In Search Of Fun 1970s Vehicles

It was just three weeks ago that I sold my 2023 Camaro.  Nothing was wrong with the car, but I was not driving it much and it no longer held a special place in my heart. This happens often with me, that’s why I am taking some time to ponder what’s next.  My goal is to wait until after winter so that I can enjoy driving it in nice weather.  In the meantime, I am exploring my options!

I have had my fair share of older project vehicles in the past twenty years (see related article below).  It has been a good mix of cars and trucks.  This time around, I am bypassing any projects and going for a good survivor or nice restoration.

Related article: My History Of Fun Vehicles

Basic Parameters

Looking for a good survivor vehicle or one that has seen a good restoration means I don’t want anything needing paint or a mechanical rebuild.  I’m fine if it needs a new interior.  Interior work involving seat upholstery and carpet replacement are straightforward and fun to do.

Like many other car collectors, I favor those that were around when I was in high school.  After all, that was the time I got my driver’s license and found new adventures with driving. Cars from that era bring back so many fun memories as well.

Make/Model/Year

My high school years ran from 1976-1979.  Not exactly the muscle car era, but a time when styling was still great and driving dynamics much improved. Going fast in a straight line was replaced with going fast around corners.

I grew up in a Chevrolet family, so my memories are tied to that brand.  My dad was an engineer for GM, so I got to see and experience some pretty cool stuff.  I also had a behind the scenes look at the engineering that went into those cars and trucks.  Naturally, I will favor a Chevrolet, but I am open to a couple of other vehicle lines.

Let’s take a look at the cars and trucks that are on my shopping radar. I am going to keep an open mind, so this list may change by the time spring rolls around.  The ideal vehicle will have a manual transmission, which may limit my choices.  This hunt is going to be fun!

1976 – 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer

The Blazer is number one on my list, mainly because of my dad’s involvement with the Blazer development.  I covered that in the article Chevrolet Blazer: Once A Proud Name.  

My ideal Blazer is from the 1976 – 1979 model years.  Blazer received the half roof in 1976, which offered better structure and window sealing than prior years.  It also still retained a removable roof.  All Blazers through 1979 also had the round headlamps and carburetion.  GM started playing with electronic fuel control after then.  Outdated and aging fuel injection is not my idea of fun.

Finding a Blazer in good shape, reasonably priced and NOT lifted is going to be a challenge, but I do enjoy a challenge.  Many are going to either be rusted heaps or expensive restorations.

1977 – 1978 Camaro

When I was a senior in high school, we had a 1979 Z28 Camaro.  I loved that car and was bummed when we sold it in 1981.  The guy I sold it to still owns it, but has no plans to give it up (I tried in 2021).

My focus will be on the 1977-1978 models.  I prefer the upswept instrument panel in those cars (1979 cars got a squared instrument panel).  On the day I got my driver’s license in 1977, I got a chance to drive a new 1977 Z28.  That would be the year to get, but production numbers were low that year.  

A nice alternative to the Z28 would be the Rally Sport.  While the suspension was not up to Z28 standards, you could still get the 350 V-8 and a stick.

Related article:  1977: Return Of The Z28 Camaro!

The 1978 model year brought some nice improvements to the Z28, so that might be the correct compromise for my search.

1978 Corvette Pace Car

The Corvette has paced many Indianapolis 500s, but 1978 was the first year.  To commemorate that event, Chevrolet produced 6,502 pace car replicas–one for each Chevrolet dealer.  The black on silver two-tone, pace car decals and silver interior made this car stand out.  Two 350 engines were available, but the high performance L82 would be the prize here.

I have owned two Corvettes in the past, a 1975 C3 and a 1984 C4.  Corvettes are the great performance bargain, but their owners have a reputation for being different.  Not in a good way.

During a recent trip, I stopped at the National Corvette Museum.  In the display, I saw the above pace car.  It really caught my attention, which put it on my car shopping radar.

International Scout

International Harvester built the Scout from 1960 – 1980.  The styling did not change much in that period, so shopping for the right one might be easier.  The Scout was at the leading edge of the SUV segment in the 1960s, coming to market before the Ford Bronco and Blazer.

Like the Blazer, many Scouts are going to be either lifted or rusty heaps.  Nice ones don’t come cheap, and the announcement of the 2027 Scout EVs has reignited excitement in this brand.

It should be easier to find a Scout with a manual transmission, but that might also mean it has a four cylinder engine.  I need to do more research on Scouts, as my only experience was them as competition to the Blazer. My dad brought one home once in the 1970s (he had one in his competitive fleet).  At the time, he described the Scout as “austere.”  Dad liked his creature comforts like power windows and locks.

Final Thoughts

Car shopping is my favorite activity, so I want to savor this time.  I want to think whatever I buy next will be with me for many years, but my history says otherwise.  Who knows what will end up in my garage.  This will be a fun journey!