After the problematic 1970s, the 1980s were a decade in which the US car industry finally started to recover and again present interesting and performance-oriented models. At the same time, US car makers accepted new technologies like turbocharging and aerodynamic design and also listened to global trends. All of that resulted in an exciting line of models, and today, we will showcase the 15 most interesting ones.
Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Ford Thunderbird isn’t the car you would typically consider a muscle car. Still, in the ’80s, Ford introduced a couple of Thunderbirds that could have that designation and were an interesting addition to the performance car scene in those days. The TC received a Mustang SVO, a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a manual transmission, 190 HP power level, and a top speed of a whopping 143 mph. The top speed was affected by the car’s relative lightness and the ninth-generation Thunderbird’s aerodynamic shape.