelby GLHS offered a surprising, deceptively fast machine. Of course, GLHS stands for “Goes Like Hell S’More.” Seriously. The Shelby is a modified Dodge Omni GLH — an intercooled Turbo II engine (the turbocharger could increase pressure from 9.0 to 12.0 psi), Koni Adjustable shocks, Shelby Centurian wheels, and changes to the alignment were the main differences. A driver could count on 175 hp from the Shelby. It also has a redesigned intake manifold with longer runners, higher-flow Bosch injectors, a throttle body placed behind the turbo, and Shelby exterior graphics. Its performance was impressive, needing just 6.5 seconds to go 0–60 mph and a mere 14.8 seconds in the quarter-mile.

1989 Ford Thunderbird SC ========================

One of Detroit’s brightest stars of 1989 was the all-new aerodynamic Ford Thunderbird. They were shorter but the wheelbase was nine inches longer. The supercharged Thunderbird SC (Super Coupe) boasts a 210-hp 3.8-liter V6 and 315 pound-feet of torque, as well as four-wheel independent suspension. The modified MacPherson strut assembly in front meant the handling was smooth and fast, especially on the open road with its low-RPM torque (which also made for plenty of racing surprises at stoplights). Unfortunately, the car was a bit heavier than planned, but it delivered grand touring performance, which could rival a BMW with a clip of 7.8 seconds on the 0-60. Despite being considered a failure by Ford's top management, the 1989 Ford Thunderbird SC was awarded Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1989.

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1989 Ford Taurus SHO ====================

Perhaps the surprise in the whole lot is Ford’s Taurus SHO (Super High Output). It became, and remains, one of America’s top sellers. The real ticket on the SHO is that it was powered by a Yamaha-engineered port fuel-injected 24-valve 220-hp V-6 engine. It was a sleeper by design, the family-sedan exterior belying what bristled under the hood. It had four doors and a very traditional interior — the only giveaway for those paying close attention was the wider-than-normal tires. Very few vehicles have combined performance and practicality like the Taurus SHO.

The entire undercarriage had, for the first time ever, ground effects that could allow a lowering of the rigs. This would prove to be one of the best trends of the late 1980s: owners started to lower the carriage and apply steering effects. Many a SHO driver invested in cop-tracking fuzz-busters since the innocent-looking car was itchy to reinterpret local speed limits.

See Tauruses for sale here. ](http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a7841/1986-shelby-glh-s-drive-flashback/)

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