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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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)
This subcompact was the Pontiac version of the Chevy Vega. The hatchback coupe especially took styling inspiration from its sportier cousin, the Pontiac Firebird.
What else says 1970s better than this full-size, top-of-the-line station wagon? It was the largest Pontiac ever built.
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.
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.
The original Volkswagen Passat was launched stateside in 1974 under the Dasher name. It was named Wheels magazine’s car of the year.
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.
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
