The problems that the automobile industry faced at the dawn of the 1970s were related to the oil crisis and emissions control. Although the oil crisis only lasted a small period of time, it changed public attitude, with buyers becoming more inclined towards purchasing economical and smaller displacement vehicles. Other regulations such as the Clean Air Act of 1970 created further restrictions on sports car performance and established myriad mandatory safety standards.
The 1970s also saw a radical shift in automotive design, with the wedge line look becoming increasingly popular. By the end of the 1970s, many cars would don this cool and angular look, as well as the increasingly popular pop-up headlights. Despite being a problematic time for the sports car industry, the 1970s had some notable models that defined that generation.
10 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 911
There are many Porsche facts only true gearheads know. One such fact is that one of Porsche's most famous vehicle has to be the 1973 911 Carrera RS. Created as a result of the 1972 FIA regulations that restricted factory-made prototypes to a maximum displacement of three liters, and the resultant obsolescence of the Porsche 917.
Aiming to compete in the European Grand Touring Championship, the 2,687 cc, flat-six, air-cooled Porsche Carrera 911 RS produced 213 hp at 6,300 rpm and a max torque of 188 lb-ft at 5,100 rpm, as well as an estimated top speed of 150 mph.
9 1978 BMW M1
The BMW M1 is a high-performance coupe that is also the first model that BMW Motor Sport GmbH ever built. With BMW engineers wanting to create a distinctive sports car, this mid-engined vehicle was the result.
The company introduced the M1 as a part of their ProCar Series in 1979 and its launch created a major stir all over the world. Featuring a 3.5-liter straight-six engine that has been longitudinally-mounted in front of the car's rear axle, the BMW M1 produced 280 hp at 6,500 rpm.
8 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB
The 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB is a classic car through and through and made a lasting impact on the minds of the buying audience from the moment of its release. Borrowing the V8 engine from its predecessor, the 308 GT4, the first 712 units of this vehicle were made completely using fiberglass.
This kind of usage of fiberglass was a first for a company like Ferrari, a lesser-known fact that no one tells you about Ferrari's sports cars. However, they ditched the idea once they realized that the use of steel would prove to be cheaper and quicker. Capable of producing a top speed of 157 mph this Pininfarina designed sports car could accelerate from 0-60mph in only 4.7 seconds.
7 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV
The last in the prolific list of Miuras, the 1971 Miura SV or the P400SV is one of the best and rarest sports cars from the 70s. Powered by a 3,939 cc V12 engine, the Miura SV could produce a maximum power output of 385 hp at 7,850 rpm and a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm.
It could accelerate from 0-60 mph in only 5.7 seconds and had a top speed of 170 mph. Having design elements that would revolutionize the way sports cars would be designed in the future, the Miura SV had the performance to back up its incredible looks. It is basically proof that Italians make the most beautiful sports cars. Furthermore, its very first model released in 1966 is technically the world's first supercar.
6 1974 Lamborghini Countach
The one car that everyone wanted to own in the 1970s has to be the Lamborghini Countach. Introducing groundbreaking features like the scissor doors, the Countach took the automotive world by a storm during its launch at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show.
The Countach was powered by a 440 hp 5-liter V12 engine. However, this engine had reliability issues and overheated so it was replaced by a Bizzarini-designed 4L V12 engine.
5 1970 Pontiac Trans Am
Despite there being massive regulations during that time, the Pontiac Trans Am was an unbridled muscle car that was the personification of power.
Available with two Ram Air engine options of 6.6-liter - the Ram Air III L74 and the Ram Air IV LS1 - the Trans Am could create 335 hp and 345 hp respectively. Apart from that, the Pontiac Trans Am was equipped with scoops, spoilers and vents that made it a mean-looking machine.
4 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3
Owing to the ban of lead in high-octane fuels, automakers started to reduce the compression ratios in their vehicles to compensate for the drop in power output. However, despite their many efforts, the output of vehicles in the '70s still suffered and one of the greatest examples would be the C3 Corvette.
However, the C3 Stingray from 1971 is among most powerful 70s Chevrolet Corvette models. Powered by a 365 hp naturally-aspirated V8 engine, the C3 Corvette could clock a top speed of 141 mph.
3 1971 De Tomaso Pantera
The most famous and successful supercar that De Tomaso had ever produced has to be the Pantera. Owing to the fact that the car did not have the extreme angular design elements that most sports cars of the 70s showcased, the Pantera has aged really well over the years.
Powered by a 5,766 cc Ford Cleveland V8 engine, the De Tomaso Pantera was capable of producing 326 hp and was available with a 5-speed manual transmission. Having a top speed of 162 mph and the fact that it could be easily serviced owing to Ford part numbers on each component, the De Tomaso Pantera was both exciting and convenient. It is also one of the best Italian sports cars that aren't a Lamborghini or Ferrari.
2 1976 Lotus Esprit
Despite being a British engineered automobile, the Lotus Esprit sported a severe wedge design that was consistent with the Italian design norms of that time. Although the naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine of the Lotus Esprit was slower than what its angular and aggressive body implied, it did not fail to impress the buying audience.
The car even ended up becoming a Bond car in two movies including The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and For Your Eyes Only (1981). The lack of speed was fixed in the mid-80s, with Lotus releasing a Turbo model that could accelerate from 0-60 mph in under six seconds.
1 1973 Datsun 240z
Despite the fact that overhead cams, disc brakes or independent suspensions were not an invention of Datsun, no other company utilized these elements the way Datsun did. The 240z is a prime example of this fact and proved to be a more than adequate machine.
Equipped with a single overhead cam 2.4L 6-cylinder engine, the Datsun 240z was capable of producing 151 hp.