The 1970s was a period filled with some cool ideas, and some equally outlandish ones, too. It gave us some exceptionally beautiful sports cars, such as the Ferrari 288 GTO, Jaguar E-Type, and sprouted the world's first supercars.

However, where there is light, there is also dark. Meaning, there were just as many bad cars as there were good; likely more so. Just as today, ugly-looking vehicles sprouted out during the '70s. Some even managed to continue to this day, while others (rightfully) faded away.

Today, we wanted to highlight some of these 'ugly ducklings.' So here 10 sports cars of the 1970s that, even now, are seen as atrocious by the general populous.

10 1978 Oldsmobile Omega Coupe

1978 Oldsmobile Omega Coupe for sale
BangShift

To compete with the likes of other GM brands (as well as Ford), Oldsmobile needed yet another sports car to beat the rest. "Their answer?" The 1973 Oldsmobile Omega Coupe!

1977 Oldsmobile Omega Coupe rear end
Curbside Classics

Similar to other muscle cars of the era, the Omega was fitted with all sorts of trim packages, including a 4-4-2 V8. But, even with a decent power source, its performance couldn't improve its exterior appearance much...

RELATED: 10 Ugly Cars That Never Should Have Left The Assembly Line

9 1972 Lombardi Grand Prix

1972 Lombardi Grand Prix spotted
Wikipedia

The Fiat 850 is a car that looks as if it rolled out of an old Matchbox set. However, with a custom body by Giuseppe Rinaldi, you can turn that boring 850 into a one-off Lombardi Grand Prix!

1972 Lombardi Grand Prix rear end
Drive

Almost everything on the inside remained the same; the exterior and mid-engine setup being the primary changes. Yes, a Lombardi GP is leagues above the standard 850, but that's not saying too much. Even now, we don't really know what their grand plan was with the GP.

8 AMC Pacer

AMC Pacer from Wayne's World
via Arizona Republic

Since many enthusiasts will consider a vehicle like the Mazda Miata or BMW 1-Series a 'sports car', we figured it wouldn't be much of a stretch add this one to the list: the AMC Pacer.

AMC Pacer up for auction
Mecum

Because of its affordability, fuel-efficiency, and cult appeal (as evidenced by Wayne's Pacer in the film Wayne's World), the AMC Pacer became as well known as the Gremlin. But, in exchange for all the benefits, you sacrifice good looks.

RELATED: 10 Of The Fastest AMC Muscle Cars

7 Porsche 914

Porsche 914 on the road
Autocar

A serious Porsche purist will defend almost any classic Porsche model out there. Whether it be the air-cooled 911's or anything else, you'd be hard pressed to find one that turns against the Stuttgart brand.

Porsche 914 side profile view
Hemmings

Though, there is one that we didn't mention: the Porsche 914. Like the air-cooled versus liquid-cooled debate, you'll find thousands of individuals on each side; debating whether the 914 should even be considered a Porsche to begin with.

Sure, it's not nearly as attractive as a 911, but it still got the badge; as off-putting as it may appear.

6 1970 Marcos Mantis

1970 Marcos Mantis next to a lake
Club Marcos International

British cars have been mocked in the past for their strange appearances, poor build quality, and sub-par speed. Vehicles like the Morris Marina and Reliant Robin are good examples, though, there's one more we'd like to discuss. None other than the 1970 Marcos Mantis.

1970 Marcos Mantis at a car show
Flickr

The problems with the Marcos Mantis were many; a big one being the price. As mentioned in an Autopolis, "[The] Mantis was expensive for its time, making it an even harder pill to swallow, considering that the Triumph TR6 looked better, cost less and had similar performance." Honestly, that sums up our feelings about it perfectly!

RELATED: 15 Astonishing Cars That Were Only Made For One Year

5 Bond Bug

Bond Bug photo op
Engine Swap Depot

Have you ever thought what would happen if you modified a Reliant Robin into a car that ACTUALLY turns, looks sporty, but still has three wheels? If so, then imagine no further; the car is right here! Introducing the 'Bond Bug'.

Bond Bug rear end
Silodrome

Created by Bond Cars Ltd. (an offshoot of Reliant), the Bond Bug is a classic case of "what you see is what you get." It may not be good-looking, but it's certainly nicer than your run-of-the-mill Reliant Robin.

With the Bond Bug, you have the most important modification of all: a three-point harness/seat-belt. Lord knows you'll need it from time to time...

4 AMC Matador Coupe

AMC Matador Coupe for sale
Hemmings

AMC isn't off the hook just yet. Yes, one of AMC's worst looking cars was the old Pacer, but there's still (at least) one more that deserves a spot on our list. We present to you, the Matador Coupe.

AMC Matador Coupe side view
Pinterest

Where the Pacer was small and spry, the Matador is large and sluggish. In hindsight, we're not too sure what AMC was going for with the Matador. Its aesthetic is a mix of tons of different American cars, but none that were particularly pleasing, to begin with.

The strangest part is the front-end. Well, to be specific, the headlights and grill. The bubbly lights and figure-less shape make the Matador look like a bug-eyed hearse, not an expensive antique...

3 1975 Bricklin SV-1

1975 Bricklin SV-1
Mecum Auctions

No, your eyes are not decieving you. This is no DeLorean DMC-12 ripoff. In fact, far from it. What you're looking at hear is the predecessor to the DMC-12, the 1975 Bricklin SV-1.

1975 Bricklin SV-1 for auction
Mecum

"Never heard of it before?" Well, you're not alone. Us ourselves hadn't heard of such a vehicle before recently, especially one with gullwing doors. Yet, even with the DeLorean doors and wedge-shape, the SV-1 pales in comparison to its future counterpart.

On the bright side, nobody will know what this is. So, you could use it to garner some extra attention at any given car meet.

RELATED: Before The Delorean, There Was the Bricklin SV-1

2 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin Lagonda
Top Speed

Nowadays, Aston Martin is one of the best looking, and best performing, sports car on the market. The latest 24 Hours of Le Mans is proof positive of just that. Though, like every car manufacturer, they've had some 'gaffs'. In the 1970's, that gaff was the Aston Martin Lagonda.

Aston Martin Lagonda rear end
Carscoops

Mixing luxury and sports together, the Lagonda was intended to be the best of both worlds: comfortable and quick. It does a pretty good job at the former, but needs improvement in the latter, along with its aesthetic.

1 1975 Dodge Charger

1975 Dodge Charger for sale
GAA Classic Cars

Oh, how the might have fallen. What was once one of the world's greatest muscle cars, 1969 to 1972 Dodge Charger, became a mere shadow of its former self just a couple years after. It all started with the fourth generation...

1975 Dodge Charger rear end
Autoblog

For some ungodly reason, someone at Dodge thought that the Charger needed to have a 'makeover'. What we got couldn't be further from that, though. If anything, they turned the beloved Charger into a bonafide Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Just seeing it hurts our soul.

NEXT: 10 Iconic Muscle Cars Ruined With Terrible Wrap Jobs