Who was voted king of the modern retro cars?

Posted on 06. Aug, 2008 by in The Store

Simon looks to the skyIn the second newsletter, I proclaimed that the modern retro car was back. Those 80′s and 90′s beauty’s that remind you of the times when cars actually had a unique look and weren’t boring boxes. I got a tonne of emails from devoted fans of the 80′s and 90′s classics and thought it was about time we revisited it.

There were some real surprises coming through. No votes at all for classic jap imports. Instead we got a tonne of votes for the “Mighty Opel Manta”. For me the Capri is one of those cars thats been long overdue for a comeback particularly something like the Tickford Turbo Capri.

The top 5 nominations

(* by number of mails received.)

1. Opel Manta

Dougie Rankin from Total Vauxhall Magazine told us

“The Manta’s reputation just keeps getting better. Packed with potential, the rear-wheel drive coupé is brilliant fun in both standard and modified form. The huge gathering of Mantas at the VBOA rally at Billing this year showed just how diverse the cars are, from concours restored GT/Es, to 2.0 16v and V8 converted monsters.”

Check out this example of an old skool manta .. it just looks awesome.

2. Ford Capri

My personal favorite, particularly the special editions from Tickford and Brooklands. I’m sure you’d be the butt of a few Only Fools and Horses jokes, but who cares when your driving a car this cool.

Neil Davies from Fast Ford Magazine told us:

“Pure cop-show cool. Capri’s are out there for sensible money, huge engine bays just lend themselves to transplants. Sort the suspension and diff and you will have a very unique sideways Ford.”

More at fordcapri.co.uk

3. Saab 9000

225bhp (200bhp for the FPT) with 149mph top speed, electric and leather Recaro sports seats, all the electronic trimmings you would get on a brand new top of the range family saloon or large hatchback and only £2000 for a good example. They even have a turbo boost-pressure gauge fitted as standard to the dashboard. (thanks to: dave hague)

More at www.saab9000.com

4. Escort Mk1

A true classic, particularly in rally form. Anybody who’s seen the hopped up versions of these at drag runs can testify they can be stupidly quick as they weigh about as much as tin of beans.

Neil Davies from Fast Ford Magazine again:

“Ever popular and rising prices ensure the best examples stay in pristine condition. Limitless possibilities for the modifier and always massive fun. They reward skillful driving and make for a spectacle to watch on track or rally stages. The original Fast Ford.”

More pics at www.forddesktops.com

5. Golf Mk2

A big surprise to me this, but it seems that the Mk 2′s may be a real up and comer.

James Wallace from Golf+ Magazine told us:

“The Mk2 Golf GTI is easily one of the best all round GTIs ever made, particularly as it shares DNA with the hot hatch that started it all… the Mk1 Golf GTI. In both 1.8-litre 8v and 16v guises the Mk2 promises some of the most entertaining B-road blasts you’re ever likely to experience, and with prices tumbling, cheap spares and endless tuning possibilities – including VR6 and 1.8T engine transplants – it’s a car you can live with on a daily basis while grinning from ear to ear.”

Great examples here at www.vwvortex.com

I’m still open to suggestions for more modern retros. I’d love to see some good links to import jap classic stuff too.

23 Responses to “Who was voted king of the modern retro cars?”

  1. Duncan

    06. Aug, 2008

    Loving the Manta, although I think the Manta B was cooler http://www.mantaclub.org/archive/manta_pictures/mantab400.jpg

    And that Escort is awesome.

    Where’s the Italian stuff though? Surely a Delta Integrale is cooler than a Golf??!!

  2. Milez

    06. Aug, 2008

    Sorry but this car is cooler than any of the 5 above

    http://jstyle2.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/

  3. Milez

    06. Aug, 2008

    Actually think his is even better than the skyline :O Datsun 240z a true jap classic car but with a rb26 engine, huuuuge turbo and awesome Work Meister s1 wheels. Beat that!

  4. Milez

    06. Aug, 2008

    oops heres the link http://kultivate.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/240z-with-a-twist/ ;)

  5. Duncan

    06. Aug, 2008

    Ok Miles, take a look at this one http://www.transalfa.de/Alfa_Romeo_75_IMSA001.jpg

    Full on IMSA Alfa 75!!

  6. Duncan

    06. Aug, 2008

    I’ll admit they’re all cooler than this though

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Alfa_Arna.JPG/800px-Alfa_Arna.JPG

    As an Alfa owner it shames me to post this!! (Although it was a joint effort with Nissan;) )

  7. james

    06. Aug, 2008

    Not enough Japanese cars in the top 5 for my liking! If you like Jap cars check out my latest blog here
    http://www.potn.co.uk/blog/2008/08/06/my-new-love/

  8. Brad Quinn

    07. Aug, 2008

    It would have to be a BMW E28 M5 or even M535i for me, this model is super retro and oozes quality build, power on tap and fun to drive.

    See what is missing on the link provided

  9. inkycorrado

    07. Aug, 2008

    think you’ve missed one of the best orgasmic drivers cars of all time………CORRADO G60…….supercharged, no turbo lag, superb looking and fast!

  10. R3DG3CKO ROB

    07. Aug, 2008

    I think the mk1 Celica should def be on this list, an awesome machine and still looks stunning today.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Celica_ra28.jpg

  11. Duncan

    07. Aug, 2008

    Bit obvious, but don’t forget the E30 M3 http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/TRC1563.jpg

  12. zaphod

    07. Aug, 2008

    Regarding the Saab 9000

    In addition there is the V6 variant pushing out 210 bhp. The manual aeros have 225bhp, the FBT push 200 bhp.
    LPT versions can be converted to FBT by changing the ECU, and a few other tweaks. Serious tuning gets you easily into 300 bhp territory, and enough to trouble the 400 bhp barrier.

    I am surprised, though that the Classic 900 never got a mention. Just as well, though, to keep its capabilities a secret, to surprise and whitewash the opposition.

  13. Mikey (Warwickzetec)

    07. Aug, 2008

    Escort mk1 anyday, because even the rusty ones get remodenised into todays times…Just look at the show stands at ford fair 08 etc.

  14. R2_C2

    07. Aug, 2008

    mantra is spot on motor, was a real coupe for the masses. but sorry its all about the the escort for me, it just looks simply aresome, espiaclly the escort mexico! and weres the CORTINA ah potn??

  15. Nick Morton

    08. Aug, 2008

    Cortina indeed! They rocked and the Lotus in green and white was ace. What about Rover V8? Anyone remember these badboys? http://www.cars365.biz/images/steves_rover/frontandside_opt.jpg. Apart from being a complete rustbucket, great engine and transplanted into thousands of kit cars. Anyone done this?

  16. Richard Oakley

    09. Aug, 2008

    My vote goes here . . .

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-6SguDEwIg

    http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:cFOQ6hhhiw1yxM:http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NCTKUEHu-jQ/RzsedPIjf8I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/RdxwMMDoApE/Lancia+Delta+HF+Integrale+Evo+II%3B.jpg

  17. Duncan

    11. Aug, 2008

    Fully agree with Richard, coolest car ever made.

  18. Naruto

    02. Nov, 2008

    i like escort mk1, it’s cool

    http://ahmadisa.blogsome.com/2008/10/19/pim-my-honda-s-90-please/

  19. Jaromir

    06. Nov, 2008

    good article

  20. Christian Skelton

    25. Mar, 2009

    Ultimate 80s retro car? Surely its got to be either a mk2 Escort, Manta or one of the unforgettable hot hatches of the era – mk1/2 Golf GTI, Mk1/2 Astra GTE or Peugeot 205 GTI.

  21. Simon Morton

    25. Mar, 2009

    Manta got it in the end.. BTW awesom site you have there

    check it out at Retro Car Trader

  22. Christian Skelton

    08. Apr, 2009

    Glad you like it Simon!

  23. Захар

    09. Apr, 2009

    Все отлично: и по стилю изложения, и по содержанию. Так держать!
    “Everything: the style of presentation and content. Way to go!” c/o Google Translate

    Thanks. Pleased you like it.

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