These Cars Were so Popular in the 1970s That It Seemed Everyone Had One
The ‘70s were a transitional time for cars. The early oil crisis triggered the rise of more fuel-efficient and practical vehicles. But there were some that reigned over others, and everyone's dad seemed to own one of them. Keep reading to see how many you remember.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro
Many people consider the 1970 Chevrolet Camaro to be the last classic Camaro. It maintained much of the aggressive ‘60s aesthetic, but it was also a very reliable runaround with a good engine, which made it the perfect snazzy dad car.
1970 Citroen GS
This ‘70s car was discontinued after 16 years, but it was an advanced and aerodynamic option when it was still in production. It provided a luxury feel, but without a luxury price, and it was also spacious and reliable, which gave it serious dad appeal.
1970 Ford Pinto
At a time when there was a massive demand for compact, fuel-efficient cars, Ford answered. The Pinto was the perfect choice for a cheap but still attractive car that could drive the family for miles without needing any excessive maintenance.
1970 Range Rover
The Range Rover is still popular now, especially with dads, but they also loved it back in 1970. It was the ideal SUV, with a rugged, multi-purpose build and plenty of opportunities for adventuring, whether it be family camping trips or off-road towing.
1971 Chevrolet Vega
The Chevy Vega is a classic now, but back in 1971, it was an affordable compact car that people could rely on. Budget-conscious dads who also wanted a nice-looking car were its exact market, and it was a top seller.
1971 Buick Centurion
Ask any man who was a dad in the ‘70s, and he’ll tell you that road trips were all the rage. But for that, people needed large cars that were packing some power, and that’s where the 1972 Buick Centurion came in.
1971 Dodge Tradesman
The Dodge Tradesman was a bit of a slow-burner with some people, but it was the perfect practical vehicle for handy dads who partook in the custom van craze. It was surprisingly innovative for a passenger van, and many families spent summers in them.
1971 Honda Life
While it wasn’t a large family vehicle, plenty of adults in the ‘70s loved the Honda Life because it was a long-lasting, cheap-to-run city car. Tons of households had one on the driveway, and the dads had no problem admitting that they preferred practicality.
1972 BMW 5 Series (E12)
A refined, high-performance vehicle from a top automotive brand? Of course, everyone’s dad wanted to own one! The 1972 BMW 5 Series was on the pricier side, but for many people, it was a justifiable expense because it drove like a dream.
1972 Jensen-Healey
Sports cars weren’t the most practical option, but many people still wanted to drive cars that looked glorious. The ‘72 Jensen-Healey was undeniably beautiful, but also surprisingly affordable, so it wasn’t a total midlife-crisis car for dads in the ‘70s!
1972 Ford F-250
The sixth generation of the Ford F-Series, humorously nicknamed the “dentside”, debuted in 1972, and the dads went wild. It was a slick, stylish pickup truck, so perfect for doing odd jobs or hauling luggage on trips, and it more than proved its longevity.
1972 Honda Civic
Many households cut down on cars during the oil crisis because fuel was so expensive, which probably explains why first-gen Honda Civics sold like hotcakes. They helped to keep family costs low, which was exactly what most dads needed in 1972.
1973 Buick Century
A typical “dad car” blends looks and luxury with comfort and practicality, and the Buick Century hit all those criteria in 1973. It was sophisticated and luxurious, but not overly flashy or gaudy, so it was a justifiable dad purchase.
1973 Ford Mustang II
The first Ford Mustang was a roaring success, and while the 1973 second-gen model didn’t quite match the hype or performance, it was still a popular choice. Men, including dads, loved aggressive pony cars, and they suddenly had one they could also use as a daily driver.
1973 Mitsubishi Lancer
For many ‘70s dads, the Mitsubishi Lancer was the car they’d been searching for all along. It was compact, speedy, and had a fuel-efficient, rally-style engine. But even with that racing potential, most people just used them as affordable commuter cars.
1973 Pontiac Grand Am
Soon after its release in 1973, the Grand Am went on to become Pontiac’s best-selling car. Many of its buyers were dads who wanted to snap up a luxury sedan that could cater to both their performance desires and their family’s comfort on the road.
1974 Plymouth Voyager
What is it about dads and vans? That love story was well and truly alive in 1974 when Plymouth launched the Voyager, which could seat up to 15 people! It was a staple vehicle for dads who wanted to take their kids camping or just on long road trips.
1974 Jeep Cherokee (SJ)
While many pre-1970s SUVs were aimed at off-road adventurers, the ‘74 Jeep Cherokee was actually marketed to families. However, it was rugged to look at, so it appealed to dads too, and they couldn’t deny its practicality for everyday family use.
1974 Volkswagen Golf
There’s a reason why the Volkswagen Golf is still such a popular car! It was a Beetle successor, so it had the sort of rich automotive history that dads love, as well as an economical engine, roomy interior, and easy manoeuvrability.
1974 Isuzu Gemini
As their need for fuel-efficient cars grew in the ‘70s, many American men began to fully embrace the beauty of the Japanese compact car. Lots of them bought the Isuzu Gemini, which was amazingly cheap and ideal for running errands in.
1975 Cadillac Seville
To keep up with evolving car trends, Cadillac needed something smaller that still suited the luxury car market. That spawned the Seville in 1975, which became super popular throughout the decade as people bought it to show status in a more reserved, classy way.
1975 Jaguar XJS
Grand tourers weren’t exactly the classic ‘70s dad car, but dads with no small kids and some money to burn were quick to buy the ‘75 Jaguar XJS. It was a beautiful, powerful release from the often-mundane compact cars that were taking over.
1975 Porsche 911 Turbo
The Porsche 911 is the epitome of a “dad dream car”, both back in 1975 and now. The turbocharged version looked just like the original, and it sold almost as fast as it drove! Many ‘70s dads happily chose it over the more practical vehicles on offer.
1975 Volkswagen Polo
If you were a child in the ‘70s, you probably remember how common it was to have a cheaper second car. The Volkswagen Polo was that type of car, and dads had no qualms about something so reliable, inexpensive, and easy to look after.
1976 BMW 6 Series
After the 5 Series came the 6 Series four years later, and all the hype for the previous model was projected onto this one. It had the same refined, sporty look that dads loved, and it could be relied on to perform well under any circumstances.
1976 Porsche 924
The 911 was a highly desirable classic, but most dads couldn’t afford to drop so much cash on a pretty impractical dream car. Luckily, the ‘76 Porsche 924 was an affordable way into the brand, and it had the same level of enjoyment and style.
1977 Toyota Chaser
Back in its heyday, the Toyota Chaser was a longer, boxier sedan that could have the entire family riding in style. It looked good, but it didn’t sacrifice comfort, so dads could take their entire families out at any time in a Chaser.
1977 Peugeot 305
European sensibilities definitely rubbed off on their cars in the 1970s if the ‘77 Peugeot 305 is anything to go by! They also appealed more to family men as the decade went on and prices stayed up, and Chasers became staple vehicles in many households.
1978 AMC Concord
But even the best-made foreign cars would come second to American vehicles in the eyes of many patriotic dads. That’s why they loved the AMC Concord, which still had hints of muscle-car aesthetic, but without the same fancy engine or impractical price.
1978 Mitsubishi Mirage
Hatchbacks ruled the ‘70s, and the Mitsubishi Mirage made a very successful debut near the end of the decade. It was fuel-efficient and easy to care for, and as the Mirage started selling out everywhere, many errand-running dads found themselves in one.
1978 Saab 900
Dads love to embarrass their kids, and that has never changed! Back in 1978, lots of dads chose to be a bit quirky by choosing the unconventional Saab 900. They loved it because it was cheap, and, unlike their kids, they weren’t totally obsessed with aesthetics.
1978 Ford Mustang Cobra
After the first big wave of the fuel crisis waned, Ford released the third Mustang model. While its reception was a mixed bag, lots of dads saw plenty of potential in this new, more practical and efficient muscle car, so they bought it.
1979 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
This looks nothing like a modern Mercedes-Benz, but that only wins it more dad points! This rugged, off-road beast was styled like a military vehicle, but also had some whispers of luxury. It was great for both off-road and on-the-road dads back in 1979.
1979 Toyota Corolla (E70)
The Toyota Corolla has long been a reliable dad car, and the 1979 version was no different. It was a hugely reliable option that sold units all over the world, and we can see why. It was a little utilitarian and rough, but that was part of its appeal.
1980 Chevrolet Citation
You might not recognize this name now because it was only manufactured from 1979 to 1985, but the ‘80 Chevy Citation was a top car that everyone’s dad wanted because it made history. It was the first mass-produced, American-made FWD car, and also won Motor Trend Car of the Year!
