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The best cars of the 70s: 30 of the coolest cars of the 1970s


The post-war auto industry was filled with spectacular growth, innovation, and financial success. British, European and US car companies are vital cogs in helping to kickstart economies and achieve new prosperity – employing thousands of workers and generating huge revenues, both domestically and exported abroad.

Britain, in particular, is the center of the automotive renaissance, with Jaguar E-Type and Mini Win friends all over the world. UK car production peaked at 1.92 million vehicles in 1972, but it was followed by a period of rapid decline, government bailouts, industrial turmoil and turmoil. British car quality was, at best, patchy, as production was disrupted by strikes.

The 1970s were also a decade of uncertainty for the American auto industry. The 1973 oil crisis led to the decline of muscle cars as customers began to look for more fuel-efficient alternatives.

But there were plenty of high points in the 70s to excite car enthusiasts. Back in England, Range Rover encapsulates all that is good about the British car industry and the Rover SD1 even won the European Car of the Year award in 1977. Plus, there’s a real poster car from Norfolk with the shape of the Lotus Esprit Turbo and also the Caterham Super Seven – a car so successful and largely unchanged to this day.

Across the channel, Europe is pumping out icon after symbol as we are treated to Mk1 Volkswagen Golf Course, Lancia Stratos and Citroen SM. And in Japan, the revolutionary rotary-engine sports car known as the Mazda RX-7 and the coveted Datsun 240Z became extremely popular.

We’ve included some of the best cars of the 1970s below…

Ford Cortina

The Ford Cortina It was by far the UK’s most popular car of the 1970s. It all started when Ford introduced the sleek, American-sounding Mk3 at the 1970 London Motor Show. Essentially, the Mk3 was replaces the Mk2 Cortina and Corsair, with Ford pinning its hopes on a larger pickup targeted at fleets and family buyers. From entry-level models to luxury GXL and 2000E versions, there’s a Cortina for every budget.

The 1976 Mk4 was a heavily reworked version of the Mk3 but with a more square shape. This was followed by the updated Mk5 in 1979, which saw Cortina through the controversial launch of Ford Sierra.

Alfa Romeo Alfasud

Although the Alfasud won’t be remembered for the quality of its sheet metal or rust resistance, it was one of the most important cars of the 1970s. Launched in 1972, the ‘Sud was built in a the new Alfa Romeo factory on the outskirts of Naples, southern Italy, hence the name.

The first all-new Alfa in years to feature front-wheel drive and a new range of flat-four engines. Despite having no previous experience building front-wheel drive vehicles, Alfa Romeo set the bar for fun small cars. The Alfasud Coupe designed by Giugiaro appeared in 1976, before the Alfasud was replaced by the Alfa Romeo 33 in 1983.

Saab 99 Turbo

Sticking with a turbocharger on the humble Saab 99 is like your aunt Agnetha exchanging bingo nights for a bungee jump. It turned a safe and reliable car into a performance icon, laying the groundwork for a future of supercharged family cars. It has proven that practicality and performance can go hand in hand.

Launched in 1978, the 99 Turbo breathed new life into a car with roots in the 1960s, with four different body styles. This is a car that can hit 120 km/h and make every ‘average Joe’ feel like the original Stig (Blomqvist).

Datsun 240Z

While Britain was sleeping soundly, Japan had launched one of the most important sports cars of its time. The Datsun 240Z was a sales craze, most notably in the US, where it outsold every European sports car. When the 240Z came out in the early ’70s, the Jaguar E-Type and MGB/C were like new from yesterday. The beautiful Datsun established a new order.

It became the best-selling sports car of the 1970s, with sales fueled by its bargain price and excellent dynamics. Comparisons with British sports cars are inevitable, with the 240Z being called ‘The Big Healey’ and ‘Japan’s E-Type’.

Lotus Esprit

Known worldwide for his starring role as ‘Wet Nellie’ in the 1977 James Bond film Spy loves methe Lotus Esprit arguably one of Giorgetto Gigiauro’s finest designs. This is the company’s second mid-engined car, with power drawn from the same 2.0-liter engine as the Eclat and Elite.

The quality problems with early cars were rectified with the introduction of the S2 in 1979, before the S3 came out in 1981. However, it was the Turbo of 1980 that had the performance that warranted the Esprit at top position in the world of supercars.

Citroen GS

It might be a bit long to call GS a Citroen DS to the masses, but it fully deserved the European Car of the Year award in 1971. Its arrival in 1970 heralded the beginning of a decade of mixed luck for the French company, including including near bankruptcy and takeover by Peugeot.

Highlights include fully-assisted disc brakes and self-balancing air suspension, while power is drawn from a range of enticing air-cooled flat-fours. The range includes actual estate versions, though the latter GSA has a more utilitarian hatchback body.

BMW 3 Series

The 1975 E21 built on the foundation of the 2002 BMW. Developed over 5 years, the first car BMW 3 Series arrives as a compact two-door saloon – it is the smallest and most comprehensively designed car BMW has ever built. Early four-cylinder cars weren’t particularly fast, but few cars drove as well.

The 3 Series was born in 1977 with the introduction of the first six-cylinder cars. Now, the 3 Series has performance to match the chassis, most notably the 323i with its fuel-injected 2.3-liter engine. The four-door versions won’t arrive until the E30 launch.

Lancia Stratos

The Lancia Stratos Built with one purpose: to dominate the rallies of the world. It was monstrously effective, winning manufacturers’ championships in 1974, 1975 and 1976, before Sandro Munari won the driver’s championship in 1977. The new Stratos were in production for three years. , but it packed a lot in a short amount of time.

Power comes from a Ferrari Dino V6 engine, with a bodywork based on a 1970 Bertone concept car. The same rules dictate that Lancia must build 500 road cars. The company built 492, each of which required a skilled driver to get the best out of it.

Renault 5

The fact that around 5.47 million first-generation cars were built over a five-year period tells you all you need to know about the success of the Renault 5. It borrows heavily from the Renault 4. , but with the comfort and practicality you want. linked to the Renault 16. Don’t let the small size fool you, because the 5 has a reputation for being spacious and practical.

Hot versions include the Alpine (Gordini badge in the UK) and the formidable 5 Turbo. The second is a similar special edition powered by a mid-mounted 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. The original R5 was replaced by the ‘Superfive’ designed by Marcello Gandini in 1984.

Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

The 911 Carrera 2.7 RS is one of the most desirable classic cars Porsche 911 Models. Built to meet homologation rules, the 2.7 RS (Rennsport), which saw a return to the famous Carrera name, was first used in 1955. As the name suggests, power is get it from a 2.7-liter engine that’s powerful enough to propel the heavy-duty 911 to 155mph.

Highlights include wider rear arches, 7×15 Fuchs alloy wheels and a ‘ducktail’ spoiler. Side stripes are optional. Most models leave the factory in the relatively lavish Touring version, although 200 people opted for the stripped-down Sport version.

Range Rover

The Range Rover is proof that the British car industry got some things right in the 1970s. Get inspired by things like Ford Bronco and Jeep Wagoneer, Rover sensed an opportunity to create a similar 4×4 on this side of the Atlantic. The first Range Rover rolled off the production line in 1970. It featured a V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and full disc brakes.

Its interior may seem counterintuitive to today’s Range Rover models, but it brought a new level of refinement to the off-road segment. Farm by day, dinner party at night.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was arguably the best car in the world over the past decade. Mercedes Leaving no stones behind in the pursuit of perfection, the W116 offers an appealing blend of luxury, build quality and safety. Highlights include a double wishbone front suspension with anti-dive control and a ‘self-cleaning’ rear light.

The 450 SEL 6.9 represents the pinnacle of the W116 range. The 300 SEL 6.3 successor is equipped with a powerful 6.9-liter V8 engine, self-balancing air suspension, central locking, air conditioning, headlight wash / wipe. A top speed of 140mph is achievable in absolute comfort.

Volkswagen Golf Mk1

Not many cars can claim to represent the diversion of an automaker and entire industry. Volkswagen has built its empire on the air-cooled, rear-engined Beetle, so the launch of the water-cooled, front-wheel drive Golf hatchback is a huge step forward for the German giant . It worked, with Golf finding a million homes within its first three years.

The Giugiaro-written masterpiece spawned the next developments, including the diesel engine for the first Golf and the iconic Golf GTI. The latter may not have been the first hot hatch, but it popularized the concept of a fun and practical front-wheel drive hatchback.

Ferrari 308 GTB / GTS

Via Ferrari’s high standards, the 1970s were a relatively difficult period for Maranello. The BB/BBi (Berlinetta Boxer) is an effective replacement for the beautiful but outdated Daytona, but the 308 GTB and GTS are arguably the best Ferrari models of the decade.

The 308 GTB was unveiled at the 1975 Paris Motor Show and was the first Ferrari to have a fiberglass body. This was followed by a return to conventional steel and aluminum construction, prior to the launch of the open 308 GTS in 1977. The GTS, played by Tom Selleck fame at Magnum PI, was the best seller.

Click here for part two of our list of 30 Coolest Cars of the 1970s…

What about the decades before and after? Find out below…



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