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30 Most Iconic Cars of the 1970s

1971 Chevrolet Vega

1971 Chevrolet Vega

The Vega was a lesson in reputation. Initially lauded and an award winner (Motor Trend Car of the Year), the Vega eventually ran into reliability and safety concerns, as well as a tendency to rust. Sometimes the classics aren't as great as we all remember. 

(Image via wallerdog, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

1977 BMW 3 Series

1977 BMW 3 Series

While BMW introduced the first 3 Series model to Europe in 1975, it didn’t come stateside until 1977. These models did have six cylinders, but they still started a revolution that now accounts for 30% of all BMW’s sales.

(Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1973 Pontiac Grand Am

1973 Pontiac Grand Am

This was America’s response to European luxury sports cars. The notable split grill features a pointed nose, reminiscent of the Pontiac arrowhead logo, that was squeezable and would retain its shape during small collisions.

1975 AMC Pacer

1975 AMC Pacer

The unique styling and wrap-around rear window of the AMC Pacer earned it the nickname of “the flying fishbowl.” The two-door compact definitely stood out from the lumbering behemoths on the road around it.

1976 Dodge Aspen

1976 Dodge Aspen

Motor Trend’s ‘76 Car of the Year was a replacement for the Dart and featured notably improved visibility compared to other Dodge models. It was billed as the “family car of the future.”

(Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna

1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna

This top-of-the-line Chevelle model was only in production for 3 years, but in that time it racked up a winning reputation for being the car-of-choice for NASCAR competitions.

(papurojugarpool, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1971 Ford Pinto

1971 Ford Pinto

Ford’s first North American subcompact might be most remembered for its...ahem..."explosive" fuel tank design, but in its first 10 years, 3 million models were produced.

(Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1975 Dodge Ram Van

1975 Dodge Ram Van

Dodge was a pioneer in the 15-passenger van model. Ford and GM were much later to the game. Why you need 15 passengers...well—keep that to yourself.

(AutoPhoto, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

1972 Honda Civic

1972 Honda Civic

The current Honda Civic is a segment leader in the compact car arena. This 1972 model foreshadowed great things to come, even though it was a subcompact and only available with 2 doors. Boy, has the Civic changed!

(Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1973 Mitsubishi Lancer

1973 Mitsubishi Lancer

The Mitsubishi Lancer left North America in 2017, so it’s worth a look back at the original model in its 1973 debut. The boxy, unassuming car has a strong rally history.

Andrew Bone/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr

1977 Ford LTD II

1977 Ford LTD II

Replacing the Torino, the LTD II was one of the largest cars to be designated for mid-class status. The sharp-edged styling was a rebuke to the “coke-bottle” shapes that were previously popular.

(IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

1976 Cadillac Seville

1976 Cadillac Seville

Even though it was smaller than other Cadillac models, the Seville often carried the highest starting MSRP. It was GM’s answer to the surging popularity of European Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

(Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1979 Volkswagen Rabbit

1979 Volkswagen Rabbit

VW’s Gold was sold under the “Rabbit” name in North America and featured distinctive squared-off styling, particularly in the front, and a “snowflake” wheel.

(SenseiAlan/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr; Michael/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr)

1975 Pontiac Astre

1975 Pontiac Astre

This subcompact was the Pontiac version of the Chevy Vega. The hatchback coupe especially took styling inspiration from its sportier cousin, the Pontiac Firebird.

(Arroww at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1971 Pontiac Grand Safari

1971 Pontiac Grand Safari

What else says 1970s better than this full-size, top-of-the-line station wagon? It was the largest Pontiac ever built.

artistmac/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED/Flickr

1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible

1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible

This classic was Oldsmobile’s bestseller, and the convertible, in particular, was a thing of beauty. The 1972 model captured a solid 16% of the entire convertible market.

1977 Dodge Diplomat

1977 Dodge Diplomat

The Diplomat was Dodge’s sister car to the Plymouth Gran Fury. The boxy square roofline might seem familiar to some, as the model was a popular choice for police cars across the country.

(Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1978 Dodge Magnum

1978 Dodge Magnum

When the 78 Magnum was released, its styling was basically a “rounded off” Charger. Chrysler marketed it as a NASCAR contender, but drivers found it too inconsistent.

(Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1974 Volkswagen Dasher

1974 Volkswagen Dasher

The original Volkswagen Passat was launched stateside in 1974 under the Dasher name. It was named Wheels magazine’s car of the year.

Stephen Foskett (Wikipedia User: sfoskett), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1977 Lincoln Versailles

1977 Lincoln Versailles

This compact luxury car was a main competitor to Cadillac’s Seville. One distinguishing feature of this design was the vinyl landau roof that became common across many makes and models.

(View of a 1977 Lincoln Versailles in the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum by Robert Lamb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1977 Honda Accord

1977 Honda Accord

This small, unassuming 3-door hatchback would eventually come to dominate the American market as one of the most popular cars in the U.S. Honda’s entry from Japan came just in time to take advantage of the 1979 energy crisis.

 

(Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1978 Pontiac Sunbird

1978 Pontiac Sunbird

This car is still fire! The flexible Sunbird had a variety of body styles to choose from: coupe, hatchback, and even station wagon. Its exceptional fuel economy was what it was truly known for. Maybe not as great by today's standards...

(Pontiac pre-1978, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

1979 Pontiac Phoenix

1979 Pontiac Phoenix

Pontiac’s compact Phoenix went through two generations. The first (released in the late 70s) featured a boxy design with square headlights, vertical grills, and long nose.

(Havoc1482, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1975 Ford Granada

1975 Ford Granada

In 1975, Ford brought its popular European car stateside. Its stately box design remains the all-time favorite of Stephen Estrada, once Ford’s design chief.

(Granada, CC BY-SA 3.0 AT, via Wikimedia Commons)

1978 Mercury Zephyr

1978 Mercury Zephyr

The 2-door notchback sedan might be the most popular version of the Zephyr, but the most unique was the Z-7 model with its wrap-around taillights and angled rear deck.

Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1977 Chrysler LeBaron

1977 Chrysler LeBaron

Originally a top-of-the-line Chrysler Imperial, the LeBaron was spun on as its own nameplate in 1977. It was intended as a more upscale version of the Dodge Aspen.

Alden Jewell/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr

1975 Plymouth Gran Fury

1975 Plymouth Gran Fury

The Gran Fury sputtered through a flurry of production year gaps in its triple iteration, but one constant was the V8 rear-wheel-drive configuration.

(RJHuffman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1978 Ford Fiesta

1978 Ford Fiesta

Now one of Ford’s best-selling nameplates, the Fiesta had humble beginnings in the 1970s. Initially, a European offering, the Fiesta made the jump to America, and a subcompact star was born. Looks-wise, it's not super stylish by today's standards. Nevertheless, it was loved fro its time. 

(Spanish Coches, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

1980 Chevrolet Citation

1980 Chevrolet Citation

Though a 1980 model, the Chevrolet Citation was introduced in 1979. It was one of the most popular launches for General Motors, selling 810,000 units in its first year. It was produced until the 1985 model year.

(Uniquesweetguy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

1979 Chevrolet Chevette

1979 Chevrolet Chevette

And at Last, we have the Chevette. The Chevette was Chevrolet’s subcompact hatchback. It was an immediate hit and was the best-selling car in the U.S. for 1979 and 1980.

RL GNZLZ/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED/Flickr