Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThere was no single “best” sports car of the 1970s: the decade’s standouts ranged from accessible Japanese coupes to exotic Italian supercars and a Porsche built with turbocharged performance in mind. This is an interpretive selection, not a measured ranking. It weighs performance, design influence, engineering, competition connections, usability and representation across markets and price classes. The available manufacturer histories firmly document five cars; they do not support inventing a fully sourced top ten, so the list below is limited to those five.
Five well-documented sports cars of the 1970s
The ordering is editorial, not a claim that one car objectively outranked another. Manufacturer specifications are identified as such, and the Nissan sales total is Nissan’s reported figure.
1. Porsche 911 Turbo (930)
The 930 brought turbocharging to the production 911 and made the model’s performance potential unmistakable. Porsche traces the story to a prototype shown in September 1973; the production 3.0-litre car went on sale in 1974 and was the first production 911 Turbo generation, produced from 1974 to 1977. Porsche lists 260 PS, a top speed above 250 km/h (155 mph) and 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. Those are manufacturer figures, not independent test results. Porsche’s 911 Turbo history and published specifications document the car’s early place in the turbo era.
2. Datsun 240Z and the first-generation Z
The Datsun 240Z paired a six-cylinder engine and long-hood coupe proportions with a broader, GT-oriented approach than a focused two-seat roadster. Nissan gives the 240Z a 2,400 cc engine rated at 150 PS. The first-generation Z arrived in 1969, placing it at the threshold of the decade, and Nissan reports 520,000 first-generation Z cars sold worldwide through 1978. Nissan does not state a publication year for that figure, and the total is a manufacturer-reported number rather than an independently audited count. It demonstrates the Z’s broad appeal, not that it was the decade’s best-selling sports car under every definition. Nissan’s Z heritage history covers the model’s origins and reported sales.
#1 Best Overall
3. Lamborghini Countach LP400 and LP400S
The Countach made dramatic wedge-shaped styling a defining part of the supercar conversation. Lamborghini says the LP400 entered production in 1974, following the LP500 concept’s 1971 debut. The LP400S arrived in 1978 with the same 4.0-litre V12; Lamborghini notes its wider tires, enlarged wheel arches and optional rear wing. Those changes show how the Countach’s appearance and stance evolved within the decade, rather than treating every Countach as one unchanged specification. Lamborghini’s Countach history documents the chronology and model distinctions.
4. Lamborghini Urraco
The Urraco offered a different kind of Italian sports car from the Countach: a rear-engined sports berlinetta with a compact 2.5-litre V8. Lamborghini dates its arrival to 1973 and says larger-displacement versions followed. Its significance here is its distinct engineering and body concept, not a claim that it was more capable than the Countach. Lamborghini’s Urraco history outlines the model’s introduction and engine range.
Rank #2
- Doors Open
- Pullback Action
- Die Cast Metal Body
- PULL BACK ACTION WITH FREE ROLLING WHEELS
5. BMW M1 (E26)
The M1’s road-car role was tied directly to competition ambitions. BMW Group Classic says it was presented publicly at the 1978 Paris Motor Show and that production ran from 1978 to 1981. A road series of 400 examples was developed for Group 4 homologation. The project began with Lamborghini cooperation and was completed with manufacturer Bauer after Lamborghini’s financial difficulties. That production timeline means the M1 began in the 1970s but continued into the next decade. BMW Group Classic’s M1 history details the development and homologation context.
BMW’s separate road-car page lists a 3.5-litre inline-six, 277 hp, a 262 km/h top speed and 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, but labels its content as AI-created. Those figures are therefore not used here to rank the M1 against the other cars. BMW’s M1 specifications page is the source for those listed figures.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Features a white Lamborghini Countach replica car model with a branded racing driver minifigure with a crash helmet, wig & wrench
- The legendary, iconic 1970’s supercar is revered by fans from around the world for its stunning design and top-notch performance
- This race sports car toy for kids aged 8+ comes with a 2-seat open cockpit and lots of authentic detailing
- Build your very own Lamborghini Countach, show it off to friends and enjoy race action against other cars from the Speed Champions range
- The LEGO Building Instructions app for smartphones and tablets lets you zoom, rotate and view models from all angles as you build
What makes these cars stand out
| Car | Distinctive contribution | What the cited history establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 Turbo (930) | Early production 911 turbocharging | Prototype in 1973; production 3.0-litre car on sale in 1974; Porsche-published performance specifications |
| Datsun 240Z / first-generation Z | GT-oriented coupe with broad international reach | 240Z engine rating and Nissan-reported first-generation sales through 1978 |
| Lamborghini Countach | Wedge design and evolving supercar form | LP400 production from 1974; LP400S introduced in 1978 with specified changes |
| Lamborghini Urraco | Rear-engined V8 sports berlinetta | Introduced in 1973 with a 2.5-litre V8; larger versions followed |
| BMW M1 | Road-car development driven by racing homologation | Presented in 1978; a 400-car road series developed for Group 4; production continued to 1981 |
Why this is not a definitive top ten
These histories establish five credible candidates and explain different reasons to remember them. They do not provide comparable independent road tests across all models, a consistent price or usability comparison, or enough model-specific evidence to substantiate five additional choices. A defensible ten-car ranking would require further period and manufacturer sources, with model years and markets defined consistently. Calling this a complete, objectively ranked top ten would overstate what the available evidence supports.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
