10 1970S MUSCLE CARS THAT DESERVE TO BE REMEMBERED

The muscle car is one of the most memorable icons of the '70s due to its raw power and incredible designs. The car was initially referred to as a "supercar" during the '60s when it was first introduced, as it boasted a V-8 engine that could easily rip through the streets even when it had a small to medium-sized body. As it gained popularity and became the favorite of domestic car enthusiasts, car companies started a race to see who could make the top muscle car of the '60s and '70s. Even now, classic muscle cars are still sought after by anybody willing to look for these rare gems.

With more muscle cars entering the market, car companies had to get creative when making newer models. Companies like Plymouth started introducing convertible versions of their muscle cars to give a more luxurious look, while companies like Chevrolet would push the limits of how fast a citizen car can go. Being unique started to become the trend in muscle car manufacturing during that time, so here are some of the most amazing muscle cars of the '70s.

Related: The Top Muscle Cars Of The 60s and 70s

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 350

A Sporty Design From Chevy

The second generation of the Camaro was the most successful version of the car as it introduced better performance models and styles. The new look gave the car a "European" or "Sports car" appearance that was unique among other muscle cars in the market. The design drew attention as the second generation sold over 282,000 units, making it the best-selling Chevrolet Camaro even today.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28 350 Specs

Even with lower torque compared to its contemporaries, it still boasts a powerful 360 hp engine that is on par with other muscle cars of the time. The new structure also created a wider footprint, making the car's handling better due to its lower center of gravity. It shows that changing the body of a car could affect performance, Chevrolet took advantage of this and made a graceful but well-performing muscle car.

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

GM's Hollywood Star

When thinking of a muscle car from the 70s, the Pontiac Firebird is one that usually pops into mind. Its appearances in classic movies like "Smokey and The Bandit" and being used by a Hollywood legend like Burt Reynolds solidifies the car as a cultural icon. The muscle car gained notoriety with its decals and relevance to bad boys of the decade, making it sought after by people who want or have the same persona. Even now, the Pontiac Firebird is still seen on big and small screens, showing the timeless beauty of the car.

Pontiac Firebird Specs

The Pontiac Firebird is true to its name as it can go 0–60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds, showing it will easily burn through the streets. However, due to government mandates during the Malaise era, you might have a problem finding a Firebird that has above 250 HP. Even with its power decrease, the Pontiac Firebird is still an American cultural icon.

1971 AMC Javelin

American Motors' Answer To The Ford Mustang

The Javelin by American Motors is their answer to Ford's Mustang. AMC was late in the race to make a true muscle car as new regulations affected the demand for another muscle car to enter the market. Against all odds, the Javelin sold and performed well to the point that it became the first muscle car to be used as a police cruiser. It will always be a reliable muscle car for any enthusiast who wants a piece of automotive history.

AMC Javelin Specs

The second generation of the AMC Javelin is not as fast compared to its contemporaries, but it is a large upgrade from the first generation. First-generation Javelins only had a maximum of 158 horsepower, a far cram from the 330 horsepower the second-generation V-8 engine could muster.

Related: 10 Things You Might Not Know About The AMC Javelin

1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible

Plymouth's Barracuda With A Spin

The Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible is one of the few muscle cars that has a convertible variant. Its open-air feature paired with the car's speed is perfect for people who enjoy long and fast drives. The convertible made it one of the most fashionable muscle cars during the decade. Plymouth helped popularize the convertible among muscle car manufacturers, giving a new trend in the industry.

Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible Specs

The Hemi Cuda boasts a whopping 425-horsepower V-8 engine, which was an incredible piece of engineering for its time. Car enthusiasts should look out for this muscle car as it has one of the strongest engines of the 70s.

1970 Buick GSX

The Long Time Record Holder

The Buick GSX entered the market to knock out competitors and show that Buick is still a top muscle car manufacturer. The engine of the GSX had an average torque of 510 pound-feet making it the record holder of the highest torque until 2003. It goes to show that Buick was still capable of building a monster like the GSX.

Buick GSX Specs

The high acceleration of the GSX made it a favorite in the drag racing community, even being called the "gentleman's hot rod" as it still had a classic look for its extremely powerful engine. The GSX remains a classic and an example of the capabilities of car manufacturers during the 70s.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

The Bird For The Races

One of the things that sticks out the most about the Plymouth Hemi Superbird is its body kit. The car's body is more attuned to a race car than a good-looking civilian car. Plymouth specifically made the Superbird for NASCAR purposes before introducing it to the local market. Only 1,935 Superbirds were made, making it perfect for any car enthusiast who wants a rare gem of the 70s.

Plymouth Hemi Superbird Specs

The Superbird was built for the racetrack, that's why it was able to complete a mind-blowing 0-60 mph sprint in 4.8 seconds. Plymouth had a large job by creating a muscle car worthy of NASCAR, but it was successful as it won eight races and placed well in others. The Plymouth Superbird might be the race car the streets need.Related: Plymouth Superbird Sold For $1.65 Million

1970 Ford Torino

The Overshadowed Brother Of The Mustang

The Ford Torino was made to be a star in showrooms but wasn't popular in the market due to competition within its own company. Sadly, the Ford Mustang was the more popular brother and gained the majority of attention, while the Torino failed to sell significantly. Even with setbacks, the car still won the Motor Trend of the Year due to its complex interior that was unseen during its time. Large and comfortable spaces were unheard of when making a muscle car, making the Torino unique from the rest.

Ford Torino Specs

Besides its incredible interior, it was still a performance beast on the street. The Torino may be slower to hit 60 mph compared to the other entries but could still easily win in a drag race as it hits one-fourth a mile in 13 seconds. The Ford Torino will be remembered as the car to be copied by its competitors, even when it didn't reflect on the market.

1970 Dodge Challenger Hemi

The Car To Be Challenged

The Dodge Challenger was one of the most common muscle cars of the decade, as an estimated 83,000 were sold in different variations. The Challenger was a reliable muscle car that introduced customization to Dodge's clients, like choosing the different sizes of wheels on each side. Furthermore, the Challenger also saw some limelight in movies like "Vanishing Point" which helped cement it as a common favorite.

Dodge Challenger Specs

One of the popular options for people wanting to buy a Dodge Challenger would be the amount of options for engine power. People who would want something on the faster side would go for the Hemi version of the Challenger as it could hit 60 in less than five seconds. People who don't care too much about speed could get the 300 HP version of the car, while still enjoying everything a Dodge Challenger could offer.

1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Simple But Effective

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 was one of the best-selling muscle cars of its time, with over 70,000 units of the Mach 1 being sold. Ford had an idea that simpler design would be more popular with car enthusiasts, which proved to be correct as the less aggressive style brought in buyers. The Mustang comes with power steering and better suspension compared to their other models, all with a sleek leather interior.

Ford Mustang Mach 1 Specs

Its powerful engine and smooth driving were perfectly paired with its newer simpler design. The Mach 1 could still easily compete with the other performance cars of the decade, making it the perfect drag racing and cruising vehicle when it came out. The Ford Mustang will always have legendary status among car enthusiasts and muscle car lovers alike.

Related: This 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Is One Of The Last Classic Mustangs Worth Buying

1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

The Peak Of Muscle Cars

The Chevrolet Chevelle is one of the rarest and best-performing muscle cars of the 70s, only 8,773 were made. The low numbers of production were due to the intricate design of the Chevelle's engine. Forged aluminum pistons and deep groove accessory pullies were a few features the car had, the car even had the highest factory horsepower rating of its time.

Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 Specs

The Chevelle had a whopping 450-horsepower V-8 engine which was a contender to be one of the strongest engines of the 70s. The car would hit 60 MPH in less than five seconds, showing that speed is not a problem when it comes to the Chevelle. It continues to be one of the rarest and fastest muscle cars that came out of the 70s and will be a major example of how great American Muscle can be.

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