Earlier this week we looked at a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado. In that article’s discussion, CC reader Lokki commented that if he were at his “current age and station” in 1985, he might have bought such a Toronado. Lokki continued by adding: “I sometimes ponder where in the Sloan hierarchy I would have fallen (in an American-car-only world) at various points in my life.” Good question. Other readers followed up and shared what mid-1980s GM car they would buy if they were suddenly transported back in time. It is, of course, and interesting topic for us to ponder, so let’s have at it: What Mid-1980s GM car would YOU buy?
For our QOTD we’ll look at the mid-1980s – let’s say 1983 through 1987 – and assume that we are at our current age with our current vehicle needs. This period was an interesting time for GM, featuring a wildly diverse range of cars and trucks. Traditional rear-drive cars were still plentiful in the mid-1980s, along with smaller front-drive models. Two-doors, four doors, wagons, sport coupes, trucks, you-name-it. The Sloan hierarchy of GM divisions, while somewhat muddled, was still operational, from bargain-priced Chevrolets to aspirational Cadillacs.
For me, at my current age and vehicle needs, I would choose a Monte Carlo. It might not seem an intuitive choice for someone who is middle-aged and with two kids, so I’ll explain. Part of my affection for Monte Carlos was imprinted at an early age – I grew up in a neighborhood where GM G-Special coupes were very popular, and still roam the streets in fairly high numbers today. Furthermore, since I’m frugal and prefer conservative cars, the Monte fits the bill – it was a good value, conservatively styled, and a traditional RWD, body-on-frame construction. And a two-door car wasn’t all that unusual for family transportation 30 years ago. My ideal Monte Carlo would be a base model with the optional 305 V-8 and sport suspension.
To make this a more interesting exercise, I posed this question to my wife. She unhesitatingly said that her pick would be a conversion van. Vans like these served a great purpose in their day, and made a great family travel vehicle – filling the purpose that our Honda Odyssey serves today, but with more space, living-room-style amenities, and maybe even a swoopy graphics package. My wife’s family owned a 1983 GMC conversion van (conversion by Behlmann in St. Louis) for just this purpose, and that vehicle served them very well for 12 years.
So there you have it – instead of owning a Crown Victoria and a Honda Odyssey as we do today, we would drive a Monte Carlo and a conversion van.
So, back to our Question. Imagine yourself walking into a GM dealership like the one above 30 years ago. With GM offering at least 50 models for sale in any given year, there ought to be something for everyone. Well then: What mid-1980s GM car would you buy?
A few days ago a young commenter who likes Cadillacs said if he was around back then he would have bought one. There was some discussion along the lines that a young person would not have wanted a Cadillac in the 70s or 80s. True to a point, but not for everyone. I for example would have loved a ’76 Seville even though I wasn’t old enough to drive. Asking us what we would have bought at our current age also doesn’t work very well because we know too much. Who would pick a Cadillac RWD Coupe deVille with the HT4100, which was all of them in the mid-80s?
I can never choose just one favorite from the 70s or 80s so I usually make a list which is pretty lame.
I think right now, if I had to spend my own money, needed an extra car and couldn’t make a speculative purchase like a Buick GNX I would buy a loaded last year El Camino.
My current car buying tastes/situation. Dual Income, no kids. If I were shopping for a car, it would probably keep very close to some of my previous car purchases. I love wagons. I love performance cars. I love rare cars, limited production.
1st choice: 1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe with T-Tops. The Aerocoupe was a limited production model that was sold to homogate the fast back window for NASCAR. 200 produced in 1986, just over 6,000 built in 1987. I prefer the styling tweaks of the 1987 model (smoother taillights and rear bumper). The T-Top option would give me a “sort of” convertible effect. I would take mine in white, just like the car pictured here.
2nd choice: 1987 Celebrity Eurosport VR station wagon. The top of the line Eurosport wagon with a highly revised interior, ground effects, larger wheels and upgraded suspension. Around 1000 made in 1987. I’ll take mine in white monochromatic.
And here is the Eurosport VR. This, but in wagon form.