While the 50s and 60s were golden years for the Big 3 auto manufacturers––General Motors Company (GM), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Ford Motor Company––during the 70s, these automakers took a bit of a tumble. Advances in manufacturing and engineering positioned the companies for exciting new releases, but also for potential disasters.

While many 1977 cars are now well-loved

classic cars

, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, according to

Supercars

, automakers were faced with a host of lawsuits in that year, including the Ford Pinto needing to be recalled due to

safety issues

, as well as the GM Oldsmobile scandal, in which GM admitted to installing Chevrolet engines into their own vehicles.

Despite these pitfalls, 1977 was a great year for cars, creating some of the most memorable models ever. Here are some top picks from that iconic year, perfect for any die-hard classic car fan.

1997 model year classic automobiles have some legendary icons from automobile history.

Some 1977 cars like the Aston Martin V8 Vantage were powerful

According to

Supercars

, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage was a particularly powerful model, with an “exceptionally reliable and robust” V8 engine. Announced on February 18, 1977, this model boasted a 40% increase in power and a 10% increase in torque.

This car has a top speed of 170 mph, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.3 seconds. The car was equipped with design features that improved its aerodynamics, to accommodate its high speeds and power increase.

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1977 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser: The ultimate classic car

MORE: Which Classic Car Best Represents You? Zodiac Edition

This B-Body wagon is woodgrain-trimmed and just about as classic as a car can get. With a vinyl interior, cornering lights, and an AM/FM 8-track stereo, this model is bound to transport you back to the 70s.

With a fairly powerful 403 4V V8 engine and a nostalgic tan or light brown color, this model is “all the better to keep the kiddies entertained and the parents relatively stress-free,” according to

Curbside Classic

The 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 comes back

The Z28 Chevrolet Camaro model was briefly resurrected in 1977, after Chevrolet stopped producing it for two seasons. This model was brought back after Chevrolet executives decided that their lineup had nothing that could sufficiently rival Pontiac’s 1977 hit model, the Firebird Trans Am, according to Supercars.

1977 cars with elegance: The Maserati Kyalami

Another

Supercars

pick, this model was released as a “transition model,” despite having serious style of its own. With a 4.2 L V8 engine, the Kyalami had 265 horsepower and could hit a top speed of 146 mph. With a plush interior, this model was supremely comfortable and elegant, with seats covered in luxurious Connolly leather and a suede dashboard.

Only 200 of these classic cars were produced, and production was halted in 1983, making this a valuable model.

1977 Cadillac Coupe DeVille: A top pick for classic cars

A classic car from 1977, the Cadillac Coupe DeVille is Curbside Classic’s top pick of C-Body 2-door models from that year. This model offers power, with its a Cadillac 425 V8 engine, as well as elegance, with old-school blue leather reclining seats, wire wheel covers, and an Astroroof.

Some other classic cars manufactured in 1977 include the Panther 6, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (yes, that very same car that the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was built to compete with), the Pontiac Bonneville, the Buick Electra 225, as well as many other memorable classic models from that year.

If you are looking into or taking care of a classic auto, you’ll need insurance coverage that has your back. The auto insurance experts at Jerry use AI to compare the 50 top insurance companies across the nation.

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Classic Cars

Written By

Lisa Steuer McArdle · Expert Insurance Writer

Lisa Steuer McArdle is an insurance writer with over 15 years of experience writing and editing content in a variety of industries, including insurance and personal finance. Lisa specializes in taking deep dives into make and model-specific content that helps car owners and buyers make solid money-saving choices. Lisa has written over 350 articles for Jerry on topics including electric vehicles to classic cars. Before joining Jerry, Lisa worked in various aspects of the printing industry as a content writer, developer, and editor and earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Lycoming College.

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