Top 10 Most Beautiful 1970s Cars (Part-2)

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.

But it had made its own unique contribution – assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, campus unrest and urban riots, the resignation of President Richard Nixon, and American participation in the Vietnam War.

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.

5. PLYMOUTH CUDA

The Plymouth Barracuda is a two-door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964–1974. The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964–1966.

The second-generation 1967–1969 Barracuda, though still Valiant-based, was heavily redesigned. Second-generation A-body cars were available in fastback, notchback, and convertible versions. The 1970–1974 E-body Barracuda, no longer Valiant-based, was available as a coupe and a convertible, both of which were very different from the previous models. The final model year for the Barracuda was 1974.

1974 Plymouth Cuda. (Picture from: http://www.cargurus.com/)

The E-body Barracuda was now “able to shake the stigma of ‘economy car’.” Three versions were offered: the base Barracuda (BH), the luxury oriented Gran Coupe (BP), and the sport model ‘Cuda (BS). The high-performance models were marketed as ‘Cuda deriving from the 1969 option. The E-body’s engine bay was larger than that of the previous A-body, facilitating the release of Chrysler’s 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi for the regular retail market.

4. TRIUMPH TR6

The Triumph TR6 was the ultimate incarnation of the chassis-based Triumph TR series that had begun with the TR2 in 1953. It ran from late 1968 to 1976, just under 95,000 were built, with 91% exported, mainly of course, to the US.

The Triumph TR6 was manufactured between 1969 and 1976 at the firm's plant in Coventry. Triumph then followed the TR6 with the radically designed TR7, which was criticised in reviews for being slightly outlandish compared with the design of the TR6, which had the look of a proper, classic convertible British sports car.

1976 Triumph TR6. (Picture from: http://www.cargurus.com/)

All models in the TR6 range feature inline 6 cylinder engines, with the entry model producing 150bhp from the car's 2.5 litre engine. The TR6 contained a 4 speed manual box however Triumph did offer buyers the chance to purchase an optional 'overdrive unit', giving the TR6 longer legs for motorway work without diminishing it's ability for spirited driving in the British summertime.

With bucket seats, front disk brakes, sporty 15 inch wheels and independent rear suspension the TR6 really is a classic, open-topped British roadster, with touches such as a real wooden dashboard lending the car a somewhat regal air.

3. FORD MUSTANG MACH 1

The Ford Motor Company is an American Company that produces and manufactures state-of-the-art automobiles globally. The Ford Motor Company is based in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford first used the name "Mach 1" in its 1959 display of a concept "Levacar" called the Ford Rotunda. This concept vehicle used a cushion of air as propulsion on a circular dais.

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 was a performance model of the Ford Mustang that was introduced in August 1968 as a 1969 model. The newly restyled 1969 Mustang had three bodystyles, and the Mach 1 package was only available on the Sportsroof version.

Ford Mustang Mach 1. (Picture from: http://automobile303.blogspot.com/)

The Mustang always attracts young buyers with its sleek body and good performance. The Mach 1 is a high performance model of the Mustang series that is equipped with a classic long-hood short-rear-deck, with a leaning grille. The Mustang is also outfitted with elegant blade bumpers, sculpted and chic body-sides, fully exposed wheel openings etc.

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a rear wheel drive type car. The Mustang Mach 1 is equipped with a V8 engine with 16 valves. The Mustang Mach 1 is also outfitted with four gears and has manual transmission. The Mustang Mach 1 has a seating capacity of five. The Mach 1has elegant looks and offers good performance. The interior combines style with comfort. The Mustang comes with power steering and brakes, automatic transmission, styled wheels etc. The original production run of the Mach 1 ended in 1979 because the Mustang II coupe was being phased out in favor of newer Mustangs on the Fox body platform.

2. FIREBIRD TRANS AM

The Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors manufactured the Pontiac Firebird, a compact car (available in coupe and convertible), between 1967 and 2002. Produced from 1967 to 1969, the first-generation Pontiac Firebird sported the 'coke-bottle' style with front-end and rear 'slit' taillights integrated into the bumpers.

The next generation of the Pontiac Firebird began in 1970 with the launch of the Firebird Trans Am that had a built-in 455 motor. The 1973 and 1974 models sported engines completely different from their predecessors.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. (Picture from: http://wizefool.wordpress.com/)

Beginning in 1978, Pontiac engineers reversed years of declining power by raising the compression ratio in the Pontiac 400 through the installation of different cylinder heads with smaller combustion chambers (1977 pontiac 400 engines also had the 350 heads bolted to the 400 blocks, these heads were known as the 6x-4 heads) (taken from the Pontiac 350).

This increased power by 10% for a total of 220 during the 1978-79 model years. The 400/403 options remained available until 1979, when the 400 CID engines were only available in the 4-speed transmission Trans Ams and Formulas (the engines had actually been stockpiled from 1978, when PMD had cut production of the engine).

1. BUICK RIVIERA BOATTAIL

The Riviera by Buick is an automobile produced by Buick in the United States from the 1963 to 1999 model years, with 1,127,261 produced.

A full-size hardtop, a specially trimmed and stretched sedan, or a personal luxury car, the early models of the Riviera in particular have been highly praised by automotive journalists and writers.

A common misconception is that all Rivieras produced after the 1965 model are front wheel drive cars; this is true only of the 1979-1999 models. In contrast, the Riviera's E-body stablemates, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado (subsequent to its change in platform in 1967), were always front-wheel drive.

Buick Riviera Boattail Custom. (Picture from: http://www.buick-riviera.com/)

1972 Buick Riviera Boattail. (Picture from: http://www.motorbase.com/)

Interior view of 1971 Buick Riviera Boattail. (Picture from: http://americasclassicandvintageauto.com/)

A common misconception is that all Rivieras produced after 1966 are front wheel drive cars; this is only true of the 1979-1999 models. Conversely, its stablemate, the Oldsmobile Toronado, was always front wheel drive, as was the Cadillac Eldorado beginning in 1967. (Jump to Previous-Part.) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYTOP10 ]

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