1. Ford Pinto
Ah, the Pinto. It was a symbol of affordability and practicality, but it had a glaring issue: the fuel tank. Positioned dangerously close to the rear bumper, it could explode during a rear-end collision. While its style and price made it a popular choice, its reputation for fiery accidents has overshadowed its legacy.
The 1970s gave us some of the coolest cars ever made—sleek, powerful, and unforgettable. But while these classics ruled the road, safety wasn’t exactly top of mind. Back then, features we consider essential today, like airbags and crumple zones, were rare or nonexistent, and some designs outright ignored the consequences of collisions. Here are 12 classic cars from the 70s that, despite their undeniable charm, were surprisingly unsafe by today’s standards.
2. Chevrolet Corvair
Technically introduced in the 60s but still a notable player in the early 70s, the Corvair earned infamy after Ralph Nader’s Unsafe at Any Speed highlighted its poor handling. Its rear-engine design made it prone to spinouts, especially in inexperienced hands. Still, its unique design keeps it a collector’s favorite today.
3. AMC Gremlin
The Gremlin’s quirky look made it memorable, but safety wasn’t its strong suit. It lacked proper crash protection and had a notoriously high rollover risk due to its stubby, compact design. For all its flaws, it was a fun little car that left its mark on the era.
4. Ford Mustang II
A departure from the muscle car roots of its predecessor, the Mustang II focused on fuel efficiency during the oil crisis. Unfortunately, it cut corners on structural integrity, making it less safe in crashes. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it car that still sparks debates among enthusiasts.
5. Chevrolet Vega
The Vega was stylish and affordable, but its safety left much to be desired. Thin steel construction meant it crumpled like a soda can in accidents, and early models were prone to rusting through—sometimes before even leaving the dealership lot.
6. Jeep CJ-5
Beloved for its off-road prowess, the CJ-5 had one glaring flaw: a high center of gravity that made it prone to tipping over, especially on sharp turns. While it captured the adventurous spirit of the 70s, it wasn’t exactly forgiving on paved roads.
7. Volkswagen Beetle
Iconic as it is, the Beetle of the 70s was no paragon of safety. With no front-engine protection and minimal crumple zones, it offered little defense in collisions. Its charm, affordability, and personality outweighed its flaws for many buyers, though.
8. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Made famous by Smokey and the Bandit, the Trans Am oozed cool. But beneath that sleek exterior was a lack of modern safety features. Seat belts were often optional, and its rear-wheel-drive setup could make it a handful in bad weather.
9. Dodge Dart
The Dart was reliable and affordable, but its crash safety was questionable. Side-impact protection was minimal, and like many cars of the era, it didn’t offer headrests, leaving passengers vulnerable to whiplash.
10. Chevrolet Chevelle SS
A muscle car icon, the Chevelle SS was all about power, but safety took a backseat. With its lightweight construction and no traction control, it was easy to lose control if you weren’t careful—especially when unleashing its mighty V8 engine.
11. Fiat 124 Spider
The Fiat 124 Spider was a nimble little roadster, perfect for winding roads. But its small size and lightweight design offered virtually no protection in a crash. Combine that with the era’s seatbelt apathy, and it wasn’t the safest ride on the road.
12. Plymouth Road Runner
The Road Runner was built for speed, not safety. With limited braking capabilities for such a powerful machine and no airbags, it demanded respect from drivers. Its bold, aggressive style, however, made it an icon of the muscle car era.
The 70s were a different time, when style and performance often overshadowed safety. Driving these classics might have felt like freedom back then, but today, they remind us how far we’ve come in automotive safety. Still, who wouldn’t want to take one of these beauties for a spin—just maybe with some modern upgrades?
