The 1970s are often remembered as a slow period in automotive history, a time when the 1973 Oil Crisis and strict emissions regulations choked the power out of many American V8s. This era, dubbed the "Malaise Era," saw the muscle car's decline and the rise of Japanese compacts. However, not every car from this decade was slow or hideous. Beneath the surface, the 1970s were packed with thrilling automobiles, including sports cars and early supercars that could exceed 150 mph and remain fast by modern standards. Many featured sharp, wedge-shaped designs and powerful V8 to V12 engines, with some notable exceptions.
These vehicles represent some of the earliest high-powered grand tourers and supercars. The list focuses on street-legal cars, though it includes homologation specials that were essentially race cars for the road. Here are five of the fastest.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977-1989) – 170 mph
As a grand tourer, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage was designed for high-speed cruising with long gears and ample power. It was Britain's answer to Italian legends like the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari 512 BB. The V8 Vantage was faster in a straight line than a Porsche 911 Turbo, thanks to its design philosophy focused on relaxed high-speed driving. The big V8 and generous gearing allowed it to maintain high speeds without high RPM, making the engine both understressed and reliable.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (1967-1973) – 174 mph
Better known as the "Daytona," the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 earned its name from its historic 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Its iconic long hood hides a 4.4L Colombo V12 producing 352 hp, mated to a 5-speed manual. This refined grand tourer had a direct racing pedigree, with the massive V12 making it handle like a truck at low speeds but come alive above 150 mph. Twin fuel tanks fed its six Weber carburetors, making it a true driver's car.
Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (1971-1973) – 180 mph (estimated)
The final and most famous edition of Ferruccio Lamborghini's first supercar, the Miura P400 SV featured a mid-engine V12 configuration. Its top speed of 180 mph came from a combination of exceptional aerodynamics, 385 hp, and light weight. The "SV" in its name stands for "Super Veloce" (Super Fast), and the original 350-hp Miura was already quoted at 174 mph. This car remains a timeless piece of automotive history.
Ferrari 512 BB (1976-1984) – 187 mph
The Ferrari 512 BB was the undisputed champion of speed among standard road cars in the 1970s. Its name refers to its 5-liter V12 engine (512). Despite producing 340 hp, Ferrari officially claimed a top speed of 187 mph, making it the fastest production car of its time. Essentially a more aerodynamic, mid-engine evolution of the Daytona, it featured dry-sump lubrication and electronic ignition. Some contemporary tests suggested speeds over 190 mph, though others, like Autocar, reported 163 mph, possibly due to variations in handmade cars.
Plymouth Superbird (1970) – 200 mph (with racing gears)
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is officially the first production car to break the 200-mph barrier, hitting 200.447 mph at Talladega. However, that run was achieved with a NASCAR stock car, not a standard road model. The factory Superbird had a theoretical top speed of 156 mph with its standard gears. Nevertheless, it was effectively a homologation special for NASCAR, sharing the same aero profile and potential. With a drag coefficient of 0.31 and a 425-hp Hemi engine, it was a function-over-form design that, despite its radical looks, deserves credit for its accomplishments.