Can You Name These Ugly Cars From the '70s?

By: Deborah Beckwin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name These Ugly Cars From the '70s?
Image: Wiki Commons via Greg Gjerdingen

About This Quiz

Recognize the names of these cars? The Pacer. The Pinto. The Thing. They're from an era of carmaking that brings both cheers and jeers--the funky 1970s.

The backdrop for the 1970s was an exciting yet turbulent time of transition, with events such as the Vietnam War, Watergate, two energy crises (one in 1973 and another in 1979), and the advent of disco transforming culture.

The previous decades--the 1950s and the 1960s--focused more on sleek, aerodynamic designs, while the 1970s saw form following function. Styling was also a bit confused, with one foot in the past (hello wood paneling!) and one foot in the future: some cars either looked very angular or had some aerodynamic inspiration, but no real appeal or allure.

With car designs from the 1970s, one major shift which influenced styles was the implementation of American federal regulations requiring more fuel efficiency, lower emissions and increased safety in cars. This period of time, which spanned from the early '70s to the early '80s, has been called the "Malaise Era" of American automotive design.

There were definitely some stylish standouts from this time period, such as the Pontiac Firebird and the Chevy Camaro. But the focus on horsepower and souped-up engines shifted to features such as fuel injection and anti-lock brake systems. 

These horrendous designs didn't just plague American cars. Foreign carmakers also dabbled in the ugly, especially if they had to import to the U.S.

Overall, the 1970s had a lot of memorable and controversial styles, and we think you'll get a hoot out of going back in time to look at some of the ugliest cars of that decade.


1974 AMC Gremlin
Wiki Commons by Richard Wollstadt
What American compact actually had terrible fuel efficiency?
AMC Gremlin
Chevy Chevette
Ford Pinto
Chevy Vega
1971 Ford LTD Country Squire Wagon
Wiki Commons by That Hartford Guy
This American station wagon became famous in the movie "National Lampoon's Vacation".
Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon
AMC Matador Brougham
Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna
Ford LTD Country Squire
1973 Volkswagen Thing
Wiki Commons by Niels de Wit
This German car was created more for function than for form.
Volkswagen Thing
Audi 100
BMW 2002
Mercedes-Benz 280SE

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Renault Le Car
Wiki Commons by Greudin
What French compact car was sold in the U.S. through AMC dealerships?
Peugeot J7
Renault Le Car
Citroën DS
Peugeot 205
AMC Pacer
CZmarlin - Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wiki Commons
This American hatchback was seen as a futuristic car and even had an electric version.
Chevrolet Vega
AMC Pacer
Oldsmobile Omega
Dodge Colt
1973 Chevy El Camino
WikiCommons
Which American crossover-type car was more of a muscle car until the oil crisis of 1973?
AMC Hornet Sportabout
Ford Pinto
Chevy El Camino
Ford LTD Country Squire

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Ford Pinto
Wiki Comons by dave_7
What popularly hated American subcompact car also had cruising wagon and hatchback models?
AMC Pacer
AMC Gremlin
Ford Pinto
Ford Country Squire
1978 Volvo 262C
Wiki Commons by Niels de Wit
What European coupe was one of the first to have an audible alert to fasten one's seatbelt?
Audi 100
Volvo 262C
Volkswagen Beetle
Mercedes-Benz 280 S
Dodge Charger
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada via Wiki Commons
An earlier version of this car is what the main characters in the TV show, "The Dukes of Hazzard," drove.
Dodge Charger
Ford Mustang II
Chevy Camaro
Pontiac Firebird

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Dodge Dart
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA via Wiki Commons
What American car came with the model names "Demon" and "Swinger"?
AMC Gremlin
Ford Fiesta
Dodge Dart
Chevy Celebrity
Chevrolet Vega
Robert Spinello (Barnstarbob) via Wiki Commons
What American car was plagued by major engineering and manufacturing issues?
Chevrolet Vega
AMC Matador
Ford Gran Torino Elite
Jeep Cherokee
1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout
Wiki Commons by Denam Rivera
What American compact car was one of the first to have a designer trim?
AMC Hornet
Ford Pinto
Ford Mustang
Chevy Chevette

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1975 AMC Matador
Wiki Commons by dave_7
What American car did a James Bond villain fly around in during the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun?"
Ford Pinto
Ford Mustang II
Chevy Corvette
AMC Matador
1978 Chevrolet Chevette
Chevrolet
What popular American compact car wasn't the fastest but got excellent gas mileage?
Ford Pinto
Dodge Colt
Chevy Chevette
AMC Pacer
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
YouTube by GatewayClassicCars
What American station wagon had a domed glass roof on top?
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
Ford Pinto
AMC Pacer
Ford Taurus

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Oldsmobile Cutlass
nakhon100 via Wiki Commons
In 1976, this was America's best-selling car.
Ford Country Sedan
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Honda Civic
Chevrolet Vega
Chrysler Cordoba
GPS 56 from New Zealand via Wiki Commons
What American sedan had Ricardo Montalban as its spokesperson in a car commercial?
Cadillac Calais
Ford Fiesta
Pontiac Astre
Chrysler Cordoba
Datsun F10
CYS0263 via Wiki Commons
What Japanese import was better known by the model name Cherry?
Datsun F10
Honda Civic
Honda Z600
Mazda RX-510

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1978 Subaru GL Wagon
YouTube by Zhanley57
What Japanese car was known to have mechanical problems and rust issues?
Nissan 200SX
Subaru GL Wagon
Mazda GLC
Honda N600
1978 Subaru BRAT
Youtube via Motor Trend Channel
Known as the 284 in the U.S., what Japanese import pickup truck added seats in the back to avoid U.S. tariffs?
Mazda REPU
Toyota Hilux
Datsun 320
Subaru BRAT
Fiat X1_9
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand via Wiki Commons
This tiny Italian roadster's wedge-like styling couldn't quite capture American hearts.
Ferrari Boxer
Alfa Romeo Montreal
De Tomaso Pantera
Fiat X1/9

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Reliant Robin
Wiki Commons by Oxyman
Which British compact was known for its steering wheel detaching from the car?
Mini Cooper
Reliant Robin
Bond Bug
Austin Allegro
1974 Ford Maverick
Wiki Commons by Jeremy
What American car initially was marketed as a compact car but became an economical muscle car?
Ford Maverick
Ford Mustang II
AMC Matador
Chevy Chevelle
Mercury Cougar
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA via Wiki Commons
In the early 1970s, this car transformed from a sporty car to a personal luxury car.
Mercury Cougar
Lincoln Versailles
Chevy Vega
Plymouth Duster

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Datsun 200SX
Cereal Marshmallows via youtube
This Japanese car was created as a competitor of the Toyota Celica.
Mazda Grand Familia
Datsun 200SX
Datsun Laurel
Datsun Skyline
Bond Bug
Wiki Commons by Nilfanion
What British car isn't actually named after a fictional spy character?
Bond Bug
Mini Clubman
Austin Maxi
Triumph Herald
1977 Ford Granada Coupe
Wiki Commons by That Hartford Guy
In a TV commercial, what American car claimed it was an economical version of a Mercedes-Benz 450SLC?
Cadillac Fleetwood
Ford Granada
Lincoln Continental Mark V
Oldsmobile 88

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Bricklin SV1
Wiki Commons by ilikewaffles11
What infamous Canadian import sports car was known for its major design flaws?
Manic GT
Bricklin SV1
Mercury Meteor
Pontiac Beaumont Cheetah
Trabant P601S Sedan
Wiki Commons by Cliff
You could call this compact car the flagship car of communism.
Yugo
Trabant
Volkswagen
Audi
Aston Martin Lagonda
Car 3214 via youtube
Which British luxury car had two fuel doors and two different horns?
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Jaguar XJ6
Triumph Herald
Aston Martin Lagonda

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Ford Thunderbird
Thunderbird73 via Wiki Commons
In 1970, Neiman Marcus offered a pair of these cars as a "His and Hers" set.
Mercedes-Benz 280SE
Chevy Corvette
Ford Thunderbird
Cadillac Eldorado
Honda N600
starlord from Kelseyville, CA, United States via Wiki Commons
What tiny import was one of the first cars available in America from Honda?
Honda Z600
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda N600
1972 Triumph Stag
Wiki Commons by TR001
Which rare touring car from the UK had less than 3,000 cars made for the U.S. market?
Aston Martin Lagonda
Triumph Stag
Mini Clubman
Austin Allegro

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1977 Chrysler LeBaron
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
This popular American car of the '80s and '90s had a much longer length in the '70s.
Chrysler LeBaron
Oldsmobile Omega
Lincoln Continental
Cadillac Coupe de Ville
Citroën CX
Spanish Coches via Wiki Commons
This French car had an innovative curved windshield.
Renault 12
Peugeot 305
Citroën CX
Peugeot 404
Citroën Méhari
Trojanbackoncommons via Wiki Commons
This French car's body is primarily made of plastic and had no seatbelts.
Peugeot 205
Citroën Méhari
Renault CX Diesel
Peugeot 504

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Renault 12
Spanish Coches via Wiki Commons
What car was considered to be a "world car" because it was built in 12 countries?
Renault 12
Peugeot 205
Triumph Dolemite
Volkswagen Golf
Plymouth Sapporo
Wiki Commons by dave_7
What car was the first to be created by both Mitsubishi and Plymouth?
Plymouth Cricket
Plymouth Sapporo
Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth Belvedere
Plymouth Cricket
Seasoned Traveller via youtube
What American compact car was a reconfiguration of a UK car, the Hillman Avenger?
AMC Spirit
AMC Hornet
Plymouth Arrow
Plymouth Cricket

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Mazda GLC
Wiki Commons by Riley
What Japanese hatchback made its debut in America in 1977?
Toyota Starlet GL
Datsun 210
Honda Civic
Mazda GLC