The sports cars of the 70s are remembered for much more than speed and beauty. They carry stories, styles and even a certain rebelliousness. But amidst so many striking models, some have ended up in the shadows – victims of a car market which hasn’t always been fair.
These cars, with their bold designs and personality, had everything to shine. But they were overshadowed by more popular models or those with more marketing money. In this article, we’ll revisit these forgotten coupés and understand why they deserve a prominent place in the memory of any car enthusiast.
In the 1970s, sports cars had a soul. Each model seemed to have been made for a specific type of driver. Today, many of them have become objects of desire among collectors and enthusiasts – and rightly so.
The golden age of coupés: The automotive context of the 1970s
If you lived through the 1970s with an eye to the asphalt, you’d know: it was a true golden age for the coupes. sports coupes. But it was also a period of intense transition, with the oil crisis changing everything – from the way a car was designed to the priorities of those who bought one.
What used to be pure power and presence now also demanded efficiency and innovation. And this shaped a generation of cars that managed to combine style, performance and technical intelligence.
The impact of the oil crisis on the development of coupés
A oil crisis of 1973 hit like a handbrake pulled in the middle of a curve. Manufacturers had to rethink their strategies overnight.
- Heavy investment in more economical engines
- Aerodynamic designs designed to cut through the air more efficiently
- Lighter materials that helped with fuel consumption without compromising on looks
The evolution of automotive design and technology in the 1970s
With less fuel came more creativity. A 70s was an open-air laboratory: new materials, more futuristic lines, and very daring concepts. It was beauty meeting function – something that many cars today try to replicate, but few succeed with such personality.
The Brazilian sports car market in the 1970s
While muscle cars and coupés were gaining fame abroad, the Brazil was also doing well. Amid import restrictions and creativity on the rise, brands such as Puma e Miura they knew how to make milk out of stone – or rather, dream fiberglass.
The national models had soul, presence and that artisanal charm that wins anyone over. Two examples stand out:
- Puma GTBA Brazilian supercar with a Chevrolet engine
- Miura SportA fiber coupe that defied imports
National pearls: Brazilian coupés that deserved more recognition
If there is an underrated chapter in our automotive history, it is certainly written by these brazilian coupés. Cars with sharp design, distinctive construction and surprising performance, but which were almost ignored – due to lack of media, support from automakers or simply because they were ahead of their time.
A great example is the Puma GTB. With a Chevrolet engine and a real sporty feel, it is still considered one of the most imposing cars Brazil has ever produced. Find out more about the Puma GTB.
Puma GTB: The Brazilian supercar with a Chevrolet engine
Launched in the 1970s and produced until the 1980s, the Puma GTB was the kind of car that would turn necks in the street. Its robust look and the roar of the Chevrolet engine delivered presence and power. It wasn’t just a pretty car – it was a national project with the soul of a muscle car.
As a collector I met at an event said: “The GTB was our Camaro, with a very Brazilian spice.”
Miura Sport: The fiber coupe that defied imports
Who has seen one Miura Sport running knows: it looked like something out of a science fiction movie. With a fiber body and futuristic features, the Miura took on the imported brands with courage and a lot of creativity.
Light, agile and with a style that still draws attention today, it was a symbol of national boldness. A true cry for independence on four wheels.
Santa Matilde SM4.1: Luxury and sophistication made in Brazil
Imagine a Brazilian car with a finish worthy of a European, comfortable seats and a look that will make you sigh. That was the Santa Matilde SM4.1. Produced with a focus on luxury and exclusivity, it was one of the few Brazilian cars to bet heavily on this segment.
“It’s one of the most sophisticated cars ever made in Brazil,” says a collector from Minas Gerais, who keeps an impeccable model in his garage.
VW SP2: Revolutionary design, but with a timid engine
Anyone who lived through the 1970s automotive scene in Brazil has certainly heard of the VW SP2. It was unlike anything Volkswagen had ever done here. Low lines, elegant curves and a style that could easily shine at any European car show.
But there was a catch… The look promised speed, but the engine delivered only niceties. Under the hood, the performance didn’t match the visual appeal. Even so, the SP2 won its place among lovers of the brand – and to this day it’s a rare find at classic car gatherings.
This is the kind of car that arouses emotion. And even with its flaws, it represents a time when the national industry dared to go further. The SP2 deserves to be remembered not only for what it was, but for what it symbolized: the will to create something truly ours.
Coupés from the 1970s that were wronged by the international market
The 1970s was fertile ground for the emergence of sports coupes with a lot of personality. It was a time when design spoke loudly, engines roared and aesthetics were almost a declaration of identity.
But not every model managed to shine in the spotlight. Some, even if they were incredible, were swallowed up by factors such as an unstable economy, unfair competition or simply… lack of luck. And here comes the question that every enthusiast has asked themselves: “How come this car didn’t become an icon?”
Alfa Romeo Montreal: The Italian V8 that didn’t stand a chance
O Alfa Romeo Montreal is the kind of car that makes any enthusiast sigh. Launched in 1970, it had a 2.6 V8 engine and a breathtaking design. It was pure Italian charm, with a hint of aggression and a rumble that made your heart beat faster.
But fate was not kind. A oil crisis of 1973 cooled the market and, with heavy competition from German brands, the Montreal ended up on the sidelines. An injustice? Undoubtedly. But today, anyone who finds one of these well preserved knows they’re looking at a rarity with soul.
Maserati Khamsin: The futurist who was born at the wrong time
Some cars seem to have come out of the future. O Maserati Khamsin was one of those. Created between 1974 and 1982, it bore the unmistakable signature of Marcello Gandini – the same genius behind the Lamborghini Countach. That alone was enough to attract attention, but the Khamsin went further.
With a V8 engine with respect, refined aerodynamics and technical solutions well ahead of its time, it was intended to be a showcase for Italian engineering. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse. The market was beginning to demand efficiency, and the new environmental rules were hitting carmakers hard.
The result? The Khamsin ended up being suffocated by a decade that no longer cared about extravagance. A jewel with the soul of a supercar – but one whose brilliance was overshadowed by the pragmatism of the 70s.
Bitter CD: A German with an Italian soul (and little media)
If you’ve never heard of Bitter CDdon’t blame yourself. A lot of people haven’t heard it either. Launched in 1973, it had everything it needed to be a success: refined design, top-notch finish and that perfect balance between sportiness and class.
But Bitter was a small manufacturer, with little marketing capacity and limited production. And in the automotive world, that weighs heavily. Even so, anyone who has had the chance to drive one, or even see one live, knows: the Bitter CD was a car that deserved much more prominence than it got.
Jensen Interceptor: The perfect match that the world ignored
O Jensen Interceptor is one of those cars that had it all: imposing looks, a luxurious interior and a Chrysler V8 engine that made the car rumble like a true American muscle car. But it was British – and that made it even more interesting.
Between 1966 and 1976, it tried to carve out its own space. But it stumbled over reliability problems and the unpredictability of the market. And, of course, the oil crisis once again took its toll. Still, anyone who knows anything about the subject knows: the Interceptor was an ambitious project, full of personality.
These three models didn’t fail for lack of quality. They failed because they were born at the wrong time, in the wrong place. And that’s why, for those who are passionate about real cars, they’re not failures – they’re rare gems waiting to be rediscovered.
Want to know more stories like these? Click here and discover other incredible models that made their mark – even if they didn’t take the spotlight.
Why didn’t these models achieve the success they deserved?
It’s curious to think how such incredible cars have been left out of the limelight. The truth is that, in addition to beauty and performance, the success of a model depends a lot on external factors – and in the 1970s, there was no shortage of obstacles along the way.
Unfavorable timing: Launches during economic crises
Imagine launching a powerful and expensive car in the middle of a global oil crisis. Bad timing, right? Many of these coupés appeared at the worst possible time, when the market demanded economy, not extravagance.
Production and distribution challenges faced by manufacturers
Making a car is one thing. Getting it out into the world is quite another. Several of these brands had difficulties scaling up production, finding reliable suppliers and distributing the vehicles internationally. The result? Incredible models, but limited range.
The shadow of the big brands: Unequal competition in the market
How do you compete with Porsche, Mercedes or Ferrari? The answer: with a lot of effort – and even then, it was rare to win. The independent coupés or small automakers simply didn’t get the same space in the media or at dealerships.
Mechanical and reliability problems that affected reputation
Unfortunately, not every beautiful car is reliable. Some of these models faced recurring technical problems: overheating, fragile parts, or over-complicated maintenance. This has caused many consumers to give up before even giving it a chance.
Even so, time has been kind to them. What was a failure became a charm. What was forgotten became cult.
The rebirth of the wronged: How these coupés became collector’s icons
Today, these forgotten coupés are back in the spotlight – but in a different way. They are now coveted by collectorsvalued at auctions and celebrated at classic car gatherings around the world.
Models such as VW Beetle, Opal e Chevettefor example, have already seen price increases of up to 300%. And it’s no exaggeration: the market for classics is hotter than ever.
If you’re just starting out in this world, it’s worth understanding the difference between restoring and preserving an old car. This decision can completely change the history (and value) of your vehicle.
More than collectibles, these coupes are living testimonies of an era. Every line of the body, every detail of the dashboard, tells a story – of innovation, daring and, above all, passion.