Which 1970s car(s) would you like to own?
Discussion
Which 1970s car(s) would you like to own? Let's say a maximum of 3 cars.
Cars of the 1970s always seem like the poor relation compared to the glamour of the 1960s (E-Type, Sean Connery in a DB5) and the excess of the 1980s (Ferrari Testarossas and Guards red 911s) but were there any gems made in the 1970s?
Well, when you think of the 1970s, you think of 1950s/1960s engineering tarted up in a more modern bodyshell, terminal rust, industrial strikes, the fuel crisis, poor build quality and the Germans and Japanese surpassing British engineering. Also, US safety and emissions regulations ruined the looks and performance of some great cars. At least we started fairly well though!
Here's my 3:
mk3 Cortina
Always liked the look of these (my favourite shape Cortina). No idea how well they drive but they always looked more exotic than the rather staid competition from BL/Vauxhall. Liked the Coke bottle styling which aped its transatlantic cousins and although the 2dr mk1/2 RWD Escorts are much more desirable and valuable now, at the time these were probably cooler at the time. Growing up in the 1980s, Cortinas were perceived as a bit naff but this is way cooler than a Mondeo could ever be! Did they ever put the Essex V6 in one of these or was that reserved for the Granada?
The last great US muscle car?
A crazy but awesome car from a once great manufacturer when they were at their peak and couldn't be anything over than 1970s!
This also came close for me.
Must have made a massive impact at the time and a genuine British alternative to a Ferrari. Again, a once great manufacturer at its peak (not that Lotus isn't still great but in my lifetime they have always been verging on bankruptcy). The future must have looked bright for Lotus when they launched this.
The original Esprit is the most pure design but I have always preferred the faster but more brash looking 1980s Esprit Turbo.
What 3 1970s cars would you like to have in your garage?
Cars of the 1970s always seem like the poor relation compared to the glamour of the 1960s (E-Type, Sean Connery in a DB5) and the excess of the 1980s (Ferrari Testarossas and Guards red 911s) but were there any gems made in the 1970s?
Well, when you think of the 1970s, you think of 1950s/1960s engineering tarted up in a more modern bodyshell, terminal rust, industrial strikes, the fuel crisis, poor build quality and the Germans and Japanese surpassing British engineering. Also, US safety and emissions regulations ruined the looks and performance of some great cars. At least we started fairly well though!
Here's my 3:
mk3 Cortina
Always liked the look of these (my favourite shape Cortina). No idea how well they drive but they always looked more exotic than the rather staid competition from BL/Vauxhall. Liked the Coke bottle styling which aped its transatlantic cousins and although the 2dr mk1/2 RWD Escorts are much more desirable and valuable now, at the time these were probably cooler at the time. Growing up in the 1980s, Cortinas were perceived as a bit naff but this is way cooler than a Mondeo could ever be! Did they ever put the Essex V6 in one of these or was that reserved for the Granada?
The last great US muscle car?
A crazy but awesome car from a once great manufacturer when they were at their peak and couldn't be anything over than 1970s!
This also came close for me.
Must have made a massive impact at the time and a genuine British alternative to a Ferrari. Again, a once great manufacturer at its peak (not that Lotus isn't still great but in my lifetime they have always been verging on bankruptcy). The future must have looked bright for Lotus when they launched this.
The original Esprit is the most pure design but I have always preferred the faster but more brash looking 1980s Esprit Turbo.
What 3 1970s cars would you like to have in your garage?
E36GUY said:
General Lee Charger
Wrong decade ( just).www.commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1969_Dodge_Cha...
A Mk3 Cortina was my first car. 1976 P reg, 1.6L in a light metallic blue with square headlights and the later (Mk4 shape) dashboard. Funny old thing it was.
I still have a 1976R Esprit in the back of the garage somewhere.
But nowadays I think a Jensen Interceptor might be nice way to pootle about.
I still have a 1976R Esprit in the back of the garage somewhere.
But nowadays I think a Jensen Interceptor might be nice way to pootle about.
I'd like a Citroën SM. The French did the two door body and the hydropneu suspension and Maserati supplied the 2.7 V6. It'd probably need a full time mechanic just to keep it going.
The big Citroën would sit next to a De Tomaso Longchamp. Launched in 1972 the Longchamp is a great example of the ruler and set-square school of 70s car design.
I'd need a proper sportscar and track day car to round off my trio and I don't think I could do any better than the 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7. Seeing as you're paying I'll go for the lightweight model.
The big Citroën would sit next to a De Tomaso Longchamp. Launched in 1972 the Longchamp is a great example of the ruler and set-square school of 70s car design.
I'd need a proper sportscar and track day car to round off my trio and I don't think I could do any better than the 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7. Seeing as you're paying I'll go for the lightweight model.
jaisharma said:
Lots of 70s cars were fab
Stratos as you say
Countach, boxer 512. , 308, bora, miura was also available
Fulvia
Probably making up the rules to suit myself but I always think of the Miura as a 1960s car (although it was still on sale in the 1970s). Countach was also introduced in the 1970s but the 1980s Countach was the one I had up on my bedroom wall! Wasn't the Fulvia a 1960s car?Stratos as you say
Countach, boxer 512. , 308, bora, miura was also available
Fulvia
white_goodman said:
mk3 Cortina
Always liked the look of these (my favourite shape Cortina). No idea how well they drive but they always looked more exotic than the rather staid competition from BL/Vauxhall. Liked the Coke bottle styling which aped its transatlantic cousins and although the 2dr mk1/2 RWD Escorts are much more desirable and valuable now, at the time these were probably cooler at the time. Growing up in the 1980s, Cortinas were perceived as a bit naff but this is way cooler than a Mondeo could ever be! Did they ever put the Essex V6 in one of these or was that reserved for the Granada?
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Yes, in SA they did Essex V6 and Jeff Savage would do you one over hereAlways liked the look of these (my favourite shape Cortina). No idea how well they drive but they always looked more exotic than the rather staid competition from BL/Vauxhall. Liked the Coke bottle styling which aped its transatlantic cousins and although the 2dr mk1/2 RWD Escorts are much more desirable and valuable now, at the time these were probably cooler at the time. Growing up in the 1980s, Cortinas were perceived as a bit naff but this is way cooler than a Mondeo could ever be! Did they ever put the Essex V6 in one of these or was that reserved for the Granada?
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UK Mk4 and 5 got Cologne V6s
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