20 New Cars Made in the U.S.A. You Could Buy in 1980 including photographs, prices and descriptions
Listed below are new autos on sale from American Auto Manufacturers, they were still recovering from the problems caused to the American auto industry during the Oil Crisis in the 70's where consumers were looking for better gas mileage and turned to Japanese and European makers who traditionally had cars with smaller engines giving much better fuel consumption. A few cars stand out because of the longevity of the model including the Ford Fiesta ( Still in production with the latest model proving popular both here and in Europe ) and the Ford Escort which was the top selling car worldwide for a number of years through the 1980s and 1990s. The other car which caught my eye while doing the research was the Pontiac Trans-AM it still epitomized everything I love about the muscle car era including it's looks and it's sheer engine power under the hood. In many areas the US market has suffered over the decades but to my mind they still produce the best trucks available today so it was nice to include the Ford F150 from 1980 in my listings.
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Pontiac Trans-AM
Price: From $9,890
EPA : 18 MPG
With its V8 Turbo Charged 4.7 Litre Engine this is one of the few V8 turbo charged cars you can still buy today with most other manufacturers moving to the V6 route for better fuel economy.
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American Motors Spirit
Price: From $4,320
EPA : 23 MPG
Introduced in 1979 this versatile hatchback from AMC offers large cargo space and 30 MPG highway, One of the few cars available today with 5 year Ziebart Factory Rust Protection as standard, also available in DL and Limited versions which offer higher levels of trim and more standard equipment.
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Buick Regal
Price: From $8,300
EPA : 20 MPG
3.8 Litre V6 Engine, 18.1 MPG EPA,
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Cadillac El-Dorado
Price: From $18,199
EPA : 15 MPG
Description Pure luxury with a V8 engine, full leather interior, AM/FM Radio and 8 Track Cassette Player offering one of the quietest and most comfortable rides of any car in it's class
From our Imported Cars Page
VW RabbitPrice: From $4,285
Country Of Origin: Germany
EPA : 27 MPG
The VW Rabbit was Volkswagon answer to the Hatchback revolution caused by the increase in the price of Gasoline in the 1970's , Volkswagon had a large following of Beetle Owners and the Rabbit offered a family car providing good mileage and safety features combined with quality German Engineering .
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Chevrolet Chevette
Price: From $4,089
EPA : 26 MPG
Description The cheapest car available from Chevrolet offering good mileage with a OHC 4 cylinder ( 70 HP ) with a 4 speed manual transmission
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Chevrolet Citation
Price: From $5,289
EPA : 14 MPG
The Chevrolet Citation is a compact car for the 80s offering a level of comfort above the standard expected in this model range of cars. While doing the research for this 1980 auto section looking at the EPA figures it is easy to see why the Citation was not a big hit, consumers were looking for improved mileage and 14 MPG was the worst I found for a compact car.
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Chevrolet El-Camino
Price: From $6,895
EPA : 20 MPG
Description 1/2 ton pickup truck with 6 1/2 feet cargo box carrying payloads up to 1250 Lbs with a 229 cubic inches V6 engine with a three speed floor shift manual transmission
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Ford Bronco
Price: From $8,885
EPA : 14 MPG
Description A four wheel drive family truck with a V8 engine and like all Ford Trucks "Ford Built Tough" technology through out. -
Ford LTD Crown Victoria
Price: From $8,656
EPA : 17 MPG
Description The V8 Ltd Crown Victoria offering the best in quality, comfort, engineering and style from Ford
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Ford Escort
Price: From $5,158
EPA : 29 MPG
Introduced for the first time in late 1980 the 1981 Ford Escorts offered a 3 door hatchback sedan and a 5 door lift gate using the new 1.3 and 1.6 engines offering some of the best EPA mileage figures for this range of mid sized cars. The car specifications included front wheel drive, Halogen Quartz Head lamps, Overhead Cam Compound Valve Engine, Front Disc Brakes, Four Wheel Fully Independent Suspension, Rack and Pinion Steering System, Fold Down Rear Seats for extra cargo capacity when needed. ( Ford Escorts went on to being the most popular selling car in the world for a number of years ) ( this was also marketed under the Lincoln Mercury Brand as the Lynx which included a higher level of comfort and standard features.
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Ford F150 Truck
Price: From $7,595
EPA : 19 MPG
Description This offers a great example of auto manufacturer changing engines and designs to meet the fuel efficiency Americans were looking for following the fuel crisis with the new F150 providing 19 MPG EPA with a 4.9L 300 CID six cylinder engine.
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Ford Fairmont
Price: From $4,890
EPA : 23 MPG
Description new 4 cylinder engine with option to include turbo with floor mounted automatic transmission
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Ford Fiesta
Price: From $4,105
EPA : 28 MPG
The Fiesta is a European Ford Built Car Imported into the US, it is expected to end sales in the United States from the end of the year as the Home Built and Designed New Ford Escort will replace it.
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Ford Mustang
Price: From $5,413
EPA : 23 MPG
America's Most Popular Sports Car, sleek, aerodynamic, The current Ford Mustang is vastly different than the original Mustang introduced more than 15 years ago but includes a V8 Engine, Improved Handling, Better Fuel Consumption and Improved Ride and comfort from it's 4.2 Litre Engine.
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Ford Pinto Pony
Price: $3,910
EPA : 24 MPG
Description Fords Cheapest to operate car in 1980 a 3 door hatchback fitted with a 4 cylinder engine producing 88 HP with the 4-speed manual transmission, rear seats fold down to provide a large cargo area offering 29.00 Cubic feet cargo space.
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Jeep CJ
Price: From $6,270
EPA : 21 MPG
4 cylinder engine, 4 speed manual transmission, four wheel drive with the best gas mileage for any American 4 wheel drive auto,
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Lincoln / Mercury Lynx
Price: From $6,563
EPA : 15 MPG
Based on the same running gear and engine as the Ford Escort/ Lincoln Mercury Lynx this Lynx station wagon offers not only the latest in technology advance in engine and drive train but more room and comfort for the modern family.
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Plymouth Champ
Price: From $4,430
EPA : 35 MPG
The Plymouth Champ and the Dodge Colt are the same car and are built in Japan by Mitsubishi Motors and marketed as the Plymouth Champ and the Dodge Colt in the United States, the Champ is a 3 door hatchback offering an EPA 47 MPG highway and EPA city of 37 MPG from it's 4 cylinder 80 Horsepower Engine.
1980's Mens and Womens and Childrens Fashion Clothes
Visit Our Eighties Fashion Section Below are just a few examples from our Selection Take a little trip back in time to the clothes of your youth and have a smile or feel nostalgic