The 1970s were a decade of reckoning for American automakers. An energy crisis, tightening emissions standards, and a wave of nimble Japanese imports forced Detroit to rethink everything — and not always successfully. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and the former AMC all scrambled to adapt, churning out cars that ranged from the genuinely innovative to the spectacularly misguided. Even the Ford Mustang wasn’t immune: the Mustang II remains one of the most debated entries in the nameplate’s long history.
This list features American cars from the 1970s that didn’t quite make the popular cut. These are the lesser-known models that failed to set the sales charts on fire, or make kids press their noses against dealership windows dreaming of the day they’d own one. As a result, they don’t feature in any particular way on collectors’ “to buy” lists.
1970 Ford Maverick
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: Lived In the Mustang’s Shade. Also Lacked Performance
Engine
4.0-liter Inline-6
Horsepower
98 hp
Torque
151 lb-ft
0-60
18.5 seconds (estimated)
The theory seemed perfectly sound: create a smaller, more economical and more affordable coupe that shared some Mustang design cues, offered rear-wheel-drive sportiness, and could take on the growing wave of Japanese imports. Engines included various straight-six options, topped off with Ford’s 4.9-liter Windsor V8, producing around 140 hp.
But the Maverick was not particularly sporty to drive, and it lived very much in the Mustang’s shadow. In 1973, the international oil crisis gave Maverick sales a modest boost, thanks to its lower running costs compared to a full-fat Mustang. But it was never as popular as Ford’s strategists had hoped, and it was discontinued by 1975.
1975 AMC Pacer
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: The ‘Hatch Of The Future’ Gone Rogue
Engine
3.8-liter Inline-6
Horsepower
100 hp
Torque
160 lb-ft
0-60
16.5 seconds (estimated)
In 1971, American Motors Corporation (AMC) read the market correctly when it predicted that US consumers would increasingly opt for smaller, more efficient cars. Sadly, the execution went a bit overboard with the resulting Pacer — a car AMC described as the “hatch of the future,” with a Wankel rotary engine even considered in the initial stages. Quirky styling with vast glass areas created a greenhouse effect in the cabin, and performance from the initial range of straight-six engines was merely adequate.
Fewer than 300,000 Pacers were made over a five-year production run. Today, niche variants like the cool station wagon and the 140 hp V8 model are the more collectible options.
1975 Pontiac Astre Li’l Wide Body
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: Big On Style And… Well, Nothing Else Really
Engine
2.3-liter Inline-4
Horsepower
87 hp
Torque
120 lb-ft
0-60
11.5 seconds (estimated)
Ah, the age of badge-engineering cometh. In the early Seventies, General Motors decided to give its Chevrolet Vega wings by rebadging it as the Pontiac Astre, with an initial focus on the Canadian market. Like the Vega, the Astre was powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 87 hp — performance that was just about palatable. Fewer than 150,000 Astre cars were built between 1975 and 1977.
The coolest and most collectible of the lot is the “Li’l Wide Track” version. Created in 1975 to help boost flagging sales, it features a unique body kit with a front air dam, special wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, a rear spoiler, and a special decal package. Around 3,000 Li’l Wide Tracks were produced.
1976 Plymouth Volare
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: Major Reliability Issues
Engine
5.2-liter V8
Horsepower
122 hp
Torque
245 lb-ft
0-60
12 seconds
The Plymouth Volare, which shares its architecture with the Dodge Aspen (also on this list), got off to a promising start when it went on sale in 1976. Powered by a 122 hp, 5.2-liter V8, the Volare received solid reviews, with particular praise for its performance.
But reports of serious quality issues, unreliability, and rust problems soon began rolling in, quickly taking the shine off the new arrival. Sales slowed, and the Volare — along with its cousin, the Dodge Aspen — would eventually be relegated to the “oh dear” chapter of American automotive history.
1977 Dodge Aspen
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: Performance, Poor Build Quality, Safety Issues & Rust
Engine
3.7-liter Inline-6
Horsepower
90 hp
Torque
160 lb-ft
0-60
18 seconds (estimated
The Dodge Aspen, along with its badge-engineered cousin the Plymouth Volare, was created as part of Chrysler’s push to develop a new line of luxurious yet fuel-efficient cars. A sound idea in principle — but the execution left a great deal to be desired. The Aspen’s so-called slant-six engine produced just 90 hp, delivering barely adequate performance. The real nail in the coffin, however, was a string of quality complaints, including widespread rust problems on early models.
With its reputation damaged almost straight out of the gate, the Aspen never managed to sell in significant numbers. The later Aspen Super Coupe showed genuine promise, but it was too little, too late.
1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: All Show, And No Go
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Engine
4.9-liter V8
Horsepower
140 hp
Torque
247 lb-ft
0-60
10 seconds (estimated)
Launched in 1973, Ford’s Mustang II was not a car the company would likely brag about. Smaller than the original Mustang and in line with the downsizing trend of the era, this Mustang was paradoxically also heavier. It came with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and an underwhelming 105 hp 2.8-liter V6. In short, it was no rocket ship, nor did it show any particular appetite for corners.
By 1975, Ford attempted to raise the stakes with the King Cobra version, powered by a 302 V8 delivering an equally underwhelming 122 hp. The big V8 was also heavier than the other engine options, largely negating the modest power gain. Not Ford’s finest hour.
1979 Mercury Bobcat
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: A Ford Pinto With A Bobcat Badge, Quality Issues
Engine
2.3-liter Inline-4
Horsepower
88 hp
Torque
118 lb-ft
0-60
14 seconds (estimated)
The badge-engineering frenzy of the 1970s rolls on with the Mercury Bobcat — essentially a rebadged Ford Pinto, sold from 1974 to 1980. The two-door Bobcat had a genuinely appealing look about it. The pity was that it suffered the same quality and safety issues as the Pinto, which did serious damage to its reputation largely through association.
With fuel system leakage concerns, safety questions (the placement of the fuel tank being a prominent one), and criticism aimed at the suspension and drum brakes, the Bobcat achieved only moderate sales success.
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: An Expensive Barge At A Time When Everyone Was Scaling Down
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Engine
5.7-liter V8
Horsepower
145 hp
Torque
105 lb-ft
0-60
4 seconds
The Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna was introduced in 1972. The NASCAR racing version became an icon during the Seventies, winning three consecutive Winston Cup championships. As a result, the Laguna S3 — the performance-oriented variant on which the NASCAR racer was based — was a strong seller. The standard Chevelle Laguna models did not fare as well.
Big and thirsty at a time when most buyers were gravitating toward smaller, more efficient options, the broader Laguna range failed to sell in great numbers. If you’re looking to add a Chevelle Laguna to your collection, the S3 — ideally fitted with the optional Strato swiveling bucket seats — is the one to seek out.
1979 Buick Century Turbo Coupe
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: ‘Novelty’ Turbocharged Engine, But It Is Actually Really Cool
Engine
3.8-liter, turbocharged V6
Horsepower
175 hp
Torque
274 lb-ft
0-60
9 seconds (estimated)
The Buick Century launched in 1973 across a range of body styles, including the Gran Sport, the Regal, and the Luxus. General Motors developed a new 3.8-liter V6 specifically for the Century, aiming to trim fuel consumption relative to the V8s while still delivering a reasonable turn of speed. The Century initially sold well, but sales began tapering off sharply after a few years. Enter the 1979 Turbo Coupe.
With a turbocharger added to the mix, the engine produced a genuinely useful 175 hp while consuming less fuel than comparable V8s. Only around 2,700 Turbo Coupes were built over two model years, making it an underappreciated rarity.
1979 Dodge Magnum XE
Why It Is (Supposedly) Not Collectible: The Charger Replacement Didn’t Cut It, In Any Way
Engine
5.9-liter Inline-4
Horsepower
150 hp
Torque
265 lb-ft
0-60
10 seconds (estimated)
In 1978, the Magnum was intended to replace the legendary Dodge Charger — yet it fell well short of filling those shoes. Dodge based the new Magnum on the Charger’s chassis, adding slick flip-up headlights but fitting a 150 hp V8 under the hood. Large and heavy, the Magnum proved to be a lumbering presence on public roads. That same year, NASCAR legend Richard Petty attempted to turn the Magnum into a competitive racing machine.
Although the team reportedly reached 190 mph, the Magnum was deemed virtually uncontrollable at that speed. Petty and other Dodge teams eventually switched to other platforms. After just two model years and roughly 70,000 units built, Dodge pulled the plug on the Magnum — though the name would later be revived for future models.
Sources: Bring A Trailer.
