1986 - 1995
- The Corvette Convertible returns, and Lotus is bought by GM. - And there’s a new breed of enthusiast car running around these days: overtorqued, FWD econoboxes like Mitsu’s Mirage Turbo and VW’s GTi. The ultimate example bows in ’86: the limited-production Dodge/Shelby GLH-S (for Goes Like Hell—Squared). Built like an extra-flimsy shoebox, the GLH-S nevertheless outruns a Shelby GT350 Mustang on the racetrack. Just 500 are made in all. - Elsewhere, fast-food maven Tom Mona-ghan pays $8+ million for a Bugatti Royale. "Waddizhe, nuts?" people ask. Then again, prices have been rising for collector cars: Some Ferraris go up 25% this year alone.
Want more information? Search the web!
1987
Porche 959
- In America, Ford out-earns GM for the first time since 1924, and Chrysler buys AMC—mostly to get Jeep. Highland Park also sets its sights on Lamborghini. - Porsche’s ultimate 911 road derivative, the twin-turbo, AWD 959, goes into production. Capable of about 200 mph, race versions of the street car also dominate long-distance offroad rallying.
1988
Jaguar XJ220
- It’s a good year for England—at last. Jag wins Le Mans for the first time since 1957, the massive Bentley Turbo R goes on sale, a restyled Lotus Esprit bows and Aston Martin is saved by Ford. On the other hand, Donald Healey dies, as does Enzo Ferrari. - Jag trades on its racewinning ways (and the booming market) with the XJ220 showcar, the first of a new generation of 210+ mph superexotics. Alas, the production version only arrives after the market crashes.
1989
Mazda Miata
- Lexus and Infiniti debut, the Dodge Viper showcar makes the rounds and Chevrolet’s 4-cam, 180-mph Corvette ZR1 is offered at 60 large. - At the other end of the spectrum, Mazda brings out a retrostyled, inexpensive RWD sports car called the Miata. Long after the luxury- and super-exotic booms go bust, the Miata still sells briskly. - And 15 years after his second F1 World Championship, our own Emerson Fittipaldi proves he’s still the man, winning the Indy 500 in a Marlboro-Penske.
1990
Nissan 300ZX
- Not content with its own troubles, Fiat buys Maserati. - The first of a whole new genre appears: Nissan’s all-new 300ZX. Capable of Porsche-grade performance at a fraction of the price, the 300ZX is as revolutionary in its time as the 240Z was 20 years earlier. Coming soon are competitors from Mitsubishi, Toyota, Mazda and Chevrolet.
1991
Bugatti EB110
- Mazda wins Le Mans—the first Japanese entry to succeed in 15 years of trying. Back in DC, the 1991 Highway Act sets a timetable for mandatory passive restraints, including airbags. Sterling (Rover) and Peugeot leave the US. - And the collector market collapses. Some exotics lose 50% of their value during the year. - Despite the ominous timing, Romano Artioli shows off the reborn Bugatti: A 4-turbo, 4-cam, AWD powerhouse at a staggering $300,000+.
1992
Dodge Viper
- It’s a great year for broad-bunned Americans, as the Chrysler LH sedan and Caddy Seville STS are introduced. Subaru’s SVX also arrives, and Yugo slinks away. - We get our first drive in the production Dodge Viper, whose 8-liter V10 and homemade aura reveal the intimate connection between hotrods and sports cars once and for all. The Viper is sort of the Allard or Cunningham of the ’90s—great stuff.
1993
Toyota Supra Turbo
- Well, Halle-gol’ darned-lujah: America’s finally back in the engine business. The 4-cam Northstar and 2-cam Ford V8s arrive, as do three new musclecars—a redesigned Camaro, Firebird and Mustang. - Just when we thought they couldn’t top the RX7, 300ZX, 3000VR4 and Corvette LT1, along comes the Supra Turbo—the fastest, baddest, easiest-to-drive high-sports on the market. It’s so good, going fast is boring.
1994
Ferrari F355
- Maybe Japanese luxury cars weren’t such a good idea: The new 911 is a knockout, the C-class attacks the near-luxury market and De Tomaso shows off the Guara. - Worst of all, Italy proves it can still make the world’s greatest sports cars: The Ferrari F355 is as stable, forgiving and powerful as its 348 successor was finicky and cantankerous. Better still, with Japanese cars now at 45 grand, its price seems a bit less loony.
1995
McLaren F1
- Fangio dies, and the 55-mph speed limit goes away. - But there’s no bigger story than the return of GT racing: This is the year that road cars win the war against prototypes. - The final blow is McLaren’s F1, a million-dollar street car that takes first, third, fourth and fifth at Le Mans. We’re living in a brave new world.
Search The Auto Channel!
The Auto Channel