The word 'turbo' epitomised the thrusting, go-getting '80s better than almost any other. Whether it was the Fabergé turbo cologne that 'delivers', Turbosound's ear-ripping T speaker systems or Judas Priest's epic rock anthem Turbo Lover (You won't hear me, but you'll feel me...), the descriptor of an engine's exhaustgas-powered forced-induction device had been serially hijacked by those wanting to, literally, boost their image, sales or impact.
In the UK's mainstream car world 40 years ago, though, turbocharging was still in its relative infancy. Setting aside BMW's brief flirtation with its 2002 turbo, Saab had been first off the block with its 99 turbo of 1978, but the technology was by no means fully resolved and had yet to become the default answer to drawing extra performance from a cooking engine. In 1983, if you were in the market for a rakish, sporting four-seat coupé for less than £10,000, the trio you see here from Renault, Lancia and Ford each offered markedly different powertrain solutions. There was turbocharging, as well as supercharging and atmospheric power, the latter with simply more cubic inches and cylinders added.
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
