1987 Chevrolet Corvette

This is the fourth-generation Corvette, Chevrolet's flagship sports car for 1987, offered as a coupe or convertible. On the road it's genuinely quick for its day, and the handling is what really sets it apart from other American cars of the era. The cabin is snug and driver-focused, with a digital dash that was futuristic in the eighties, though the plastic trim is prone to fading and cracking over time. Owners report the fiberglass body never rusts, but you should expect some electrical gremlins and worn interior bits on a car this old. The 1987 Corvette comes as a coupe with a removable roof panel, giving you open-air driving without the weight and chassis flex of the convertible. Under the hood is the 5.7L V8 paired with the automatic transmission, a combination that delivers strong low-end torque and a 0-60 time around six seconds. Expect 17 mpg combined from the fuel-injected V8, which is thirsty by modern standards but typical for a mid-eighties sports car.