Most Iconic Cars of the 1970s

The third generation of this legendary muscle car was produced from 1968 - 1982 with only minor changes through the model years. The 1971 LS5 was one of the quickest cars of the decade, zipping to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

This is the C3 Chevy Corvette, also known as the second generation Stingray for pre-'76 models.

This luxurious model introduced the first electrical and anti-lock braking system for the 1970 model year. Remarkably, it came as a standard feature. The Lincoln Continental Mark III also was the first model to come standard with radial tires in 1970.

This early '70s muscle car was powered by one of two powerful Ram Air engines, capable of running the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds. This second-gen model remained in production from 1970 - 1981. The Pontiac Trans Am, techincally a trim of the Firebird, saw decreasing performance starting in 1971 due to the implementation of stricter emissions testing.

Redesigned for the fourth generation in 1971, this full-sized model was the first production car ever sold with a traction control system, appropriately called MaxTrac. Buick's MaxTrac system was sold on Electra models through 1974.

This elegant, exclusive model was the fastest production car in the world during its entire production run from 1968 - 1973, capable of reaching a ridiculous 174 mph. The 365 GTB/4 Daytona was voted #2 in a list of the greatest Ferraris of all time by Motor Trend Classic.

Love it or hate it, this unusually-styled luxury model has the distinction of being the first production car to carry an LED display, starting all the way back in 1976. It was also named one of the 50 worst cars of all time by Time magazine. ust 645 versions of the Aston Martina Lagonda were produced over the car's run from 1976 - 1990.

This 1970 muscle model was clocked at a 5.4 second rocket to 60 mph, making it then the fastest-accelerating car in the world. It had a 7.4 L V8 under the hood cranking out 360 hp. The SS454 version of the 1970 Chevelle stands with the Corvette as the fastest-accelerating American models of the 1970s.

This exotically-styled supercar enjoyed a decade-long run as the fastest production car in the world from 1974 - 1984. The LP400, introduced in 1974, could reach 179 mph. The Lamborghini Countach remained in production through 1990, with a series of upgrades keeping the model among the world's fastest and most innovative.

Airbags first became available for the 1974 model year in full-size Cadillacs, Buicks and Oldsmobiles.

This flagship ultra-luxury model was the most expensive production car in the world upon launch in 1975. Good thing it featured innovations such as the first-ever digital, automatic, split-level climate control. The Rolls-Royce Camargue may have had only 2 doors, but weighed a whopping 5,100 lbs.

This fourth-gen luxury model remained in production from 1969 - 1973, and set the post-WWII record for longest non-limousine production car, at a mammoth 235". Fortunately, it was equipped with the first ever four-wheel anti-lock braking system from 1971 onwards. The Imperial LeBaron's ABS was a rarely-ordered option, quite the contrast from today.

Sports Car International named this iconic 2-seater the #2 sports car of the 1970s. Between its sleek styling and relatively sporty performance, this model sold well during its production run from 1969 - 1978. The Datsun 240Z was one of the first Japanese cars to challenge European dominance in the sports car realm.

This pony car was radically redesigned for 1971, making an appearance in the Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. Power was up to 375 hp with the optional Super Cobra Jet V8. The second-gen Ford Mustang Mach 1 was produced from 1971-73.

Just 7,200 of this hand-built model were sold between 1971 - 1992. Powered by a 351 Cleveland Ford engine, it could reach nearly 160 mph, and was owned by many of the rich and famous, including Elvis. The Pantera was De Tomaso's best-selling model despite the low production figures.

Massive spoiler. 7.2 L engine. Richard Petty drove it in the 1970 NASCAR season with his classic #43. Only 1,920 of this rare and powerful muscle car were produced throughout 1970. This is the Plymouth Superbird, capable of reaching nearly 200 mph in its NASCAR-spec version.

This personal luxury vehicle came with an optional 7.0 L engine, which was probably a good thing. Despite only having two doors, it's around 18" longer than a modern minivan. This second-gen Mercury Marauder was discontinued after the 1970 model year.

This top-of-the-line model was released in 1977. Powered by a 7.0 L V8, it was one of the most powerful (and luxurious) cars on the road post-oil crisis, and remained in production through 1986. The Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham resurrected a moniker in use dating back to 1925.

According to Car and Driver, the '75 and '76 models of this classic speedster were the fastest-accelerating cars of the 1970s, capable of reaching 60 mph in under 5 seconds. This is the classic Porsche 911 Turbo, which remained in production from 1974 - 1989.

As the 1980s approached, demand decreased for traditionally-sized massive luxury vehicles. This model was perhaps the last true holdout, entering production in 1977 with an industry-largest 7.5 L engine... except in California, where the engine did not meet emissions criteria. The Lincoln Continental Mark V was redesigned in 1980. Its descendant was over a foot shorter and produced 70 less horsepower.

Introduced for this carmaker's 75th anniversary in 1972, this model came with an optional "Regency" trimline. Each of the 2,650 sold were registered and Tiffany's and could be painted in "Tiffany gold". The Ninety-Eight Regency was so popular that it remained as an available option through 1996.

Source quizgriz