Sports Cars
North American safety laws impacted heavily on sports-car design in this decade, often spoiling pretty shapes with big bumpers, and peppy performance with detuned but low-emission engines. The sports car was declining as “hot hatchbacks,” typified by the Volkswagen Golf GTI, drew the attention of thrill-seeking drivers.
Morgan 4/4 four-seater, 1969
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,584-1,798 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
After almost two decades, Morgan suddenly realized some of its devotees also had families, leading to the reintroduction of a four-seater model for the 1970s.
Peugeot 504 Cabriolet, 1969
| Origin | France/Italy |
| Engine | 2,664 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
This handsome four-seater was designed and built for Peugeot by Pininfarina. There was a coupe version too; both used mechanical parts from the 504 and 604 sedans.
MG Midget MkIII, 1969
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,275 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 95 mph (153 km/h) |
The beloved Sprite/Midget was updated for the 1970s. New features included round rear wheelarches, a Mini Cooper S-type engine, trendy matte-black trim, and a better hood.
Triumph TR6, 1969
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 2,498 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
The zenith of the British sports car boasted 150 bhp from the fuel-injected straight-six, rear-wheel drive, fresh air, a loud exhaust, and crisply cool styling.
Triumph Stag, 1970
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 2,997 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
Britain’s rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL had a distinctive T-shaped rollover bar. The unique V8 engine suffered teething troubles, but the Italian styling was a hit.
Triumph TR7, 1975
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,558 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
The TR7 was built to meet anticipated safety laws, which meant a hardtop only; a convertible followed five years later. TR7 was a civilized cruiser and a big seller.
Triumph TR8, 1980
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,528 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 135 mph (217 km/h) |
Fitting Rover’s V8 engine gave the TR8 punchy performance as a roadster or coupe. The TR line was axed in 1981, with just 2,500 TR8s sold, mostly in the United States.
Lotus Elan Sprint, 1971
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,558 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
The fifth, final, and finest incarnation of Colin Chapman’s benchmark sports car, this car had superb road manners matched by 126 bhp of power, a five-speed gearbox, and spiffy livery.
Mercedes-Benz 350SL, 1971
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 3,499 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 126 mph (203 km/h) |
An all-new SL for the 1970s, this car shared suspension hardware with the S-Class limousine. Powerful, fast, and stylish, it had a standard hardtop for winter.
Jensen-Healey, 1972
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,973 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
Created by legendary sports-car designer Donald Healey and built by Jensen, this roadster used a Lotus twin-cam engine. It was great to drive and light on fuel, but could be temperamental.
MGB GT, 1974
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,798 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
Being more aerodynamic than MG’s B Roadster, the GT had a much higher top speed. It was also far more practical, with its rear tailgate and extra luggage space.
MGB, 1974
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,798 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
The “rubber bumper” MGB era began in 1974. Added to a raised suspension height and a cleaned-up engine, this made the car legal for U.S. sale, but blunted its feisty character.
Matra-Simca Bagheera, 1973
| Origin | France |
| Engine | 1,294-1,442 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
This mid-engined coupé was built by an aerospace company, using engines and transmissions from Simca family cars. Three-abreast seating and a plastic body were among its interesting facets.
Lancia Beta Montecarlo/Scorpion, 1975
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 1,756 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
This exhilarating mid-engined two-seater came with a steel or canvas roof. It suffered from poor brakes and was withdrawn from 1978 to 1980 to fix them, returning in 2-liter form.
Fiat X1/9, 1972
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 1,290-1,498 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
The X1/9 brought mid-engined sports cars to the masses, and remained popular in Europe and the U.S. until 1989. It was designed and built by Bertone.
Panther Lima, 1976
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,759-2,279 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
A Morgan alternative, this car had a 1930s roadster look but offered a modern driving experience, owing to the powerful Vauxhall engine underneath its fiberglass body.
TVR 3000S, 1978
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 2,994 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
TVR produced this convertible after three decades of being in business. An open version of the Ford-powered 3000M, abundant power and low weight made it very fast.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
