1988

1988.5 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Bianco White is AS_NEW! Just 8k Miles

One of just 75 with the full factory aeroit, this 5000QV makes 420-horsepower from its 48-valve 5.2-liter V12.  This particular model has me ait its black badging and 1988.5 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Bianco White RM Sothebys Arizona 28-29 January 2016 1988½ Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV Chassis no. ZA9CA05AXJLA12340 Engine no. 1556 420 bhp, 5,167 cc DOHC V-12 engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, five-speed manual transmission, front and rear independent suspension with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Wheelbase: 96.5 in. A desirable 1988½ model in well-preserved condition Currently showing fewer than 8,600 …

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Concept Flashback – 1988 ITALDESIGN Aspid – Tinted Bubble Canopy

PART TWO: The Aspid bubble hardtop. This Aztec is the first of two from the design studio’s 1988 releases — and is a huge piece of automotive coolness that might otherwise be lost to the ages. It is hard to get psyched about 80s concepts sometimes, but this Aztec’s influence on SO MANY CARS of the 1990s is clear as day. Camaro, Corvette, Probe, RX-7, MX-5, 300ZX… the list goes on and on. The mid-engine concept car runs a 250-horsepower Audi-sourced engine, but its most memorable part is the glasshouse. Twin mini windshields wrap around both passenger compartments, and open …

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Concept Flashback – 1988 ITALDESIGN Aztec – Twin-Cowl Design Full of Ideas and Impact

  This Aztec is the first of two from the design studio’s 1988 releases — and is a huge piece of automotive coolness that might otherwise be lost to the ages. It is hard to get psyched about 80s concepts sometimes, but this Aztec’s influence on SO MANY CARS of the 1990s is clear as day. Camaro, Corvette, Probe, RX-7, MX-5… the list goes on and on. The mid-engine concept car runs a 250-horsepower Audi-sourced engine, but its most memorable part is the glasshouse. Twin mini windshields wrap around both passenger compartments, and open upward in butterfly arcs as the …

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Meet The 1988 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 8V WRC-Winner in 60 High-Res Photos!

In the World Rally Championship record books, no single vehicle or manufacturer has been more dominant than the Lancia Delta. Winning the championship from 1987 through 1992, this tops every winning streak by other big hitters: Subaru, Peugeot and Citroen included. Being able to meet the actual race-winning vehicle is special in any circumstance, but to be able to photograph and document the vehicle in detail is beyond special. It is inspiring to see the Lancia Delta in its full Martini Racing livery, even today almost thirty years later. Inspiration from the Lancia Delta Integrale formula spanned the globe after …

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RM Amelia Island Preview – 1988 Jaguar XJR-9

It is fantastic to see a true icon of LMP1 racing design and achievement up for sale. This 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 is the only remaining example and even won the nearby 1990 Daytona 24-hour race almost exactly 25 years before it will go across the block for RM Auctions in Amelia Island, Florida in early March. 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 Chassis no. TWR-J12C-388 The sole remaining original of only two purpose-built IMSA specification XJR-9s constructed, chassis 388 enjoyed huge record of success through 1988, 1989 and 1990 2015 marks 25th anniversary of this …

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Concept Flashback – 1987 Oldsmobile Aerotech Short-Tail and 1988 Aerotech Long-Tail

The 1987 and 1988 Oldsmobile Aerotech concepts were a high-speed R&D showcase, branding exercise and new engine launch in one. The hypercar style of the car was a direct result of the engineering goals: to help this 160-horsepower Quad4 engine power the car to a world-record top speed. 160-horsepower? Surely that would never be enough to hit 200-mph? In fact, the car hit 267.99-mph the day before setting the official closed-course world record on 257-mph on August 27, 1987. A short-tail Aerotech ST wears full venturi air channels under a flipped-up and chopped rear end. This short-tail wore a single …

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Hypercar Heroes – 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Brings $1.5M at Gooding Pebble Beach 2014

The 959 is just coming out of a bit of limbo period – too young to be a true classic, but too old to have appeal among the trendiest supercar owners. But the 959 appears to have firmly graduated to greatness and rapidly appreciating values. This 959 Komfort with tastefully updated dark alloys and tinted windows brought in $1,45-million at Gooding and Company’s Pebble Beach 2014 auction — well above its $900,000 – $1,100,000 pre-sale estimate. It is easy to see why — the car is stunning and flawless. 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort   Gooding & Co. Lot 35 Pebble …

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Concept Flashback – 1988 Peugeot OXIA Is T16 Mid-Engine Road Racer

    This car doubtlessly inspired the ONYX’s name and chassis layout, as well as perhaps the idea of previewing a new grille and nose on a hypercar before production hatchbacks. Pretty striking propoertions on the OXIA to this day, especially the hugely flared front and rear wheel-arches versus the trim cabin. This one is also more of an authentic hypercar – with 205 and 405 T16 rally-car running-gear under the rear canopy. Peugeot OXIA

Creating The Porsche Sedan – 1988 Porsche 989 Panamera, 1991 Porsche 932, 1987 928 Studie and 1968 911 4-Door

Did the Panamera just pop out of thin air? Far from it. Porsche has been flirting with a four-door sedan for ages — going back to the first Auto Union P52 designs by Ferdinand Porsche, in fact, that had a central driving position and twin seats beside him. In later studies, the rear-engine design would be the biggest difficulty in bringing a four-door sedan to market. So when the 928 and its front-engine setup was present, the idea seemed like a natural fit. In fact, the 1988 Panamera concept that came a year later was a strong hint at future …

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The Evolution of the Nissan and Datsun Badges Since 1951

The Evolution of the Nissan and Datsun Badges Since 1951 Logos tell stories – they are the emblems we become so familiar with that seeing them becomes a mental shortcut to knowing a product is high-quality and something we recognize. Alternatively, they can become tarnished by mis-steps or changing market preferences — when a badge can be caught in a past world that does not reflect current brand aspirations. Most of all, however, they aim for consistency. Put a Nissan badge on a refrigerator — and your brain will like that fridge if you are a Nissan fan. Or if …

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Hall of Fame – Porsche 959 Komfort and 959 Vorserie from RM Auctions

Hall of Fame – Porsche 959 Komfort and 959 Vorserie from RM Auctions UPDATED 6.19.14 Okay, these photos should now open in new tabs. If they do not, I am going to pull my hair out. Thankyou for reading =] -Tom Sometimes I find it helpful to look at two pristine examples of a classic masterpiece when prepping these articles. All the variations in styling, specification and lifestyle really cannot be summed up with one car. Unless it only came in Rosso Corsa red and had a twin-turbocharged V-8 mounted mod-ship, that is. The 959 has always been a beguilingly …

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Updated with 36 New Photos – 1989 BMW Z1 in Spartanburg, SC

A bit less to say about the Z1, which is unusual for me.  For many, many years the Z1 was my all-time favorite car. I saw one in Germany as a young child and was instantly smitten by its power-sinking doors and ultra-refined aero profile. To me, it was everything a BMW sports car should be. Versus the large and imposing 635CSi and 750iL of the time, it was nothing short of a revelation for BMW lovers worldwide. Even today, its shapely panels are quite bewitching. The Z1 was originally a concept that met rapturous demand from the market, so …

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Mitty 2014 Prototypes Group at Road Atlanta – 2005 Audi R8 LMP1, Porsche 962 and RS Spyder, 2012 Caterham SR300

This is quite a list of entries. The oldest is a 1985 Porsche 962 that was absolutely mauling everything else out there, but there was also the 1988 Jaguar XJ-R GTP and 1988 ChevyFabCar GTP representing the 1980s. The Jaguar was suffering ECU issues but will be back stronger next time! 1990s entries include some Mazda’s, which is great to see on this Mazda-sponsored track! 1990 Intrepid GTP 1999 Riley & Scott MKIII 1990 Mazda Kudzu DG2 1990 Shelby Can-Am 1993 Mazda Kudzu DG3 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is not the only track blessed by Mazda sponsor dollars. A wonderful …

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Mini Musclecar Is Ready To Boogie! 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger at Charleston, SC Cars and Coffee 31

Mini Musclecar Is Ready To Boogie! 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger at Charleston, SC Cars & Coffee

Mini? The 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger — yes, that is its official special edition — is definitely not a mini car by any means. But when standing next to the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird… it looks like Danny Devito vs Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1988 classic Twins.  

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The Most Stylish 4-Door Never Made? 1980 Ferrari Pinin Still Brilliant

The 1980 Ferrari Pinin concept shares much of the low-slung beauty of the 400i models, but none of their affordability. This one-off concept is being sold by Museo Ferrari for $1.2 million. Before you write off this design and its gob-smaking egg-crate grille, take a few minutes to twirl it around with 30 years perspective since its debut. Yes, the nose is messy, and the clamshell hood shows some panel fit issues in some of the photos.   But Enzo Ferrari himself is also sitting in the car for some of the photos, evaluating it around Fiorano on a nice …

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Iconic Classic Showcase: Porsche 959 Komfort and 959 Vorserie from RM Auctions

Iconic Classic Showcase: 1985 Porsche 959 Vorserie This start-up sequence video from RM Auctions must be the most blissful 30 seconds ever recorded. Plus, the 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort  from RM Auctions Sometimes I find it helpful to look at two pristine examples of a classic masterpiece when prepping these articles. All the variations in styling, specification and lifestyle really cannot be summed up with one car. Unless it only came in Rosso Corsa red and had a twin-turbocharged V-8 mounted mod-ship, that is. The 959 has always been a beguilingly brilliant exercise in refined aerodynamics, among its other achievements. …

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