Cars from the 1980s and 1990s are the newest classics. You can rent a 1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible and Mercedes-Benz SL500 roadsters from 1996 and 1999, the convertible that defined 1990s luxury. They’re perfect for 30th and 40th birthdays, 1980s and 1990s parties, music videos and photo shoots.
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Cars from the 1980s and 1990s are the newest classics, and the ones a whole generation grew up dreaming about from the back seat. The 1980s were bold and angular, the decade of neon, big hair and the return of the convertible. The 1990s smoothed everything out into rounder, sleeker shapes, and gave us luxury roadsters that still look modern today. Here are the 1980s and 1990s classics you can rent through our classic car rental service, and the story behind each one.
The 1980s and 1990s at a glance
| Year | Car | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible | Garden weddings and a top-down getaway |
| 1996 | Mercedes-Benz SL500 | A 30th birthday and 1990s style |
| 1999 | Mercedes-Benz SL500 | Music videos and photo shoots |
What made 1980s and 1990s cars special
- The convertible came back. After American carmakers dropped their convertibles in the 1970s, open cars returned in the early 1980s, and luxury roadsters flourished in the 1990s.
- From boxes to curves. 1980s cars were crisp and angular, with flat panels and sharp edges. By the 1990s, designers had moved to smoother, rounder shapes.
- Technology arrives. Anti-lock brakes, airbags and power everything went from rare luxuries to normal features over these two decades.
- Old-school luxury lives on. Hand-built cars like the Rolls-Royce Corniche carried the craftsmanship of the 1970s right through the 1980s and into the 1990s.
The 1980s and 1990s cars you can rent
1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible
The Corniche, whose name means a road along a coastline, was built from 1971 into the mid-1990s, longer than almost any Rolls-Royce of its time. By 1983 it had become a symbol of 1980s success: the convertible of film stars, Riviera summers and big celebrations. This one is finished in deep green with a tan interior, a little different from the usual white and all the more memorable for it.
Great for: garden and estate weddings, a top-down getaway, 40th birthdays, photo shoots.
1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500
The R129 Mercedes-Benz SL, built from 1989 to 2001 under the design chief Bruno Sacco, is one of the defining cars of the 1990s. It had a power-operated soft top, a removable hardtop and, a first for its day, a roll bar that popped up automatically in a fraction of a second if the car ever tipped. From 1994 the V8 model was called the SL500. This red 1996 car is pure 1990s style, and for anyone born in 1996 it makes the perfect 30th-birthday ride.
Great for: 30th birthdays, 1990s parties, photo shoots, a stylish exit.
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500
By 1999 the R129 SL was in its final years, refined and as handsome as ever. Low, wide and red, with the top folded away, this SL500 has the effortless confidence that made it the convertible of choice for 1990s stars, and it looks just as good in a music video today.
Great for: music videos, fashion and photo shoots, birthdays, a getaway for two.
Before the 1980s: the 1970s
The 1983 Corniche is the direct descendant of the 1970s Rolls-Royces, and the 1990s SL picked up where the big 1970s convertibles left off. See the cars that came before, from the 1975 Corniche to the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, in our guide to 1970s cars for rent.
After the 1990s: today’s luxury convertibles
The spirit of the Corniche and the SL lives on in today’s luxury convertibles, from the Rolls-Royce Dawn to the latest sports cars. Explore them in our guide to Rolls-Royce wedding cars, or browse our sports car and exotic car rentals.
What people rent 1980s and 1990s cars for
- 40th and 30th birthdays. Born in 1986 or 1996? A car from your birth decade, or even your birth year, is a brilliant surprise.
- 1980s and 1990s parties. Neon, big hair, boom boxes and a convertible out front.
- Music videos and photo shoots. These cars bring instant 1980s and 1990s credibility to any shoot.
- Weddings. The Corniche is a beautiful choice for the bride’s arrival or the getaway.
- Proms. A retro 1990s theme with a red SL500 is unforgettable.
Booking a 1980s or 1990s car: what to know
- More modern comfort. These cars are newer than other classics and generally more comfortable on longer routes, but it’s still wise to keep plans relaxed.
- Two seats in the SL. The SL500 is a two-seater, and the Corniche is a four-seat convertible.
- Plan for the weather. All three are convertibles, so have a plan for rain.
- Book early. Milestone birthdays and summer weekends are popular.
Questions people ask
Can I rent a 1980s or 1990s classic car?
Yes. You can rent a 1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible and Mercedes-Benz SL500 roadsters from 1996 and 1999.
Is a 1990s car a classic?
Many collectors consider cars around 25 to 30 years old to be modern classics, and icons like the R129 Mercedes SL are already treasured.
What’s special about the Mercedes-Benz SL500?
The 1989 to 2001 SL combined a V8, a power soft top, a removable hardtop and an automatic pop-up roll bar, a remarkable mix for its time. It’s one of the most admired roadsters of the 1990s.
What car should I rent for a 30th or 40th birthday?
A car from your birth decade is a great idea: a 1990s SL500 for a 30th, or a 1980s Rolls-Royce Corniche for a 40th.
Do you have older classics too?
Yes. Start with our guide to 1970s cars, then go back through the 1960s, 1950s, 1940s and 1930s.
