Premium Luxury
In the 1980s car manufacturers remained convinced that the best way to build a luxury car was with a front engine and rear-wheel drive, plus a good deal of weight. Lightweight construction and materials had yet to influence this sector of the market, and fuel economy was not a priority. The Saab 900 was an exception—a light, front-drive vehicle that opened a new niche in the market for luxury cars.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage, 1977
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,340 cc,V8 |
| Top speed | 168 mph (270 km/h) |
The ultimate 1970s Aston Martin became even more potent in 1986 with 432 bhp. The style remained the same, complete with sumptuous leather and walnut veneers.
Shanghai SH760, 1964
| Origin | China |
| Engine | 2,200 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation built 79,526 of this imposing car almost unaltered from 1964 to 1991. It was inspired by Soviet and Mercedes models.
Bristol Beaufighter, 1980
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,900 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
Based on the 412, rather bluntly styled by Zagato, the niche market Beaufighter had the extra appeal of turbocharging for its Chrysler V8 engine and a lift-off roof panel.
Lincoln Mark VII, 1984
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 4,949 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
The Mark VII was a two-door coupe with optional designer interiors. Based on the four-door Continental platform, it had BMW turbodiesel or Ford V8 engine choices.
BMW 3-series Convertible, 1986
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 2,495 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 135 mph (217 km/h) |
By engineering rollover protection into the windshield frame, BMW produced the cleanest-looking convertible of its day. The power hood all but disappeared when it was retracted.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, 1980
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 6,750 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 119 mph (192 km/h) |
The Silver Spirit was the ultimate in luxury and quality of build, but its sheer weight, its aging engine, and its stately styling lost it sales to more modern luxury cars.
Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, 1980
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 6,037 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 104 mph (167 km/h) |
The top of Cadillac’s prestige line remained conventional with large dimensions, a large V8 engine, and live rear axle. Luxury trim and power steering came as standard.
Jaguar XJ12, 1979
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,343 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
Jaguar’s 350 bhp flagship sedan looked more elegant than ever with its makeover by Pininfarina for the 1980s. It continued to make other luxury cars seem overpriced.
Cadillac Sedan De Ville, 1985
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 4,087 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 119 mph (191 km/h) |
Cadillac gave the world a front-wheel-drive V8. It had the same interior space as before, but in a smaller bodyshell. U.S, buyers still wanted big cars, however, and sales suffered.
Saab 900 Convertible, 1986
| Origin | Sweden |
| Engine | 1,985 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 126 mph (203 km/h) |
Despite being no more than a progressively developed 1960s front-drive model, the Saab 900 Convertible sold well into the 1990s, and was spoiled only by its turbo lag.
Lexus LS400, 1989
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 3,969 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 147 mph (237 km/h) |
The Lexus was Toyota’s flagship car of 1989. It successfully challenged existing U.S. and European high-end cars on aerodynamics, quietness, top speed, and fuel efficiency.
Volvo 760GLE, 1982
| Origin | Sweden |
| Engine | 2,849 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
Aimed at the U.S. luxury market, the 760GLE helped the 700 series sell over a million. In 1984 it became turbocharged and intercooled, greatly improving performance.
Ferrari 412, 1986
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,942 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 158 mph (254 km/h) |
Ferrari’s executive family car came with comfortable seats, leather trim, air conditioning, and anti-lock brakes. Vitally, it was still as exciting to drive as a Ferrari should be.
Mercedes-Benz 190, 1982
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 1,997 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 117 mph (188 km/h) |
Mercedes’ entry-level model for the 1980s was very well equipped and extremely durable. It easily ran for 300,000 miles (480,000 km) or so without needing major attention.
Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC, 1985
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 5,547 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 156 mph (251 km/h) |
The 560 SEC was at the top of Mercedes’ quality-laden coupé range. Very expensive when new, it had 300 bhp from its big V8 engine and 6.8-second 0-60 mph acceleration.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
