The 10Best of 1970 C/D has existed since 1955, but we didn’t start awarding 10Best laurels until 1983. So we got to thinking: Could we create a 10Best list from 50 years ago? We set a price cap of about $4500 (in 1970 dollars), which knocks out legends like the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the Lamborghini Miura, and the Porsche 911, leaving the 10Best of 1970. —7\U[ =RN_YRf 5b ZN[
Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV
Chevrolet Chevelle SS454
Base: $4446 Engine: DOHC 8-valve 1.8-liter inline-4, 132 hp; 5-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 9.9 sec, 1/4-Mile: 17.4 sec @ 79 mph
Base: $3575 Engine: pushrod 7.4-liter V-8, 450 hp; 3-speed automatic Performance: 60 mph: 5.4 sec, 1/4-Mile: 13.8 sec @ 104 mph
“Once warmed up . . . 1750s are among the easiest cars in the world to drive smoothly.” —C/D, October 1969
“It has striking performance that you’d never suspect in traffic. When it came to getting around corners, the Chevelle proved to be quite agile in [Sam] Posey’s hands.” —C/D, February 1970
BMW 2002 Base: $3194 Engine: SOHC 8-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 113 hp; 4-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 9.6 sec, 1/4-Mile: 17.1 sec @ 79 mph
“A kind of Bavarian Road Runner without the humorous overlay.” —C/D, March 1970
Chevrolet Blazer Base: $3051 Engine: pushrod 16-valve 5.7-liter V-8, 255 hp; 3-speed automatic Performance (C/D est): 60 mph: 11.5 sec, 1/4-Mile: 18.5 sec
“So far, your friendly C/D Snow Extraction Service [a.k.a. the Blazer] has removed 14 cars from various states of immobility.” —C/D, April 1970
Datsun 240Z Base: $3526 Engine: SOHC 12-valve 2.4-liter inline-6, 151 hp; 4-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 7.8 sec, 1/4-Mile: 16.1 sec @ 87 mph
“The steering effort is moderate; the shifting motions are light and acceptably precise; and the driving position is excellent.” —C/D, June 1970
Datsun PL510 Base: $2035 Engine: SOHC 8-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 96 hp; 4-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 14.3 sec, 1/4-Mile: 19.5 sec @ 69 mph
“Engineering refinements such as the overhead-cam engine and independent rear suspension aren’t used on many cars that claim to be sports cars, let alone budget sedans.” —C/D, April 1968
Dodge Charger Base: $4359 Engine: pushrod 7.0-liter V-8, 425 hp; 3-speed automatic Performance: 60 mph: 4.8 sec, 1/4-Mile: 13.5 sec @ 105 mph
“The Hemi propelled the Charger through the quartermile traps at just over 105 mph, covering the distance in 13.5 seconds—not bad for a 4346-pound test weight.” —C/D, November 1967
Ford Mustang Boss 302 Base: $3720 Engine: pushrod 16-valve 4.9-liter V-8, 290 hp; 4-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 6.5 sec, 1/4-Mile: 14.9 sec @ 93 mph
“The Boss 302 is the best-handling Ford ever to come out of Dearborn and may just be the new standard by which everything from Detroit must be judged.” —C/D, June 1969
Mazda RX-2 coupe Base: $2799 Engine: 1.1-liter two-rotor Wankel, 120 hp; 4-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 9.5 sec, 1/4-Mile: 17.1 sec @ 81 mph
“Its long suit is power. Just stand on the gas and pull the lever when the needle points to 7000 rpm.” —C/D, December 1971
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Base: $4305 Engine: pushrod 16-valve 6.6-liter V-8, 345 hp; 4-speed manual Performance: 60 mph: 5.7 sec, 1/4-Mile: 14.1 sec @ 103 mph
“Although the Trans Am handles like a racing car, it doesn’t ride like one.” —C/D, June 1970 All base prices correspond to the 1970 model year.
