The automotive world is one of the many industries that continue to chase after the future. In the 1970s, carmakers were determined to make the future of private vehicle transport happen. Meanwhile, ordinary people back then loved the vast options provided by the automobile market. What's more, it was also high time for foreign auto-making companies to bring their products into the United States. This made it harder not only for pure American-made automobiles to compete for customers, but for all carmakers in general.
That's why everyone had to come up with automobile concepts that could fly them out of the competition and send them home with record-breaking sales. There were undoubtedly some '70s cars that were both affordable and beautiful, some even made it to history's best one-off cars. However, there's also the concept cars that didn't make it out of production for all the right reasons - like the ones we listed here below:
10 1977 Chevrolet Aerovette
The Chevrolet Aerovette was a forgotten concept car brought to life sometime in 1977. It goes by many names including the Chevrolet XP-882 and the Chevrolet XP-895. It's a two-door sports car that carries its engine in the middle. Since everyone was after futuristic styling at that time, the designers took wedges and lines to help them shape the Aerovette.
While it can comfortably seat two people, the steering wheel at the driver's seat can be adjusted for ultimate comfort. It also has a rear compartment for the spare tire as well as the feature everyone's thankful for, pop-up headlights.
9 BMW Turbo
The BMW Turbo is recorded in history as not only one of the craziest concept cars of the 70s; but also as BMW's very first concept car. It was built based on a 2002 modified chassis while the engine sat in the middle of the car. Thanks to the turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0L powerhouse, the Turbo was able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 6.6 seconds. For something built in the '70s, those digits were decent and are actually quite fast.
8 1974 Ferrari Studio CR25
Before the collaborations ended between Ferrari and Pininfarina, the two companies worked together to make Ferrari CR25 in the 1970s. Dubbed as the most aerodynamic vehicle at the time, it's no wonder the Ferrari CR25 received a very odd styling. But if we're considering performance, the CR25 actually has a lot to offer. Thanks to the team-up, the CR25 ended up with good suspension configuration and a precise steering wheel mechanism.
It was in October of 1974 when the first Ferrari CR25 model was introduced during the Turin Motorshow. After that, the CR25 was never seen by the public eye again.
7 Ferrari 512 S Modulo Concept
If this sight doesn't get you to scratch your head, we don't know what will. Is this a vacuum, an oddly-shaped egg tray, or a razor? It may be hard to believe now but this weird-looking vehicle is actually the multi-awarded forgotten product of Ferrari and Pininfarina's hard work.
The Ferrari 512 S Modulo is designed by one of Pininfarina's designers named Paolo Martin. For a one-off car, it definitely did what it was supposed to do at the Geneva Motor Show - turn heads and get everyone's attention.
6 1976 Mercedes Benz C111 II D
The 1970s was also the time for oil problems in the US. What better way to address that than to build a car that can adjust to the situation? Just three years after the oil problems kicked in, Mercedes Benz engineers built a car that consumed way less fuel. The Mercedes Benz C111 II D carried a five-cylinder diesel engine that lets it drive up to 157 mph.
Back then, no one thought a car could go that fast running on diesel. But judging by the looks, the C111 could have been anything but a good car.
5 Ford Coins
If there's something that most 70's concept cars are best compared to, it's two things. It's either they'll look like a vacuum cleaner or have more edges than the average polygon. Here we have one that looks like the former.
The Coins was a celebratory car from Ford. It was built in 1974 to celebrate the company's ownership of the famous coachbuilding and auto designing firm, Carrozzeria Ghia.
The Coins had three seats and a central driving position. To make it weirder, you'd have to get through the rear to get inside.
4 Nissan 126x Concept
The Nissan 126x Concept is a weird-looking car no doubt. It looked like it had a zipper at the front of the hood running down the nose. But upon closer look, the zipper-like details are actually lights. Red, green, and yellow lights can be seen depending on the vehicle's state. It can be running at a constant speed, braking, or accelerating and there would be a color to light up for it.
It ran on all four wheels and had a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine riding on its rear. It was also exhibited at the 1970 Tokyo Motorshow before it was kept as a memoir for future enthusiasts to see.
3 1977 Panther 6 Six
The Panther 6 Six was memorable for more than one reason. Aside from being a concept car that never made it to production, the 6 Six is one of those vehicles that have six wheels. Instead of one, the wheels in front actually come in two smaller pairs. Reportedly, the weird wheel setup was to help the car get a better grip in less likable terrain or bad weather.
It was also a convertible so you can just imagine how weird the entire concept was. Still, the Panther 6 Six had a record of 200mph per hour so the performance can topple its looks any day.
2 Ford Probe I
Just like many of the concept cars that popped up in the 1970s, the Ford Probe is more than just an idea. The car actually works thanks to its 2.3L engine which is similar to those used in modern Mustangs. Though the Ford Probe I is not likely to win any car beauty contest, it had some plus sides of its own.
For example, while a 2014 Corvette Stingray has a .28 drag coefficient, the Probe I only has .22. For something built before in-car air conditioners and automatic transmission became a thing, that's actually impressive. The mass-produced later version of the Probe was something they should have never made though.
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1 Vauxhall SRV Concept
When Vauxhall gave Wayne Cherry the opportunity to design its next vehicle, the world had no idea it would look this odd. The SRV had a strange duckbill hood, four doors, four seats, and was recognized as a sportscar.
Though it was supposed to be powered by a 2.3L fuel-injected engine, it never happened. Instead, there was a mock-up engine made of wood, fiberglass, and aluminum in its place - after all, the SRV was only a designing exercise. After its debut in 1970, the SRV is now displayed at the Vauxhall Heritage Center.