With emissions regulations taking their toll on V8 engines in particular during the 1970s, the muscle car as a category was pretty much dead by the time the 1980s rolled around. The Chrysler Corporation axed every muscle vehicle in its range at the turn of the decade, while Ford had only the Mustang left. General Motors remained loyal to the breed though, and pumped out a fair few muscle weapons during the decade.

They all managed to make at least one car that remains iconic to this day, so HotCars decided to take a look at the most notorious of the bunch.

Chrysler: 1980 Plymouth Volare Roadrunner

1980 Volare Roadrunner Specs

(Source: Plymouth)

Chrysler was the portion of the Big Three that took the most drastic action at the start of the 1980s, as it pretty much turned its nose up at the muscle car sector. Having struck up a partnership with Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi, its Plymouth and Dodge brands began to offer performance cars featuring four or six-cylinder engines produced by the marque, or ones developed by itself.

Its cars, such as the 1981 Charger, closely resembled Japanese compacts rather than muscle vehicles. Between 1985 and 1987, there was a special Shelby version of the Charger. Before Chrysler went down the smaller and cheaper-to-run engine route, it decided to let Plymouth send the Road Runner out in style. While no longer a standalone model – the Road Runner now a trim level of the Volare coupe model – it still stood out because it had a V8 engine in true muscle car style.

The Road Runner is iconic as it is the final vehicle to ever feature the legendary Road Runner name, the model getting a 318 ci V8 under the hood. While it couldn’t compete with its predecessors, the powerplant afforded it just 120 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque, which was pretty rapid given the automotive landscape of the time.

Plymouth also adorned it with heavy-duty suspension to ensure it could tackle corners more effectively than standard models, though most of the changes were aesthetic. Sport mirrors and a bespoke rear spoiler were added, while Road Runner decals were shared around the vehicle. Small pinstripes were also distributed around the car, while a new set of 14-inch wheels also came as part of the package.

The Road Runner would prove to be Chrysler’s last V8-powered muscle car until the Charger was resurrected in 2005.

Ford: 1987 Mustang GT Foxbody

1987 Mustang GT Specs

(Source: Ford)

For much of the 1980s, the quickest Mustangs were equipped with turbocharged V6 engines. As sales began to slump for the model, Ford felt it was time to bring the proper V8-powered GT variant back to the fore. The 1987 model of the iconic Foxbody Mustang saw a slight styling revision to look more like the previous range-topping V6-powered SVO model, which had been discontinued in 1986.

The GT, which came with a potent 5.0-liter V8, therefore returned to the top of the Mustang tree. With a hefty 225 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque on tap, the GT was even graced with a heavy-duty forged camshaft and aluminum pistons. An engaging five-speed manual gearbox also came as part of the deal, as did a traction-boosting limited-slip differential.

It also made use of Ford’s Quadra-Shock rear suspension, which worked with progressive spring rates and beefed up front and rear stabilizer bars to improve the Mustang’s cornering ability. Ford even designed the pedal layout so that its driver could perform heel/toe shifting with ease. Aside from the performance improvements, the 1987 Mustang GT also looked the part.

A more aggressive body kit, which included angular side skirts and rear bumper arrangements as well as a rear spoiler, helped to give the model a more purposeful look. This was also assisted by the optional rear window louvers, while a red pinstripe that stretched around the body reminded onlookers that this was no normal Mustang.

The 1987 Mustang GT signified a shift back to the Mustang everyone loved during the 1960s, and restarted an approach that remains to this day. The 1987 GT eventually led to the hardcore 1993 Mustang Cobra R, which really established the nameplate at the forefront of performance once more.

General Motors: 1987 Buick GNX

1987 Regal GNX Specs

(Source: Buick)

Compared to its American rivals, GM continued to offer a range of V8 muscle cars across its brands during the 1980s. However, the most revered of the lot only came with a V6. So commanding was the 1987 Buick Regal GNX, that it remained a firm muscle enthusiast favorite despite not having a traditional V8 under the hood.

With the Regal model set to morph into a compact sedan for 1988, Buick wanted to send the coupe-only second-generation car out with a bang. Starting off with normal Grand National variants, Buick sent the cars off to McLaren for some serious upgrades. The turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 was enhanced further to produce an underrated 276 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque, while the underpinnings were also beefed up.

A new torque arm, which changed the suspension geometry somewhat, was utilized at the rear of the car to improve traction. The body and wheels were also painted to create the GNX’s revered all-black scheme, while aggressive vents were cut into the front fenders. The Buick emblems were also removed from the front and rear of the car to make it look more purposeful.

Its ultra-aggressive look instantly made it a muscle car classic, and it remains so to this day. It was often referred to as the ‘dark side’ when compared to rival cars like the Mustang or Pontiac’s Firebird, adding another string to its bow.

Honorable Mention: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z

1987 Camaro IROC Z Specs

(Source: Chevrolet)

While the GNX was GM’s most iconic car, an honorable mention goes to the 1987 Chevy Camaro IROC Z. While the GNX made use of its meaty turbocharged 3.8-liter V6, the IROC Z signified the emergence of the small-block V8 as the true savior of the American muscle car.

Chevy placed the previously Corvette-only L98 5.7-liter V8 under the hood of the IROC Z in 1987, a powerplant that shifted 230 hp and 330 lb-ft to the complaining rear tires. The 5.7-liter IROC Z sadly only came with a four-speed automatic transmission, with drivers after a manual having to settle for the less powerful 5.0-liter version.

Quick ratio steering, as well as a tweaked MacPherson front suspension setup, also ensured the IROC-Z was the most effective Camaro in the twisties. Chevy even included a set of Bilstein shocks on the rear, which were tuned to provide maximum traction.

A special body kit was also introduced for the model, which included a large air dam and rear spoiler, as well as lower side skirts. Prominent IROC Z branding was also scattered around the body, while a set of 15-inch aluminum wheels completed the package.

While not quite as iconic as its GNX cousin, the Camaro IROC Z kicked off the push for ever more commanding V8-powered muscle cars heading into the 1990s.