The 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi is the best sports car of 1981 on published US horsepower, with 202 bhp, ahead of the 190 hp Chevrolet Corvette at #2 and the 180 bhp Datsun 280ZX Turbo at #3. The Mazda RX-7 is the best value: a 100 hp rotary that ran 0–60 mph in 9.2 seconds, from $9,575.
Answrs VerdictThe most powerful sports car of 1981.
Horsepower: 205 PS (151 kW; 202 bhp) on US models with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injectionFuel injection: Fuel injection was adopted on the 308 GTS in late 1980, and the model became the 308 GTSiTarga roof: The removable roof panel was stowed in a cover behind the seats when not in useProduction: 1749 examples were produced, from 1980 through to the beginning of 1983TV fame: Magnum, P.I. used a 1981 308GTSi in seasons 2–6Price: Not published
Fuel injection was adopted on the 308 GTS in late 1980, and the model became the 308 GTSi. US models made 205 PS (151 kW; 202 bhp), the most on this list, and the removable roof panel stowed behind the seats. Ferrari built 1749 examples from 1980 through to the beginning of 1983, and Magnum, P.I. used a 1981 308GTSi in seasons 2–6.
Go ifMid-engine V8 Ferrari power, the most on this list
Skip ifYou want a low price or the 1982 Quattrovalvole’s four-valve heads
Why #1 over #2: Its 151 kW V8 out-powers the Corvette’s 142 kW.
2
1981 Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
Photo: Ssu / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V8 value pick.
Horsepower: 190 hp (142 kW) from the L81 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, the only engine offered in 1981Performance: The last C3 available with a manual transmission; so equipped, a published 0–60 mph in 8.1 secondsNew factory: The new Bowling Green, Kentucky plant produced its first Corvette on June 1, 1981Sales: 40,606 proud new owners of a 1981 CorvettePrice: $16,258.52 base price at the beginning of the model year
For 1981 the only engine was the L81 350 V8, rated at 190 hp (142 kW), and this was the last C3 available with a manual transmission, which ran 0–60 mph in 8.1 seconds. The new Bowling Green, Kentucky plant built its first Corvette on June 1, 1981, and 40,606 buyers took one home at a $16,258.52 base price.
Go ifAmerican V8 power with a manual gearbox at a lower price than the Turbo Z
Skip ifYou want a lighter, more modern car (the C3 design dates to 1968)
Why #2 over #3: Its 142 kW V8 out-powers the 280ZX Turbo’s 134 kW, and its $16,258.52 base price undercut the GL Turbo’s $17,194.
3
1981 Datsun 280ZX Turbo (S130)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fastest Japanese import.
Horsepower: 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 203 lb⋅ft from the turbocharged L28ET, introduced to the US in 1981Performance: With the three-speed automatic, 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds, a 16.6-second quarter mile and a 130 mph top speedSpeed record: At release it was the fastest Japanese import on the American marketTransmission: No manual transmission was offered with the L28ET for the 1981 model yearPrice: $17,194 MSRP for the GL Turbo 2dr Hatchback
The turbocharged L28ET reached the US in 1981 with 180 bhp (134 kW) and 203 lb⋅ft, and at release the 280ZX Turbo was the fastest Japanese import on the American market. With the three-speed automatic, the only gearbox offered for 1981, it ran 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds and topped out at 130 mph.
Go ifThe quickest Japanese car you could buy in 1981
Skip ifYou want a manual gearbox (the 1981 Turbo was automatic only)
Why #3 over #4: Its 134 kW turbo six out-powers the US 911 SC’s 132 kW, and its $17,194 GL Turbo MSRP undercut the 911 SC coupe’s $28,685.
4
1981 Porsche 911 SC (G-series)
Answrs VerdictThe flat-six classic.
Horsepower: US cars kept the lower-compression 180 PS (132 kW) engine; non-US cars rose to 204 PSEngine: Porsche lists the 3.0-litre boxer at 204 PS for MY 1981–831981 change: From model year 1981, side indicator lights on the front wingsSales: 911 SC sales totaled 58,914 carsPrice: $28,685 MSRP for the SC 2dr Coupe; $30,170 for the SC Targa
US 911 SCs kept the lower-compression 180 PS (132 kW) version of the 3.0-litre boxer, while Porsche lists 204 PS for MY 1981–83 elsewhere. From model year 1981 the SC gained side indicator lights on the front wings, and 911 SC sales totaled 58,914 cars. The SC 2dr Coupe listed at $28,685 and the Targa at $30,170.
Go ifThe rear-engine flat-six icon in its 3.0-litre SC form
Skip ifYou want the most power per dollar (the Turbo Z cost $17,194)
Why #4 over #5: Its 132 kW US engine out-powers the 924 Turbo’s 115 kW.
5
1981 Porsche 924 Turbo (931)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe turbo Porsche.
Horsepower: In North America, power increased for 1981 to 154 hp (115 kW), with a regular H-pattern gearboxSeries 2: A revised turbocharger and DITC ignition raised peak power to 177 PS for the 1981 model yearDesign: A NACA duct in the bonnet, four air intakes between the headlights and, from MY 1981, side indicatorsReviews: Car and Driver magazine said "Fast...at Last!"Price: $21,820 MSRP for the Turbo 2dr Hatchback
For 1981 the North American 924 Turbo rose to 154 hp (115 kW) and switched to a regular H-pattern gearbox, part of a Series 2 update with a revised turbocharger and DITC ignition. It wore a NACA duct in the bonnet and four intakes between the headlights, Car and Driver said "Fast...at Last!", and the Turbo 2dr Hatchback listed at $21,820.
Go ifPorsche turbo performance with front-engine balance
Why #5 over #6: Its 115 kW out-powers the TR8’s 110 kW.
6
1981 Triumph TR8
Photo: Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last V8 Triumph.
Horsepower: For 1981 all North American cars got fuel injection, producing 148 bhp (110 kW; 150 PS) at 5100 rpmPerformance: 0-60 mph in about 8.5 seconds in the 2,654-pound carLast year: Both the TR7 and TR8 were made until October 1981 when production ceasedSales: A mere 415 were sold for 1981Price: $13,900 for the TR8 convertible
In its final year every North American TR8 got fuel injection and 148 bhp (110 kW) from its Rover V8, good for 0-60 mph in about 8.5 seconds in the 2,654-pound car. The TR7 and TR8 were made until October 1981, and a mere 415 were sold for 1981 at $13,900 for the convertible.
Go ifOpen-top V8 motoring in the last British TR
Skip ifYou want a coupe (1981 TR8s were convertibles)
Why #6 over #7: Its 110 kW V8 out-powers the DeLorean’s 97 kW, and its $13,900 price undercut the DeLorean’s $25,000.
7
1981 DeLorean DMC-12
Photo: Xnatedawgx / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 1981 head-turner.
Horsepower: 130 hp (132 PS; 97 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 153 lb⋅ft from the 2.85 L PRV V6Launch: The first production car was announced on January 21, 1981Design: Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, with gull-wing doors and brushed stainless-steel outer body panelsPerformance: Magazine road tests showed 0–60 mph times between 9.5 and 10.5 secondsPrice: A base MSRP of $25,000 upon release in 1981
The first production DeLorean was announced on January 21, 1981, at a base MSRP of $25,000. Giorgetto Giugiaro designed it with gull-wing doors and brushed stainless-steel outer body panels around a 130 hp PRV V6, and magazine road tests showed 0–60 mph times between 9.5 and 10.5 seconds.
Go ifGull-wing stainless-steel style that nothing else matches
Skip ifYou want performance for the price
Why #7 over #8: Its 130 hp V6 out-powers the Celica Supra’s 116 hp.
8
1981 Toyota Celica Supra (A40)
Photo: andreboeni / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe six-cylinder cruiser.
Horsepower: For 1981 the 2.8-litre 5M-E six made 116 hp (87 kW; 118 PS) and 145 lb⋅ftPerformance: 0–60 mph in 10.24 seconds and a 17.5-second quarter mileNew option: A Sports Performance Package with sport suspension and front and rear spoilers was new for the 1981 model yearBrakes: The first-generation Supra came standard with 4-wheel disc brakesPrice: $10,988 MSRP for the Supra 2dr Hatchback
For 1981 the first-generation Celica Supra moved to the 2.8-litre 5M-E six with 116 hp and 145 lb⋅ft, running 0–60 mph in 10.24 seconds. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard, a new Sports Performance Package added sport suspension and spoilers, and the Supra 2dr Hatchback listed at $10,988.
Go ifA smooth six-cylinder grand tourer at a modest price
Skip ifYou want a twin-cam engine (the DOHC 5M-GE arrived for 1982)
Why #8 over #9: Its 116 hp six out-powers the RX-7’s 100 hp.
9
1981 Mazda RX-7 (FB)
Photo: dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1981.
Horsepower: 100 hp (75 kW; 101 PS) at 6,000 rpm from the 1,146 cc 12A rotary in North American modelsSeries 2: The FB (1981–1983) got integrated plastic-covered bumpers and was 135 lb lighter in federalised trimPerformance: 12A-powered models ran 0–60 mph in 9.2 seconds and turned 0.779 g on a skid padRacing: An RX-7 driven by Pierre Dieudonné and Tom Walkinshaw won the 1981 Spa 24 HoursPrice: $9,575 MSRP for the S 2dr Hatchback; $10,075 for the GS; $11,575 for the GSL
The 1981 FB RX-7 brought integrated bumpers and was 135 lb lighter in federalised trim. Its 12A rotary made 100 hp at 6,000 rpm, for 0–60 mph in 9.2 seconds and 0.779 g on a skid pad, and an RX-7 won the 1981 Spa 24 Hours. Prices started at $9,575 for the RX-7 S.
Go ifLight, balanced rotary handling at a low price
Skip ifYou want V8 or turbo power
Why #9 over #10: Its 100 hp rotary out-powers the X1/9’s 75 hp.
10
1981 Fiat X1/9
Photo: louisznl from Netherlands / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget mid-engine pick.
Horsepower: Fuel-injected cars were rated at 75 hp (56 kW)Fuel injection: For 1981, the overhead-cam four-cylinder engine received fuel injection as standard equipmentAward: In 1981 the X1/9 was nominated by Road & Track magazine as one of the ten best sports carsDesign: A mid-engined two-seater designed by Bertone, with a removable hard top roof panel (targa top)Price: A base price of approximately $8,190
Bertone’s mid-engined X1/9 got fuel injection as standard for 1981, rated at 75 hp, and kept its removable targa top. Road & Track nominated it in 1981 as one of the ten best sports cars, and its base price of approximately $8,190 was the lowest on this list.
Go ifMid-engine targa fun at the lowest price here
Skip ifYou want straight-line speed (75 hp is the lowest here)
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1981 sports car on its published US horsepower for the 1981 model year, comparing like with like in kW where only metric figures were given, and used each model’s documented tests, prices and history for the details. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the most powerful sports car of 1981?
The Ferrari 308 GTSi. US models made 205 PS (151 kW; 202 bhp) with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection.
What was the fastest Japanese car of 1981?
The Datsun 280ZX Turbo. At release it was the fastest Japanese import on the American market, running 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds.
When did the DeLorean go on sale?
The first production DeLorean was announced on January 21, 1981, with a base MSRP of $25,000.
Was 1981 the last year of the Triumph TR8?
Yes. Both the TR7 and TR8 were made until October 1981, when production ceased.
Horsepower as published (US rating) at a glance
1981 Fiat X1/975 hp
1981 Mazda RX-7 (FB)100 hp
1981 Toyota Celica Supra (A40)116 hp
1981 DeLorean DMC-12130 hp
1981 Triumph TR8148 hp
1981 Porsche 924 Turbo (931)154 hp
1981 Datsun 280ZX Turbo (S130)180 hp
1981 Chevrolet Corvette (C3)190 hp
1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi202 hp
Horsepower as published (US rating), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
