Cars today often share the same look. They follow the same lines and the same tech. Buyers see fewer differences from one model to the next. We all miss the days when each car had its own style. In the 1970s, designers gave shape to ideas. They made cars that stood out. Drivers felt a bond with their machines. They chose cars for their looks as much as their performance. Today, those classic lines still turn heads. And some of those cars now cost less than a modern SUV payment.Collectors usually pay big money for the fastest or rarest classic cars. But plenty of beautiful 1970s cars remain affordable. They show off curved fenders, long hoods, and simple interiors. Some stick to stock parts. Others wear period-correct upgrades. All of them offer a taste of a freer design era. Enthusiasts can buy these cars for under $20,000. They can enjoy classic style without a big bill.This list covers ten cars that first rolled off the line between 1970 and 1979. It focuses on looks over raw speed. Each model’s price is based on Classic.com averages based on cars sold in the last five years. The article uses either the Market Benchmark (CMB) or the average sale price from recent auction and sale listings. All entries have a benchmark under $20,000 as of mid-2025. Where no CMB exists, the list uses average sale figures. This method ensures each car on the list truly offers affordable classic style. Mercedes-Benz 350SL (R107) (1971–1980) Average Used Price: $19,200 via Mercedes-Benz The R107 350SL pairs refined German build with clean, almost minimalist styling. Its long hood houses a 3.5-liter V8 pushing about 200 horsepower through a smooth four-speed automatic. The removable hardtop gives it a coupe profile when installed, while the roadster top tucks neatly away for open-air motoring. Chrome trim stays restrained, outlining the greenhouse and bumpers without fuss. From any angle, the 350SL looks balanced and poised.Inside, the cabin centers on clear, round gauges set in a simple dash. The thick-rimmed steering wheel delivers direct feedback, and supportive seats in vinyl or leather hold occupants comfortably on long drives. Suspension tuning favors a supple ride yet resists body roll in sweeping turns. Owners praise the longevity of the Bosch fuel-injection system, though they warn to inspect rocker panels and frame rails for rust. Active Mercedes clubs supply parts, DIY guides, and tech sessions on everything from injector rebuilds to wiring-harness repairs. Fiat 124 Sport Spider (1967–1975) Average Used Price: $18,800 Bring A Trailer Pininfarina’s design gives the Fiat 124 Sport Spider taut fastback lines and slender chrome bumpers that never overpower its profile. A twin-cam inline-four (1.4–1.8 L, up to 115 hp in later models) sings through dual carburetors and a five-speed gearbox. The body sits low, with crisp creases running from hood to decklid. Combined with that lean stance, the coupe delivers a distinctly Italian flair on any street.The cabin feels purposeful: a slim wood-rim wheel, clear tach and speedo, and bucket seats with just enough bolster. Controls stay mechanical and direct—no fussy electronics to go wrong. The car’s featherlight chassis and responsive throttle are a recipe for fun on the back roads. Rust in sills and wheel arches demands attention, but specialist suppliers stock correct trim, seals, and engine gaskets. Owners trade tips on valve-clearance checks and carb-jetting to balance everyday reliability with spirited driving. Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible (1971–1980) Average Used Price: $18,000 BaT The Super Beetle Convertible keeps the Bug’s iconic curves and adds a folding canvas top plus an elongated nose to house MacPherson struts. Its air-cooled 1.6-liter flat-four musters about 60 horsepower – modest by any measure, yet it delivers a happy, rumbling soundtrack that suits relaxed countryside runs or beach-town cruises. The top goes down in seconds and stows cleanly behind the rear seats.Inside, a large central speedometer lives above a bare-bones dash, flanked by fuel and oil gauges. Seats adjust simply and cushion just enough for short jaunts. According to owners posting on Reddit, rust in floor pans and torque boxes needs early attention; convertible-top seals often require replacement. Fortunately, Volkswagen parts remain plentiful, and clubs host weekend workshops on floor-pan welding, carb rebuilding, and top-frame refurbishment. Toyota Celica ST – 1st Gen (1971–1977) Average Used Price: $17,100 Bring A Trailer Toyota’s first-generation Celica ST blends sporty European cues with Japanese reliability. The fastback silhouette, pop-up headlights (’74+), and subtle front grille give it a purposeful look. Under the hood, a 1.9-liter inline-four makes about 97 horsepower and links to a five-speed manual with precise gate-style shifts. On the road, the Celica feels eager, with responsive steering and firm suspension that keeps body roll in check.Inside, a squared-off dash holds clear, rectangular gauges; cloth-upholstered bucket seats support the driver during cornering. Folding rear seats add cargo flexibility, and simple rocker-panel construction hides rust-prone areas only if treated early. Timing-belt changes every 60,000 miles are critical, and owner forums share step-by-step guides for replacing belts, hoses, and suspension bushings. For enthusiasts who want ’70s style without a weekend-long rebuild, the Celica ST makes a strong case. MGB GT (1965–1981) Average Used Price: $12,700 Bring A Trailer The MGB GT takes the classic roadster chassis and adds a Pininfarina hatchback body, giving it extra cargo room behind folding rear seats. Its 1.8-liter pushrod four turns out around 95 horsepower through a four-speed manual with optional overdrive. Rubber bumpers on later models add that unmistakable ’70s look, while early cars wear chrome. Simple wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle keep the car light and nimble.The interior carries classic Smiths gauges, a thin-rimmed wood wheel, and vinyl seats that wear well. The hatchback design boosts practicality, inviting drivers to load weekend gear or a set of golf clubs. As with many '70s classics, rust in sills, bulkheads, and chassis rails demands early attention. For those seeking British character and hatchback utility at a modest price, the MGB GT still fits the bill. Datsun 240Z (Nissan) (1969–1973) Average Used Price: $17,500 Nissan The Datsun 240Z arrived in the U.S. as an affordable sports car that outshone many pricier rivals. Its long hood, fastback rear, and slim chrome bumpers give it a sleek, balanced look. Beneath the bonnet sits a 2.4-liter SOHC inline-six making about 151 horsepower – smooth, rev-happy, and paired to a five-speed manual that feels precise and engaging.Inside, the cockpit features three pod-style gauges angled toward the driver, simple rocker switches, and comfortable bucket seats. Disc brakes at all four corners help rein in the Z’s spirited power. Rust shows up in the rocker panels and rear quarter seams, but reliable repro panels and inner sills are widely available. Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1968–1982) Average Used Price: $18,500 Via: Mecum Auction The third-generation Corvette, known as the C3, stretched America’s sports-car image to new extremes with its “shark” body lines, T-top roof panels, and fender-flared hips. Early models carry chrome bumpers; later cars sport integrated urethane to meet safety rules. Under the hood, small-block V8s ranged from 350 to 400 cubic inches, delivering 200–300 horsepower in stock tune.The cockpit puts driver and passenger low to the pavement, behind a dashboard of simple analog gauges and a chunky steering wheel. The T-tops pop out for weather-flexible open-air driving while the Corvette’s power-to-weight thrills on launches. Common rust areas include the door bottoms and windshield frame, though aftermarket repro glass and panels make repair straightforward. Ford Mustang II (1974–1978) Average Used Price: $12,000 va Bring A Trailer During the energy-crisis era, Ford shrank its pony car into the Mustang II. It traded big-block grill presence for a more compact body, sloping hood, and squared-off tail. Although its 2.3-liter four or optional 2.8-liter V6 produced modest power (around 88–120 hp), the Mustang II Cobra II and Ghia trim added sporty stripes, scoops, and spoilers to lift its curb appeal.Inside, simple bucket seats, a floor-mounted shifter, and basic gauges give a no-frills feel. Steering is light, and the suspension offers a comfortable ride. Enthusiasts note that swapping in Fox-body components – like disc brakes or tighter-ratio steering racks – can sharpen its handling. Rust crops up in quarter panels and rockers, but reproduction sheet metal and bracket kits make patching easy. As the least-expected member of the Mustang family, the Mustang II brings quirky ’70s style without a big price tag. Porsche 924 (1976–1988) Average Used Price: $10,500 Bring A Trailer Porsche’s entry-level 924 drew mixed reviews on launch, but its balance and styling have gained fans over time. The long, sloping hood and pop-up headlamps give it a purposeful, aerodynamic look. A front-mounted 2.0-liter inline-four (shared with Audi) makes about 95 horsepower early on, rising to 125 hp in later fuel-injected models.Behind the wheel, the 924 feels tight and precise. The transverse engine layout gives nearly 50/50 weight distribution. The five-speed manual snakes through a short-throw gearbox, and four-wheel disc brakes stop confidently. Interiors are simple – cloth seats, a small-diameter wheel, and an uncluttered dash. For drivers seeking a lightweight, balanced Porsche with surprisingly low ownership costs, the 924 offers a clear path into the marque’s world. Jaguar XJ-S (1975–1996) Average Used Price: $14,000 YouTubeJaguar’s XJ-S coupe carried the brand’s grand-tourer legacy into the ’70s with a long hood, tapering fastback roof, and buttressed C-pillars. Its early 5.3-liter V12 churned out around 285 horsepower, while later six-cylinder models offered lighter, simpler upkeep with about 160 hp from a 3.6-liter straight-six.The cabin wraps passengers in wood veneer, leather seats, and an analog gauge cluster framed by a padded dash. Ride quality leans toward luxury – those long spring rates soak freeway cracks – yet the XJ-S can hustle when called upon. Common issues include leaky V12 head gaskets and rust in the battery tray area.