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Fastest cars of the 1970s

We ranked 16 cars of the 1970s from the 1CARS catalog by top speed. The Ford Falcon GT leads with 228 km/h (142 mph).

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Fastest cars of the 1970s

16 models
  1. 1. Ford Falcon GT Falcon XY GT and GT-HO Phase III · 1970–1971 5.8 l GT-HO Phase III V8 351 Cleveland (XY) 228 km/h142 mph Specs: Ford Falcon GT 5.8 l GT-HO Phase III V8 351 Cleveland (XY)
  2. 2. Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 450 SEL W116 · 1973–1980 6.8 l 6.9 225 km/h140 mph Specs: Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.8 l 6.9
  3. 3. Citroen SM SM I · 1970–1975 2.7 l V6 carburettor 220 km/h137 mph Specs: Citroen SM 2.7 l V6 carburettor
  4. 4. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL-Class R107 · 1971–1989 4.5 l 450 SL 218 km/h135 mph Specs: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 4.5 l 450 SL
  5. 5. Holden Torana Torana LJ · 1972–1974 GTR XU-1 3.3 I6 (LJ) 217 km/h135 mph Specs: Holden Torana GTR XU-1 3.3 I6 (LJ)
  6. 6. BMW 2002 2002 (02 Series) · 1968–1975 2.0 l Turbo (E20) 211 km/h131 mph Specs: BMW 2002 2.0 l Turbo (E20)
  7. 7. Chevrolet Corvette Corvette C3 · 1968–1982 5.7 l L82 350 V8 (SAE net) 204 km/h127 mph Specs: Chevrolet Corvette 5.7 l L82 350 V8 (SAE net)
  8. 8. Datsun 240Z 240Z / 260Z / 280Z S30 · 1969–1978 2.6 l 260Z (L26) 204 km/h127 mph Specs: Datsun 240Z 2.6 l 260Z (L26)
  9. 9. Nissan Skyline Skyline C110 · 1972–1977 2.4 l 180 km/h112 mph Specs: Nissan Skyline 2.4 l
  10. 10. Ford Escort Escort Mk II · 1975–1980 RS2000 2.0 Pinto 177 km/h110 mph Specs: Ford Escort RS2000 2.0 Pinto
  11. 11. Ford Mustang Mustang II · 1974–1978 4.9 l 302 V8 (SAE net) 171 km/h106 mph Specs: Ford Mustang 4.9 l 302 V8 (SAE net)
  12. 12. Audi 80 80 B1 · 1972–1978 1.5 l (ZB), later 1.6 160 km/h99 mph Specs: Audi 80 1.5 l (ZB), later 1.6
  13. 13. Moskvich-2140 1976–1988 1.5 l 142 km/h88 mph Specs: Moskvich-2140 1.5 l
  14. 14. Volkswagen Golf Golf Mk1 · 1974–1993 1.5 l 141 km/h88 mph Specs: Volkswagen Golf 1.5 l
  15. 15. Ford Fiesta Fiesta I · 1976–1983 1.0 l 0.95 Valencia 130 km/h81 mph Specs: Ford Fiesta 1.0 l 0.95 Valencia
  16. 16. LuAZ-969 1971–1975 1.2 l 90 km/h56 mph Specs: LuAZ-969 1.2 l

Method and data

Each model appears once, with the highest top speed quoted for any of its versions. Speeds are shown as the manufacturer quotes them, including electronically limited ones. The decade is the year a version, or its generation, went on sale, so a long-lived model can appear in more than one decade. How we collect and check data

Ranked: 16 of 1,149 models in the 1CARS catalog have a figure for this list.

Download the full list (CSV) · Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit “1CARS” and link to this page. Spot an error? Tell us - we check every report.

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Questions and answers

Which car of the 1970s has the highest top speed in the 1CARS catalog?

The Ford Falcon GT (Falcon XY GT and GT-HO Phase III · 1970–1971), with 228 km/h (142 mph). Second is the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL with 225 km/h.

How is this ranking compiled?

Each model appears once, with the highest top speed quoted for any of its versions. Speeds are shown as the manufacturer quotes them, including electronically limited ones.

Why is a model missing from the list?

A model is listed only when the 1CARS catalog has a confirmed figure for it. Models without an official figure stay out instead of getting an estimate, and the list grows as we add data. Concept cars, prototypes, one-offs and racing cars are not ranked; limited-run models are marked.