Citroen GS (1970-1986)
Voted Car of the Year in 1971, the GS was Citroen's first all-new car since the DS and filled the yawning gap between the 2 cylinder 2CV/AMI and the 2 litre DS. Adoption of the DS's hydro-pneumatic self levelling suspension gave it class-leading ride and comfort. Robert Opron's in-house design with its chopped off Kamm tail, delivered excellent aerodynamics, although it was uncannily similar to a Pininfarina design study of 1968 - the Berlina Aordynamica. Mystifying Citroen quirks including 'mushroom' brake pedal and non self-cancelling indicators did not deter over two million buyers.
Mazda RX7 (1978-1985)
Abandoned by everyone else, the Wankel rotary engine whizzed back to life under Mazda's bonnet. The RX7 was an instant hit in the US where Mazda couldn't meet demand, and some changed hands at $3000 above sticker price. Cheaper than a Porsche 924 or Nissan ZX, customers were attracted to its simple, aerodynamic looks and refinement. Mazda engineers had solved the reliability issues of the first rotaries. Their's put out 135bhp and could do 125mph, but buyers weren't bothered. What they liked was that it looked European but didn't break down like one.
Citroen CX (1974-1991)
The last 'real' Citroen before the Peugeot's takeover, the CX had the awesome task of replacing the DS. Speed-sensitive power steering from the SM, uprated hydro-pneumatic suspension (so good that Rolls Royce licensed it for their Carmargue) kept the spirit of innovation going. Robert Opron cleverly adapted his GS design with the same Kamm tail and a windscreen so deep it could be swept by a single wiper. A sci-fi dash included rotating drum instruments and did away with stalks by positioning switches close to the driver's hands. 1.2 million were made, but like the DS it never got the engine it deserved: it had to make do with the same ancient pushrod four cylinder unit.
Volkswagen Golf Mk 1 (1974-1983)
The fraught question of how to replace the global-bestselling VW Beetle was finally solved with the Golf ('Rabbit' in the US). Adoption of technology from recently-acquired Audi replaced VW's beloved rear-engined air-cooled layout with a front-engines and front-drive - and saved the company. The Golf, designed by Giugiaro, made VW king of the C segment and secured the hatchback as the shape of small family cars for ever more.
Alfa Romeo Montreal (1970-1977)
Originally conceived as a show car for Canada's Expo 67 using Alfa Giulia mechanicals, the Montreal's desirable body was designed by Bertone's Marcello Gandini. The production version inherited a detuned fuel injected 2539cc Tipo 33 racing V8, which put Alfa into the supercar sector for the first time since the war. Distinctive details included grilles over the front lights that retracted and a largely cosmetic stack of vents in the B pillars. But it was bad timing; as well as the oil shocks, Alfa was entering hard times, so the Montreal remained unloved and undeveloped, despite its drop-dead gorgeous looks. It couldn't even be sold in Montreal, as it had never been homologated for North American markets.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971-1989)
Over one million of these all-new small Alfas were built in a newly constructed factory in the south of Italy (hence 'Sud') near Naples. Former Porsche designer Rudolf Hruska's innovative engineering included a 1200cc flat-four engine with front wheel drive, which gave superb performance and brilliant handling. Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign did the styling. Universally praised at its Turin Show launch, the Sud soon ran into disastrous finish and reliability problems, compounded by dismal industrial unrest at the plant. Nevertheless it won over a loyal following prepared to put up with the shortcomings and over 1 million were produced - albeit at a loss.
Aston Martin V8 (1967-1989)
This two-ton brutish, British monster nearly destroyed Aston Martin. The 5.3 litre V8 arrived just ahead of the first '70s oil crisis. It's 13mpg fuel consumption was one reason why only 19 cars were made in 1975. Excessive and impractical, its commanding road presence was enhanced in 1977 with a 170mph 400bhp Vantage version, while cabin refinements took it into Bentley territory. Roger Moore drove one in the hit TV series The Persuaders but it wasn't until 1987 that James Bond got back in an Aston..
BMW 2002 Turbo (1973-1974)
The forerunner of the 3 Series achieved notoriety in Turbo form. The boost in power gave the 2 litre engine 170bhp and 130mph performance - astonishing for a small coupe in the early 1970s. Despite bigger brakes and a limited slip differential, the Turbo was an unruly beast delivering sudden power at 4000rpm which took inexperienced drivers by surprise. Press demonstrators had the name in reverse script on the front air dam, a tongue in cheek warning to cars in front of its approach. However it was seen as irresponsible, so BMW removed it from production models.
De Tomaso Pantera (1971-1991)
Argentinean-born de Tomaso's cars combined Italian design flare with Detroit power. The Pantera, styled by Ghia's Tom Tjaarda mated a 5.7 litre Ford Cleveland V8 to a ZF transaxle inside a steel hull. It was good for 159 mph and a 0-60 in under six seconds. Despite forbidding interior ergonomics, the Pantera was easy to drive and far less temperamental than its more exotic-engined competitors. Ford sold Panteras in the US via its Lincoln Mercury dealers, but quality and reliability were major problems. Elvis Presley was reputed to have fired a gun at his when it refused to start. Ford ceased importing them in 1975, having sold 5,500 examples, but limited production and an array of variants continued for another fifteen years..
Ferrari 308 GT4 (1974-1980)
First Ferrari to feature a transverse mid-engine, first Ferrari production V8, the first to feature Bertone rather than Pininfarina bodywork, the 308 broke new ground and kept Ferrari in the small supercar market dominated by Porsche. Marcello Gandini exchanged the outgoing Dino's curves for the flatter, wedgier design theme featured on the Lancia Stratos. Reception at the 1973 Paris show was lukewarm but 2,800 were produced - the third biggest selling Ferrari up to that point, partly thanks to an energy crisis-friendly 2 litre version for the home market..