Right now, everyone's talking about Rivals. The Hulu hit in the US and Disney+ sensation in the UK has brought Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1980s English countryside back to life, complete with shoulder pads, scandalous behavior and a stellar cast, led by David Tennant and Danny Dyer.
But one of the reasons we're watching it here at DRIVESHARE is because, alongside the power suits and Dynasty-style hair, there’s another star of the show: the cars. Even Volkswagen has leaned into the nostalgia, partnering with the series around the return of the Golf GTI.
Scene-stealing cars
There’s something about 1980s cars that feels completely different from modern ones. They had personality, sharp lines and bright colors. They were nothing like the monochrome vehicles you see today...
In Rivals, the cars don’t just sit in the background. They help define the characters. The white Golf GTI Cabriolet driven by Maud O’Hara has become one of the standout cars in the show, bringing exactly the kind of confidence the 80s did so well. At the other end of the scale, we spotted a brown Mini like this one pictured, proving that not every memorable 1980s car needed to be flashy.
That same feeling still exists in plenty of cars on our platform. Some are flashy, some are understated, but the best 80s cars all had personality. From Mercedes SLs and Porsche 911s to BMW E30s, classic Golfs and Minis, there’s a reason these cars still turn heads decades later. They weren’t trying to be subtle, just like the hairstyles.
American 80s excess
Of course, the US did the 80s differently. If European cars brought style and sharp tailoring, American cars brought pure drama. Big Cadillacs, Camaros, Corvettes... Cars designed less around restraint and more around making an entrance.
And just like the cars in Rivals, they still feel tied to a very specific kind of freedom and confidence. The kind of cars that instantly make everything feel more cinematic.
Cars with real character
Maybe that’s why 1980s cars are having such a moment again. In a world of increasingly similar modern vehicles, these cars still feel distinctive and memorable. And increasingly, people want to experience them properly rather than just seeing them on screen.
The best part? You don’t just have to watch them. Whether it’s a Golf Cabriolet, a Mercedes SL or something with full-on Miami Vice energy, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on DRIVESHARE. Why not take one for a Memorial Weekend spin?
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