It’s time to dust off your swatch and get your Members Only jacket drycleaned, because RADwood Austin is coming back to Circuit of the Americas in two weeks. If you’re anywhere within a 2,000-mile radius (i.e., within Texas), you should be at COTA on November 15th for all the fun. If you’ve got a great car from the era, then I’m sure you’re already signed up, but let’s have a little fun and try to imagine what the perfect car would be.
And, since there’s a sweet fashion contest, bonus points for being able to match the perfect outfit with the perfect car. As someone who grew up in Texas in the ’80s and ’90s, this hits me pretty hard, and I have a lot of ideas. I look at some of the totally tubular rides at last year’s event, and I can almost taste the 400 grams I inhaled with each bowl of Rainbow Brite back then.
My initial thought was an SSP Fox Body Mustang, and The Bishop’s piece on that patrol car took me back to the days I used to help my dad look out for the Dr. Pepper Squad hiding out behind billboards on Highway 59. That, plus a period-correct uniform, would be great.
However, there’s one even rarer truck you’d sometimes see on Texas roads growing up, and the sight of one never failed to make my head snap. I’m talking, of course, about the Mexican-market Dodge Ramcharger. This is a second-generation Dodge Ram done up as an SUV. Not only does it have the incredible “big rig” style hood, it’s also a two-door for some reason?
These allegedly existed with both a four-speed manual and Dodge’s beloved 5.9-liter V8, though I’m not 100% sure you could get both. The smaller V8 with the manual would still be quite excellent.
That, and dressing up like Edward James Olmos from Selena with the overpatterned short-sleeved collared tee and whiskey-colored glasses would be perfect. It takes me back to my days growing up in Corpus Christi.
Now it’s your turn. What’s the perfect RADwood Austin ride/outfit combo?
And, as a reminder from Hagerty, who is partnering with us on this post:
Celebrate the 80s & 90s at RADwood AustinBust out the Ray-Bans and crank up the mixtape because RADwood® Austin is back at Circuit of The Americas for our 6th annual bash — and it’s gonna be totally bodacious.Get ready for wicked rides from the ’80s and ’90s, killer jams straight out of your Walkman days, and a fashion contest glow-up that’s bigger and badder than ever before. We’re leveling up with VIP hospitality, expanded awards, and plenty more rad surprises.November 15 | 11am – 3:30pm CT
Circuit of The Americas | Austin, TX
Also let me know in the comments if you’re already planning to go!
Top photo: Hagerty
Mini trucks , maybe a Ford courier , dodge d50, or Chevy love but I guess ranger, Dakota, or S10 work too. Could also go Toyota pickup or t100. Dodge rampage could be a good choice too.
Yeah, this. Marty McFly’s blacked out Toyota pickup with the KC lightbar, and his orange puffer vest
I didn’t even know this was happening, but I’ll be there. My ride ain’t rad, though. If I still had my XJ I would have brought it though.
A 1-owner (mine) ’94 BMW 325iC
Mx-3 or Impulse Turbo.A college professor at college bought a new Impulse at the time and I still remember how weird looking that thing was.
Nice call. Assume you mean the first gen, Guigiaro one?
Well, it’s in Texas, so I’m going for a proper cowboy caddy – ’81 El Camino Royal Knight. What to wear? Figure a timeless everyman combo of a plaid longsleeve and a pair of wranglers would work – (lean into the understatement).
There’s a ’91 Shadow Convertible ES Turbo on marketplace that I want so bad. I’d bring that and look amazing doing it.
I’d love to show up with an AC Propulsion TZero, but I think all of them have been destroyed.
At this point for me, it might be a Geo Storm gsi. While everyone expects teal, I prefer bright yellow. I’d wear baggy khakis and a Chandler Bing-style camp shirt (which I actually did back then).
There was a teal Storm at Radwood L.A. a couple of weeks ago. Don’t recall if it was a GSI.
A white Ferrari Testarosa. I’m not wearing a Crocket suit though, I’m too tubby to pull that look off.
I’m amazed how well the Testarossa design aged.
Probably the Callaway Sledgehammer.
Pretty sure there has already been a MXDM Ramcharger at one of the previous Radwood shows. And they are 2 doors because all previous Ramchargers were 2 doors.
I just attended Radwood LA two weekends ago and I generally spent more time looking at super well preserved versions of “normal” cars than poster cars like Ferraris or Lambos.
On the road, I’ll miss my turns, etc. to follow around examples of vintage well-maintained everyday cars just to gawk for a little while (the other day it was an immaculate Mazda MX-6…I hadn’t seen one in a decade), but barely acknowlege stuff like say a current Ferrari.
Honestly, the best car you could bring to a Radwood event would be the uber rare Marlboro GMC Cyclone. https://www.theautopian.com/why-a-cigarette-company-is-responsible-for-one-of-historys-coolest-trucks/
Black-over-gold Z31 300ZX Turbo. Aviators, leather bomber jacket, Levi’s 501’s, plaid western shirt, cowboy boots. Smoke ’em if you got ’em.
I’ve still got a Swatch. It’s a weird clear one that maybe I got from joining a Swatch fan club or something? I don’t think I ever wore it, it’s still in the box, because obviously it’s an extremely rare collector’s item that’s gonna be worth big money one day! That was my thinking 30+ years ago anyway. I think I’m gonna put a new battery in it and start wearing it.
If it’s the Jellyfish from the ’80s (all clear, including the strap, which got gunked up in a hurry), it’s a very rare classic at this point!
Was just researching these on eBay, they go for about $150 in good condition. NIB would probably fetch more.
Glad to see I’m not the only one into inexpensive vintage watches – I regularly track 80s/90s Timex Campers, the mechanical ones, and the story is similar.
My SO was wistfully remembering her childhood Swatch and I Was thinking of gifting her a replacement. My watch habit is mostly under control…
I lean more Hamilton Jazzmaster than Swatch, though I do have one of their NASA Collabs, the bioceramic case feels real nice.
I started researching too after I left the comment LOL. I think I’ve got the 1990 Golden Jelly. Not worth enough for me not to wear it!
I’ve come to believe that is true of all things worth having, buying something to not use seems like a great way to waste time and money.
By the way, if Austin is anything like Radwood Tacoma, expect the radness to be offset by a tremendous number of imports. I’m not saying they weren’t cool, but I was hoping for more “cars I grew up with” (not that the Vector counts, but you know what I mean). Consider yourself warned: your mileage may vary.
A mid-80’s Alfa Spyder Veloce in cream yellow with “BUFFY G” personalized plates, as this was what my UT physics prof drove in 1986. Second choice would be an all black 3rd gen Trans Am with “MARY LOU” plates, as this is what Mary Lou Retton drove to class. One of my friends got to see it getting towed away by the UTPD. Guess an Olympic gold medal doesn’t grant special parking privileges.
Sti swapped Subaru XT or SVX would be great. If its all stock, a grey market Audi RS2. If domestically sold and stock, Toyota corolla FX16 hatch.
Beat me to it with the Subarus. Keep Austin Weird.
The Austin Allegro, although really the Metro, Maestro, and Montego are all solid choices as well.
Forget the Ramcharger. Find a Mexican market Dodge Status with the 2.4l turbo.
1988 SAAB 900 turbo convertible and dress as a college professor.
Yeah, I’d definitely be rocking that tweed with suede elbow patches.
I believe it was okay to date your students in the 80’s. At least that is how my stats prof operated.
“I believe it was okay to date your students in the 80’s.”
I had a math teacher/football coach in high school that “dated” a few of his students. It was a different time.
Why, a 1983 Rosso Corsa Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvolve Cabriolet, of course!
(With any popped-collar polo.)
I recently rewatched Weird Science b/c hadn’t seen it forever, and while I remembered the Porsche 928, I’d totally forgotten about the Mondial. And who if not John Hughes was our guide to what was cool in 80s European sportscars?
Who if not John Hughes was our guide to what was cool FULL STOP
I watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off a few years ago for the first time in a very long time. That character has NOT aged well.
Buick GNX, your brightest neon shirt, and parachute pants.
Acid wash jacket if it gets cold.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Ewingcar.jpg
Bluish Silver Lincoln with a JR Ewing ten gallon hat and suit for clothes.
or a W116 Mercedes
Too old for Radwood but it would be allowed as a technicality since Dallas was an ’80s show.
1999 Ford Ranger, step-side in Jalapeno green.
Must have the Ranger Splash graphics
I’m pretty sure I could find a “Fear This” and 311 decal for the back window.
Teal with graphics may be the stronger move, but, if I’m rolling up to the event, I’d go for the green. Personal preference.
The most RAD RADwood car to ever RADwood is of course the Vector W8. It’s so rad I think you can get away with literally any outfit possible, but an all-white suite and an early brick sized cell phone would be about right.