Today, it is not unusual to come across marquee brands like Bugatti, Pagani and Koenigsegg offering limited-edition cars that command seven figures. It is the ultimate statement of class; an indulgence for that niche market who can afford to splurge without batting an eyelid. Things were not much different in earlier times, though on a less outrageous scale.
The 70s era witnessed a crippling oil crisis that forced carmakers to apply common sense in the design of scaled-back vehicles that were fuel-efficient and functional. However, there were occasions when carmakers bucked the trend and launched models where these factors were not a priority. Instead, they placed emphasis on luxury, style, and performance. Examples include the lavishly appointed Stutz Blackhawk that featured 24-carat gold trimmings on the interior and the Lamborghini Countach with its massive gas-guzzling V12 powerplant.
Carmakers did not murk around with the pricing of these cars too, and most of them were in that range that made them accessible only to wealthy individuals in the society. The price tags may not seem like much in today's economy, which is why we've also provided prices adjusted for 2020 inflation.
Read on then, to discover some of these pricy automobiles that emerged during the '70s.
15 1970 Stutz Blackhawk - $22,500 ($153,000)
Only a few cars were as luxurious as the Stutz Blackhawk. Very little was spared in creating this ultra-luxury car; interior finishing included touches like 24-carat gold trims, maple wood and even mink carpeting. The very first production Blackhawk was bought by Elvis Presley. Another famous owner was the Shah of Iran who was so impressed by the car he reportedly ordered 12 of them.
14 1974 Lamborghini Countach - $52,000 ($278,000)
The Countach was an ugly car when it debuted in 1974; a wedge-shaped anomaly with odd bits and angles all over the place. However, it did have a screaming V12 under the hood, that and an iconic brand behind it which was enough for its insanely high price tag at the time. Even today, it remains something of a cult figure and continues to command high values whenever it pops up on the market.
13 1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - $33,950 ($148,000)
This car is widely regarded as the first proper British Supercar. The ‘Vantage’ name was used to designate high-performance Aston Martin models and this one was no exception. The car had a top speed of 170mph and its 5.3seconds 0 to 60mph sprint could match any GT car at the time. It’s no wonder the car carried such a high sticker price.
12 1976 Ferrari 512 BB - 38,000 ($176,000)
In 1976, the 512 Berlinetta Boxer was introduced to replace the Ferrari 365 GTB /4 as Ferrari’s new flagship car. It also marked the first time Ferrari went the mid-engine route like Lamborghini and placed the engine behind the driver. The V12 engine was capable of producing 360hp and could propel the car to a top speed of about 180mph.
11 1971 Maserati Bora - $28,900 ($188,000)
The Maserati Bora debuted in 1971 and it was not long before the positive reviews rolled in. It was considered a proper sports car that was actually quite easy to drive, unlike the balky Lamborghini Miura. Only 564 units were built during a production run that ran from 1971 to 1978. The cars were not priced cheaply too and cost about 3 times as much as the Jaguar E-type V12.
10 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 RSR - $20,700 ($123,000)
The 2.7 RSR was an even more hardcore version of the already stripped out 911 Carrera RS 2.7. The car’s engine capacity was bumped up to 2-8 liters and later 3.0 liters. That, combined with the car’s lightweight design, made for a winning formula that proved to be more than a match for most of its competitors. The car went to enjoy significant success as a race car.
9 1975 Jaguar XJ-S - $19,200 ($94,000)
The Jaguar XJ-S debuted in 1975 and was in production for a remarkable 20 years. At that time, over 115,000 units were sold in both convertible and coupe variants. The car featured a V12 that was able to get the car to a top speed of 150mph; even better was the fact that it needed less than 7 seconds to get to 60mph. It was a performance that made customers overlook that price tag.
8 1971 Lamborghini Miura - $20,000 ($130,000)
The Miura was first presented to the public in 1966 but it wasn’t until 1971 that the most famous variant, the Miura SV emerged. The supercar was an improvement over existing variants and boasted 380hp output from its V12 powerplant. The Miura SV lacked the ‘eyelashes’ of the earlier models and also had wider rear wheel arches to accommodate its bigger tires.
7 1978 BMW M1 - $46,000 ($186,000)
The M1 was one of the most complex projects embarked upon by the Bavarian company and it duly reflected in its pricing. The fiber glass body was designed by a company called Ital Design. The Lamborghini-designed space-frame chassis was produced by another Italian firm before the parts were shipped to Germany where the engines were hand-built by BMW. The car was revolutionary in terms of performance and remains a legend today
6 1975 Rolls-Royce Camague - $36,000 ($176,000)
The Camague had the distinction of the being the most expensive production Rolls Royce when it was launched in 1975. The car had all the trappings of a proper luxury car yet it was received rather poorly by the public and just over 500 units were built during an 11-year production run.
5 1979 Lotus Espirit S2 - $27,050 ($98,000)
The Lotus Espirit S2 was a funky rear-engine sports car that promised an engaging experience to anyone who slipped behind the wheel. The 160hp engine wasn’t too powerful but the car weighed only about 1 ton and could zip to a top speed of over 130mph. Lotus were well aware of the car’s potential and priced it accordingly, making it one of the most expensive British sports cars at the time.
4 1978 Ferrari 308 GTB - $28,500 ($109,000)
The car debuted at the 1975 Paris Motor Show and was the first Ferrari with a non-V12 powerplant, to bear the ‘Ferrari’ name. it was powered by a V8 engine that revved to almost 8,000rpm and was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The steel-bodied car weighed just over 1 ton and was capable of a top speed in excess of 140mph.
3 1974 DeTomaso Pantera - $12,600 ($67,000)
This Italian sports car bears a strong resemblance to the Lamborghini Miura; a situation that can be attributed to the fact that the designer Giampaolo Dallara, was also involved in the Miura development. An interesting fact about the Pantera is that the rear wing was optional. It did help increase downforce and improve stability but its inclusion sacrificed top speed and reduced rear visibility.
2 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale - $17,000 ($83,000)
The Lancia Stratos was one of the most successful rally cars ever built. The ‘HF’ stands for High Fidelity and among other victories, this car won the World Rally Championship for 3 consecutive years, from 1974 to 1976. The car’s wedge shape is unmistakable and, at less than 1 ton, is a real light-weight.
1 1978 Cadillac Eldorado - $12,000 ($49,000)
The 1978 Eldorado model was marketed by Cadillac as ‘the world's most elegant personal car’ and there were valid reasons for that claim. The car, offered in both coupe and convertible versions, had unique features such as the self-leveling suspension system designed to ensure maximum comfort for both driver and passenger.