Many say that the 1970s nothing but a continuation of the late 1960s. The liberals and radicals of the 1960s inspired the social-justice crusades or liberation movements, there was new freedom for women, homosexuals.
It starting to sound negative so before we further get disillusioned, let us take a look at the good side – the cars of the 70s.
10. VOLVO P1800 ES
Manufactured toward the end of 1971, the Volvo 1800ES was an updated model of the Volvo P1800, which was launched in 1961. Few changes were made in the exterior of the 1800ES, such as the addition of the passable back seat. This model is a rear-wheel drive and the engine is located at the front. The engine used in the Volvo P1800ES was almost the same as that of its predecessor, an I4 B20B engine with solid valve lifter generating 130 BHP at the rate of 6,000 rpm.
The engine has displacement of 1,986 cc and torque of 130 ft-lbs at 3,500 rpm. With a total weight of 2,456 lbs (1,114.02 kg), the Volvo 1800ES measures 173.301 inches (4.4 m) x 67.001 inches (1.7 m) x 50.501 inches (1.28 m).
The compression ratio of the Volvo 1800ES is 10.5:1, whereas the bore x stroke ratio is 3.50 inches (0.09 m) x 3.15 inches (0.08 m). The 1800ES is equipped with four cylinders, with two valves per cylinder. The broad wheelbase of 98.601 inches (2.5 m) and 5 main bearing combined with 12 volt electronic Bosch fuel injected engine makes for sturdy, but high-speed rides.
The four-speed manual transmission helps shift speeds smoothly. The built-in cam and roller steering and comfortable leather seats enhance the interior of the Volvo 1800ES. The car has a chassis and trim similar to its predecessor, the Volvo 1800S, however, without the side spear. The first model of the Volvo 1800 series was the P1800, which gained popularity because of the television show, 'The Saint', starring Roger Moore. The vehicle was introduced with the 1.8-liter B18 engine, which could zoom from 0-60 mph (100 kph) in just around 13 seconds.
9. CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
The redesigned 1973 Monte Carlo was a big success for Chevrolet; this was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1973. The public agreed, setting a Chevrolet sales record with 250,000 units sold, despite the fact that all automakers were being forced to incorporate the newly mandated 5 mph bumpers into their designs.
New features such as standard radial tires, a new wrap-around interior styling and one-piece swiveling bucket seats helped the Chevrolet Monte Carlo lead the parade of personal luxury cars into the market.
The 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo had no hard top. It had frameless glass doors and rear side opera windows and dual headlights and an egg crate style grille. It was bigger and heavier, but was considered a lot safer for driving. This model also featured exterior door handles that were flush mounted pull ups. As for the engine – 145 HP 350 Turbo fire V8.
8. DATSUN 240Z
The S30 Nissan and Fairlady Z are name variants of the same car, the Datsun 240Z, manufactured by the Japanese company, Nissan Motors, Ltd. The HLS30 was the name given to the left-hand drive type, while the HS30 was the name for the right-hand one. The Z car was the brainstorm of Mr. Yukata Katayama who conceived the design for this vehicle. It made its debut in 1970 and was the first major success for the Nissan Company in the U.S. It was sold under the brand name Datsun. The Datsun 240Z made its debut in 1970.
The engine of the car was based on the Datsun 1600, with the added feature of two extra cylinders. With a straight six-cylinder, the engine could churn out 150 horsepower and give torque of 146 pound-feet (197.95 Nm). The engine was located at the front and had solid valve filters. Equipped with four-speed manual transmission, it was a rear wheel drive.
The compression ratio was 9.0:1 and it could accelerate from zero to sixty in eight seconds. The independent suspensions in the car aided in its quick response and high performance. The front disc brakes were powerful enough to bring it to a screeching stop. In 1974, production of the Datsun 240Z series was ended. The Z car was quite successful in the racing arena, such as on the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) C-class scene.
Driving the 240Z, John Morton claimed victory in 1970 and 1971 in the SCCA C-class production racing for Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE). The car also swept to victories at the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association). In 2004, Sports Car International ranked it second in the Top Sports Cars list of the 1970s.
7. LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH
The Countach made its public debut at the 1971 Geneva motor show. The design of the ultra low two seater sports car took the world by surprise. Its most captivating parts were of course the scissor doors, swinging up and forward. Over the years these famous doors have become Lamborghini’s trade mark right up to the latest Murciélago.
The Countach shape was wide and low (42.1 inches/1.07 m), but very not long (only 163 inches/4.14 m). Its angular and wedge-shaped body was made almost entirely of flat, trapezoidal panels. There were curves, notably the smoothly coke-bottle wing line, but the overall appearance was sharp.
The doors, a Countach trademark, were scissor doors: hinged at the front with horizontal hinges, so that the doors lifted up and tilted forwards. The main reason is the car’s tubular spaceframe chassis results in very high and wide door sills. It was also partly for style, and partly because the width of the car made conventional doors impossible to use in an even slightly confined space.
6. JAGUAR XJ SERIES II
Normally known simply as the "Series II", the XJ line was face lifted for 1973. A 3.4 L (3,442 cc/210 in³) version of the XK engine was available from 1975. The XJ12 (and Daimler Double-Six) version, with a 5.3 L V12 engine, was again part of the line-up, along with long-wheelbase models and the XJ-C coupé, now considered a collector's item due to its rarity.
These Series II models were known for their poor build quality, which was attributed to Jaguar being part of the British Leyland group at the time of there manufacture, as well as to problems inherent in the design of certain Lucas-sourced components. Visually, apart from the longer wheelbase and available "XJ12" badge, the Series II cars are differentiated by a smaller grille. 91,227 were produced, 14,226 of them with the V12 engine.
Series II has raised front bumpers to meet US crash safety regulations. The interior had simplified heating and AC systems to address criticisms of the complex and not very effective Series I system. In April 1975 the North American Series II got a slightly revised set of front bumpers which had rubber overriders covering the full length of the bumper with embedded turn signals at each end. (Jump to Next-Part.) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYTOP10]
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