What car would you buy in 1974?

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 11/06/2015 at 14:00 • Filed to: What Would You Buy When, WWYBW

18

100

Rules: The car has to be sold brand new in 1974.

For me the answer is the Alfa Romeo Montreal. The reason is very obvious.

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jjhats > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:02

9

I would import it too cuz fuck you Mercedes benz

jkm7680 > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:02

110

Jcarr > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:05

19

F250 Ranger

AndyG_UK > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:09

13

I’ll just leave this here.......

Goggles Pizzano > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:11

1

coelacanthist > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:13

27

Yes, it's a 73 in the brochure, I know.

cazzyodo > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:14

21

Drove one and practically fell in love with the manual steering. I think about it once in a while...

And it turns out my dad had one before I was born.

TheHondaBro > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:16

13

Celica GT.

jariten1781 > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:16

1

I'd probably have gotten a 710 or an Elite...depending how much room I had.

Hermann > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:17

3

E9 3.0 CSi

Stupid Sexy E9

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:18

23

Or

vicali > coelacanthist 11/06/2015 at 14:18

2

Tripper > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:19

93

X37.9XXS > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:20

1

BMW 2.5CS

AMC/Renauledge > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:21

13

1974 Buick Riviera GS Stage 1. Add Max Trac, dual airbags, floor shift console, sunroof, and ABS options.

Leon711 > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:21

2

Make that Montreal red and you got a deal.

Your boy, BJR > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:22

9

Duh and/or hello

Your boy, BJR > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:24

11

Or, since it’s pre M-B law:

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:27

15

Montreal is a close second, but I’d go with the newly-released Countach, the LP400 “Periscopo”. As if it didn’t make enough of a statement now, imagine in 1974 when no one had ever seen one before. And the sound. Whatever else y’all pick, please keep them in the right lane.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:28

11

Mercury Montego GT.

Could still be had with a big ass big block

Styling may be a bit odd but I’m sure I could wake up a mid 70’s 460 cubic inch in weekend. Yep. That’s 7.5L of Mercury Muscle.

dogisbadob > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:32

3

either a Colt or a 914.

FUCK, if it was just a year earlier, I could’ve gotten an N600 :p

Noah - Now with more boost. > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:32

11

The Montreal is unbelievably beautiful. I’m dying to see one in-person. I’ll stick with the partially covered headlight theme and take a very strange baby Lamborghini (Jarama)

not for canada - australian in disguise > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:33

21

Of any car, available in any country? I’d go with a Dolomite Sprint, but if we’re limiting it to cars only sold in our home countries, I’d go with a Celica.

Dean Beyer > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:33

8

or

or

oooh, or

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:34

5

Staying within my “what I would likely be able to afford” and “without the benefit of hindsight” guidelines, I’m tempted to say “Maverick Grabber”, if only to give Ontop a seizure.

Although, I must say, the advertising, results of Popular Mechanics testing, and several other factors mean a Pacer wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility.

The best looking LeMans SC, sadly had become uglified in ‘74. So, imagine that either of the above, when I tired of them, would be turned in for a Torino or Regal when the urge for a bigger car won out.

Birddog > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:34

1

Plymouth Road Runner.

Ed, for the old good times > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:37

0

Bleu.

My citroen won't start > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:38

2

Dino

BREADwagon > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:38

8

Someone already wrote 911, but that would assume I was well to do in the 70s. Something more attainable would be the 240Z. At the time this could hang with the best of em! MSRP was around $3,500 which is around $20k in today’s money. NOT BAD!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:38

2

Here’s another solid one.

RallyWrench > JR1 11/06/2015 at 14:39

11

Falcon XB coupe

/thread

I could actually make the Oppo Berlinetta Boxer joke here and have it be a valid answer, but I want one of these in a bad way.

RallyWrench > jkm7680 11/06/2015 at 14:42

1

Yes. In ‘74 you could still get the 2.7RS engine in the Euro-market Carrera.

MultiplaOrgasms > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:00

2

Mehr Cedes.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BREADwagon 11/06/2015 at 15:02

0

260z for 1974.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:03

15

Saab Sonett

BREADwagon > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 11/06/2015 at 15:04

1

I’d get a last year’s model straggler on the lot for a discount! the 1970’s version of me is THRIFTY, I say, THRIFTY!

dogisbadob > dogisbadob 11/06/2015 at 15:12

4

There’s also the Capri (sold here as a Mercury)

Cé hé sin > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:15

6

Mind you, you’d have to have had it taken apart and put together again properly.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:17

7

1974 Saab 99

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:30

14

Boom.

Jack Does Cars > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:33

20

1974 BMW 2002tii. The only year of square-tail light tii’s, and the last year of the tii. In Inka Orange, of course.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:35

8

This is the car my grandmother bought new back in 1974. It ended up being my first car.

Hoccy > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:38

5

Opel Commodore Coupe GS/E

Not a powerful as it might look, but from the period where Opel were cool.

Also, because racecar:

Hoccy > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 11/06/2015 at 15:44

1

Oooh, didn’t think anyone else would pick the Commodore!

Hoccy > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 11/06/2015 at 15:46

0

Was thinking about this, but I’d probably rather buy a 72 or 73 because of the bumpers on the 74... They are great cars though, I have a 70 142 now.

AMC/Renauledge > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/06/2015 at 15:46

1

A Pacer would have been out of the realm of possibility in 1974. It didn't go on sale until 3/1/75.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > JR1 11/06/2015 at 15:51

9

I’ll take a SD-455/4-Speed Trans Am, please. Preferably in Admiralty Blue.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > AMC/Renauledge 11/06/2015 at 15:52

0

Ah. So the Maverick it is! ... which might get traded for a Pacer.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 15:52

0

Yeah, the bumpers are huge. At least they are aluminum. Got any pics of your 142?

AMC/Renauledge > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/06/2015 at 15:55

3

Why not a Hornet X 360 hatch? More practical, more powerful, and more James Bond.

AMC/Renauledge > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/06/2015 at 15:57

1

I chose the Riv. My second choice is this.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BREADwagon 11/06/2015 at 15:57

0

240z > 260z forever.

Hoccy > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 11/06/2015 at 15:58

7

Sure, I use every opportunity to show my car here!

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 16:02

0

Sweet. Man, I miss that car.

Are you in Norway? My grandmother I mentioned above was from Bergen.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > AMC/Renauledge 11/06/2015 at 16:05

0

It *is* a good choice, just not as hyped as the Pacer.

Hoccy > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 11/06/2015 at 16:09

0

I can see that, the feeling taking this out of winter storage is about the best ever. And yes, I’m Norwegian, though from the Gjøvik in the eastern part of the country.

AMC/Renauledge > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/06/2015 at 16:13

0

No, I meant instead of the Maverick

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > JR1 11/06/2015 at 16:16

16

According to one James Daniel May, “the blokiest bloke’s car ever built”.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > AMC/Renauledge 11/06/2015 at 16:17

1

It might come down to interior. Which, neither are that well sorted out, but the Maverick probably has a slight edge, LEVI’s option for some Hornets notwithstanding.

Cé hé sin > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 16:29

0

Norway has an east? (thinks of Norway as a western strip)

Hoccy > Cé hé sin 11/06/2015 at 16:33

0

Yeah, it’s a bit wider in the southern part, Oslo is east, Bergen is west.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 16:34

0

A true rwd sedan. I’d love me one exactly like above.

Cé hé sin > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 16:37

0

Been to both, still have bad memories of the endless tunnels.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 16:43

0

In the U.S. it’s nearly impossible to find 140s anymore. Back in the 90’s I could find them all over, but now they are very rare.

Hoccy > Cé hé sin 11/06/2015 at 16:48

2

We found out it was shorter to drive through the mountains than over them. The old roads are still there though, for road enthusiasts (opponauts) and people frightened by tunnels.

Hoccy > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 11/06/2015 at 16:51

0

They are quite common here, mostly due to being one of the best selling cars in the 70’s, but also durability and a huge amount of Volvo enthusiasts. Close to unlimited parts supply from Sweden also helps.

deekster_caddy > JR1 11/06/2015 at 16:58

24

Probably a Trans Am. The SD455 kind.

(*Joe Biden edition is not a ‘74)

El Rivinado > JR1 11/06/2015 at 17:00

6

A bit obscure, but I would easily go for a Bitter CD

Just to be different.

pip bip - choose Corrour > JR1 11/06/2015 at 17:10

3

XA Ford Falcon GT 351

JR1 > jjhats 11/06/2015 at 17:23

0

That isn’ t a Benz?

JR1 > Jcarr 11/06/2015 at 17:23

1

Nice pick!

JR1 > AndyG_UK 11/06/2015 at 17:24

0

That would be a ball of fun

JR1 > cazzyodo 11/06/2015 at 17:24

0

This will go up in value soon I bet

JR1 > TheHondaBro 11/06/2015 at 17:25

0

Leno called it a Japanese muscle car kinda fits

JR1 > Hermann 11/06/2015 at 17:26

0

Very very sexy

JR1 > Your boy, BJR 11/06/2015 at 17:28

0

I figured you would still pick a Cadillac

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 11/06/2015 at 17:29

1

I thought about going for a Countach but my favorite body style had yet to be released in 74

JR1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 11/06/2015 at 17:29

1

For the 70’s the styling wasn’t that bad

JR1 > Noah - Now with more boost. 11/06/2015 at 17:30

1

Very rare

JR1 > Dean Beyer 11/06/2015 at 17:31

0

Not a single bad choice on the list

JR1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/06/2015 at 17:32

1

Really the Maverick isn’t terrible. I have always liked the look.

JR1 > RallyWrench 11/06/2015 at 17:32

1

So pissed they didn’t sell this stateside

JR1 > MultiplaOrgasms 11/06/2015 at 17:33

0

Always build excellent cars

JR1 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 11/06/2015 at 17:33

1

This things look awesome!

RallyWrench > JR1 11/06/2015 at 17:33

1

I wasn’t alive at the time, but I wish we’d had them too, so we could buy them now.

JR1 > Cé hé sin 11/06/2015 at 17:34

2

The greenhouse in that car amazes me

JR1 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 11/06/2015 at 17:34

1

Interesting pick

JR1 > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 11/06/2015 at 17:34

0

I didn’t know this came out in 74? Cool

JR1 > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 11/06/2015 at 17:35

0

That is an awesome ad

JR1 > Hoccy 11/06/2015 at 17:36

0

That looks pretty freaking cool. How much power?

JR1 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 11/06/2015 at 17:36

1

Can’t go wrong there

JR1 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 11/06/2015 at 17:36

2

So beautiful

JR1 > El Rivinado 11/06/2015 at 17:37

0

I don’t even know that that is

punkgoose17 > JR1 11/06/2015 at 17:47

1

I can think of a whole list:

Lancia Stratos HF

Alpine A310 and A110

Saab 99 EMS and Sonett III

AMC Matador Coupe

Isuzu Bellett coupe

Misubishi Galant GTO

I’d probably end up with the Matador Coupe or Sonett III based off of what was available in the U.S.A. at the time and budget.

Here is a 1974 Bellet coupe for fun. I recently learned about the car thanks to LaLD

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > JR1 11/06/2015 at 18:19

2

I love this color combo, right down to the flag. The wheels seems period correct; perhaps it should have some redlines, but those might only work with the stock steelies.

If it comes down to it, a BMW drivetrain swap might be considered. It’s not without precedent:

Perhaps an S54 out of an E46 M3 would be a good match.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 11/06/2015 at 18:25

1

I used to prefer the bewinged one from Cannonball Run, but the more I look the more I prefer this unmolested work of art.

jjhats > JR1 11/06/2015 at 18:58

12

Mercedes Benz is the reason the 25 year import law came to be in the 80’s. So if it was 1974 I would take advantage of this and import something since MB hadn't fucked up the laws yet

JR1 > punkgoose17 11/06/2015 at 19:27

0

That is a big ass list

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > JR1 11/06/2015 at 19:28

11

If I could find a never sold 1973 model P1800ES, I would take it. If not, then Saab Sonett.

JR1 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 11/06/2015 at 19:30

0

That would be pretty damn awesome