Reliability is a critical component of nearly every car we buy. However, it can make things tricky when purchasing a classic, as not everything was as reliable then as it is today.
Fortunately, there are plenty of reliable classics for us to choose from. Just look at the 1970s, a decade filled with automotive legends that could also go the distance.
This list contains some of those legends, which also happen to be some of the best automotive machines in history. Their reliability is the main factor that made them make this list, but we have also looked at their performance, prowess, and desirability.
First-Generation Toyota Celica
Toyota is a manufacturer that is well known for its reliable products. Reliability is one of its strong points, and the first-generation Celica epitomizes that perfectly.
The Celica arrived in the 1970s but looked like a Mustang from the 1960s. But it really wasn’t, with its power coming from a range of inline-four engines. It showed American and European manufacturers just how reliable a daily driver or sports car could be.
Saab 99 Turbo
Of all the manufacturers that have come and gone throughout history, Saab is one of those that we miss the most. The humble Saab 99 was excellent, but if you throw in the 99 Turbo, then you have something really special.
Saab launched the 99 Turbo in 1978, with its new turbocharged engine ensuring it could reach a top speed of around 120 mph. That was very impressive for the late 1970s, and the 99 Turbo was just as reliable as the standard model, too.
Datsun 240Z
The Datsun 240Z is one of the most impressive and important sports cars ever made. It was the sports car that launched the Datsun/Nissan Fairlady range, which continues to this day with the new 2024 Nissan Z. Plus when the 240Z launched in the United States, it outsold every European sports car on the market.
The 240Z would go on to become the best-selling sports car of the decade. Thanks to its inline-six power, it was fast and powerful, and it was reliable, too—something that not every sports car manufacturer could claim.
Fiat X1/9
Depending on who you ask, the Fiat X1/9 is either an excellent sports car with brilliant reliability or just a relatively average Italian offering from Fiat. But this baby Ferrari could be a lot of fun, as it was designed by the same legendary Marcello Gandini who gave us the Lancia Stratos and the Lamborghini Miura and Countach.
The X1/9 has a 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter inline-four under the hood. Thanks to its lightness, it was a blast to drive, and if looked after properly, an X1/9 can give its owners years of reliable service.
MG MGB
For many, the quaint MG MGB is the quintessential British sports car, and it is one of the most affordable for fans of classic cars. MG launched the MGB in the 1960s, but it lasted well into the 1970s with a few modifications and updates.
While 1960s examples are more expensive, 1970 MGBs are much more affordable. And yes, they are reliable, too, despite the issues sometimes faced by British automotive manufacturers at the time.
Lotus Europa
When many people think of Lotus, they think of cars such as the Elan, Elite, Esprit, and Exige. But in the late 1960s, Lotus introduced one of the world’s first mid-engine sports cars, the Europa. The 1970s saw Lotus launch a new generation of cars with improved styling, fully independent suspension, and a lightweight fiberglass body.
Under the hood of the second-generation Europe was Lotus-Ford’s 1600 twin-cam engine. This engine was not only very reliable but also powerful, producing up to 126 horsepower—perfect for a car weighing just 1,600 lbs.
Citroen GS
While its products might be tamer now, Citroen used to produce some of the most outlandish vehicles on the market. The Citroen GS is one of those, and its arrival in 1970 marked a change of fortunes for a manufacturer that had been so close to bankruptcy just before.
The GS possessed Citroen’s brilliant hydropneumatic suspension, and its all-around disc brakes were another highlight. Power came from a range of air-cooled flat-four engines, and the range also included station wagon versions. The later GSA introduced a more practical hatchback body.
Lancia Stratos
Not everything Lancia produced was reliable. In fact, some of its products were famous for rusting or breaking down. But the Lancia Stratos, with its one purpose being to dominate world rallying, was more than tough enough.
Lancia blitzed the competition with the Statros, winning the manufacturer’s championship with it in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Sandro Munari would claim the driver’s title with the car in 1977. Power came from a Ferrari Dino V6 that produced 190 horsepower, which is plenty for a vehicle that could weigh less than 2,000 lbs in rally spec.
Datsun 280Z
The Datsun 280Z succeeded the 240Z and carried on the success from the foundations that the 240Z had laid. They might not have had the outright power of American muscle cars, but they were still more than capable of producing the wow factor.
The 280Z’s power came from its larger 2.8-liter inline-six engine, which produced 149 horsepower. Fuel injection helped improve the engine’s performance and reliability. Compared to the 240Z, the 280Z flies under the radar a bit, and you can pick one up for around $20,000.
Porsche 928
Emerging in the late 1970s, the Porsche 928 was the car that Porsche hoped would replace the 911 as its flagship vehicle. Incredibly, the 911 is still with us today, but the 928 has long since disappeared from the Porsche lineup. But that shouldn’t take away from how good the 928 was back in the ’70s.
Porsche gave the 928 V8 power, and over the years, that ranged from a 4.5-liter V8 to a 5.4-liter V8 engine. Models with Porsche’s 5.0-liter V8 could produce up to 300 horsepower. The 928 became a joy to drive, with superb reliability and a design that still looks relatively modern in 2024.
Second-Generation Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet launched the flagship second-generation of its Camaro muscle car in 1970, with it remaining in production until 1981. Earlier versions produced before the oil crises began to bite the best, thanks to their massive V8 power, which could see them producing up to 375 horsepower.
Second-generation Camaros are also some of the best-looking products. Their bulky and muscular styling made them more popular than the new Ford Mustang II, and the addition of the Z28 package with its 330 horsepower made them even more desirable.
BMW 2002
BMW has built itself upon a reputation for producing incredible driver’s cars. This was at its height in the 1970s, with the 1976 BMW 2002 being one of the best we have ever seen from a German manufacturer.
Not only does it look fantastic, but it is also an excellent performer. BMW kept the weight down as much as possible, making the 2002 agile and nimble in the corners. Base models produced 99 horsepower, rising to 118 horses with the dual-carburetor high-compression 2.0-liter engine. The 2002 Tii boosted power levels further, up to 128 horsepower, thanks to its fuel injection.
Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS
The 1970s were a leaner period for Ferrari. The Italian manufacturer does not always produce its best products, but the 308 GTB/GTS has since gone on to become a highly regarded Maranello classic. The supercar made its debut at the 1975 Paris Motor Show as the GTB, and it was the first Ferrari to feature an entire fiberglass body.
Ferrari launched the 308 GTS in 1977, and Tom Selleck made this model famous in Magnum P.I. Power came from 2.9-liter Tipo F106 AB and BB V8 engines, producing up to 252 horsepower in Europe and 237 horses in the United States.