The 1980s weren’t exactly the golden age of cars—or so people have said for decades. In the 80s, cars were often criticized for their boxy styling and the emission rules and regulations that restrained their performance compared to the sports icons of the ’50s and ’60s. Car collectors largely dismissed the decade's offerings as uninspired, looking down their noses at what rolled off the assembly lines.
Fast-forward to today, and something curious is happening: the very cars once mocked are now suddenly rare, desirable, and—most importantly—appreciating in value. Millennials, fueled by nostalgia and equipped with disposable income, are hunting down these forgotten machines, and the market is responding. Cars like the DeLorean DMC-12, Datsun 280ZX, and Ford Bronco II are appreciating in value, fetching higher prices as interest increases.
These aren’t just old cars; they’re statements, and, in some cases, surprisingly sharp investments.
The Rise of the Hot Hatch
Take the Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9. A car Americans barely saw back then is now a darling in collector circles and has gained a cult following. The appeal seems surprising when you consider that compared to modern cars or the muscle cars of previous eras, the 205 GTI lacks the same raw power or flashy speed. Its engine produces 128 horsepower, which today might seem modest, but the car is very light, and its weight-to-power ratio gives it a lively, responsive feel that’s quite exciting to experience behind the wheel.
Somehow, this model makes 7.8 seconds to 60 mph feel exhilarating. A five-speed manual, with four-corner independent suspension, and nothing more than the bare essentials, the 205 GTI isn’t fast—it’s fun. So fun, in fact, that prices have jumped 30% in the last five years, proof that people are finally appreciating the simplicity of driving pleasure.
Rally Royalty
If ever there were a car born to dominate twisty roads and mud-slick rally stages, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16V is it. It features a turbocharged 2.0-liter 16-valve engine producing about 200 horsepower, which for a small car weighing around 1290 kg makes it pretty quick and agile.
Its racing pedigree in the World Rally Championship (WRC) is undeniable. The Lancia Delta Integrale won multiple WRC titles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, reinforcing its legacy as a rally icon with a reputation for handling like a dream on tarmac and a nightmare off it.
Over the last few years, values have risen 38%, and it’s easy to see why. It’s prized not only for its performance but for its motorsport history and unmistakable character.
Supercar Legends
Of course, the Ferrari F40 needs no introduction. It’s widely regarded as the ultimate supercar of the 1980s and stands as one of the most iconic cars ever built. The F40’s heart is a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing about 471 horsepower, which helped the car reach over 200 mph—the first production car to break that barrier.
It has no electronic driver aids like traction control or ABS, making it brutally raw. Four years ago, you could have picked one up for $1.9 million. Today, it’ll set you back $2.7 million.
American Icons
The Buick Grand National GNX was only produced in 1987, with just 547 units made. The Buick Grand National GNX may look like a simple black coupe, but beneath the surface lies one of the decade’s greatest sleeper hits.
With its 3.8-liter turbo V6, reworked by ASC/McLaren, this icon is capable of leaving much of Europe’s sports cars in the dust. Values are currently up 45%. From street cred to investment, the GNX proves the 1980s were quietly building legends in Detroit garages.
Over-the-Top Extravagance
Berlin13407 at de.wikipedia on Wikimedia
Finally, the Lamborghini LM002. This V12 SUV was designed initially as a military vehicle, then evolved into a bizarre yet captivating luxury all-wheel-drive capable off-roader that combined Lamborghini’s supercar DNA with extreme practicality.
Despite its monstrous size and capabilities, it delivers a top speed of about 130 mph, which is fast for an SUV built in the 1980s. The LM002 is infamous for its impracticality, as well as its ability to guzzle gas at an astonishing rate.
It’s a machine that defies logic—too thirsty, too impractical, too ridiculous with its massive Pirelli Scorpion tires that make even a quiet suburban driveway feel like the Sahara. And yet here it is, not just surviving but thriving, with values that have appreciated nearly 100% in just a few years. The LM002 isn’t just a relic of ’80s excess; it’s a monument to it.
The 1980s may have been mocked for their boxy silhouettes, neon interiors, and overcomplicated electronics, but the proof is in the prices. What was once “just a car” is now history, performance, and nostalgia on four wheels. As it turns out, some things really do get better with age.
