Can We Guess What Car You Drove in 1977?

By: Ian Fortey
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can We Guess What Car You Drove in 1977?
Image: Wiki Commons by CapCase

About This Quiz

The 1970s are not really known as a good time in the history of American automaking. The '50s and the '60s were periods of great growth and some amazing designs came from that era. In the 1970s it seemed like something bad happened. Numerous issues with designs of several models created a bad public perception across the board. Infamous cars like the Gremlin, the Pacer and the Pinto were considered not just ugly but badly made vehicles. Compact and sub-compact cars began to replace the muscle cars of the previous era and it seemed like the whole industry flopped. Not to mention the 1973 oil crisis that led to a drastic change in fuel standards. By 1977, nearly all major manufacturers had been forced to downsize their vehicles to accommodate those standards.

These days we can look back and appreciate the few design triumphs, some of the incredible design missteps and the odd car that got a worse rap than it deserved. But as they say, hindsight is 20/20. At the time it was a different ballgame. Like it or not, if you were there you had to deal with what was being made. Think we can guess what you ended up choosing to drive? Take the quiz and we'll see!


There's no doubt "Smokey and the Bandit" was the best car movie of 1977. Did you see it in theaters?
You bet I did!
I honestly can't remember.
I think so.
I did not.

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If we hopped in your car right now, what would we find the radio tuned to?
Something loud
Pop
Classic rock
Talk radio

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Who else do you trust behind the wheel of your car?
My SO
I'll let anyone borrow it, really.
Close friends and family
Not a soul

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The New York City blackout happened in 1977 and lasted for more than a day. Do you remember where you were when it happened?
There was a blackout?
Not at all
I heard about it at work.
I saw it on the news.

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Are you loyal to one car manufacturer?
I'll stick with the Big 3.
I'll drive anything that works.
As loyal as I can be
I used to be, but not anymore.

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The Atari 2600 came out in 1977 and paved the way for the modern gaming industry which is worth literally billions. Were you an old school gamer?
I dabbled.
I never had an interest.
I played some games, sure.
I think I was too old by then.

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Elvis Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42. Were you a fan of The King?
He was OK.
I was never a big fan.
Dude, he's still alive.
I love Elvis!

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Are we going to find an air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror?
A crisp, refreshing pine tree
Nah, my car stinks.
I use them sometimes.
I have a plugin air freshener on my vent.

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You could argue the computer revolution began in 1977 with the release of the Apple II. Did you have a computer back then?
Nope
I didn't have a computer for decades after that.
No, it took me a few years to catch on.
I did!

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May 25th, 1977 was the date "Star Wars" premiered. Were you a fan from the very beginning?
I saw it eventually but not right away.
I only clued in later.
I saw it and it blew my mind!.
Honestly? Still not a big fan.

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What do you regret most about your fashion choices from 1977?
Such big, big hair
Fringes. I had fringes.
Polyester
Not a thing

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It's a Friday night in 1977 and you are hungry. Where are you going for dinner?
Burger Chef
McDonald's
Chi-Chis
A&W

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The punk music scene really took off in 1977. Were you a fan?
Not really
Some of it was OK.
Loved it!
Hated it

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Speaking of music, what was the single best band the '70s produced?
Queen
ABBA
Led Zeppelin
The Allman Brothers

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Sometimes a car just seems like it can go faster than the posted speed limit and maybe you want to test that theory. Ever get a ticket back in '77?
Sooooo many tickets
Not a one
Maybe once
I kept it to a reasonable speed.

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On a quiet night back in 1977, what TV show were you most looking forward to watching on your high-tech 1977 TV set?
"Charlie's Angels"
"M*A*S*H"
"Happy Days"
"All in the Family"

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So we know what bands you were grooving to in the '70s, but what song made 1977 stand out in your mind?
"Hotel California" by The Eagles
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA
"Tonight's the Night" by Rod Stewart
"Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet

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Where did you get the car you were motoring around in back in '77?
I bought it brand new.
It was used.
It was a gift.
It was a family car.

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These days when you're looking at a car, what's the most important thing you consider?
How it looks
Safety
Fuel economy
Price

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Who do you think makes the best all-around vehicles on the road today?
GM
Chevy
Ford
Volkswagen

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All things being equal, what's the best color for a car?
Black
I really don't care.
Red
Silver

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Let's say your car is in the shop. What are you doing to get around town?
I could call an Uber.
Looks like I'm taking the bus.
Family or friends can drive me.
I have another car.

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You know how sometimes you get a craving for a big, messy, chili cheese dog? Are you eating that thing in your car?
I don't think I'd eat a chili cheese dog anywhere in the world.
I mean, yeah. Maybe I'll eat two.
No, I'll drive home to enjoy that.
In my car? Not on your life.

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Do you ever just get behind the wheel and drive for the fun of it with no destination in mind?
All the time
Never
Not really
Maybe on a slow Sunday

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You can drive a car pretty well. Anything else you'd like to get behind the controls of?
I'd love to pilot a jet sometime.
Just a nicer car
I sometimes wonder how hard it is to drive a tank.
A yacht sounds nice.

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In the modern age, who's making the sexiest looking cars on the road?
Ferrari
Porsche
Koenigsegg
Aston Martin

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Movies in the '70s made it seem like everyone was racing everywhere. What were you doing in your car for the most part?
I may have raced around and shown off a little.
Just going to work
I went to school in it.
It was a pretty all-purpose vehicle.

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If a car wasn't an option, what kind of vehicle would you have right now?
Motorcycle
Minivan
Pick-up truck
SUV

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Have you ever been involved in a car accident?
Just once
A couple
I have, but it wasn't my fault.
Never

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Did you ever take a date somewhere in your car where you could park and get to know each other better?
Heck yeah, I did.
Not at all
Maybe once or twice
I tried but I don't think it worked very well.

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You Got: