We’ve hosted some of the greatest models of the ’70s at Windrush’s classic car storage in central London and the Cotswolds. From the scissor-doored cool of the Lamborghini Countach to the urban grit of the Ford Capri, here are ten favourites from a true golden age of motoring.
Lamborghini Countach
Model run: 1974-1990
Launch spec: 3.9-litre V12 engine, 375HP, 186MPH top speed
What made it special: The space-age styling of the Italian design house Bertone and the first scissor doors ever seen on a production car. Was this the first supercar? The debate rages on…
Lotus Esprit
Model run: 1976-2004
Launch spec: 907 4-cylinder engine, 160HP, 133MPH top speed
What made it special: Giorgetto Giugiaro’s dramatic polygonal wedge design, so futuristic it was nicknamed ‘the silver car’. James Bond drove one underwater in The Spy Who Loved Me.
Aston Martin Vantage
Model run: 1977-1989
Launch spec: 5.3-litre V8, 390BHP, 170MPH top speed
What made it special: Style and pace that saw the Vantage dubbed Britain’s first supercar – and adopted by Bond in 1987’s The Living Daylights. The Vantage name still excites drivers to this day and the name remains in production.
Porsche 911 Turbo
Model run: 1975-1977
Launch spec: 3.0-litre engine, 260HP, 155MPH top speed
What made it special: The original turbocharged 911, leaving its normally aspirated older brother on the starting line. The Porsche Turbo is, arguably, the most famous of all supercars, and continues to command respect.
Ferrari 308 GTB
Model run: 1975-1985
Launch spec: V8 mid-engined, 252BHP, 157MPH top speed
What made it special: Revolutionary fibreglass body and the spiritual forefather of Ferrari’s classics to come. Star status confirmed as the company car of TV detective Magnum P.I.
BMW 3.0CSL
Model run: 1972-1977
Launch spec: 3-litre 6-cylinder engine, 197BHP, 133MPH top speed
What made it special: Lightweight, aerodynamic styling that helped win the European Touring Car Championship six times. Known as ‘The Batmobile’ the 3.0 CSL is one of BMWs finest moments.
Citroën SM
Model run: 1970-1975
Launch spec: 2.7-litre V6 engine, 178 BHP, 142MPH top speed
What made it special: Head-turning Gallic style courtesy of Citroën’s chief designer Robert Opron, fused with high performance via a Maserati V6. Très chic.
Range Rover
Model run: 1970-1994
Launch spec: 3.5-litre V8 engine, 130BHP, 96MPH top speed
What made it special: Billed as ‘a car for all reasons’, pairing the Land Rover’s go-anywhere 4×4 traction with unprecedented sophistication about town. Remains the king of luxury off-roaders.
Mercedes Benz-450SEL 6.9
Model run: 1975-1981
Launch spec: 6.8-litre V8, 286BHP, 140MPH top speed
What made it special: The biggest engine of any non-US postwar production car, along with handling that allowed it to be “tossed it about like a Mini” (in the words of motoring journalist David E. Davis). Star of the famous car chase in the film Ronin.
Ford Capri MkI
Model run: 1969-1986
Launch spec: 1.3-litre Ford Kent engine, 72BHP, 100MPH top speed
What made it special: Strictly speaking, the MkI was launched in 1969, but nothing bottles the ’70s vibe better. No wonder the iconic ’78 3.0S model driven by Bodie in The Professionals went for a world-record £55,000 at auction…
Choose Windrush for your classic car storage
Whether you’re driving one of these icons – or anything else – we’re proud to offer the complete classic car storage solution at Windrush. Following a thorough twelve-step induction, we’ll settle your vehicle in a dehumidified, climate-controlled indoor storage bay, maintained with 24/7 security, twice-daily checks and weekly battery and drip tray inspections. Plus, every 60 days, we’ll give your car an expert maintenance checkover and run it up to temperature on our internal rolling road. Whether you’re based in the countryside, or looking for classic car storage in London, your historic vehicle couldn’t be in better hands.
To discover more about Windrush’s classic car storage, get in touch.
