'70s cars, the Good, the Bad & the Odd

[shok]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

They did, but Daihatsu had a relatively short life span in the US.

Rocky

Yep I remember the Rocky being sold here. I thought they were cool but I have a soft spot for the Samaurai since my brother had one when I was a kid and I hoped it would get passed down to me. No luck there....
Posted via Mobile Device

[Leinie]

Odd ? How about the VW Microbus. I bring it up because I ended up behind one on the freeway today. It was a true hippie machine with peace signs, tie dyed looking paint all extremely sun faded and surface rust patina. The muffler was rusted out, it sounded like a jack hammer and could barely muster 55 mph. I couldn't help but follow behind it for a few miles and smile !

Maybe I was just hoping to catch a buzz, but the smoke was all motor oil based.

[jchav62]

I always thought these were pretty cool...

[tlake]

Originally Posted by jchav62

I always thought these were pretty cool...

The Lil' Red Express and Mazda REPU. Manufacturer's realized in the '70s that commercial vehicles were less tightly smogged, that meant easier power tuning.

[nate_g_2003]

Mom had a '72 Impala land yacht, until I was about 3. I can only remember getting in it once. They got rid of it for an '87 Caprice 4-door, so my grandmothers could get in and out easier. (Picture isn't mine, just one I found that I think is the same color as the one we had)

[bollybib]

Originally Posted by irishman999

Being born in 86 im obviously not going to remember these cars but I thought it would be interesting to see if any of you do. I got this car in 2001, rebuilt the motor, replaced the interior, put some Khumho's on the classic mag wheels and drove it off and on. So far I have personally only seen one of these cars on the road.

Originally Posted by shok

We had the colt wagon in orange for awhile when I was a kid. We were hit in it and spun around pretty bad, that and just poor maintenance led to the downfall of that car. If I knew then (as a child) what I know now, I would have fixed that mofo up. I'd still like to have another.

The Colt was a Dodge badged Mitsubishi. I bought one brand new in 1974. It was a tan coupe with a 1600cc and a four speed. I kept it for ten years, drove it hard, and took real good care of it. I probably have some pics stashed (slides I bet haha) so nothing to post here. I haven't seen one anywhere for at least 20 years. Too bad, they aren't bad looking little cars.

I saved this, the only remnant I think I have left from it.



They had a clean looking grille. I blacked out the eggcrate portion on mine which looked pretty good.

[GOPAPA]

Maybe something a little Odd ? sorry ,I just realized these Mustangs are 66's

[Gumby]

What about those of the early 80s GEO Metro's that were a revamp of the 70s mini cars, ones that still survive sitll get 40-45MPG I member they had a neat little 2 seater vert.......

[jasons]

Where's the love for the land yachts? I had one of these in college in the early 90's. Much fun was had in that car.

[Damon23]

I learned to drive in one of these. 1974 Grandville. Thing had a 455 4bbl quadrajet with a 3.42 rear end. It would melt the tires.

My mother always drove Datsuns. She rolled one of these a 710

She wrecked that and when Datsun went to Nissan she bought the first gen Maxima. It was a cool car. My first car was a 1979 Z28. Loved it.

[GOPAPA]

What year is this one ?

[midniteblues]

here's one of them you dont see all the time my 73 pontiac ventura sprint
i wont be seeing it all the time anymore either sold sold sold! now i got more truck$$$$

[bollybib]

Originally Posted by jasons

Where's the love for the land yachts? ...

I love land yachts as much as the next guy but let's face it, in the 70s they were a dying breed.

[GRX]

Originally Posted by bollybib

I love land yachts as much as the next guy but let's face it, in the 70s they were a dying breed.

Not to mention most all 70's American cars are crap after '73 or so. Yes I grew up in that era and remember it well.

[PanelDeland]

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

What year is this one ?

70 Dodge or ChrusterIIRC a Monaco.My Mom had one.A real dog below 30 but hit passing gear and it was one quick ride.I suspect if I had known,I would have tuned it and it would have run much better down low.



Everybody menttioned the Pacers and AMX's but is there no love for the Gremlin?

I also always liked the 70's Olds Vista Cruiser wagons.I wish I had one done up like a 442.There's one here that makes a few cruise nights thats a 66 or so GTO Wagon.

[GRX]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

Everybody mentioned the Pacers and AMX's but is there no love for the Gremlin?

I also always liked the 70's Olds Vista Cruiser wagons.I wish I had one done up like a 442.There's one here that makes a few cruise nights thats a 66 or so GTO Wagon.

Years ago a friend had a Gremlin ('77?) which we used as a field car when the tags expired. Fun times! Broken exhaust manifold torching a hole in the firewall and all. It had the Pontiac 151 4-cyl (iron duke) and boy was that thing tough! One day we got it stuck in the mud and had oil boiling out the valve cover before it worked free. Thought for sure it seized. The next weekend we re-filled it with oil and it started right up. Finally had to junk the ol' Gremlin when all the windows busted out and the gas tank developed huge hole.


And yeah ... 442 wagon. I saw one of those at the annual AACA show in Hershey back in october. Will try to pull up a pic for you.

[GOPAPA]

[QUOTE=PanelDeland;5841429]70 Dodge or ChrusterIIRC a Monaco.My Mom had one.A real dog below 30 but hit passing gear and it was one quick ride.I suspect if I had known,I would have tuned it and it would have run much better down low.



thx Panel for the info on this photo ,,and also the meaningful story you have to go along with it ,, I remember these big boats as we use to call them ,,and it took aging to really appreciate how great a car they were ..

[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

70 Dodge or ChrusterIIRC a Monaco.My Mom had one.A real dog below 30 but hit passing gear and it was one quick ride.I suspect if I had known,I would have tuned it and it would have run much better down low.



Everybody menttioned the Pacers and AMX's but is there no love for the Gremlin?

I also always liked the 70's Olds Vista Cruiser wagons.I wish I had one done up like a 442.There's one here that makes a few cruise nights thats a 66 or so GTO Wagon.

If I could find a nice Gremlin for the rite money I would consider getting one.

Let me rephraise that I would have to get it.I always liked them.6 cyl and 3 speed on floor. tough and fun to drive. no sluch either.

[bollybib]

PanelDeland's mention of VistaCruisers got me lookin at pics of them and I ran across this.


IMCDb.org: 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser in "The Fall Guy, 1981-1986"

Can't really see the vista windows but hey, you can use your imagination.

[Madtat]

Originally Posted by special-K

The Cosworth Vega was the shape of things to come...way ahead of it's time.There's always been followers,but there certainly are those who appreciate them now.

www.cosworthvega.com

I agree, A friend had one with the two side draft webbers from factory.
What a little screamer that car was. A year later of so this guy in Texas named Don Hardy place the Vega world on it's head. Check out the Hot Rod mag. article for a little history.

http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/113_0205_don_hardy/

[rusty76]

I grew up in the late '70s early '80s on into the stupid '90s and honestly I like big cars like Cadilacs, Pontiacs and Buicks. Espeacially Buick Electras which I think have a ton of kustom appeal to be had. Now days you don't classy nice luxo barges like you did. They're all SUVs and crap.

[bollybib]

The 70s era Datsun 620 pickups are nice looking. My buddy had one back then and I always admired it.

[Chief Bail]

Freak Yea I had a 81 citation X11 4spd car, White with red inter. 2.8 HO. I miss that lil quick sucker. Funny Top speed was like 115..lol.

[Chief Bail]

Originally Posted by jhwkns

My favorite Datsun, The 510. I had a couple of these.

Another sweet lil ride...

[bollybib]

That wing-thingy leading into the bed rails is neat.