The story of 1970s cars, from the new subcompact class to the last of the truly big family cars. Nearly 1,900 photos and illustrations, most in full-color. Year-by-year overviews of major news and cultural events.

Pack you 8-tracks and platform shoes and hustle back to a decade when muscle cars died, economy cars were born, and disco was the dance. Award-winning author Patrick Foster guides readers on a trip through a tumultuous decade in automotive history. Witness the demise of big block gas-guzzlers and convertibles and the near-demise of the Chrysler Corporation. Relive the birth of the American subcompact, custom vans, t-tops and a new aesthetic. Remember Pintos, Pacers, Vegas, X-bodies, and the proliferation of front-wheel drive -- hallmarks of the '70s auto-evolution. Foster doesn't stop with the hot cars. To pull it all into perspective, he stops along the way to sample the music, movies and manias that made the 70s sensational.

Cars of the 1970s is a thrilling ride through the decade that marked the heyday of the muscle car but also saw the rise of the sub-compact, thanks to oil boycotts and new emissions standards. This book tells the whole story, from what we were driving to the events that were making headlines around the world. The pages are packed to the brim with magnificent machines, including a variety of Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros, GTOs, Corvettes, Challengers, and yes, even Gremlins. You'll enjoy: • Hundreds of incredible photos of vintage cars • Year by year summaries of each major American make • Lively original ads and promotional illustrations • Informative essays about what was happening with cars and the culture at large every year • Fascinating trivia, anecdotes, and quotes Whether you're a car enthusiast, child of the 70s, or simply a connoisseur of American history, this book will make a wonderful addition to your bookshelf. You'll crack it open again and again to take another trip back in time.

The 1970s were a decade of changing tastes and new directions in automobile design, with the advent of the economy-driven, compact family car and the development of the muscle car. The era is famous for great-value cars such as the Datsun 240Z as well as the powerful and extravagant Ford Mustang and Pontiac Firebird. Hot Cars of the '70s celebrates the best cars of the decade, providing a detailed look at more than sixty of the greatest and most stylish automobiles from around the world. All the great names are covered, including Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Citroen, Datsun, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Lotus, Pontiac, Porsche, and Triumph. Illustrated with specially commissioned photography, each car is examined from all angles in close-up detail. Specifications are provided for each machine, including performance statistics, engine type, transmission, special features, running gear, and dimensions. The book also takes a close look under the hood, examining the chassis and suspension as well as the design of the engine. Finally, the book tracks the production milestones of each car and marks refinements and developments in styling and performance. Packed with information and great photos, this volume is a must for all lovers of the classic and stylish machines of the 1970s. Book jacket.

Photographs of all models; production dates and numbers; specifications and body types; descriptions and recognition features; historical notes on all makes.

An informative look back at Great Depression-era automobiles, from the common and revolutionary Ford V8 to the exclusive and powerful Duesenberg SJ Examines all the marques of the era, including many small independents that succumbed to a shrinking market Timelines highlight important technical and business developments Period advertising and archival photos.