20 Vintage Photos of People’s Cars and Bikes in the Electric Eighties

Vintage Photos April 29, 2025

Last Updated on April 29, 2025 by Matt Staff

Cruising through the 1980s was a special time. There were all kinds of impressive souped-up muscle cars as well as an endless series of equally remarkable bikes. And yes, we’re talking about motorized bikes and those pushed forward by pedaling around. The vehicles of the eighties were as vibrant and legendary as the pop culture that surrounded them.

This collection of vintage photos aims to pay homage to the various rides that people enjoyed taking out and about while they cruised around during the eighties.

1. A mom and her motorcycle in 1984

A person wearing sunglasses, a red and white striped shirt, and jeans sits on a maroon Honda motorcycle. Parked cars and a white RV are visible in the background on a grassy area.
thrasher9294

Don’t mess with Mom. Just don’t do it.

2. 1980, a woman with her 260Z at Fernandina Beach

A person stands with the upper body emerging from the sunroof of a vintage white Datsun 240Z parked on a sandy beach, with the ocean and sky in the background.
exercise-tough

This almost has a bit of a James Bond feel to it.

3. To the survivors of the ’80s

Four young children in winter jackets sit and pose on a red Honda three-wheeled ATV outdoors, with a fence and field in the background. The child in front appears to be steering, while the others smile and lean on each other.
whynotmakeprojects

They were adventurous times, to be sure.

4. The Yamaha was a whole look in the eighties

Three people in motorcycle gear sit on two motorcycles parked in front of suburban houses. One person is on a black bike, wearing red pants, and two others are on a yellow bike, both wearing helmets.
deleteed

The tracksuit pants really elevate the whole aesthetic.

5. Golden days of BMX, summer mid-’80s

A group of boys with BMX bikes gather on a city sidewalk. Two boys perform stunts, jumping their bikes over a tandem bike while others watch. The scene appears to be from the 1970s or 1980s.
psychology-total

The kid had no choice but to get up.

6. Rocking the brand new Saab in 1988

A man wearing a UCLA t-shirt, shorts, and striped socks leans against a black Saab car parked on the street. In the background, there are trees, a building, and another person near the entrance.
bewilderedforks

Saabs go with the eighties like ham goes with cheese.

7. Ready to cruise around the block

A dark blue Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is parked in the driveway of a suburban neighborhood, with single-story houses, trees, and a clear sky in the background.
deleted

Probably playing some great jams too.

8. These bikes are pure ’80s nostalgia

Four children stand on a suburban street with vintage bicycles, smiling at the camera. The background includes a parked white car, trees, rocks, and residential houses.
copykingdom

These bikes are due for a proper comeback.

9. The stache, the shorts, the whole look really. Iconic.

A man with a mustache, wearing a blue sleeveless shirt and black shorts, stands in front of a red sports car parked on the street, with a stone building and grass in the background.
fsocietyrobot34

That stache really makes the ride that much more impressive too.

10. A dad poses with his new car back in the eighties

A person in a purple shirt leans on a red vintage car with a New York license plate, parked outdoors in front of brick buildings with rooftop antennas.
flachbau

Of course he had to pose with it.

11. A dad and his first car in the eighties

A person wearing sunglasses and a plaid shirt stands next to a beige Mitsubishi Colt car with license plate F-AV 805, outdoors on a sunny day with trees and hills in the background.
luckiner_hallo

One might suggest that this car is his favorite.

12. Dad’s absolutely snazzy Mazda RX7

A man in a red tracksuit and sunglasses stands beside a red sports car parked on a sandy road, with tall grass and trees in the background.
nexxycat

I wonder what his favorite color is?

13. This guy’s trying to outmuscle his muscle car

A shirtless man wearing black shorts, flip-flops, and a red cap stands next to a black sports car parked on a street, with trees and a building in the background.
deleted

And honestly, he’s losing.

14. This guy knew how to stir up some trouble

A man wearing sunglasses and a green shirt stands smiling next to a purple Honda motorcycle parked on a paved area, with grassy hills in the background.
anonymous

Don’t be fooled by the polo shirt.

15. He had no choice but to get some serious air

A person on a BMX bike jumps high over an orange vintage car on a dirt road, with hills and greenery in the background under a clear sky.
ov3erlander

Just to think what could’ve happened if he didn’t.

16. This lad’s doing things right

A person in a cap and gloves performs a trick on a colorful BMX bike, lifting one leg to the side while balancing on one pedal. Houses, autumn trees, and a driveway are visible in the background.
deleted

The bike doesn’t define the biker.

17. There’s living on the edge, and then there’s this guy

A person in a light blue shirt and dark pants performs a wheelie on a BMX bike with the number 959, on a suburban street in front of houses.
anonymous

He’s pure ’80s electricity.

18. People loved to jump bikes in the eighties.

Two young men perform a BMX stunt outside a clothing store at night. One jumps his bike over the other, who is crouched on the ground holding a bike upright. Neon "CAFE" sign and mannequins are visible in the background.
anonymous

There was also little room for error at the same time.

19. Jean-Michel Basquiat and his Bicycle, 1980s

A young person with short hair stands on a sidewalk holding a small bicycle. They wear a loose plaid shirt over a T-shirt and pants. Parked cars line the street in the background on an overcast day.
pomod

Yeah, the name seems to ring a bell here.

20. This guy is pure old-school cool

A man wearing a cap, white t-shirt, and high-waisted pants sits on a vintage Indian motorcycle with whitewall tires. The background shows houses, utility poles, and an overgrown yard. The photo is black and white.
awfultimesofold

No kidding, he probably had an epic name too.

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