The 1970s were an exciting time for performance automobiles. Thanks to the decade’s oil crisis, performance vehicles started to fall out of favor as the economy became the word on everyone’s lips.
That doesn’t mean all cars from that decade were slow. In fact, the 1970s saw some high-speed vehicles hit the market.
This list contains some of those high-speed creations. Their speed is the only factor behind their inclusion, as they showcase the base of what the decade had to offer.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette LS5
It probably comes as no surprise that an early-1970s Chevrolet Corvette makes this list. The 1971 Corvette LS5 is one of the fastest cars of the decade, both in terms of its top speed and its 0-60 mph time.
This remarkable sports car could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of around 140 mph. For the 1970s, this was blisteringly quick, and even today, it’s still much faster than many of us will ever go.
Alfa Romeo Montreal
Few can deny the beauty of the Alfa Romeo Montreal, one of the greatest V8-powered vehicles of the 1970s. Even fewer people can deny its speed, with its 0-60 mph time of just eight seconds, which puts it on par with the MGBGT V8 and the Ferrari 308 Dino GT4.
The Montreal was positioned at the top of the company’s range throughout the 1970s, and it sported a gorgeous design by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. The 2.6-liter V8 under the hood was good enough for 197 horsepower.
1976 Ferrari 512 BB
It will come as little surprise to see a Ferrari or two on this list. In the late 1970s, despite the bite of the oil crisis, Ferrari was still able to produce some spectacular cars, including the 1976 512 BB.
Power came from an exceptional 4.9-liter flat-V12 engine, producing 355 horsepower. This was enough to launch the Italian supercar to a top speed of 187 mph. Not only was it fast, but it also looked incredible.
1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 Jota
Few cars have ever managed to capture the same aurora and mystique as the Lamborghini Miura. The Miura is widely considered to be the world’s first true supercar, and it would lead to a range of successors such as the Countach and Diablo.
The most potent of all Miuras was the 1970 P400 Jota. This gorgeous supercar had a 3.9-liter V12, which produced 440 horsepower and propelled it to a top speed of 199 mph.
1970 Porsche 917
Yes, it might be a race car that we can’t take on the road. However, the Porsche 917 is undoubtedly one of the fastest cars of the 1970s, with a top speed of 225 mph. And yes, you can still buy a Porsche 917, although for a lot of money at an auction.
What you get, though, is a car with a massive Porsche Type 912 flat-twelve under the hood, producing 4.5 5.0 liters of displacement and as much as 1,100 horsepower in the fearsome Can-Am versions.
1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400
The 1970s saw the first versions of the incredible Lamborghini Countach take to the roads. Like the Miura before it, some versions were more potent than others, including the gorgeous 1974 Countach LP400.
This was the initial production model of the Countach, with a 3.9-liter V12 engine under the hood that produced an awe-inspiring 374 horsepower. The P400 Jota version would produce up to 434 horses. The Countach will forever remain one of the biggest icons of the 1970s, especially with its 179 mph top speed.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
There is something extraordinary about the earlier edition of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from the 1970s. The British sports car has a bit of a Ford Mustang to its design, and in many ways, it is actually a British muscle car and not a sports car.
Power would come from either a 5.3-liter or 6.3-liter V8 engine, with the latter producing up to 403 horsepower and the 5.3-liter producing 390 horses. That V8 power meant its 0-60 mph time was an impressive 7.3 seconds, highlighting just how fast the V8 Vantage could be.
Lamborghini Jarama 400GT
It won’t come as a surprise to see multiple Lamborghinis make this list. The Jarama made its debut appearance in 1970, and was a neat fit just below the Countach and Miura, arriving as a 2+2 coupe with a front-mounted engine.
Lamborghini focused more on the Jarama as a high-speed touring car than just one that could go quickly in a straight line. Thanks to its 3.9-liter V12 under the hood, the Jarama 400GT had enough grunt to produce 325 horsepower.
1969 Maserati Ghibli SS (AM115)
The legendary Maserati was no stranger to performance in the late 1960s and early 1970s. While its cars could sometimes be hit and hiss, the Ghibli SS, which did sneak into the 1970s, is one of its finest of the 20th century.
Power came from a potent 4.9-liter V8 engine, producing 335 horsepower. That was enough to propel the Ghibli SS to a top speed of 174 mph. A combined fuel economy figure, however, of just 19.2 MPG means it’s not the best car for long distances.
Plymouth Road runner 426 Hemi
Despite the oil crisis, there were still some fast and powerful muscle cars on sale in the United States. Take the Plymouth Road Runner, for example. With the mighty 426 ci Hemi V8 under the hood, this striking-looking muscle car flew along.
The 7.0-liter V8 was good enough for 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. This led to a 0-60 mph time of just 5.3 seconds, with the top speed a dizzying 142 mph. That is the claimed power figure; however, the reality is that it could produce much more than that.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 came when the Chevelle SS was at the height of its powers. The SS 454 version was one of the finest muscle cars ever produced and even today; it is a force to be reckoned with thanks to its big V8 and insane top speed.
The 7.4-liter V8 engine under the hood produces 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Good enough for a 0-60 mph time of just 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 162 mph. The Chevelle SS 454 is fast enough to take on even the most modern of sports cars.
Plymouth Superbird
One of the most iconic muscle cars of the 1970s is, of course, the Plymouth Superbird. Along with the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Superbird was one of the “Aero Cars” that redefined NASCAR’s speeds, able to crack 200 mph on speedways.
Power for the Superbird most notably came from the 426 ci 7.0-liter Hemi V8 engine. An engine big enough to produce 425 horsepower, with a 0-60 mph time of just 5.5 seconds. Showcasing just how much of a monster the sleek Superbird really was.
DeTomaso Pantera
Many forget that the DeTomaso Pantera was actually a thing. While it might be a mid-engine Italian sports car, it has a big V8 muscle from North America under the hood. The Panter had a variety of engines, including the 351 ci Cleveland and 351 ci Windsor V8s.
Some also had the Ford 302 ci or 360 ci 5.9-liter V8 under the hood. The Pantera could produce up to 330 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, with an impressive top speed of 162 mph.