What is the fastest 1970s car?

The Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 (1976), which reaches 60 mph in 4.41 s. It is the quickest of the 60 cars of the 1970s listed here. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.

Which 1970s car is quickest over the quarter mile?

The Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 again, in 12.69 s at 110.6 mph — it leads both the 0-60 and the quarter mile. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.

Which 1970s car has the highest trap speed?

The Mercedes-Benz C111 at 116.6 mph through the quarter-mile lights. Trap speed tracks power against weight, so it rewards a different car from the one that launches best. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.

How many cars of the 1970s are listed?

60, ranked by simulated 0-60 mph time, from the Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 at 4.41 s to the Iso Rivolta Lele IR6 (329 PS) at 6.94 s.

Are these real measured times?

No. Every figure here is produced by a physics simulation, not by a stopwatch at a drag strip. Each car is modelled from its published kerb mass, rated power, drivetrain and gearing, then trimmed until it reproduces its own published acceleration figures. Because every car is run in identical conditions — dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout — the ranking is a fair comparison even though no individual time is a timing slip.

← My Auto Racer All cars Comparisons Answers 0-60 by make Fastest lists

Fastest cars of the 1970s

The 60 quickest cars of the 1970s to 60 mph in the set. The Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 leads at 4.41 s.

The fastest 1970s car here is the Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 (1976), which reaches 60 mph in 4.41 s and the standing quarter mile in 12.69 s. The highest trap speed of any 1970s car here is the Mercedes-Benz C111’s 116.6 mph.

Simulated, not measured — every car computed from its published kerb mass, rated power and drivetrain, then fitted to its own published acceleration figures. Dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout.

Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 Mercedes-Benz C111

Starts with the quickest here against its closest rival from another marque. Pick any two from the list below, shuffle for a random pair, or change the surface, the weather and the distance once it is running.

Every one, quickest first

#	Car	Year	0–60	1/4 mile	Trap	Power
1	Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355	1976	4.41 s	12.69 s	110.6 mph	350 bhp
2	Mercedes-Benz C111	1970	4.85 s	12.78 s	116.6 mph	345 bhp
3	Aston Martin V8 Vantage 5.3 V8 394	1977	4.89 s	13.19 s	108.6 mph	389 bhp
4	Porsche 911 Turbo (930) 3.0 260	1977	4.95 s	13.75 s	103.1 mph	256 bhp
5	Buick GranSport Stage 1 GS 455	1970	4.97 s	13.67 s	104.4 mph	359 bhp
6	Porsche 911 Carrera RS (901) 2.7 210	1972	4.99 s	13.56 s	103.9 mph	207 bhp
7	Lamborghini Countach LP400	1974	5.00 s	13.21 s	111.4 mph	370 bhp
8	Ferrari 365GT4 BB/ 512BB/ 512 BBi 4.9 B12i 340	1973	5.08 s	13.35 s	110.2 mph	335 bhp
9	Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 930 300 PS	1978	5.10 s	13.51 s	105.4 mph	296 bhp
10	Porsche Carrera RS 3.0	1974	5.14 s	13.69 s	102.7 mph	227 bhp
11	Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 930	1974	5.15 s	13.57 s	105.5 mph	256 bhp
12	Ferrari 512 BB	1976	5.22 s	13.39 s	111.5 mph	355 bhp
13	Ferrari 365GT4 BB/ 512BB/ 512 BBi 4.9 B12 360	1973	5.27 s	13.52 s	109.5 mph	355 bhp
14	Porsche Carrera RS 2.7	1972	5.38 s	13.95 s	101.1 mph	207 bhp
15	Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG	1971	5.40 s	13.68 s	105.9 mph	414 bhp
16	Buick Gran Sport 455 7.5 V8 355	1970	5.43 s	14.22 s	96.6 mph	350 bhp
17	Lamborghini Countach LP400S	1978	5.46 s	13.71 s	108.1 mph	354 bhp
18	Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 320	1971	5.46 s	13.75 s	107.5 mph	316 bhp
19	Porsche 911 Carrera (930) 3.2 231	1973	5.53 s	13.99 s	102.9 mph	228 bhp
20	Plymouth HEMI Cuda	1970	5.60 s	13.66 s	109.2 mph	425 bhp
21	Monteverdi Hai 450 SS	1970	5.61 s	13.78 s	108.1 mph	425 bhp
22	Lamborghini Urraco P300 V8 265	1972	5.64 s	14.15 s	100.5 mph	261 bhp
23	Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 310	1971	5.65 s	13.99 s	105.2 mph	306 bhp
24	Porsche 911 Carrera (930) 3.2 G-Kat 218	1973	5.71 s	14.24 s	100.6 mph	215 bhp
25	Ford XY GTHO PHASE 3	1971	5.75 s	14.39 s	99.6 mph	382 bhp
26	Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 AMG	1971	5.76 s	14.38 s	98.5 mph	315 bhp
27	BMW M1 E26	1978	5.76 s	14.14 s	103.9 mph	274 bhp
28	Ferrari 365 GT4 B/B	1971	5.79 s	13.97 s	107.5 mph	355 bhp
29	Porsche 911 Targa (930) 3.0 180	1974	5.79 s	14.45 s	98.5 mph	177 bhp
30	Aston Martin V8 Vantage	1977	5.97 s	14.25 s	104.2 mph	374 bhp
31	Maserati Bora 4.9	1974	6.01 s	14.32 s	103.8 mph	330 bhp
32	Lamborghini Silhouette P300	1976	6.08 s	14.47 s	101.8 mph	247 bhp
33	Morgan Plus 8 3.5 Mk II	1971	6.09 s	14.46 s	97.3 mph	190 bhp
34	Lamborghini Miura P400SV	1971	6.14 s	13.91 s	112.7 mph	380 bhp
35	Chevrolet Corvette 350 C3 228 PS	1979	6.19 s	14.93 s	94.5 mph	225 bhp
36	Porsche 911 SC	1977	6.21 s	14.77 s	96.8 mph	172 bhp
37	Lamborghini Silhouette P300 3.0 V8	1976	6.21 s	14.63 s	100.2 mph	256 bhp
38	Ford Capri 5.0 V8 250	1978	6.22 s	14.81 s	101.1 mph	247 bhp
39	Chevrolet Corvette 454 C3 279 PS	1973	6.26 s	14.89 s	96.2 mph	275 bhp
40	Ferrari 308 GTB 2.9 V8 240	1975	6.27 s	14.70 s	99.0 mph	240 bhp
41	Porsche 911S Targa	1973	6.28 s	14.86 s	96.3 mph	190 bhp
42	Maserati Khamsin	1974	6.29 s	14.59 s	102.0 mph	316 bhp
43	Lamborghini Urraco P300	1974	6.31 s	14.75 s	99.3 mph	261 bhp
44	Lotus Esprit 2.2 162	1976	6.34 s	14.98 s	95.9 mph	160 bhp
45	Ferrari Dino 308 GT4	1976	6.35 s	14.82 s	97.5 mph	252 bhp
46	Lamborghini Urraco P250	1976	6.36 s	14.88 s	95.8 mph	220 bhp
47	Aston Martin DBS V8	1970	6.36 s	14.79 s	99.2 mph	375 bhp
48	Ferrari 308 GTB	1975	6.40 s	14.77 s	99.1 mph	252 bhp
49	Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport 5.7 V8 305	1971	6.41 s	15.17 s	91.0 mph	300 bhp
50	Ford Mustang BOSS 429	1970	6.44 s	14.50 s	102.7 mph	375 bhp
51	Porsche 911 S 2.4	1971	6.46 s	14.97 s	96.3 mph	188 bhp
52	Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 3.0 V8 205	1973	6.54 s	15.03 s	96.1 mph	205 bhp
53	Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 V8 245	1971	6.64 s	15.01 s	98.7 mph	241 bhp
54	Bristol 411 Series 3 6.3 V8 340	1972	6.68 s	14.76 s	104.5 mph	335 bhp
55	BMW 2002 turbo	1973	6.78 s	15.45 s	92.1 mph	168 bhp
56	BMW 635 CSi (E24) 3.5 218	1978	6.81 s	15.36 s	93.3 mph	215 bhp
57	Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 2.6 V8 200	1976	6.82 s	15.33 s	93.8 mph	197 bhp
58	Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 280	1971	6.84 s	15.09 s	99.4 mph	280 bhp
59	Jensen Interceptor III Six Pack	1972	6.93 s	15.40 s	93.3 mph	385 bhp
60	Iso Rivolta Lele IR6 (329 PS)	1974	6.94 s	15.55 s	91.7 mph	325 bhp

Tap + on any two rows to put them on the line together, or the name for that car’s own figures.

Questions

What is the fastest 1970s car?: The Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 (1976), which reaches 60 mph in 4.41 s. It is the quickest of the 60 cars of the 1970s listed here. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
Which 1970s car is quickest over the quarter mile?: The Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 again, in 12.69 s at 110.6 mph — it leads both the 0-60 and the quarter mile. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
Which 1970s car has the highest trap speed?: The Mercedes-Benz C111 at 116.6 mph through the quarter-mile lights. Trap speed tracks power against weight, so it rewards a different car from the one that launches best. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
How many cars of the 1970s are listed?: 60, ranked by simulated 0-60 mph time, from the Lotus Esprit 3.5 V8 355 at 4.41 s to the Iso Rivolta Lele IR6 (329 PS) at 6.94 s.
Are these real measured times?: No. Every figure here is produced by a physics simulation, not by a stopwatch at a drag strip. Each car is modelled from its published kerb mass, rated power, drivetrain and gearing, then trimmed until it reproduces its own published acceleration figures. Because every car is run in identical conditions — dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout — the ranking is a fair comparison even though no individual time is a timing slip.

Figures regenerated 2026-10-12. Every number on this page is computed by the simulator at build time, so the page and the app can never disagree.