1982 Year In Review

Send This Page To A Friend
Fade To White


Buick Regal Grand National
Released at the same time as Star Wars, and featuring a sinister gloss black paint job, the Grand National was soon dubbed "The Darth Vader Car".

Helen D'Amico
Helen D'Amico became the first VFL/AFL Grand Final streaker in 1982, following the legend that had been set by Erica Roe in the UK.

The Buick T-Type Regal



1982 would see the coming of age for the Buick T-Type Regal coupes, now boasting muscle car performance and (for the time) sinister and aggressive looks. Named for the NASCAR Grand National racing series, this car incorporated a 4.1 litre V6 with 125 hp, or an optional 180 hp turbocharged 3.8 V6.

It also featured T-tops, front and rear spoilers and a striking gray over silver paint job. There was no Grand National in 1983, but it returned in 1984 wrapped in its familiar all black paint. The turbocharged 3.8 became standard and would continue to be refined with fuel injection and intercooling, and by '87 was good for 245hp (182kw).

1982 was the year many Melbourne sports fans would lament the loss of the South Melbourne Football Club, it being re-loacted to Sydney and re-named the "Sydney Swans".

The change in venue and name did not translate to on field success, and so it was Carlton and Richmond that would take to the MCG to fight out the honours for the 1982 Grand Final. Both teams were however upstaged by Helen D'Amico, who did not barrick for either team!

The Lindy Chamberlain saga was to take a yet another twist on the 29th of October, when Lindy was found guilty of murdering her 9 week old baby daughter Azaria. The country remained divided as to Lindy's guilt or innocence, however in 1988 she would eventually be exonerated. The intense media scrutiny the family endured remains lamentable.

Formula One Championship:

Keke Rosberg (Finland) / Williams-Ford

1982 Bathurst Winner:

Peter Brock & Larry Perkins / VH Commodore

NRL Grand Final:

Parramatta (21) def. Manly-Warringah (8)

VFL/AFL Grand Final:

Carlton (14.19.103) def. Richmond (12.13.85)

Melbourne Cup:

Gurner's Lane (L. Dittman)

Wimbledon Women:

Martina Navratilova d. C. Evert Lloyd (6-1 3-6 6-2)

Wimbledon Men:

Jimmy Connors d. J. McEnroe (3-6 6-3 6-7 7-6 6-4)

The Movies:

  • E.T. – the Extra-Terrestrial
  • Tootsie
  • Gandhi
  • The Verdict

Academy Awards:

  • Best Picture - Gandhi
  • Best Actor - Ben Kingsley (Gandhi)
  • Best Actress - Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice)

Gold Logie:

Bert Newton (The Don Lane Show and New Faces, Nine)

The Charts:

  1. Gloria - Laura Branigan
  2. Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
  3. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
  4. Believe It Or Not - Joey Scarbury
  5. Pass The Dutchie - Musical Youth
  6. Centerfold - J. Geils Band
  7. Hard To Say I'm Sorry - Chicago
  8. Key Largo - Bertie Higgins
  9. What About Me - Moving Pictures
  10. Rock The Casbah - The Clash

Farewells:

  • John Belushi (Comedian and Actor)
  • Ingrid Bergman (Actress)
  • Leonid Brezhnev (Former President of the USSR)
  • Grace Kelly (Beautiful Actress and Princess)
  • Satchel Paige (Baseballer)
Fade To White
Latest Classic Car Classifieds