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Rewind to the 1970s
© GMBack in the 1970s, the automotive industry was under siege. However, even oil crises, emissions controls and financial meltdowns couldn’t hold back some truly fantastic cars. Here, we look back at the coolest cars of the decade.
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1974 Lamborghini Countach
© LamborghiniThe first series production Countach, the LP400, debuted in 1974 and continued until 1978. Featuring space-age Bertone design uncluttered by spoilers or flared wheelarches, the spectacular supercar stood just 42 inches tall. A longitudinal V12 (Longitudinale Posteriore, or LP) produced 375 horsepower. The surprise new 2022 Countach offers more than twice the output, but we can’t get half as excited about it.
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1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
© FordCreated by famed Ford designer Larry Shinoda, a Boss 302 driven by Parnelli Jones won the 1970 Trans-Am Championship. That is some serious street cred to start the decade.
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1970 Ford Escort Mk1
© FordThe stellar reputation of the ‘dog bone’ Escort, so-called because of the shape of its grille, was made when it won the London to Mexico World Rally Cup in 1970. The course was approximately 16,000 miles long and took over a month to complete.
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1970 Dodge Challenger TA
© FCAThe Challenger TA, another Trans-Am car, came standard with a functional hood scoop, side pipes and a high-performance 340 cubic-inch V8 with three two-barrel carburetors.
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1970 Mercedes-Benz C111-II
© Mercedes-BenzThe C111 series were research vehicles designed to the bleeding edge of automotive technology. The C111-II had a four-rotor engine producing 370 horsepower, a classic 1970s wedge shape and stunning good looks.
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1971 Buick Riviera
© BuickThe Buick Riviera was completely redesigned for 1971, and the flowing lines and pointed boat tail made it an instant classic.
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1972 Datsun 240Z-G Police Patrol
© NissanIn 1972, the fastest Japanese car was the top-of-the-line 240Z-G, with a top speed of 130 mph. This particular car saw service as a highway patrol for the Kanagawa Prefecture, beginning in March of 1972. Which makes it even cooler.
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1973 Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-R
© NissanThe Nissan Skyline GT-R is a performance icon, coveted the world over. The second generation, the 2000 GT-R, was released in January of 1973. However, due to tightening emissions regulations, only 197 were sold.
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1973 GM Motorhome
© GMWhile it doesn’t count as a car, the complete and utter 1970s magnificence of a disco orange, front-wheel-drive motorhome earn it a place here.
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1974 Jeep Cherokee
© JeepThe first generation of Jeep Cherokee was aimed at a younger market than the four-door, family-oriented Wagoneer. Base models had a 4.2-l six-cylinder engine, but 5.9 and 6.6 V8s were options.
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1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
© PorscheEven by Porsche standards, the RSR 3.0 is coveted. The ’74 weighed just 1,850 pounds (839 kg) and produced 280 horsepower, rocketing it to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. Top speed was 178 mph.
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1975 BMW 3 Series
© BMWThe hugely successful BMW 3 Series was first launched in 1975. Compact and muscular, the new coupe had all the sporting charisma the brand is known for.
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1975 BMW 3.0 CSL
© BMWIn 1975, the lightweight 3.0 CSL homologation special wore the iconic red, purple and blue of BMW Motorsport for the first time. The cars won at Sebring, Riverside, Laguna Seca, Daytona and Talladega that year.
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1976 Lotus Esprit
© LotusThe timeless Esprit featured Giugiaro styling and brilliant handling. It was a first generation Esprit that transformed into a submarine in the James Bond movie ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’.
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1976 Ferrari 308 GTB
© FerrariFerrari’s eight-cylinder berlinetta was designed by Pininfarina and was first bodied in fiberglass before production switched over to steel. An aggressive cam and lack of emissions equipment make the 1976-77 models especially thrilling.
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1977 Alfa Romeo GTV
© Alfa RomeoDesign legend Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the striking Alfa Romeo GTV, giving it a place in history. It was modern, elegant and sporting when it was released in 1974. A minor cosmetic refresh came along in 1977, along with a larger 2.0 engine.
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1977 Pontiac Firebird Type K Concept
© PontiacPontiac missed the boat by not producing this awesome Kamm-back wagon version of its popular Firebird. Instead, it took the road that led to the Aztek (as seen in ‘Breaking Bad’) and its eventual demise.
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1978 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
© GMThe Camaro Z28 got its quintessential look in 1978 with a fake hood scoop and optional T-Tops. Unfortunately, it could only manage a wheezy 185 horsepower from a 5.7-l V8, but it looked cool doing it.
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1979 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle
© JeepThe late 1970s was the most prolific time of hood graphics in history. The Jeep Golden Eagle hid a 5.0 V8 under its bird of prey. A later model would famously be driven by Daisy Duke.
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1979 GMC Caballero
© GMThe thinking man’s El Camino, the Caballero was identical to the Chevy but much cooler. Just look at those graphics.
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1979 BMW M1 Group 4 Racecar painted by Andy Warhol
© BMWThe BMW M1 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced in 1978. This 1979 Group 4 racing version was painted by Andy Warhol as part of the BMW Art Car project. It ended the 1970s in style.