Diesel Doldrums: The 7 Slowest Cars of 1980*

Tom Appel

9 years ago

1980 Rabbit Diesel — 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel

Fun fact: In 1980, Consumer Guide road tested seven different diesel-powered vehicles. Turns out those cars were the seven slowest vehicles we tested that year.

America was right around the height of diesel mania in 1980, with no fewer than ten brands selling “oil burners” to folks in search of better fuel economy–and perhaps a bit of European-feeling automotive sophistication.

Though fuel-efficient, diesel engines of the era were notorious underachievers in the horsepower department. A gasoline-fed 350-cubic-inch engine of the day typically produced around 160 horsepower—as it did in the Oldsmobile 98—while the same-displacement diesel might be good for just 105—as it was in a number of General Motors products.

Modern diesel engines enjoy turbocharging, direct-injection, and a host of other technological improvements, all of which help them perform as well—if not better—than contemporary gasoline-powered mills.

Presented here are the seven slowest vehicles tested by Consumer Guide back in 1980. We include the asterisk to allow for the possibility that a vehicle we didn’t get around to testing might be even slower—God forbid.

Note that the times presented below are for 0-60 mph runs from a dead stop.

5 Slowest Cars of 1972*

Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel: 19.6 Seconds