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1981 Archive
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![In 1981, Cadillac rolled out a new version of its 368-cid V-8 engine with a “modulated displacement” (cylinder deactivation) system that let it run on eight, six, or four cylinders […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1981-Cadillac-Fleetwood-Brougham-dElegance-Bordeaux-Red-Mecum-Auctions-W125-front-3q-high-inset.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1981 Cadillac V8-6-4: The Real Reason Cadillac Dropped Its “Modulated Displacement” Engine After Only A Year")
1981 Cadillac V8-6-4: The Real Reason Cadillac Dropped Its “Modulated Displacement” Engine After Only A Year
Posted on October 19, 2025 | 50 CommentsIn 1981, Cadillac rolled out a new version of its 368-cid V-8 engine with a “modulated displacement” (cylinder deactivation) system that let it run on eight, six, or four cylinders […] -
![Canadiancatgreen has an unusual find posted to the CCohort, a 1981 Buick Skylark convertible. Such a thing being created back in the dark days of factory built convertibles being taboo […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/48806532996_b1f9d7a930_c.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "1981 Buick Skylark Convertible – On The Chopping Block")
1981 Buick Skylark Convertible – On The Chopping Block
Posted on October 11, 2025 | 8 CommentsCanadiancatgreen has an unusual find posted to the CCohort, a 1981 Buick Skylark convertible. Such a thing being created back in the dark days of factory built convertibles being taboo […] -
![What could be more ’80s than a special edition of one of the era’s most maligned personal luxury cars named after one of its most fascinating and endlessly controversial public […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1982-Imperial-FS-Glacier-Blue-Mecum-Auctions-T68-front-3q-right-vignette.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1982 Imperial Frank Sinatra Edition: A Flawed Luxury Car Meets A Flawed But Fascinating Artist")
1982 Imperial Frank Sinatra Edition: A Flawed Luxury Car Meets A Flawed But Fascinating Artist
Posted on September 10, 2025 | 67 CommentsWhat could be more ’80s than a special edition of one of the era’s most maligned personal luxury cars named after one of its most fascinating and endlessly controversial public […] -
![by Victor Van Tress. Honda has made a lot of really wild motorcycles in many configurations. Yet no matter the design, one thing remained constant – Their reliability. Be it […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC4360-Edit-3.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "A Succession Of Honda CBXs – 400,000 Riding Miles On Honda’s Legendary Inline Six, And Counting")
A Succession Of Honda CBXs – 400,000 Riding Miles On Honda’s Legendary Inline Six, And Counting
Posted on August 10, 2025 | 26 Commentsby Victor Van Tress. Honda has made a lot of really wild motorcycles in many configurations. Yet no matter the design, one thing remained constant – Their reliability. Be it […] -
![Welcome to Part 2 of this multipart series featuring pictures of select cars from my youth. As with the 1970 Ford F-100 in Part 1, I also saved these Omni […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1981-Dodge-Omni-4.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "The Cars & Trucks of My Formative Years, Part 2: 1981 Dodge Omni – Little Boy Blue, I Hardly Knew You")
The Cars & Trucks of My Formative Years, Part 2: 1981 Dodge Omni – Little Boy Blue, I Hardly Knew You
Posted on June 17, 2025 | 24 CommentsWelcome to Part 2 of this multipart series featuring pictures of select cars from my youth. As with the 1970 Ford F-100 in Part 1, I also saved these Omni […] -
![(first posted 5/31/2019) It seemed to be anticipating my arrival. Parked in the rear of the rain saturated hotel parking lot this old Ford looked quite at ease […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_8220.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1981 Ford Granada – The Fox In The Fairmont’s Henhouse")
Curbside Classic: 1981 Ford Granada – The Fox In The Fairmont’s Henhouse
Posted on May 28, 2025 | 63 Comments(first posted 5/31/2019) It seemed to be anticipating my arrival. Parked in the rear of the rain saturated hotel parking lot this old Ford looked quite at ease […] -
![(first posted 10/26/2014) Here at CC we normally have a high regard for the GM B-bodies that appeared in 1977, but my own B-body tale is a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1981-Specs.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "COAL: 1981 Chevrolet Impala – B is for Broom Handle")
COAL: 1981 Chevrolet Impala – B is for Broom Handle
Posted on February 21, 2025 | 112 Comments(first posted 10/26/2014) Here at CC we normally have a high regard for the GM B-bodies that appeared in 1977, but my own B-body tale is a […] -
![(first posted 10/3/2012. A follow-on to the ’77 Cougar sedan recently posted) This Cougar has been taunting me for months. I keep seeing it at the same interchange and always […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/P8310027.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Capsule: 1981 Mercury Cougar XR7 – Mercury Throws a Cutlass at the Cougar")
Curbside Capsule: 1981 Mercury Cougar XR7 – Mercury Throws a Cutlass at the Cougar
Posted on July 30, 2024 | 88 Comments(first posted 10/3/2012. A follow-on to the ’77 Cougar sedan recently posted) This Cougar has been taunting me for months. I keep seeing it at the same interchange and always […] -
![(first posted 6/21/2018) The police vehicle. It’s something we’ve talked about here sporadically and while most people don’t want to encounter one under self-detrimental circumstances, they serve a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1971-patrol-cars.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Some Unusual Or Unexpected Police Cars From The United States And Canada")
Automotive History: Some Unusual Or Unexpected Police Cars From The United States And Canada
Posted on June 21, 2024 | 147 Comments(first posted 6/21/2018) The police vehicle. It’s something we’ve talked about here sporadically and while most people don’t want to encounter one under self-detrimental circumstances, they serve a […] -
![(first posted 2/4/2013) Cadillac entered the ’80s in fine shape–at least on the outside. The de Ville series and Fleetwoods were given an attractive facelift, the sharp ’79 Eldo continued […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/09-07-2012-010-e1358285702681.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1984 Cadillac Coupe de Ville – Nice Car; Shame About The Engine")
Curbside Classic: 1984 Cadillac Coupe de Ville – Nice Car; Shame About The Engine
Posted on January 27, 2024 | 223 Comments(first posted 2/4/2013) Cadillac entered the ’80s in fine shape–at least on the outside. The de Ville series and Fleetwoods were given an attractive facelift, the sharp ’79 Eldo continued […] -
![Sometimes I will be stopped in my tracks while in the junkyard. At times it’s due to a Maserati, other times a Lancia, and ever so slightly more often anything […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_4011.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Recycling: 1981 Datsun 210 Hatchback – 354,281 And A Half Miles, Apparently All Of Them In Deep Salty Slush")
Curbside Recycling: 1981 Datsun 210 Hatchback – 354,281 And A Half Miles, Apparently All Of Them In Deep Salty Slush
Posted on January 18, 2024 | 31 CommentsSometimes I will be stopped in my tracks while in the junkyard. At times it’s due to a Maserati, other times a Lancia, and ever so slightly more often anything […] -
![(Posted to the CC Cohort by William Rubano) (first posted 1/1/2018) Seeing this Trans Am at the CC Cohort prompted genuine excitement followed by a pretty sobering realization […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/transam-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1979 to 1981 Pontiac Trans Am – Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em")
Curbside Classic: 1979 to 1981 Pontiac Trans Am – Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Posted on January 2, 2024 | 69 Comments(Posted to the CC Cohort by William Rubano) (first posted 1/1/2018) Seeing this Trans Am at the CC Cohort prompted genuine excitement followed by a pretty sobering realization […] -
![(first posted 7/5/2017) Once upon a time, Corollas like this roamed the land. They were durable little boogers, providing thousands of miles of happy motoring to the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_2741.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1981(ish) Toyota Corolla SR-5 – So, Do You Want It Now Or After Breakfast?")
Curbside Classic: 1981(ish) Toyota Corolla SR-5 – So, Do You Want It Now Or After Breakfast?
Posted on July 5, 2023 | 37 Comments(first posted 7/5/2017) Once upon a time, Corollas like this roamed the land. They were durable little boogers, providing thousands of miles of happy motoring to the […] -
![(Originally published May 24, 2013) As we accelerate into “Turn One” of Race Weekend, we continue our look back at previous Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars. We have reached a point […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1980TransAmPaceCar02.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars (Part 8, 1980-84)")
Automotive History: Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars (Part 8, 1980-84)
Posted on May 27, 2023 | 56 Comments(Originally published May 24, 2013) As we accelerate into “Turn One” of Race Weekend, we continue our look back at previous Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars. We have reached a point […] -
![(first posted 5/25/2017) Welcome once again to our journey into the world of shockingly low volume production cars. Today, we are moving out of the low-priced field a smidgeon […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1971-Pontiac-Performance-Cars-12-13.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Pontiac Edition")
Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Pontiac Edition
Posted on May 25, 2023 | 60 Comments(first posted 5/25/2017) Welcome once again to our journey into the world of shockingly low volume production cars. Today, we are moving out of the low-priced field a smidgeon […]
