When we speak about 1980 classics, there are many classic touring cars that were strongly built for one purpose only: Touring. Many of you must be using these special tourers from 1980s and are having a fun-time driving your old classics.
Previously, we discussed 8 best classic cars from 1973. We have compiled a short list of tourers from 1980s under £15,000.
Jaguar XJS TWR
From 1988, Jaguar and TWR teamed up to build a special car XJRS with V12 5.3 litre engine. This car had distinctive body style, alloy wheels, new suspension and handling improvements. In 1982, Tom Walkingshaw entered into the European Touring Car Championship. Jaguar XJS were specially built according to Group A touring car rules. It was one of the fastest cars that BMW and Alfa Romeo cannot match.
From the 1980s Touring Car Championships, the Jaguar TWR is still featured in club level motorsport. Many Jaguar car enthusiasts love this classic touring king. It is highly regarded in UK in club level motorsports by enthusiasts and continues to attract large group of racing car lovers.
Volvo 240 Turbo
Volvo 240 was one of the best selling cars from 1975 to 1982 and it was highly regarded as one of the best European cars. It was introduced in 1974 and was available in six different versions. It never had a sporting car image, but it was one of the successful competitors in touring car race in 1980s. Volvo launched the remarkable modified version with turbocharger. All of these cars were exported to United States.
It was a big car, but it turns out to be one of the best competitors in Group A racing events. Volvo 240 was equipped with 2.1 litre turbocharged engine, which produces 350bhp. Due to its weight and size, it lacked fast pace. However, long tracks like Monza, Hockenheim and Bathurst were one of the successful to test Volvo 240 performance.
Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum
Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum was produced through its specialist under Rover Triumph and Austin Rover division during 1976 to 1986. The original name for Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum was Rover SD1, where SD refers to Specialist Division. The Rover SD1 was considered to be the last true “Rover” that was manufactured.
Rover SD1 Vitesse also competed in touring races during the 80s under Tom Walkinshaw Racing. It was considered to be good touring car competitor. You will hardly find any Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum models.
BMW M635 CSi
BMW M 635 CSi was introduced in Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983 by BMW Motorsport division. It was powered by E24 engine which produces 282bhp. These were specially modified for performance and extra comfort which included Nappa leather powered seats.
Alfa Romeo GTV6
Alfa Romeo GTV6 was introduced in the 80s having SOHC V6 2.5 litre engine borrowed from Alfa 6 Sedan. It received many rave reviews for launching V6, but it was heavily criticized in Alfa 6. You can say that the engine was perfectly matched with GTV6. Alfa Romeo GTV6 received number of revisions and was highly demanded by the people.
Alfa Romeo GTV6 one of the successful racing car competitor winning the European Touring Car Championship and British Touring Car Championship. GTV6 engine was regarded as one of the best sounding engine. It was featured in movies and magazines as one of the most attractive looking cars manufactured. Later, GTV6 was used in Australian Car Racing and competed in number of different racing events. GTV6 is still one of the best classic cars from the 1980s.
Images courtesy Aheartfield Wikipedia, Mr.Choppers Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Wikipedia , Wikipedia under Creative Commons
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