It’s time to recognize that while cars from the 1980s are still very much in the modern idiom, mostly with some modern luxuries, fuel injection, and disc brakes, by age they are moving into the classic segment. The cars most likely to be appreciated by aficionados could rightfully be those that best exemplify design trends, technical trends, and industry trends of their period. And while some might consider it ridiculous, there’s a case to be made that the AMC-built Renault Alliance, Encore and GTA fall in that category. They have the boxy styling of their period, low profile tires and a tasteful 1980s aerodynamic package, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and a decently powerful but efficient engine. Check out this 1987 Renault GTA convertible for sale for $1500 in Rochester, NH.
Posts Tagged ‘gta’
Le Ragtop – 1987 Renault GTA Convertible
August 29, 2014Le GTI – 1987 Renault GTA
April 22, 2014You have to love French sports cars. Perhaps it’s because they’re doing something they’re not supposed to – the reputation of French cars is (with a few notable exceptions) for being comfortable, not terribly fast, and sometimes quite innovative. Of course, there are some French performance icons, like the Peugeot 205 GTi, but we didn’t get those here in North America. So the next best (in fact, the only) thing is the Renault GTA, sold for one year only as the top end marker for the Renault Alliance line, built in conjunction with AMC. It and the entire Renault-based product line expired sooner than planned, due to Chrysler’s acquisition of AMC (geez, which Europeans *won’t* they sleep with? Rootes/Sunbeam, Renault via AMC, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Fiat). If you want a sporty French car, check out this 1987 Renault GTA for sale for $2750 in Highland, CA.
1980s Sport Coupes – 1988 Pontiac Sunbird GT Turbo vs. 1987 Renault GTA
March 4, 2014Quick! Think of an affordable 1980s sports coupe! Scirocco…. Impulse…. Celica…. 200SX…. Corolla GT-S…. Camaro…. Sunbird…. wait, what? Back in the 1980s, when everything was getting a turbo – heck, Buick put a turbo in their Regal, for god’s sakes – Pontiac turbocharged their Sunbird. Blowing out GM Brazil’s 1.8-liter four to two liters and hanging a turbo off the side brought a total of 165hp and probably a good time with torque steer. To put that in context, at the same time, Audi’s 2.2-liter I5 turbo was putting out 162hp, and Saab’s 2-liter I4 turbo was making 160hp, both to motivate ostensibly heavier cars. You can find this 1988 Pontiac Sunbird GT Turbo for sale for C$1600 in east Vancouver, BC.