-
-
Curbside Classics Archives
1970s Archive
-
![When you think of a second generation Pontiac Firebird, the image that probably comes to mind is a Trans Am. While that model certainly did become popular during the lengthy […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/RT0673-Firebird-main-image.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Reviews: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Esprit – Trans Am Not")
Vintage Reviews: 1973 Pontiac Firebird Esprit – Trans Am Not
Posted on May 21, 2020 | 71 CommentsWhen you think of a second generation Pontiac Firebird, the image that probably comes to mind is a Trans Am. While that model certainly did become popular during the lengthy […] -
![The 810 had pretty iffy styling. Not just the typical mid-70s Nissan weirdness, which actually was toned down by this time. It was its proportions, with a long nose to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/datsun-8100001-crop-top.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "R&T Vintage Review: 1977 Datsun 810 – A Four Door 240Z – Under the Skin, That Is")
R&T Vintage Review: 1977 Datsun 810 – A Four Door 240Z – Under the Skin, That Is
Posted on May 19, 2020 | 13 CommentsThe 810 had pretty iffy styling. Not just the typical mid-70s Nissan weirdness, which actually was toned down by this time. It was its proportions, with a long nose to […] -
![The Peugeot 504 was of course the other relatively popular European diesel in the US (and Europe) along with the Mercedes before the VW Rabbit came along. It offered a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/504-diesel0001-top.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "R&T Vintage Review: 1977 Peugeot 504 Diesel Automatic – Noisy, Slow, But Not Lacking in Gallic Charms")
R&T Vintage Review: 1977 Peugeot 504 Diesel Automatic – Noisy, Slow, But Not Lacking in Gallic Charms
Posted on May 15, 2020 | 31 CommentsThe Peugeot 504 was of course the other relatively popular European diesel in the US (and Europe) along with the Mercedes before the VW Rabbit came along. It offered a […] -
![I just posted the initial review of the new 1977 VW Rabbit Diesel as well as a 24,000 mile long term test. But I had forgotten that R&T kept their […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/100k0001-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "R&T 100,000 Mile Long Term Test: 1978 VW Rabbit Diesel – The Downsides of Being An Early Adopter, But Bailed Out By Fuel Economy and High Resale Value")
R&T 100,000 Mile Long Term Test: 1978 VW Rabbit Diesel – The Downsides of Being An Early Adopter, But Bailed Out By Fuel Economy and High Resale Value
Posted on May 14, 2020 | 32 CommentsI just posted the initial review of the new 1977 VW Rabbit Diesel as well as a 24,000 mile long term test. But I had forgotten that R&T kept their […] -
![The VW Diesel Rabbit (Golf Mk1) really was a game changer, and I’m not using the word lightly. Finally there was an affordable, compact ultra-efficient car that could actually be […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/scans0001-top.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage R&T Review and 24,000 Mile Long Term Test: 1978 VW Rabbit Diesel – Quicker Than a Fiat X1/9")
Vintage R&T Review and 24,000 Mile Long Term Test: 1978 VW Rabbit Diesel – Quicker Than a Fiat X1/9
Posted on May 14, 2020 | 20 CommentsThe VW Diesel Rabbit (Golf Mk1) really was a game changer, and I’m not using the word lightly. Finally there was an affordable, compact ultra-efficient car that could actually be […] -
![The great irony of Olds’s introduction of its new big diesel V8 cars is that it came out just shortly before the only other large diesel sedan: the Mercedes 300SD. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/300SDL-top-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage R&T Review: 1978 Mercedes 300SD – Mercedes Shows GM How To Make A Fast, Efficient and Durable Big Diesel Sedan")
Vintage R&T Review: 1978 Mercedes 300SD – Mercedes Shows GM How To Make A Fast, Efficient and Durable Big Diesel Sedan
Posted on May 12, 2020 | 29 CommentsThe great irony of Olds’s introduction of its new big diesel V8 cars is that it came out just shortly before the only other large diesel sedan: the Mercedes 300SD. […] -
![I’m not going to add much commentary to Road and Track’s first look at the new Olds Diesel (Delta 88 Royale) in the November 1977 issue, and a follow-up drive […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/98-top.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage R&T Reviews: 1978 Oldsmobile 88 and 98 Diesels – A Decent Start, But Some Questions")
Vintage R&T Reviews: 1978 Oldsmobile 88 and 98 Diesels – A Decent Start, But Some Questions
Posted on May 11, 2020 | 50 CommentsI’m not going to add much commentary to Road and Track’s first look at the new Olds Diesel (Delta 88 Royale) in the November 1977 issue, and a follow-up drive […] -
![(first posted 4/10/2014) How Detroit was lost. Those four words could serve as a current subtitle to this review that appeared 38 years ago in the April 1976 issue […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Review-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: Plymouth Volare, a “Solid Set of Wheels”")
Vintage Review: Plymouth Volare, a “Solid Set of Wheels”
Posted on March 24, 2020 | 69 Comments(first posted 4/10/2014) How Detroit was lost. Those four words could serve as a current subtitle to this review that appeared 38 years ago in the April 1976 issue […] -
![(first posted 3/15/2014) The Outtake yesterday of a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne, like previous popular features on full size 1977-81 Pontiacs such as this 1977 Bonneville Brougham coupe, this 1978 Bonneville Brougham […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/600-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1977 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham")
Vintage Review: 1977 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham
Posted on March 13, 2020 | 106 Comments(first posted 3/15/2014) The Outtake yesterday of a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne, like previous popular features on full size 1977-81 Pontiacs such as this 1977 Bonneville Brougham coupe, this 1978 Bonneville Brougham […] -
![In May 1971, Motor Trend was deliberately provocative with an article comparing the best-selling product from General Motors’ prestige division with the prestige product from the company’s best selling division. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Chevrollac-Main-Image.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Comparison Test: 1971 Cadillac DeVille versus 1971 Chevy Caprice – Rise of the Chevrollac")
Vintage Comparison Test: 1971 Cadillac DeVille versus 1971 Chevy Caprice – Rise of the Chevrollac
Posted on March 12, 2020 | 73 CommentsIn May 1971, Motor Trend was deliberately provocative with an article comparing the best-selling product from General Motors’ prestige division with the prestige product from the company’s best selling division. […] -
![In the late 1970s, Lincoln-Mercury tried to build upon the success of the Cougar by marketing their entire Mercury brand as being from “The Sign of the Cat,” as if […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1979-Lincoln-Mercury-01.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1979 Mercury Marquis – Less Fat At The Sign Of The Cat")
Vintage Review: 1979 Mercury Marquis – Less Fat At The Sign Of The Cat
Posted on November 18, 2015 | 54 CommentsIn the late 1970s, Lincoln-Mercury tried to build upon the success of the Cougar by marketing their entire Mercury brand as being from “The Sign of the Cat,” as if […] -
![In the early 1970s, Road Test Magazine covered a nice cross section of cars, including an emphasis on “ordinary” sedans, coupes and economy cars that wouldn’t usually have been seen in […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/RT71GrandVillePrimaryImage.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1971 Pontiac Grand Ville – Road Test Magazine Evaluates Pontiac’s Top Sedan")
Vintage Review: 1971 Pontiac Grand Ville – Road Test Magazine Evaluates Pontiac’s Top Sedan
Posted on November 9, 2015 | 84 CommentsIn the early 1970s, Road Test Magazine covered a nice cross section of cars, including an emphasis on “ordinary” sedans, coupes and economy cars that wouldn’t usually have been seen in […] -
![Hot off of Perry’s presses is this Motor Trend write-up of the ’79 Grand Prix SJ. At MT, everyone’s a winner, so don’t expect any real sign in this review […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/GrandPrix3.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ – She’s No Fun, My Three-Oh-One")
Vintage Review: 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ – She’s No Fun, My Three-Oh-One
Posted on June 11, 2014 | 100 CommentsHot off of Perry’s presses is this Motor Trend write-up of the ’79 Grand Prix SJ. At MT, everyone’s a winner, so don’t expect any real sign in this review […]
