Obscure cars from the 1970s that are overlooked by collectors

The 1970s gave us muscle cars, oil crises and some truly wild automotive experiments. While everyone is chasing Camaros and Corvettes at auctions, there’s a whole world of fascinating cars from that decade that fly under the radar.

These overlooked cars offer character, quirky engineering and surprisingly solid performance without the six-figure price tags. Some were ahead of their time, some were wonderfully weird, and a few were just plain misunderstood.

Okay, it’s time to check out these 70s gems that deserve more love from collectors.

AMC Gremlin

The gremlin is mocked for its cut-off rear end, but this little freak was actually quite clever. AMC created it by literally chopping up a Hornet to compete in the subcompact market, and it worked.

With optional V8 power, the Gremlin could surprise unsuspecting muscle cars at stoplights, and its quirky styling has aged into legitimate charm. You could get one with a 304 cubic inch V8 that made about 150 horsepower, which was respectable for the era.

While collectors chase AMX models, clean Gremlins remain affordable and are beginning to gain respect as honest, unpretentious American compacts.

Triumph TR7

The wedge-shaped TR7 was supposed to be Triumph’s answer to modern sports car design, and although it had production issues, the driving experience was genuinely fun. Its “wedge” design was polarizing, earning the tagline “The Shape of Things to Come,” though reliability concerns overshadowed its decent handling.

The four-cylinder engine made about 92 North American-spec horsepower, which sounds modest, but it kept the car nimble and engaging. Later TR8 models received a V8, but even the standard TR7 provides an affordable entry into British sports car ownership.

These days you can find them for a fraction of what you’d pay for an MGB or Spitfire.

Datsun 710

Before the 240Z became a collector’s darling, Datsun was building sensible sedans that happened to be incredibly well-engineered. The 710 was a reliable, practical sedan that competed with Toyota Corollas, but somehow never achieved the same nostalgic status.

Its 2.0-liter engine produced around 94–97 horsepower (SAE net) depending on emissions specs, and could cruise reliably all day without complaint. Wagon versions are particularly appealing today, offering classic lines and surprising cargo space.

While collectors are obsessed with Z cars, the humble 710 represents Datsun’s commitment to quality without asking classic car prices.

Mercury Capri II

Sold through Mercury dealers, the Capri II was a captive import from Ford of Europe rather than a traditional American car. Built in Germany, it brought European hatchback styling and a more refined driving feel to the US market at a time when domestic performance cars were shrinking.

Power came from sensible options like the 2.3-liter four-cylinder or an optional 2.8-liter V6, prioritizing poise and fuel economy over straight-line speed.

While it never tried to compete directly with muscle cars, the Capri II offered tidy handling, distinctive fastback styling and a level of character that set it apart from its American contemporaries. Overshadowed by the Mustangs and later the Fox-body Capris, the Capri II remains an overlooked piece of 1970s transatlantic automotive history.

Fiat X1/9

This mid-engined, top-of-the-line Italian was designed by Bertone and delivered sports car thrills in an affordable package. With only about 75 horsepower from its 1.5-liter engine, the X1/9 wasn’t about straight-line speed, but rather handling and driver involvement.

The mid-engine layout gave it phenomenal balance, making it a blast on twisty roads. Its removable roof panel predated the Miata’s popularity by decades and offered open-air driving without sacrificing structural rigidity.

While Fiat’s reputation for rust has scared off some buyers, well-maintained examples prove that proper Italian sports cars don’t need high prices.

Plymouth Volare

The Volaré replaced the beloved Valiant and initially suffered from quality issues, but the platform itself was quite capable. Once Chrysler worked out the early problems, they became solid, reliable cars with comfortable rides.

You can option them with anything from flat-sixes to 360 cubic inch V8s that produce around 160-170 horsepower (net SAE) depending on year/model. The Road Runner package added some muscle car DNA to a practical body, creating an interesting sleeper.

Earlier Mopars often get all the love, but clean examples are an affordable entry into Chrysler’s performance heritage.

Subaru BRAT

Before Subaru became synonymous with crossovers, they built a compact pickup truck with rear-facing seats in the bed. The BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) cleverly avoided the chicken tax by including those seats, classifying it as a passenger vehicle.

Its four-wheel drive system was ahead of its time for a small truck, and the roughly 67 horsepower from its flat-four engine was adequate for the lightweight body. The quirky design and practical utility made it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Today, rust-free BRATs are increasingly hard to find, but remain much more affordable than vintage Toyota trucks.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta

The Alfetta brought Italian performance engineering to the sedan market with its unique gearbox layout for perfect weight distribution. Named after Alfa’s successful racing cars, it had a rear-mounted transmission that helped achieve the 50/50 balance.

The four-cylinder engine produced around 109-130bhp, but delivered smooth power and that distinctive Alfa character. Its handling was exceptional for a sedan, rewarding drivers who appreciated the precise steering and responsive chassis dynamics.

While collectors chase Spiders and GTVs, the Alfetta sedan offers genuine Alfa driving pleasure without the premium prices.

Chevrolet Vega GT

The Vega had serious quality issues at launch, but the GT version with sport suspension and styling upgrades was actually fun to drive. Its aluminum four-cylinder block was innovative, if flawed, producing about 85 horsepower (net SAE) in typical mid-70s GT spec (varies by year/engine option).

The lightweight body and decent handling made it competitive in autocross and club racing. Many enthusiasts have found that throwing in a downsized V8 turns the Vega into a true pocket rocket.

Sure, reputation keeps values ​​down, but that means more opportunities for builders and drivers who want an affordable project.

Peugeot 504

French engineering excellence doesn’t get enough credit in American collector circles, and the 504 proves that point nicely. This sedan won the European Car of the Year and featured independent suspension, comfortable seats and a surprisingly robust build.

The fuel-injected four-cylinder made about 96 horsepower, but delivered smooth, refined power. Its ride quality was exceptional, combining European handling with comfortable long-distance cruising.

While Citroëns get the odd attention, the 504 represents a practical French design that actually worked reliably in American conditions.

Mazda RX-3

Before the RX-7 became a rotating icon, Mazda built the smaller RX-3 with the same rotating triangular magic. US market RX-3s used the larger 12A rotary, with published outputs closer to about 90 horsepower in North American spec; the engine’s willingness to rev was a big part of the appeal.

Racing versions dominated their classes in IMSA competition, proving that the chassis was more than just economical transportation. The coupe and wagon versions offer distinctive styling that stands out from the typical Japanese offerings.

Collectors focus on the RX-7 and leave these earlier rotarys as affordable alternatives with genuine motorsports heritage.

Volvo 242GT

Volvo built a reputation for safety and practicality, but the 242 GT showed they also understood driving dynamics. This special edition featured unique aerodynamic bodywork, sports suspension and distinctive alloy wheels.

The fuel-injected four-cylinder produced around produced around 123bhp in fuel-injected B21E form (powers varied by market and rating standard) and delivered surprisingly spirited performance. Its handling was sharp for a Volvo, rewarding drivers who pushed it through corners.

While the 240 series cars are common, finding a genuine GT with its special equipment is increasingly difficult, but they remain affordable compared to the 2002 BMW models.

Conclusion

These twelve overlooked cars from the 1970s prove that collector appeal isn’t always about what’s the most expensive or the most famous. Each offers something special, be it innovative engineering, quirky charm or genuine driving pleasure that has been overshadowed by flashier contemporaries. The best part about exploring these forgotten gems is that you can actually afford to buy one, drive it, and enjoy it without worrying about astronomical depreciation or restoration costs. As the collector car market continues to evolve, savvy enthusiasts are discovering that sometimes the most rewarding classics are the ones that everyone else has passed over.