-
-
Curbside Classics Archives
1970s Archive
-
![For 1970, GM senior management finally rescinded the corporate policy that limited intermediate-size cars to engines no bigger than 400 cubic inches. Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac wasted no time […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1970-Pontiac-GTO-455-RA-Pepper-Green-Mecum-Auctions-S214-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Pontiac GTO 455 And 400 Ram Air – There IS A Substitute For Cubic Inches")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Pontiac GTO 455 And 400 Ram Air – There IS A Substitute For Cubic Inches
Posted on June 30, 2025 | 12 CommentsFor 1970, GM senior management finally rescinded the corporate policy that limited intermediate-size cars to engines no bigger than 400 cubic inches. Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac wasted no time […] -
![(first posted 4/25/2016) In the early 1970s, Volvo really started hitting its stride in the U.S. market. In addition to the brand’s burgeoning reputation for safety, the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RT0471Volvo142EMainImage.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Road Test: 1971 Volvo 142E Automatic – Road Test Magazine Summarizes A Solid Swede")
Vintage Road Test: 1971 Volvo 142E Automatic – Road Test Magazine Summarizes A Solid Swede
Posted on May 30, 2025 | 33 Comments(first posted 4/25/2016) In the early 1970s, Volvo really started hitting its stride in the U.S. market. In addition to the brand’s burgeoning reputation for safety, the […] -
![(first posted 11/18/2015) In the late 1970s, Lincoln-Mercury tried to build upon the success of the Cougar by marketing their entire Mercury brand as being from “The Sign […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1979-Lincoln-Mercury-01.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1979 Mercury Marquis – Less Fat At The Sign Of The Cat")
Vintage Review: 1979 Mercury Marquis – Less Fat At The Sign Of The Cat
Posted on May 26, 2025 | 64 Comments(first posted 11/18/2015) In the late 1970s, Lincoln-Mercury tried to build upon the success of the Cougar by marketing their entire Mercury brand as being from “The Sign […] -
![Although the launch of the second-generation Chevrolet Camaro was delayed until the middle of the 1970 model year, it arrived in late February with a splash, earning rave reviews […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1970-Chevrolet-Camaro-RS-Z28-Citrus-Green-Mecum-Auctions-S77-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 – “Close To A Mild-Mannered Race Car”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 – “Close To A Mild-Mannered Race Car”
Posted on May 18, 2025 | 21 CommentsAlthough the launch of the second-generation Chevrolet Camaro was delayed until the middle of the 1970 model year, it arrived in late February with a splash, earning rave reviews […] -
![Dodge was decidedly late to the pony car party, waiting more than five years to join the fray with the new E-body Dodge Challenger. The Challenger was just as […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1970-Dodge-Challenger-RT-440-Plum-Crazy-Mecum-Auctions-S134-front-3q-left-top-down.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible With 440 Six Pack – “Genghis Grape”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible With 440 Six Pack – “Genghis Grape”
Posted on May 16, 2025 | 25 CommentsDodge was decidedly late to the pony car party, waiting more than five years to join the fray with the new E-body Dodge Challenger. The Challenger was just as […] -
![Chevrolet advertised the 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo as a “gentleman’s car,” a budget-priced personal luxury coupe laden with styling cues reminiscent of more upscale rivals. Yet, it was also […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1970-Chevrolet-Monte-Carlo-SS-Mecum-Auctions-T159-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454 – “A Gentleman’s Bomb”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454 – “A Gentleman’s Bomb”
Posted on May 5, 2025 | 22 CommentsChevrolet advertised the 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo as a “gentleman’s car,” a budget-priced personal luxury coupe laden with styling cues reminiscent of more upscale rivals. Yet, it was also […] -
![(first posted 4/24/2016) As Triumph descended into British Leyland Hell in the late 1960s, its product development became convoluted to say the least. One result was the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RT0471TriumphStagMainImage.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1971 Triumph Stag – Road Test Magazine Tries To Understand An Odd Buck")
Vintage Review: 1971 Triumph Stag – Road Test Magazine Tries To Understand An Odd Buck
Posted on April 29, 2025 | 37 Comments(first posted 4/24/2016) As Triumph descended into British Leyland Hell in the late 1960s, its product development became convoluted to say the least. One result was the […] -
![One of the problems with trying to run a car company as a truly global business is that product strategies that do well in certain markets don’t work at […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1970-Ford-26M-Levoranta-Classic-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1970 Ford 26M – Ford Tries To Build A German LTD, Ends Up With A “Farmer’s Mercedes”")
Vintage AMS Review: 1970 Ford 26M – Ford Tries To Build A German LTD, Ends Up With A “Farmer’s Mercedes”
Posted on April 22, 2025 | 31 CommentsOne of the problems with trying to run a car company as a truly global business is that product strategies that do well in certain markets don’t work at […] -
![Chrysler-Plymouth Division had spent five and a half years trying without much luck to sell a sporty fastback version of its compact Valiant, the Plymouth Barracuda. Although the aggressively […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1970-Plymouth-Duster-340-In-Violet-Mecum-Auctions-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 – “Re-Roofed Budget-Racer Valiant”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 – “Re-Roofed Budget-Racer Valiant”
Posted on April 20, 2025 | 45 CommentsChrysler-Plymouth Division had spent five and a half years trying without much luck to sell a sporty fastback version of its compact Valiant, the Plymouth Barracuda. Although the aggressively […] -
![Since April 1964, Chrysler-Plymouth Division had been trying and mostly failing to compete with the popular Ford Mustang with two generations of the Plymouth Barracuda, a solidly engineered sporty […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1970-Plymouth-Cuda-340-green-Mecum-Auctions-side-lft.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Plymouth Barracuda ‘Cuda 340 – “At Least The Stylists Did A Good Job Of It”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Plymouth Barracuda ‘Cuda 340 – “At Least The Stylists Did A Good Job Of It”
Posted on April 19, 2025 | 39 CommentsSince April 1964, Chrysler-Plymouth Division had been trying and mostly failing to compete with the popular Ford Mustang with two generations of the Plymouth Barracuda, a solidly engineered sporty […] -
![(first posted 2/19/2016) As the dawn of a new decade began, Chevrolet fielded its final update of the landmark 1965 design. Unlike earlier iterations, this Impala […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RTImpalaImage.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1970 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe – Leaving Super Sports And The Sixties Behind, Especially In The Curves")
Vintage Review: 1970 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe – Leaving Super Sports And The Sixties Behind, Especially In The Curves
Posted on April 18, 2025 | 34 Comments(first posted 2/19/2016) As the dawn of a new decade began, Chevrolet fielded its final update of the landmark 1965 design. Unlike earlier iterations, this Impala […] -
![The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 offered a complete performance package with image, name recognition, and the power of the vast Chevrolet dealer network. There was only one problem: As Car […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1970-01-CL-30-a.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 – Bruiser With A Glass Jaw")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 – Bruiser With A Glass Jaw
Posted on March 28, 2025 | 31 CommentsThe 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 offered a complete performance package with image, name recognition, and the power of the vast Chevrolet dealer network. There was only one problem: As Car […] -
![Although it had no equivalent in the U.S. VW line until 1983, I daresay most American enthusiasts are familiar with the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the trend-setting “hot hatch” that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMS-1976-15-Volkswagen-Golf-GTI-road-test-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI — VW Hot Hatch Changes The Game, But Americans Don’t Get It")
Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI — VW Hot Hatch Changes The Game, But Americans Don’t Get It
Posted on March 24, 2025 | 29 CommentsAlthough it had no equivalent in the U.S. VW line until 1983, I daresay most American enthusiasts are familiar with the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the trend-setting “hot hatch” that […] -
![The 1976–1979 Cadillac Seville was intended to compete with European luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, but it was also sold in Europe. The West German magazine auto motor und […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMS-1976-05-lead-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Cadillac Seville – “A Typical American — But One Of The Best”")
Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Cadillac Seville – “A Typical American — But One Of The Best”
Posted on March 8, 2025 | 35 CommentsThe 1976–1979 Cadillac Seville was intended to compete with European luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, but it was also sold in Europe. The West German magazine auto motor und […] -
![GM’s big personal luxury coupes were all-new for 1971, debuting a bigger, squarer Oldsmobile Toronado and the controversial new “boat tail” Buick Riviera. How did they stack up against the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Motor-Trend-1970-12-Almost-a-Limousine-featured.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage MT Comparison: 1971 Buick Riviera Vs. Oldsmobile Toronado Vs. Ford Thunderbird – “Almost A Limousine”")
Vintage MT Comparison: 1971 Buick Riviera Vs. Oldsmobile Toronado Vs. Ford Thunderbird – “Almost A Limousine”
Posted on March 2, 2025 | 25 CommentsGM’s big personal luxury coupes were all-new for 1971, debuting a bigger, squarer Oldsmobile Toronado and the controversial new “boat tail” Buick Riviera. How did they stack up against the […]
