1976 - 1985
- Rover’s 4-door Daytona knockoff, the SD1, is introduced, and the equally wacky Aston Martin Lagonda sedan boasts digital main instruments. Jensen folds, taking Jensen-Healey with it. - A new kind of Ferrari is shown off: Bigger than the 246 Dino, smaller than the Boxer and capable of 5-figure build volumes, the 308GTB and GTS are Ferrari/Fiat’s answer to Porsche.
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1977
Porche 928
- Lotus' Type 78 ground-effects car revolutionizes F1. - A 10-year California plan to eliminate leaded gas begins, much to the caterwauling of old-car enthusiasts. - And Porsche, the success story of the ’70s, introduces the front-engine, water-cooled 924 and 928. So much for Ferrari.
1978
Triumph TR8
- Lee Iacocca is fired by Ford and hired by Chrysler; a number of wags murmur that they deserve each other. - Saab produces its 900 Turbo, and Mario Andretti becomes America’s second-ever Formula One World Champion. - England’s last new sports car for 15 years also debuts, the TR8. Less than 100 prototypes are built this year.
1979
BMW M1
- Tough times in America: Iacocca asks for loan guarantees from Feds, who grudgingly agree. - A new Mustang arrives—at last, ending the Pinto-based Mustang II’s miserable little life—but it’s based on (gasp) the Ford Fairmont. And speaking of Fords named "II," Hank the Deuce gives up his chairmancy this year. - Lamborghini was supposed to build the ItalDesign-styled M1, but BMW Motorsport gets the job when the Italians can’t deliver. Underpowered by modern standards, the 6-cylinder, plastic-paneled M1 still brings new levels of ride quality, handling refinement and space utilization to the exotic class.
1980
Mazda RX7
- Audi’s AWD Quattro revolutionizes rallying and offers up technology as a panacea for OPEC- and EPA-induced ailments. Chrysler’s "unremittingly rectangular" K-car (as Bob Lutz later calls it) is introduced. Japan becomes the world’s biggest carmaker at 7 million units, and GM announces its first loss in 60 years. - Renault, of all companies, finalizes its takeover plans for American Motors. - One of the few bright spots this year is the Mazda RX7: Once the 1979 version is debugged, this light, simple Wankel-powered coupe proves a real alternative to pricey Porsches and porky ZXs. Only the utter pigheadedness of engineer Kenichi Yamamoto has kept the rotary alive long enough to find its proper home.
1981
Porche 944
- With a tariff fight looming, Japan agrees to voluntary quotas. Also, under De Tomaso’s direction, Maserati unveils the compact, mass-market Biturbo coupe. - Stung by accusations the 924 is not a "real Porsche," the German firm shows off the flared-fendered, Porsche-powered 944 successor. Its marque-specific Four features balance shafts licensed from Mitsubishi, and with its revised suspension and much-improved styling, the 944 is a winner.
1982
Lamborghini Jalpa
- Porsche’s new Group C racer, the 956/962, begins a dozen-year romp in endurance racing. De Lorean goes sour, and Renault and Honda open US factories. Chrysler revives the convertible, and GM brings new, rigid Camaros and Firebirds with fuel-injected 5-liter V8s. - But Italy is in the doldrums, with one possible exception: The Jalpa, a much-improved version of Lamborghini’s 1976 Silhouette. Thanks to an infusion of capital and enthusiasm from Lambo’s young new owners, the firm will also start updating the Countach.
1983
Chevy Corvette
- Chrysler repays its federally insured loans seven years early. Pontiac brings out the mid-engine Fiero, but saddles it with a lazy 4-cylinder engine. - The most impressive car on the road is the all-new Corvette, with its full-targa roof, fuel-injected smallblock V8, super-rigid perimeter frame and massive Goodyear rubber. It’s hard to believe today, but 0-60 in seven seconds and 0.95g are incredible numbers at the time. - On the track, the Lee Dykstra-designed Group 44 Jaguar XJR-5 wins its first race.
1984
Honda CRX
- Under intense pressure from more sophisticated imports, a few American engines finally go from single- to multiple-point fuel injection. Ferrari brings out its Boxer-replacing Testarossa, whose unusual styling "will take some getting used to," SCI says. Well, we’re still waiting. - Honda gives us the tiny, superlight CRX, and it’s an eye-opener, with the grip of an exotic, a low price and great mileage. New rivals, crash standards and quotas can’t kill the CRX—it take the ludicrous insurance rates of the ’90s to do that.
1985
Ferrari F40
- GM announces that its new division—to be called Saturn—will explore Japanese-style carmaking. A 15-year-old Fiat comes to America disguised as the Yugo, and the Fiero gets a much-needed V6. - As the Testarossa enters production, Ferrari releases the first look at another, prettier exotic: the F40, its ultimate evoluzione of the twin-turbo 288GTO. This composite-laden monster will be Italy’s first genuine 200-mph supercar. - Mirroring the Daytona, the F40 road car finds a long and successful career on the track. It’s still winning European GT events a decade later.
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