WE remember 1985 as the year of Live Aid, Back to the Future, the debut of EastEnders, and the first version of Microsoft Windows.
But the mid-80s was also something of a watershed period for cars —with iconic family motors, pulse-racing supercars, and bold automotive experiments.
Yes, it’s true —1985 was the year of the Ford Scorpio and the Peugeot 309, two cars that may not often come to mind today.
Yet, they, and many others, marked the beginning of a new era in design and technology, bridging the gap between practicality and modern innovation.
What’s more, many cars from the mid-80s are now considered highly sought-after classics by enthusiasts with hefty price tags to boot, such as the mighty Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth.
For example, one special example of the famous Cossie with just 5,192 miles on the clock sold for a jaw-dropping £596,250
In the UK, a car becomes eligible for “historic vehicle” status – or a vintage model to you or I – at 40 years old… so which models should you be eyeing as investments — or simply owning — for 2025?
TIME TO CASH OUT?
According to Shane Wilkinson, senior content editor at Auto Express, there are no shortage of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in the used car market.
Speaking to Sun Motors he said: “Plenty of 80s cars have already skyrocketed in value — just look at the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth — but there are still a few overlooked models that are ripe for the picking.
“Of course, no investment is guaranteed to pay off, but the beauty of a classic car is that you’ll have plenty of fun regardless.
“The Jaguar XJS had the nightmarish task of filling the legendary E-Type’s shoes when it first arrived, but over the decades this big cat has finally started to earn the respect and admiration it deserves.
“Decent examples of these cars can currently be picked up for under £10,000, although their reputation for reliability isn’t exactly rosy.
“If you have a larger budget and fancy something sportier, it’s not too difficult to find tidy examples of the Porsche 944 for under £25,000.
“Along with its desirable badge, these cars are a lot of fun to drive and, most importantly, feature pop-up headlights.
“The 944 Turbo – which was first unveiled in 1985 – offers the most power, but these command more money than the standard models.
“As with any classic car, some mechanical knowledge and a willingness to get your hands dirty are essential if you want to keep costs down.”
It’s not all about high-class, premium sports cars either, as enthusiasts are just as keen on many of the era’s budget buys – with a fair few becoming regulars at classic car shows.
“Although they were seen as budget buys when new, even the most basic cars from this era are still appreciated by enthusiasts today for their simplicity and raw driving experience,” said Shane.
“One of the best-known examples of a low-cost car with a big following is the Ford Fiesta.
“This car’s legacy endured all the way through to 2023, when the final Fiesta rolled off the production line.
“It was a car that did everything well enough: good to drive, practical for its size, attractive to look at, and cheap to buy and run. What more could you want?
“While many other small 1980s cars didn’t go on to spawn such a long bloodline, they are still remembered fondly and, in some cases, lovingly preserved by dedicated enthusiasts.
“Cars like the Austin Metro, Vauxhall Nova, Peugeot 205, and Renault 5 remain fairly common sights at classic car shows to this day.”
Brilliantly, many budget favourites are worth a mint in 2025 – including the lowly Ford Fiesta.
In recent times, some well well-preserved XR2 iterations, for example, have fetched prices in the £20,000 to £23,000 range.
Even standard versions found in great condition or with low mileage can be sold for a pretty penny – with talk of some Mk2 Fiestas parting for up to £7,000.
SUPERCAR FAVOURITES
Unsurprisingly, on the supercar stage, it was Ferrari and Lamborghini battling it out for top honours in 1985.
Shane said: “The Lamborghini Countach had already been around since 1974, but 11 years later it had evolved into a much wilder supercar, complete with plenty of additional body kit that was very befitting of the mid-eighties.
“However, the Countach was arguably more of a showpiece than a driver’s car, as it was notoriously difficult to drive.
“Ferrari, meanwhile, introduced the 328 in 1985, and this was a much more nimble offering than the brawny Lambo.
“With a mid-mounted V8 engine, pop-up headlights, and unmistakable styling, this car is still regarded as one of the best-looking vehicles to wear the iconic prancing horse badge. It’s far easier to drive, too.
“These Italian supercars are about as opposite as they come, but both are now legends in their own right.”
DEFINED THE ERA
However, Shane believes there’s one supercar from 1985 that truly defined the era: “While the final result didn’t officially arrive until the following year, Porsche’s engineers spent 1985 working on a project that would eventually hold the title of the world’s fastest production car, if only for a little while.
“The car in question is the Porsche 959, which is often voted as one of the greatest supercars ever made. Its official top speed of 197 mph sent shockwaves through the supercar world.
“Not only did the flat-six engine produce 444bhp, but the 959 designers paid careful attention to the car’s aerodynamics, too.
“It was this attention to detail that made the 959 feel like a far more sophisticated machine than anything that came before it.”
The 80s were a decade of innovation, groundbreaking designs, and outright madness, leaving no shortage of cars that are considered icons today.
While some of these have a decidedly niche following, there are plenty that are beloved by thousands of people, both young and old.
1985 saw the initial unveiling of a sports saloon that would soon evolve into one of the all-time greats
Shane Wilkinson
Shane explained: “Cars like the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier were owned by many drivers during their heyday.
“Today, many people nostalgically reminisce about these run-of-the-mill cars with a smile on their face, whether they owned one themselves or remember their parents behind the wheel.
“At the other end of the scale, exotic creations like the Lamborghini Countach and DMC DeLorean are renowned for their truly radical designs and their respective appearances on the silver screen.
“While these models are a bit of a case of ‘don’t meet your heroes’ due to their challenging or even flawed driving characteristics, they still have an ability to turn heads that most modern cars can only dream of.”
However, if there’s one car that truly defines the era, it’s the BMW M5— a nameplate that still lives on today with the same level of refinement it had upon its debut.
Shane said: “1985 saw the initial unveiling of a sports saloon that would soon evolve into one of the all-time greats.
“The E28 BMW M5 was the first-ever iteration of this muscular German executive car, and it showed British buyers that they could have a serious performance machine that was just as capable of marching up and down the M1 as it was at blasting around a race track.
“While it wasn’t cheap, you didn’t have to be a millionaire to own an M5 — and this is one of the key reasons why this particular BMW has continued to evolve and sell in steady numbers over several decades.”
2025 price ranges of your 1980s favourites
Ford Orion – The Escort’s saloon sibling, the Orion was a big seller during its 10-year production run from 1983 to 1993.
While it’s not a hot property at car auctions, a 1.6i Ghia example—dubbed “a rare survivor”—recently sold for a cool £4,162.
Porsche 944 – One of the most successful sports cars in Porsche’s history, the 944 — with its undeniably cool pop-up headlights — is a fantastic choice for classic car ownership on a budget.
Prices vary dramatically, with high-mileage examples selling for as little as £5,000, while well-maintained Turbo or S2 variants can fetch well over £30,000.
Audi Quattro – A rally favourite that enjoyed a resurgence in the 2000s, thanks in part to its prominence in the television series Ashes to Ashes, the Quattro can command staggering sums at car auctions today.
In 2021, an early ’90s Quattro sold for an eye-watering £163,000, largely due to its cult status.
Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk2) – The world-famous hot hatchback has been growing in popularity and value recently, with average prices doubling in just a few short years.
One example recently sold for nearly £70,000, courtesy of the auction house Bring a Trailer.
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 – Immensely rare and highly sought after, the Turbo 16—known as a ‘Homologation Special’ with a rich rallying history—might just cost more than your house.
Last year, an example, number 176 of 200 to be precise, sold for a scarcely believable £227,250.
Toyota MR2 – In the mid-1980s, the MR2 burst onto the scene as the new kid on the block, bringing pop-up headlights firmly into fashion.
Today, an example in good but imperfect condition will still set buyers back a cool £11,000, while even those in need of some work can command an asking price of £4,500 and upwards.
FORD-ING ON
Forty years on and the world is obviously a very different place – although one thing that’s stayed curiously the same is Ford’s dominance of the UK best-selling cars chart.
In 2023 and 2024, the Ford Puma was the UK’s most popular new car and, so far, in 2025, it still reigns supreme.
A recent survey found that the Puma tops the list with some 15,000 units sold – proof that the UK really does love a Ford.
It was the same story in 1985 too, when the Ford Escort took the top spot in 1982 and remarkably held on all the way through to 1990, when the Fiesta took its place.
It wasn’t just the Escort that brought in the profits for Ford either, with four other cars from the brand making the top 10 that year, too.
Indeed, Ford enjoyed a whopping 26.5% of the UK car market, with the Fiesta – then in its second generation – coming in third place as the country’s most popular small car, fending off the Austin and MG Metro.
The everyman Sierra saloon was also up there in fifth place and was a mainstay of the UK’s top 10 until it was replaced by the Mondeo in 1993.
Further down, in eighth, was the Orion – designed to appeal to Cortina buyers who were tired of hatchbacks and longed for a sophisticated saloon.
Looking to sell your car privately? Auto Express’ Sell My Car service can now get you the best price from their network of trusted dealers.
Best selling motors of 1985
1 Ford Escort – 157,269
2 Vauxhall Cavalier – 134,335
3 Ford Fiesta – 124,143
4 Austin/MG Metro – 118,817
5 Ford Sierra – 101,642
6 Vauxhall Astra – 76,553
7 Austin/MG Montego – 73,955
8 Ford Orion – 65,363
9 Vauxhall Nova – 61,358
10 Austin/MG Maestro – 57,527
