FIXED: The One-Year Garage: 1980
About this episode
A lively discussion centered on the 1980 model year, exploring its unexpected appeal despite being overshadowed by the 70s and 80s automotive challenges. The hosts delve into the unique charm of 1980 cars, highlighting emerging technologies like early sensors and the subtle hints of future trends. They also connect the year’s automotive scene to its cultural backdrop, including iconic movies like Empire Strikes Back and hit music from Blondie and Queen. The episode balances nostalgia with fresh insights, debating car choices and the strategic fun of their one-year garage game format.
Apologies to our listeners using Apple Podcasts - an upload snafu caused you to get a repeat of last week's episode. Here's this week's One Year!
It's malaise time—or is it? This week, Alex, Cam, Tyler, and Beck choose their top five vehicles from the model year 1980 in an impromptu, nearly unprepped episode. Spoiler alert: you've heard Tyler talk about bikes, but it's a widely known "secret" around the halls of BaT that his taste in cars is...well, weird. The crew talk about their surprisingly fun research, skin-deep beauty, and the wide variety of cultural ways in which 1980 was a transitional period
They also narrowly avoid a prolonged version of the usual "what is a supercar" debate; slightly cheat with Euro cars; spend a surprising amount of time on the Dodge Ramcharger and Plymouth Trail Duster; stump Alex (again) but allow him out of perpetual loserhood; talk about the various trips one might take in a Vanagon; discovered all sorts of eagles glee; recount a worse "learning to drive stick" story than most of you have, thankfully; and take an unexpected but welcome diversion into the land (sea?) of Boston Whaler center consoles.
Mentioned in this episode:
8:42 Ex-Steve McQueen 1952 Chevrolet 3800 Pickup with Camper and Husqvarna CR250
9:45 Ex-Steve McQueen bikes on BaT
17:42 1980 BMW M1
21:33 1980 Honda CBX Super Sport and 29-Years-Owned 1980 Honda CBX Super Sport
23:36 Euro 1980 Porsche 930 Turbo
26:34 1980 Ferrari 512 BB
28:34 1980 Ferrari 308 GTBi
30:04 1980 Plymouth Trail Duster
31:56 1978 Dodge Ramcharger Top Hand 4×4
32:31 Dodge Ramcharger / Plymouth Trail Duster model page
34:04 Ex-CHP 1982 Dodge Ramcharger 4×4
35:07 One-Family-Owned 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco S 5-Speed
38:50 Single-Family-Owned 1980 Porsche 911SC Coupe Weissach
43:05 Euro 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9
45:00 1980 Cadillac Seville
52:31 1979 Ford Pinto Wagon 4-Speed
52:47 Time Machine: A Success Story in Motion from BaT and Pennzoil
53:38 1980 Ford Pinto Rallye Pack Wagon 4-Speed
56:01 1980 AMC Eagle 2-Door Sedan
58:03 1979 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle 4-Speed
1:01:12 1980 GL 4WD - US Ski Team Wagon
1:04:07 1980 Mercedes-Benz 280GE Cabriolet 4-Speed
1:06:44 8k-Mile 1980 Ford Mustang McLaren M-81
1:10:03 1984 Zimmer Golden Spirit Classic
1:12:23 Single-Family-Owned 1986 Boston Whaler Montauk 17′ Project
1:14:28 Porsche 935 K3
1:21:20 V8-Powered 1980 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 5-Speed
1:24:38 1980 Toyota Celica RA45 GT2000 Rally
Got suggestions for our next guest from the BaT community, One Year Garage episode, or (B)aT the Movies subject? Let us know in the comments below!
unibody
""Yeah, a lot, a lot of great looking unibodies that you want to do a motor""
Unibody means the car's body and frame are made as one piece, making the car lighter and stronger.
Unibody is a vehicle construction method where the body and frame are integrated into a single structure, improving weight and rigidity compared to body-on-frame designs.
Lancia Stratos
"...ear in 1980s, but like it was two years defunct. Stratos is another one and 78. Now they were racing them..."
Husqvarna
"And they paired it with a Husqvarna. That's right."
Husqvarna makes motorcycles that are good for riding on dirt and rough terrain.
Husqvarna is a well-known manufacturer of motorcycles, particularly famous for their off-road and motocross bikes.
Formula One
""OK, great. Beck, Formula One or Le Mans. I took a gander at both. And it's actually like the cars and the drivers I'm not that familiar with.""
Formula One is a type of car race where very fast and special cars race on different tracks around the world. It's one of the most famous and exciting car races.
Formula One is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It features the fastest and most technologically advanced racing cars competing in a series of Grand Prix events worldwide.
Le Mans
""OK, great. Beck, Formula One or Le Mans. I took a gander at both. And it's actually like the cars and the drivers I'm not that familiar with.""
Le Mans is a very long car race that lasts 24 hours. Cars and drivers try to keep going as fast as they can without stopping for the whole day.
Le Mans refers to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious endurance sports car race held annually in France. It tests the durability and efficiency of cars and drivers over a full day of continuous racing.
World Rally Championship
""Me neither. I mean, World Rally Championship, a bit more. Oh, because that's the great turbo all-wheel drive.""
The World Rally Championship is a car race where drivers race on different types of roads, like dirt and snow. It tests how well the car and driver can handle tough and changing conditions.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is a global motorsport series featuring rally cars racing on various surfaces like gravel, snow, and tarmac. It emphasizes driver skill and car durability in challenging conditions.
turbo
""Oh, because that's the great turbo all-wheel drive.""
A turbo is a part that helps a car's engine make more power by pushing extra air into it. It uses the car's exhaust to do this, making the car faster.
A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into an engine's combustion chamber, increasing power output without increasing engine size. It uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine that compresses incoming air.
all-wheel drive
""Oh, because that's the great turbo all-wheel drive.""
All-wheel drive means a car can send power to all four wheels at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better, especially when it's wet or rough.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction and handling, especially in slippery or off-road conditions.
Audi Quattro
"...l drive is just starting to come out. Is there a Quattro that year? Quattro, but only in racing, not in t..."
rear-wheel drive
"it was still still a rear drive mid-engine car."
Rear-wheel drive means the car's engine makes the back wheels turn, which helps the car drive well, especially when going fast or around corners.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) means the engine sends power to the rear wheels only. This layout is common in sports cars for better handling and balance.
mid-engine
"it was still still a rear drive mid-engine car."
Mid-engine means the car's engine is placed in the middle of the car, which helps it drive better and handle turns more smoothly.
A mid-engine layout places the engine near the center of the car, usually behind the driver but ahead of the rear axle. This improves weight distribution and handling.
Porsche 935
"...ns. Is an interesting fact there, but you've got 935s that are also going at the same time."
Hyundai Ioniq
"Hard edges on cars. All the Ioniq cars have looking like 80s cars. The Rivian R3."
Porsche 911
"... we did our 2026 draft, one person had a regular 911 had a GT3. That doesn't quite apply here,"
Bmw M1
""We're going to go to sports car and I'm going to take a BMW M1. Okay.""
The BMW M1 is a special sports car made by BMW a long time ago. It has its engine placed in the middle of the car, which helps it go fast and handle well.
The BMW M1 is a mid-engined sports car produced by BMW from 1978 to 1981. It was BMW's first and only mid-engine car and is considered a classic and iconic sports car with a strong motorsport heritage.
Lamborghini
"Right. There's a Lamborghini connection."
Lamborghini is a company that makes very fast and fancy sports cars from Italy.
Lamborghini is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for high-performance supercars with distinctive design and powerful engines.
Peugeot 308
"...e numbers, but I feel like very much on par with 308s, 911 turbos of the era."
Porsche 911 Turbo
""It's not my first choice, but I would take a 930.""
The Porsche 911 Turbo, called the 930, is a fast sports car made in the late 1970s. It has a special engine that uses a turbocharger to make it go faster and looks very cool and unique.
The Porsche 911 Turbo, known as the 930 generation (produced from 1975 to 1989), is a high-performance variant of the 911 featuring a turbocharged engine. The 1978-1979 models are notable for their distinctive styling and performance, often considered iconic in Porsche history.
O2 sensors
"I really think it was 1980 was first year of O2 sensors, which is what forced a lot of cars to not be able to be available here anymore."
O2 sensors check how much oxygen is in the car's exhaust to make sure the engine runs clean and uses fuel well. When these sensors became required, some cars couldn't meet the new rules and stopped being sold in the US.
O2 sensors, or oxygen sensors, measure the oxygen level in a car's exhaust gases to help optimize the air-fuel mixture for better emissions and fuel economy. Their introduction in 1980 led to stricter emissions regulations that caused some cars to be discontinued in the US.
Ferrari 512 BB
"Specifically, a very notable 12-cylinder Ferrari, the 512 BB. Oh, great call."
The Ferrari 512 BB is a fast sports car with a special 12-cylinder engine shaped flat like a boxer. It was popular but stopped being sold in the US because of new pollution rules.
The Ferrari 512 BB (Berlinetta Boxer) is a classic 12-cylinder sports car produced by Ferrari in the 1970s and early 1980s. It is known for its flat-12 engine and was affected by emissions regulations that limited its availability in the US.
Dacia Duster
"...and a 308. I'm going to go with a Plymouth Trail Duster. I don't even know what that is."
Ford Bronco
"...ike you would expect on a contemporary Blazer or Bronco and just enjoy the sunshine, sit in traffic,"
Volkswagen Scirocco
"I'm going to go with a 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco S."
The Volkswagen Scirocco S from 1980 is a small sporty car with a hatchback design. It was made to be fun to drive and looks different from regular cars.
The Volkswagen Scirocco S is a sporty compact hatchback produced by Volkswagen. The 1980 model is part of the first generation Scirocco, known for its distinctive styling and front-wheel-drive layout.
Volkswagen Gti
"... is, but maybe the same generation as the Mark V GTI that we got here. They had the Scirocco R in Eur..."
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"But you still get the dry sump and 100 big monster motor. It looks tight even in an S-class engine compartment. I love 6.3s and 6.9s in any body style, but I love that motor."
Mercedes-Benz 600
"I love them in the big 600 grocers too. I was just going to say, the spiritual successor to the 600. Totally."
The 600 is a very fancy and big Mercedes car from a long time ago, often used by important people.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is a luxury flagship model produced from the 1960s to the 1980s, known for its advanced technology, large V8 engines, and status as a limousine for celebrities and dignitaries.
Cadillac DeVille
"...hat's a dad joke. My first car was a 96 Cadillac DeVille, which was a yacht, actually, not a boat. That's..."
Volkswagen Vanagon
"...h myself. I'm going to go with the 80 Volkswagen Vanagon. And I will speak from experience that, or the u..."
air-cooled engine
"They were air cooled still at this point up until 83."
An air-cooled engine cools itself by blowing air over it instead of using water or other liquids. This was common in older Volkswagen vans.
An air-cooled engine uses air flowing over fins on the engine to dissipate heat instead of liquid coolant. Volkswagen used this design in early Vanagons until 1983.
Volkswagen Eurovan
"...currently taking over. You know, this led to the Eurovans and then very far onwards. But yeah, I just, I l..."
Volkswagen Jetta
"...he dude was an engineer and he fully engineered a Jetta GLI swap into it. And he let me drive that thing..."
Aston Martin Lagonda
"Yes. The Aston Martin Lagonda series two shooting by Calestra did exist. Oh, i..."
Ford Pinto
"...ay up at the top in the center. It was a 79 Ford Pinto wagon. Oh, yes."
intercooler
"but with a turbo and an intercooler on it."
An intercooler is a part that cools down the air before it goes into the engine, helping the car run better.
An intercooler is a component that cools the air compressed by the turbocharger before it enters the engine, improving efficiency and power.
Chevy Small Block
"It's like the Chevy Small Block or something. They did so many different things with this motor."
The Chevy Small Block is a type of engine made by Chevrolet. It's very popular because it can be used in many cars and is good for making cars go faster.
The Chevy Small Block is a family of V8 engines produced by Chevrolet, known for its versatility, performance, and widespread use in many types of vehicles and custom builds.
four-wheel drive
""We're going to go truck four by four next.""
Four-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels at the same time, which helps it drive better on dirt, snow, or mud.
Four-wheel drive (4x4) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction on slippery or off-road surfaces.
3 Three Wheelers
"...x or seven sobs, including like little weird sob three wheelers and stuff. And his neighbors must hate him"
Subaru Outback
"...UV of its day, right? Like there are that Subaru Outback or whatever. This is all people drive now."
GMC Safari
"...e van again was to van life. The MC Eagle was to Safari. Freedom."
manual transmission
"My dad taught my mom how to drive stick shift on a CJ seven. Well, Beck and I were just randomly talking about manual transmission cars that don't have tachometers."
Manual transmission means you have to change gears yourself using a stick and a pedal called the clutch. It lets you control the car better but takes some practice to learn.
A manual transmission requires the driver to manually shift gears using a clutch pedal and gear stick, offering more control over the vehicle's power and speed. It is less common in modern cars but favored by enthusiasts for driving engagement.
tachometer
"Well, Beck and I were just randomly talking about manual transmission cars that don't have tachometers."
A tachometer is a gauge that tells you how fast the engine is spinning. It helps you know when to change gears if you drive a car where you do that yourself.
A tachometer is an instrument on a car's dashboard that shows the engine's revolutions per minute (RPM). It helps the driver know when to shift gears, especially in manual transmission vehicles.
V8
""You said V8. Are they, is that an option or you want to swap? No, the Golden Eagle is V8.""
A V8 engine means the car has eight cylinders shaped like a V. This helps the car have more power and go faster.
A V8 is an engine configuration with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. It is known for producing strong power and torque, commonly used in performance and muscle cars.
Jeep Wrangler
"So 1980. I mean, and V8s and Wranglers are fairly unheard of always, really. There's on..."
Jaguar Ctype
"I mean, you're pointing out, what was it? Is it D-type that's just in the back or C-type? Yes, in the background."
Jaguar Dtype
"I mean, you're pointing out, what was it? Is it D-type that's just in the back or C-type? Yes, in the background."
Jaguar XKSS
"Yes, in the background. I want to say the XKSS, I think. Maybe that's what it was."
Ford Mustang
"...ust too terrible to do. But it is a 1984 McLaren Mustang M81. You're going to pick that."
Recaro
"But yeah, turbocharger, Recaro seats."
Recaro makes special car seats that help keep you comfortable and in place when driving fast.
Recaro is a company specializing in high-performance automotive seats known for their support and comfort in sports and racing cars.
BBS wheels
"It's got big fender flares on it and BBS style wheel. Oh, no, there are actual BBSs on this."
BBS wheels are special car wheels made to be strong and light, helping cars go faster and handle better.
BBS is a well-known company that manufactures high-quality, lightweight alloy wheels often used in motorsports and performance cars.
Ford Capri
"... Turbo, the Fox body Mustang, but also a Mercury Capri. Oh, that's right."
Toyota Celica
"...other cars, too. Didn't they cut the top off the Celicas? Aren't those ASCs, the early Celica convertible..."
Mercury Cougar
"...s built in Cambridge, Wisconsin, using a Mercury Cougar chassis. Now, the connection to a lot of things ..."
Toyota Land Cruiser
"...7. I, a lot of people refer to these as like the Land Cruiser of boats. They're nearly indestructible from a w..."
Toyota A90
"which would honestly be bids. My dad's got a 90 on his 16 on the Dauntless, so it's a more modern boat."
Mercedes-Benz Mercedesbenz 450 Sel
"Daily driver 308 GTBI in gold. Family hauler Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 Euro car. Truck 4x4 AMC Eagle 2-door sedan and wild card a Mustang McLaren M81."
Dodge Spirit
"...black and gold and wild card a 1980 Zimmer Golden Spirit. For Cam, a sports car, black, black Euro 930 Tu..."
Porsche 935 K3
"Truck 4x4 Mercedes-Benz 280 GE Cabriolet wild card Porsche 935 K3 in the Apple livery."
The Porsche 935 K3 is a special race car made from a Porsche 911 with lots of changes to make it go very fast in races.
The Porsche 935 K3 is a highly modified racing version of the Porsche 911 Turbo designed for Group 5 racing in the late 1970s, famous for its aerodynamic bodywork and success in endurance racing.
Porsche 928
"No 928. I thought about 928 in 924 turbos. Yeah, 928 i..."
Ferrari 308 GTB
"...p. But you get some cool stuff that pops up like 308 GTB Group B car. Yes."
Porsche 924
"Yes. 924s were an option there. The Carrera GTs."
Porsche Carrera GT
"924s were an option there. The Carrera GTs. Yeah."
Chevrolet K5 Blazers
"...ow, an SR5 would have been one of my options. No K5 Blazers and no Scouts. Randy has turned this off by now."
BMW E12
"And E12 with the 5 series."
The BMW E12 is an older luxury car made in the 1970s. It's a bigger car than the 3 Series and was designed to be comfortable and powerful.
The BMW E12 is the first generation of the 5 Series, produced from 1972 to 1981, known for its luxury and performance in the executive car segment.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...r a V8. You know, because the Rochester's on the Corvettes is that big, huge hump in the middle."
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
"You could as a Rodney Carlo. Oh, it's a Monte Carlo. But it's, yeah."
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