Quiz: Can You Tell If These 80s Cars Are Ford Or Chevy?
Can You Tell If These 80s Cars Are Ford Or Chevy?
Can you distinguish between a Fiesta and a Fairmont? Know the difference between a Thunderbird and a Camaro? If you consider yourself an '80s car expert, take our quiz to see how many of these vehicles you can match to the correct maker!
Let's face it -- the '80s weren't exactly a great time for the American auto industry. Even big-time brands like Ford and Chevy found themselves floundering at the start of the decade. Not only was the country facing a recession, but oil embargoes and some serious competition from foreign automakers left even giants like Ford and Chevy spinning their wheels.
These two Detroit legends responded to the challenges of the '80s by focusing on smaller, more efficient cars that could compete with the Japanese and run further on less fuel.
Fortunately, a voluntary agreement with Japan helped to limit imports, and the American economy slowly improved by the middle of the decade, setting up the perfect conditions for the rise of the SUV that continued into the next century.
Think you can tell and '80s Ford from an '80s Chevy? Take our quiz to find out!
What company made this car?
Vauxford via Wiki Commons
Ford produced the subcompact Fiesta hatchback from 1976 to 2018. The second generation remodel in 1983 came with a minor overhaul -- with the biggest change coming in the form of wraparound headlights.
Know if this is a Ford or Chevy?
Mr.choppers via Wiki Commons
Ford replaced the compact Maverick with the equally small Fairmont in 1978, and continued to produced this model through 1983. Replaced by the Ford Tempo in '84, the Fairmont came in sedan, coupe and wagon styles.
Can you identify the make of this car?
Michael Dorausch via Wiki Commons
The Pinto was Ford's first subcompact produced in North America when it came out in 1971. Produced through 1980, this two-door hatchback was discontinued after some major problems -- including a really bad tendency to burst into flames.
Which car brand is shown here?
Chevy introduced the Sprint in the U.S. in 1985. This rebadged Suzuki Cutlus was renamed the Chevy Sprint Metro by 1988, and later became the Geo Metro.
Is this a Ford or a Chevy?
dave_7 via Wiki Commons
Chevy produced the compact Cavalier from 1982 to 2005. It replaced the Monza, experienced peak sales in 1984, then was itself replaced by the Chevy Cobalt in the '00s.
Can you guess the car brand?
Ford produced the LTD sedan and wagon from 1965 to 1986. The fourth generation of this model came out in 1983, and the car was a strong seller. The LTD was replaced by the Taurus in 1986.
Do you know which company made this vehicle?
Chevy produced the full-size Impala from 1958 to 1985 before discontinuing the model until the '90s. The Impala was the most popular full-size Chevy through much of its initial run, and the sixth generation version made in the '80s came in coupe, sedan and wagon versions.
Does this image show a Ford or Chevy?
Sunstarfire via Wiki Commons
The Ford Country Squire was a legend of a station wagon produced from 1950 to 1991. Famous for its wood paneling, the first generation of this wagon were nicknamed Woodies. Models made throughout the '80s were shorter and lighter than the previous generation. Older models are prized on the demolition derby circuit!
Can you guess the make of this vehicle?
Chevy initially produced the mid-size Malibu from 1964 to 1983, then brought the car back in 1997 to satisfy a whole new generation of fans. The name was first used for a Chevelle trim package before the Malibu became an independent model in 1978. The fourth-generation models in the '80s were available in wagon, sedan and coupe configurations.
Which manufacturer made this ride?
Throughout much of the '60s and '70s, the Chevy Caprice remained one of the most popular cars in the U.S. This name was first used as a trim option on the Impala before becoming an independent full-size. The car was downsized in 1977, and got a major redesign and overhaul at the start of the '80s.
Think you know what kind of car this is?
Greg Gjerdingen via Wiki Commons
Named for a city in Monaco, the Chevy Monte Carlo two-door coupe was produced from 1970 to 1987, before it was discontinued and then brought back in the '90s. The '80s saw the fourth generation of this vehicle, which was restyled in 1981 with new vertical taillights.
Which company produced this vehicle?
Ford produced the compact Tempo from 1984 to 1994. This downsized version of the popular Fairmont was designed to boost fuel economy, and came in coupe and sedan versions.
Which manufacturer produced this car?
The compact Chevy Nova was introduced in 1961. Discontinued in 1979, it was brought back as a subcompact in 1985. Now with front-wheel drive, this mid-'80s version came in sedan and hatchback models.
Did Ford or Chevy make this vehicle?
Introduced in 1975, the Ford Granada remained in production through 1982. The company sold more than 2 million units of this luxury compact in just a seven year run.
Ryanandlenny via Wiki Commons
Buyers in the '80s were treated to the release of the eighth- and ninth-generation Thunderbird models. The G8 1980 version was downsized compared to G7, with a more sedan-like styling. A 1983 G9 redesign brought a sleeker and more aerodynamic styling.
Know whether this is a Ford or Chevy?
The Chevy Camaro is a classic pony car that's been around since '67. The third generation release came out in 1982, and was not only much lighter than the previous generation, but had a modernized fuel injection system to boot.
Which manufacturer is associated with this model?
Ford produced the compact Escort from 1980 to 2003. The first front-wheel drive Ford built in North America, this small car came in a three-door hatchback or five-door wagon design.
Sjoerd95 via Wiki Commons
Chevy produced the compact Citation for a single generation between 1980 and 1985. The first Chevy equipped with front-wheel drive, this compact hatchback replaced the Nova.
What is the make of this vehicle?
Chevy brought out the mid-size Celebrity in 1982 to replace the Malibu. This sedan and wagon was itself replaced by the Lumina in 1990.
Can you correctly ID this car brand?
A twin to the Mercury Sable, the Ford Taurus has been in production since 1986. While this mid-size was a success in the '80s, it became one of the best-selling cars in the U.S. by the early '90s.
Can you tell if this is a Chevy or Ford?
Chevy produced the subcompact Monza between 1975 and 1981. This two-door, four-seat car came in hatch, coupe and wagon styles.
Chevy has been making Corvettes since '53. For the fourth generation in 1984, the company offered this classic car in convertible, T-top and coupe models. A 1986 special edition was modeled after the Indy 500 pace car, and the company also produced a 35th anniversary Triple White edition in 1988.
Is it a car? Is it a pickup? No, it's a Chevy El Camino -- a coupe utility that came out in the late '50s to take on the Ford Ranchero.
The 1982 EXPert via Wiki Commons
The Ford EXP, produced between 1982 and 1988, was a two-seater with a sporty wedge design. It had the same wheelbase and dash as the Escort, but was longer with a totally different style.
Chevy produced its iconic C/K line of pickups from 1960 to 2000. The C-10 was a half-ton, two-wheel drive truck available in short and long bed styles.
JOHN LLOYD via Wiki Commons
The Chevy LUV was really a rebadged version of the Isuzu Faster. This light, compact pickup was available in the U.S. between 1972 and 1980.
basco1984 via Wiki Commons
The Ford Probe was the result of a partnership with Japanese car manufacturer Mazda. Available from 1988 to 1997, the compact Probe came in liftback and coupe models.
Joost J. Bakker via Wiki Commons
Ford introduced the Bronco in 1966 to take on other off-road brands like Jeep and International Harvester. Though this vehicle wouldn't reach the pinnacle of its fame until O.J. Simpson chose it as his getaway vehicle in 1994, the full-size SUV was still popular with '80s buyers.
The Ford F-150 has been one of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. since the '90s. In 1980, this truck got its first full redesign since the '60s. It also got a rounded front and a whole new interior in 1987.
Chevy produced the subcompact Chevette from 1976 through 1987. The company sold nearly three million Chevettes during this period, and at the start of the '80s, it was the top selling compact car in the U.S.
Built on the Ford Fox platform, the Ford Durango was a two-passenger coupe utility produced from 1979 to 1982. Only a few hundred units were made before it was discontinued with the introduction of the Ford Ranger.
Riley via Wiki Commons
The compact Ford Courier was known for its excellent fuel economy. Manufactured throughout the '80s, the Courier was actually a Ford-badged Mazda B-series pickup.
Chevy's S-10 was a quarter-ton compact pickup produced between 1981 and 2004. It replaced the Chevy LUV, and was itself replaced by the Chevy Colorado in '04.
sicarr via Wiki Commons
Ford first used the Ranger name as a trim option on the Edsel way back in the '50s. In 1981, the company introduced the compact Ranger pickup, which was available throughout the decade.
The Chevy Sport pickup was a special edition produced by the company from 1976 all the way through 1981. The truck came with rally wheels, a special hood ornament and fancy racing stripes, and was available in both two and four-wheel drive.
Introduced in 1964, the Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic muscle cars ever made. The third generation, produced from 1979 to 1993, featured a larger interior than the previous generation, and came in coupe, hatchback and convertible models.
Kieran White via Wiki Commons
The Ford LTD Crown Victoria was a full-size sedan manufactured between 1980 and 1991. The wagon version of this vehicle was known as the Country Squire, and had classic wood-grained paneling.
Chevy produced the subcompact, entry-level Spectrum between 1985 and 1988. Built by Isuzu, this small car was replaced by the Geo Storm in 1990.
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