1981.(50th Anniversary countdown)

This is a big year for road tests, as AutoWeek editors get clinical with everything, including motorcycles and race cars.

A sampling: Bitter SC, Ford Escort, Ferrari Mondial, Mercedes-Benz 380SL, Maserati Merak, Kawasaki KZ-550, BMW 633CSi, Renault 18i, Alfa Romeo GTV-6, Jeep Scrambler CJ-based pickup, Porsche 924 Turbo and 944, Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and Chevette Diesel, AMC Eagle SX/4, Isuzu I-Mark, Fiat Spider 2000 Turbo, Honda CBX, Harley-Davidson Tour Glide FLT-80, Suzuki GS 1100E, Yamaha Seca 750, Lancia Zagato (seen above), Audi Quattro Coupe and 5000S diesel, Triumph TR8, Jaguar XJ6. (We've left out as many as we included.)

AW first reports on the Dec. 15, 1980, death by suicide of sports-car racer Peter Gregg in the first issue of '81.

The Cannonball Run is released. The movie resembles the real cross-country race in the same way TV's Hogan's Heroes resembles life in World War II prisoner-of-war camps. Rally founder Brock Yates declares that he is amused.

At the Daytona 24, the Brian Redman/Bobby Rahal/Bob Garretson Porsche 935 wins overall.

When IMSA's new GTP class first races at Laguna Seca, Redman's Lola T600 is up front. Redman wins the season crown with victories in five of eight races.

Pro Rally gets a lot of ink, with John Buffum carrying the Audi flag and Rod Millen doing so for Mazda. Millen clinches the title with seven wins in the first 10 events.