Five of the very best cars in the UK from the 1970s!

The 1970s was a bit of a golden decade for British motoring - with a wide variety of vehicles available, from sensible saloons to daring sports tourers, there was certainly a lot of choice out there. Whether you were after a family-friendly practical car (probably in brown) or a dose of high-speed glamour (quite likely in yellow), there was definitely something for everyone.

Let’s take a look at five of the best British cars from this time in history!

No list of 1970s British cars would be complete without the Ford Cortina! The ‘everyman’s favourite’, it was Britain’s best-selling car for much of the decade, loved by company reps and families alike. The Mark III, introduced in 1970, featured coke-bottle styling and a wide range of engine options, from the modest 1.3 litre to the sporty 2.0 litre Pinto. While it was never a performance beast, the 2.0 litre version could manage a respectable top speed of around 100mph. The Cortina was praised for its comfortable ride, decent fuel economy and its low running costs - what more could you want? 

2. The Vauxhall Viva

Compact yet capable, the Vauxhall Viva might not get pulses racing, but it was a solid little runner that helped keep Britain moving. The HC generation, launched in 1970, was a tidy two or four-door saloon (with estate options too), featuring engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 litres. The range-topping 1800 GT had a snappy performance for its size, with a top speed of around 100mph. What made the Viva special was its affordability and reliability - it was a proper no-fuss car for the everyday driver. Plus, it shared underpinnings with the Firenza, giving birth to some wilder, sportier cousins later on. Its sharp handling also made it a favourite with driving schools and young families.

3. The Jaguar XJ-S

A roaring car with a bit of a bite. Launched in 1975 as a successor to the E-Type, the Jaguar XJ-S had big shoes to fill - and while it didn’t get universal acclaim at first, it did eventually became a bit of a classic. Powered by a mighty 5.3 litre V12 engine, the early XJ-S could hit 60mph in just under 7 seconds and top out at around 150mph - amazing for the time!

It was designed more for refined cruising rather than track thrills, with a sleek, low-slung silhouette and a plush leather interior. One quirky feature was the flying buttress rear pillars, which divided opinion but certainly made the car stand out. The XJ-S went on to enjoy a long production run, proving its staying power despite a somewhat rocky start.

4. The Reliant Scimitar GTE

That’s quite a name! The Reliant Scimitar GTE broke the mould when it launched in 1968 and truly came into its own in the next decade. Combining the practicality of an estate with the style and performance of a GT, it was one of the first true sporting estates. With its fibreglass body, Ford-sourced 3.0 litre V6 engine, and a top speed of around 120mph, it offered something genuinely different. Perhaps most famously, Princess Anne was a fan - owning several over the years - which lent the car a certain royal seal of approval. Its combination of interior space and sporting prowess made it a pioneer in its class and a proper head-turner on the road.

5. The Triumph Dolomite 

Last but by no means least, the Triumph Dolomite was a small saloon with a surprising amount of punch. The Dolomite Sprint, introduced in 1973, was a bit of a technological marvel - it was the world’s first production car with a multi-valve engine (a 16-valve 2.0 litre unit, no less). With 127bhp, it could sprint to 60mph in under 9 seconds, putting it well ahead of many rivals. Its top speed was about 115mph, and it handled the road well thanks to a rear wheel drive layout. It had the classy look of a gentleman’s saloon, with the heart of a sports car - and for many fans, it remains one of the finest Triumphs ever built.

We’ve only got room for five here, so what have we missed? Let us know your favourites below!