Josh Joubert is an accomplished blog writer, he began writing for allcollectorcars.com in 2017. His trademark artciles are the ones he has written about the top cars by decades, which are very interesting and really take you on a trip down memory lane. He is a valuable addition to the ACC family and we encourage you to check out some of his other work by visiting the ACC Blog, or at this website- Action Gator Tire Blog
We’re taking you back to the era of 8-tracks and disco, Star Wars, and Archie Bunker. The 1970s produced several iconic car designs, some of which continue to live on in their name today. Others contributed to key performance and technological advancements in the automotive industry. Are you still hitting the road in one of these Top cars of the 70s?
Here are some of our favorite cars from the era marked by the oil crisis and bell-bottoms.
The Chevrolet Chevelle underwent several design changes in 1969, but the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 also brought some changes to the brand. With a more square-shaped body, the 1970 model shared several parts with fellow GM family member, the Buick Skylark GSX. The 1970 LS6 Chevelle SS was a big car, clocking in at198 inches long and 76 inches wide; it featured a wheelbase of 112 inches. The Chevelle remains a classic muscle car staple.
Its recognizable design has made it a 70s classic. First introduced by AMC in 1970, pictured above is a 1971 Gremlin X model.
Few cars epitomize the automotive industry in the 1970s better than the AMC Gremlin. Though it is not known for being a particularly popular or reliable car, the Gremlin retains an active fan base to this day. A true product of the desire for compact, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the Gremlin competed for sales against the Ford Pinto and Volkswagen Beetle. The car cost $1,879 in its debut year. A 1975 Gremlin got roughly 21 miles per gallon compared to the Ford Pinto’s 23.
First launched in 1970, the first generation of the Monte Carlo shared some styling with the Cadillac Eldorado. The debut year, while successful in terms of sales, was rocky. A strike helped drive demand for a reduced number of available Monte Carlos. A 1970 Monte Carlo would have set you back just over $3,100. The Monte Carlo was discontinued by 1988, but it did make a return in 1994 lasting until 2007.
A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda in “Lime Light” green. The Cuda has become a muscle car icon, thanks to its 1970 redesign.
In 1970, Plymouth gave their Barracuda model a complete refresh. The result was one of the most recognizable muscle cars ever produced. During its first two models years of the refresh, the Cuda was available with two choices for a V6 engine, and three for a V8, making the car a favorite of engine nuts and speed demons. The Cuda also came in some memorable colors, such as “Lime Light,” “Vitamin C,” and “Bahama Yellow.”
Just over 2,000 Countaches were delivered over a 16-year period starting in 1974. The debut model, the LP 400, featured sharp angles that were a departure from Lamborghini’s more rounded Miura model. What made the Countach so awesome? Lamborghini debuted their iconic scissor door design with the Countach.
Not a friend to those in the 70s living through gas rations and the energy crisis, the Countach nonetheless played a major role in cementing the status the Lamborghini brand enjoys today. Who wouldn’t want to spend time working under the hood of this vehicle?
The second generation of the iconic pony car was first offered for the 1974 model year. The new Mustang shared some concepts from the Ford Pinto, including a 2.3 L I-4 engine. The new generation of the Mustang was a return to basics in many ways, featuring similar design and styling to the original 1964 model. The success of the Mustang in the 1970s allowed the American classic to survive well beyond its initial offering in the 60s.
Part station wagon, part SUV, the Jeep Cherokee is a 70s favorite. The Cherokee owed several of its design elements to the Jeep Wagoneer. A four-door option would be added in time for the 1977 model year. Long before the term became popular with the general public, the 1974 Jeep Cherokee sales brochure referred to itself using the phrase “Sport Utility.” The design for the Cherokee was compacted in 1984 as the Jeep Cherokee (XJ)—no longer a full-size SUV.
Known to many as the car from the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me, in 1977, the Lotus Esprit was first offered in 1976. The British sports car never quite delivered in terms of speed, going 0 – 60 mph in roughly 8 seconds. However, the car was often praised for its handling ability. The angular contouring is not entirely unlike the Countach. The Esprit is a very light automobile, weighing just over 2,200 pounds.
The 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am remains a favorite of 70s fanatics and car show attendees. (Photo: By Adi Gassmann, CC BY-SA 3.0)
The 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am Special Edition earned a starring role in the film Smokey and the Bandit that same year. The Trans-Am was given a restyling from the 1976 model, including changes to the front and a shift to square headlights, in particular. A Burt-Reynolds-owned 1977 model used to promote Smokey and the Bandit sold for $550,000 at auction in early 2016.
With the oil crisis crippling sales of gas-guzzling American cars, the door was open for foreign automakers to make a play for the U.S. market. The Honda Civic made its debut in 1972, but the five-door hatchback version was first sold in the U.S. in 1978. Today, the Honda Civic remains among the most popular selling cars in America, particularly with those favoring good gas mileage—the same reason that propelled the vehicle to success in the 1970s.
Do you have fond memories of your car in the 70s? The 1970s certainly gave the auto industry more than a handful of classics. Despite an economic slowdown, inflation, and oil crisis, several of these cars from the 70s are still offered today, proving their resilience.
Each of these cars continues to have a devoted following. Perhaps more than any other car category, the 70s will always be remembered by muscle car fanatics, producing memorable icons, such as the Cuda, the Trans-Am, and the second-generation Mustang.
The Backdraft Racing RT3 Cobra is one of the best Cobra replicas you can find.It has been extensively developed and refined over many years as a race-proven, high-performance sports car. With 60’s styling and the use of a modern independent suspension, it provides the ultimate in styling and drivability. This Cobra has lighting quick performance, sure-footed handling, compliant ride comfort, and excellent braking ability. Inside the cockpit you’ll find classic styling combined with modern-day efficiency. The stainless steel driver side roll bar is mounted to the frame for added safety.
The beautiful Indigo Blue paint, paired with a roaring 550HP ROUSH 427R crate engine will be sure to turn heads wherever you go. If you don’t have $1,000,000 to buy an original Cobra, but want to won a piece of muscle car history, look no further than this Backdraft Racing RT3 Cobra.
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The 2017 Corvette Z06 marks the third year of the Z06 on the seventh-generation Corvette (C7). Few changes were made on the 2017, but quite frankly, not many were needed.
The 2017 Z06 is a version of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with 6.2L V-8 supercharged inter-cooled LT4 engine with 1.7L Eaton R1740 TVS supercharger, which makes 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
If you plan on taking this car to the track, it has everything you need. This 2017 Z06 is equipped with the Z07 Performance Package. The Z07 Package includes the carbon-fiber rocker panels, adds larger end plates to the front splitter, as well as adds an adjustable, transparent wickerbill on the rear spoiler for track use. With this package, the Z06 delivers the most aerodynamic downforce of any production car that GM has ever tested. In addition to the aerodynamic elements, the z07 Package also includes Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer only tires and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes.
The Annual Collector Car Drawing is our biggest fundraiser every year. Without it, we would not be able to keep our doors open day after to day to provide a home away from home for families while their children are being treated in a local hospital. YOUR SUPPORT IS INSTRUMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR ORGANIZATION!
For it’s third season, the 1965 Corvette Sting Ray further cleaned up style-wise and was muscled up with the addition of an all-new braking system and larger powerplants. 1965 styling alterations were subtle, confined to a smoothed-out hood now devoid of scoop indentations, a trio of working vertical exhaust vents in the front fenders that replaced the previous nonfunctional horizontal “speedlines,” restyled wheel covers and rocker-panel moldings, and minor interior trim revisions. The 1965 Corvette Sting Ray became ferocious with mid-year debut of the “Big-Block” 396 cu in engine producing 427 horsepower.
This 1965 Corvette Sting Ray is the recipient of a no expense spared nut & bolt frame-off restoration, it has been driven less than 350 miles since completion. The fiberglass body is all original w/no signs of any sort of damage or repairs whatsoever, and the factory correct Rally Red paint is absolutely stunning. The chrome bumpers, hood inserts, door handles, emblems, etc. are in show quality condition.
Pop open the hood and nestled inside the nicely detailed engine bay you will find the completely rebuilt 396/425HP L78 motor wearing its factory correct colors. With less than 350 miles since the frame-off restoration, you can imagine how tight & strong everything feels. She starts, idles, runs & drives beautifully in every way, and she has loads of power & torque as you would expect.
4th Annual Midland-Odessa Auction
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On Saturday, May 27, 2017, Dan Kruse Classics invites car collectors and the public to their 4th Annual Midland-Odessa (Texas) Auction. The auction, featuring 175 vehicles from all eras of automotive history, kicks off at 10 a.m. CST at The Horseshoe – Midland County Multipurpose Facility. Among the vehicles slated to cross the auction block are 10 cars from the Gene Plunk Collection. Check-in is Friday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with checkout on Sunday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Bidder’s fee is $50, which includes two VIP passes. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (children under 5 get in free). The Dan Kruse Classics team has a combined 200 years of experience in the auction event process and it shows.
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Auction Date:
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Auction Time:
10am CST
Entry Fees:
$350 (Lots 1-5) * Receives one free rerun after 3pm
$300 (Lots 6-19)
$400 (Lots 20-39)
$500 (Lots 40-79)
$400 (Lots 80-99)
$300 (Lots 100-129)
$200 (Lots 130-144)
$150 (Lots 145-200)
Please Note: Vehicles entering the auction at without minimum or reserve receive $100 off entry fee.
Commissions:
Reserve – 6%
No Reserve – 4%
Photo Deadline:
Friday, April 21, 2017
(for inclusion in the full color brochure)
Check In:
Friday, May 26 9am to 6pm
Check Out:
Sunday, May 28 10am to 5pm
(Please Note: Auction office is only open until 12p.)
Bidder’s Fee:
$50 (includes 2 VIP passes)
• Cash buyers require a $2,500 cash deposit when registering to bid.
• Acceptable forms of payment are cash, cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, and personal/business checks accompanies by an irrevocable bank letter of guarantee.
Buyer’s Premium:
Vehicle Live 10%
Vehicle Online 13%
Memorabilia 15%
Financing:
JJ Best Banc & Co. 800.872.1965 www.jjbest.com
Preferred Shipper:
Craig Jackson 210.336.7937
General Admission:
$10 Adults $5 Children (under 5 free)
Location:
The Horseshoe – Midland County Multipurpose Facility
2002 Cotton Flat Road
Midland, Texas 79701
www.midlandhorseshoe.com
Click HERE for Map
Contact:
Dan Kruse Classics
11202 Disco
San Antonio, Texas 78216
866.495.8111 phone
866.827.7227 fax
Contact Us
Host Hotel:
Springhill Suites by Marriott
5716 Deauville Boulevard
Midland, Texas 79706
432.695.6870 phone
432.695.6880 fax
www.marriott.com
The 1980s was a time of wonderment and neon lights. From fashion to movies, everything seemed to be getting bigger and flashier. This held true for the cars of the decade, as well.
Emission regulations in the 1970s modified the course of automobile manufacturing. Carmakers in the 1980s adjusted their designs to make up for the loss of raw horsepower or to find new ways to achieve better performance.
What followed was a wave of some of the most memorable machines of the century. The cars of the 1980s combined state-of-the-art technology with stylish exteriors. Here are some of the most recognizable and iconic vehicles that came out of that decade:
You might recognize this entry better if you picture David Hasselhoff sitting in the driver’s seat. That’s right, this is the model (a customized version of it anyway) that stood in as KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand) in the famous Knight Rider.
The Trans Am outperformed many earlier Pontiac generations by leaps and bounds. While the Firebirds that came before it had trouble breaking past the lower 200 range of horsepower, the Trans Am could clock in at 250.
The 1987 Buick GNX was a deceptive looking vehicle. Stuck inside its sedan-like frame was a powerful engine with enough horsepower to complete a quarter of a mile in seconds.
The GNX was the last model of the Grand National line, and Buick decided to send off the series in style. The car was so unique that Buick only ever made a few hundred. That was an unfortunate decision for the rest of us, since the GNX was priced rather moderately for the stellar performance it offered.
Who could forget this unique poster child of the 1980s? From its retro-futuristic design to the butterfly doors, to its place at the center of one of the most memorable movies of the twentieth century, everyone should easily recognize this classic vehicle.
Besides being the car featured in all three Back to the Future movies, the DeLorean could be pretty fast at times, with some claiming 88 miles per hour in just seven seconds. There were plenty of faster vehicles at the time, though, and there was not much else special about it. However, the now-iconic look is more than enough to justify its placement on this list.
Some might remember the Testarossa for being presented as a personal gift from Enzo Ferrari to the producers of the hit TV show, Miami Vice. The Testarossa was a high-powered car with a polish that many around the world loved.
Sporting a V12 that could reach up to 390 horsepower, it had both style and substance. It had incredible handling for its speed, as well, making this machine a real beast.
Initially appearing as the Gruppe B concept before going into full production, the Porsche 959 truly earned its label of supercar. With a 444 horsepower, twin turbocharged, six-cylinder engine that could reach up to 198 miles per hour, the 959 stands out as one the premier sports cars of the 1980s.
Audi’s Quattro sport variant stood out in the 80s due to its all-wheel drive, a rarity among cars of its type. Other mass-produced models tried, but the Quattro was the first fully functional design with this feature.
The Quattro was so fast that it was supposedly banned from racing, but the sedan version still managed to maintain its speed, coupled with the safety measures of a suburban family car. Though it did not meet the sports coupe’s estimated 300 horsepower, the mass-produced model still came in at about 200.
The Delta was an interesting car because of how far it drifted from its origins. It originally was intended to be sold as a simple family car, but its superior performance eventually led to the introduction of racing versions.
The Lancia Delta went on to crush the competition in the World Rally Championship, even while it sold hundreds of thousands of units in the non-racing markets. The Delta lasted ultimately 15 years before the line was shut down, but it made a big impression during its time.
Sometimes labeled the poor man’s Porsche because of its lower price tag than other models like the 959, the 944 was still very much a luxury sports car (and still relatively expensive).
The Porsche 944 built upon earlier designs, but added some new attributes that helped it stand out over its older cousins. The 944 was praised for being lightweight and handling extremely well. Unlike the other less costly sports cars, reviewers believed it still had the superior performance standards set by Porsche.
The BMW M3 debuted as a rather expensive model, and it has only grown in value over the decades. The M3 has the honor of being one of the select machines that can be called street-legal race cars.
The M3 managed to reach impressive speeds, despite running on a four-cylinder engine. It could reach 60 miles per hour in just under seven seconds. BMW maintains that their E30 M3 models have used this incredible performance to win more races than other cars in the world.
The F40 is probably as well known for its prowess as it is for being one of the last cars Ferrari designed before founder Enzo passed away in 1988. As a top performing race car, it stood as a testament to the old driver’s legacy. Its engine was reportedly able to produce an astounding 471 horsepower, and it included materials such as Kevlar in its construction to keep it lightweight.
Toyotas were known as some of the most dependable machines of the 1980s, and the MR2 combined that with the performance of a sports coupe. It was not the fastest car on this list, but it could clock some very impressive speeds. It was estimated to reach 60 miles per hour in just under seven seconds.
Many Americans fell in love with the Toyota MR2, and it earned its place in the Top Ten lists of several magazines. It combined the affordability and reliability of a Toyota with the power and speed of a true sports vehicle.
Many of us look back on the 1980s with varying degrees of nostalgia. Crazy became the new normal, and it showed in many of the things we produced. Ironically, many of the more popular car designs of that decade look rather calm in comparison to some of the even sleeker models produced today.
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