From American muscle to European flare, the 1970s produced some of the greatest cars the world will ever see. Unfortunately it also threw out some boring and boxy duds.
Here are our picks for the worst cars of the 1970s.
1
AMC Gremlin
The Gremlin was a poor-handling, front-heavy car with no space.
2
Ford Mustang II
Based on the frame and engine of the Pinto, Ford’s Mustang II was just lazy design. Fortunately it didn’t last long.
3
Chevy Vega
The Chevy Vega wasn’t just small, it was unreliable and dangerous. Like the Pinto, it’s gas tank had a tendency to combust.
4
Ford Maverick
Although affordable, these cars were poor-handling and especially prone to rust. Most didn’t last too long on the road.
5
Lincoln Versailles
Thought of as ugly and cumbersome, the Versailles wasn’t as bad as others on this list under the skin. That being said, it failed miserably at taking on its luxury market competitors.
6
Oldsmobile Cutlass (Diesel)
Plagued by all of the downsides of a diesel engine with none of the upside, the diesel Oldsmobile’s of the 1970s are a big reason the engine style never caught on in the United States.
7
Chevy Chevette
Ironically called a “Vette,” this Chevy was very slow, small, and exceedingly boring.
8
Morris Marina
You might know this one for repeatedly getting smashed by falling pianos on Top Gear. Well, there’s a reason for that. It was awful in every way.
9
Vauxhall Firenza
Called the Firenza to hide its British background, this Canadian version of the GM brand was unreliable and impossible to service due to part shortages.
10
Fiat 128
Like many Italian cars of the time, the 128 was less than bullet proof. Common electrical gremlins became its downfall.
11
Lancia Beta
The Beta became known for common critical failures, often caused by rust in inopportune areas.
12
Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto made the mistake of placing its fuel tank behind its rear axle. This meant that any rear end accident of moderate force could result in a deadly fireball… and they did. Other than that, it was actually a pretty decent car.
13
Dodge Aspen
Like many American cars of the ‘70, the Aspen suffered significant rust issues and poor build quality.
14
Peugeot 504 (American)
A basic but decent car in Europe, the French company failed to replicate the 504’s success in the United States. Part shortages made the car a nightmare to service.
15
Reliant Robin
It’s hard to even call this three-wheeled piece of junk a car. But it was. Don’t turn too hard or you’ll roll.
