The 1982 Porsche 911 SC is the best sports car of 1982: Road & Track’s 1982 guide found it the only US-market car to beat the 280ZX Turbo’s acceleration, ahead of the Porsche 928 at #2 and the Corvette Collector Edition at #3. The Ford Mustang GT 5.0 is the best value, a 157 hp V8 at $8,308.
130 hp (132 PS; 97 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 153 lb⋅ft from the 2.85 L PRV V6
Gull-wing stainless-steel style that nothing else matches
Pick by what you want
Best overall
1982 Porsche 911 SC (G-series)
Best value
1982 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)
Most power
1982 Porsche 928
Car of the Year
1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (third generation)
Best racing record
1982 Datsun 280ZX (S130)
The ranking
1
1982 Porsche 911 SC (G-series)
Answrs VerdictThe quickest sports car of 1982.
Horsepower: 204 PS from the 3.0-litre boxer engine for model years 1981 to 1983 (Porsche’s figure)Acceleration: The only US-market car in 1982 to beat the 280ZX Turbo’s acceleration figures (R&T Guide to Sports & GT Cars, 1982)1982 edition: In 1982 a Ferry Porsche Edition was made, and a total of 200 cars were sold with this cosmetic packageSales: 911 SC sales totaled 58,914 carsPrice: $29,220 original MSRP for the 911 SC coupe; $30,720 for the Targa
Porsche lists 204 PS for the 911 SC’s 3.0-litre boxer engine for model years 1981 to 1983, and Road & Track’s 1982 guide found it the only US-market car to beat the 280ZX Turbo’s acceleration figures. 1982 also brought the Ferry Porsche Edition, 200 cars with a cosmetic package, and 911 SC sales totaled 58,914 cars.
Go ifBuyers who want the rear-engine flat-six icon at its quickest in 1982
Skip ifYou want a front-engine grand tourer or a back seat for adults
Why #1 over #2: Road & Track’s 1982 guide found it the only US-market car to beat the 280ZX Turbo’s acceleration, and its $29,220 coupe MSRP undercut the 928’s $39,500 base price.
2
1982 Porsche 928
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V8 Porsche.
Horsepower: 228 bhp from the M28 4.5 liter V8 with Bosch L-Jetronic port fuel injectionPerformance: 0-60 mph in approximately 7 seconds and a top speed of just over 140 mph, in a car that weighed 3,197 pounds with the manualAward: The 928 won the European Car of the Year award in 1978, and remains the only sports car to have received itWeissach Edition: North America received 202 Weissach Edition cars in the 1982 model year, in champagne gold metallic paint with brushed gold flat disc wheelsPrice: $39,500 base priceUS version: The faster 928 S did not reach North America until MY 1983; 1,084 US Competition Group cars were made in 1982
The 1982 928’s M28 4.5 liter V8 made 228 bhp, good for 0-60 mph in approximately 7 seconds and a top speed of just over 140 mph. The faster 928 S did not reach North America until MY 1983, so 1982 US buyers got the 928, including 202 Weissach Edition cars in champagne gold metallic. It is still the only sports car to win European Car of the Year.
Go ifDrivers who want a front-engine V8 Porsche grand tourer
Skip ifYou want a low price (its base price was the highest here)
Why #2 over #3: Its 228 bhp V8 out-powers the Corvette’s 200 hp, and it is the only sports car to have won European Car of the Year.
3
1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition (C3)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last shark Corvette.
Horsepower: 200 hp (149 kW) from the new Cross-Fire Injection V8, mated to a new four-speed automaticPerformance: Published 0–60 mph in 7.9 seconds and the quarter-mile in 16.1 at 85 mphCollector Edition: The first Corvette with a hatchback rear window; 6,759 were produced out of a 1982 total of 25,407Last year: The final year of the C3 Corvette, produced for the 1968 to 1982 model yearsPrice: $22,537.59 base price for the Collector Edition, the first Corvette to sell for more than $20,000; $18,290 for the base Corvette
1982 was the C3 Corvette’s final year and the debut of Cross-Fire Injection, rated at 200 hp with a new four-speed automatic, for 0–60 mph in 7.9 seconds. The Collector Edition was the first Corvette with a hatchback rear window and the first to sell for more than $20,000; 6,759 of the 25,407 Corvettes built for 1982 were Collector Editions.
Go ifCross-Fire V8 power in the final-year C3 Corvette
Skip ifYou want a manual gearbox (1982 was automatic only)
Why #3 over #4: Its 200 hp V8 out-powers the 280ZX Turbo’s 180 bhp.
4
1982 Datsun 280ZX (S130)
Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe turbo Z car.
Horsepower: 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 203 lb⋅ft from the turbocharged L28ET; 145 hp for the non-turbo 2.8 LTurbo manual: The US-only 280ZX Turbo got a Borg-Warner T-5 five-speed in 1982 and 1983 only; the Turbo manual ran 0-60 mph in 7.4 secondsReviews: Reviews confirmed that the 1982 280ZX Turbo was the most sporting Z-car since the original 240Z of 1970Racing: Electramotive’s 280ZX Turbo won the 1982 and 1983 IMSA GTO ChampionshipsPrice: $14,694 original MSRP for the 280ZX GL; $17,494 for the Turbo; $18,494 for the Turbo 2-Row
The 280ZX Turbo’s L28ET six made 180 bhp and 203 lb⋅ft, and for 1982 and 1983 only it came with a Borg-Warner T-5 five-speed, running 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. Reviews called the 1982 280ZX Turbo the most sporting Z-car since the original 240Z, and Electramotive’s 280ZX Turbo won the 1982 IMSA GTO Championship.
Go ifTurbo straight-six speed with T-bar roof comfort
Skip ifYou want the lightest car here (the RX-7 weighs under 1,100 kg)
Why #4 over #5: Its Turbo’s 180 bhp out-powers the RX-7’s 100 hp, and its 7.4-second 0-60 mph time beats the 12A RX-7’s 9.2 seconds.
5
1982 Mazda RX-7 (FB)
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rotary handler.
Horsepower: 100 hp (75 kW; 101 PS) at 6,000 rpm from the 1,146 cc 12A rotary in North American modelsBalance: A 50:50 front and rear weight distribution and a weight under 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)Performance: 12A-powered models ran 0–60 mph in 9.2 seconds and turned 0.779 g on a skid padRacing: The RX-7 took the IMSA GTU championship ten years in a row from 1982Price: $9,875 original MSRP for the RX-7 S; $10,475 for the GS
The FB RX-7’s 12A rotary made 100 hp at 6,000 rpm in North American form, in a car weighing under 1,100 kg with 50:50 weight distribution. 12A-powered models ran 0–60 mph in 9.2 seconds and pulled 0.779 g on a skid pad, and from 1982 the RX-7 took the IMSA GTU championship ten years in a row.
Go ifLight, balanced rotary handling at a low price
Skip ifYou want straight-line power (100 hp is the lowest here)
Why #5 over #6: Its $9,875 RX-7 S MSRP undercut the Trans Am’s $10,072, and from 1982 it won ten straight IMSA GTU championships.
6
1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (third generation)
Photo: hugh llewelyn / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe style icon of 1982.
Horsepower: 165 hp from the Crossfire-injected LU5 305 V8 with the three-speed automatic; 145 bhp from the LG4 305 with the four-speed manualAerodynamics: The new Trans Am had a drag coefficient of .32, and the new Firebird weighed nearly 500 lb less than its 1981 predecessorSales: Pontiac sold 52,962 Trans Ams in the 1982 model year, with 2,000 of those having the Recaro packageTV fame: A modified 1982 Firebird Trans Am became KITT in the NBC series Knight Rider (1982–1986)Price: $10,072 original MSRP for the Trans Am
The all-new 1982 Trans Am had a drag coefficient of .32 and weighed nearly 500 lb less than the 1981 car. The Crossfire-injected LU5 305 V8 made 165 hp with the automatic, while the four-speed came with the 145 bhp LG4. Pontiac sold 52,962 Trans Ams for 1982, and a modified 1982 Trans Am became KITT in Knight Rider.
Go ifHead-turning 1982 styling with V8 power
Skip ifYou want a five-speed manual (it arrived for 1983)
Why #6 over #7: Its $10,072 original MSRP undercut the Camaro Z28’s $10,114, with the same 165 hp Cross-Fire V8 option.
7
1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (third generation)
Photo: Herranderssvensson / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictMotor Trend’s 1982 Car of the Year.
Horsepower: 165 hp (123 kW) from the optional LU5 Cross Fire Injection 305 V8; 145 hp (108 kW) from the standard LG4 V8Award: The Camaro Z28 was Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year for 1982Pace car: The Z28 paced the 1982 Indianapolis 500, and Chevrolet sold 6,360 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition carsSales: 173,000 Camaros were sold in the United States in 1982Price: $10,114 original MSRP for the Z28 coupe
The new third-generation Camaro Z28 offered a 145 hp LG4 V8 or the 165 hp LU5 Cross Fire Injection 305, and it was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 1982. A Z28 paced the 1982 Indianapolis 500, Chevrolet sold 6,360 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition cars, and 173,000 Camaros were sold in the United States in 1982.
Go ifAn award-winning V8 pony car with a pace-car edition
Skip ifYou want a manual with the 165 hp engine (it was automatic only)
Why #7 over #8: It was Motor Trend’s 1982 Car of the Year, and its 165 hp Cross-Fire V8 out-powers the Mustang GT’s 157 hp.
8
1982 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1982.
Horsepower: 157 hp (117 kW; 159 PS) from the High Output 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8, with the four-speed manual as the only transmissionReturn: The Mustang GT returned after 13 years, with the slogan "The Boss is Back!"Legacy: Most enthusiasts agree that the 1982 Mustang GT with its new 5.0 HO engine signaled the end of the Malaise eraTests: Motor Trend recorded a 6.9-second 0-60 time; Ford built 23,447 Mustang GTs in the 1982 model yearPrice: $8,308 for the GT
The Mustang GT returned for 1982 after 13 years with the slogan "The Boss is Back!", powered by a 157 hp High Output 302 V8. Motor Trend recorded a 6.9-second 0-60 time, Ford built 23,447 Mustang GTs, and most enthusiasts agree this car signaled the end of the Malaise era.
Go ifV8 power at the lowest price on this list
Skip ifYou want a five-speed (the 1982 GT came only with a four-speed manual)
Why #8 over #9: Its 157 hp V8 out-powers the Celica Supra’s 145 hp, and its $8,308 price undercut the Supra L-Type’s $13,598.
9
1982 Toyota Celica Supra (A60)
Photo: Charles01 / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Lotus-tuned grand tourer.
Horsepower: 145 hp (108 kW; 147 PS) and 155 lb⋅ft from the 2.8-litre DOHC 5M-GE six for the 1982 model yearAward: Awarded the Golden Steering Wheel prize for 1982 by Bild am Sonntag; the first Japanese car so honoredChassis: Four-wheel independent suspension specially tuned and designed by Lotus, with four-wheel disc brakesSales: Toyota sold 34,048 Celica Supras in 1982Price: $13,598 for the L-Type; $14,598 for the P-Type
The new A60 Celica Supra used a 145 hp 2.8-litre twin-cam 5M-GE six for 1982, with a Lotus-tuned four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. In West Germany it won the Golden Steering Wheel prize for 1982, the first Japanese car so honored, and Toyota sold 34,048 Celica Supras in 1982.
Go ifA smooth twin-cam six grand tourer with a Lotus-tuned chassis
Skip ifYou want V8 or turbo power
Why #9 over #10: Its 145 hp out-powers the DeLorean’s 130 hp, and its $13,598 L-Type price undercut the DeLorean’s $29,825.
10
1982 DeLorean DMC-12
Photo: SG2012 / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 1982 head-turner.
Horsepower: 130 hp (132 PS; 97 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 153 lb⋅ft from the 2.85 L PRV V6Design: 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 secondsProduction: Production ended on December 24, 1982; total production reached an estimated 9,000 unitsPrice: MSRP increased in 1982 to $29,825
Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the DeLorean with gull-wing doors and brushed stainless-steel outer body panels around a 130 hp PRV V6. Magazine road tests showed 0–60 mph times between 9.5 and 10.5 seconds, the MSRP rose to $29,825 in 1982, and production ended on December 24, 1982.
Go ifGull-wing stainless-steel style that nothing else matches
Skip ifYou want performance for the price
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1982 car on its 1982 performance, awards and racing record, using each model’s documented specs, magazine tests and history: the quickest cars first, then the V8 and turbo grand tourers, the lighter sports cars and the American V8 pony cars. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the best sports car of 1982?
The Porsche 911 SC. Road & Track’s 1982 guide found it the only US-market car to beat the 280ZX Turbo’s acceleration figures.
What was the 1982 Car of the Year?
Motor Trend named the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 its Car of the Year for 1982.
Which 1982 sports car was the best value?
The Ford Mustang GT. Its 157 hp High Output 302 V8 marked the GT’s return after 13 years, at $8,308.
Was 1982 the last year of the C3 Corvette?
Yes. The C3 was built for the 1968 to 1982 model years, and Chevrolet marked the end with the Collector Edition, the first Corvette with a hatchback rear window.
Horsepower as published (US rating where given) at a glance
1982 Mazda RX-7 (FB)100 hp
1982 DeLorean DMC-12130 hp
1982 Toyota Celica Supra (A60)145 hp
1982 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)157 hp
1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (third generation)165 hp
1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (third generation)165 hp
1982 Datsun 280ZX (S130)180 hp
1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition (C3)200 hp
1982 Porsche 928228 hp
Horsepower as published (US rating where given), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
