1984 Pontiac 2000 Sunbird Turbo
Turbocharged front-wheel drive machines were all the rage during the Late Malaise Era, and GM was right there with the Ford EXP Turbo and Renault Fuego Turbo.
The new J-Body platform was just the ticket for the successor to the Vega/Monza-based Pontiac Sunbird, and GM even had a nice SOHC 1.8-liter four available, from Opel via Brazil. Add turbocharging for the 1984 model year, and you get the Pontiac 2000 Sunbird Turbo!
To really grasp the horror/awesomeness of the Sunbird 2000 Turbo, you must watch the commercial. A total of 150 horsepower, in a car weighing less than 2,500 pounds. Ridiculously underpowered by today's standards, but not bad at all for 1984. Yes, I know it's just wrong to want one of these forgettable Cavalier cousins, but it could be worse--I could be searching for a clean '84 Firenza Turbo.
Image source: Old Car Brochures
1984 Pontiac 2000 Sunbird Turbo
Guilty Pleasure: Pontiac 2000 Sunbird Turbo
Murilee Martin Comment Now!
View Gallery