Top 10 Sports Cars 1970 — Best Overall + Best Value

*Published June 15, 2026 | Updated June 15, 2026*

Direct Answer

The best sports car of 1970 was the Datsun 240Z, a clean-sheet Japanese coupe with a 2.4-liter inline-six, taut handling, and genuine 911-bothering pace for $3,526 — a price that rewrote the rulebook for the affordable sports car. Our Best Overall pick goes to the 240Z because nothing else in 1970 blended performance, reliability, style, and price so completely.

Our Best Value pick was the Triumph TR6, a handsome British roadster with a 2.5-liter six and an open top for just $3,275 — the cheapest way into a real six-cylinder sports car that year. Both have aged into beloved collector pieces.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We scored every contender against the standards of its day, weighted toward what mattered most to a 1970 buyer who wanted a true sports car rather than a muscle car. Our weighting:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: steering feel, balance, and how alive each car felt on a back road.
• Performance — 20%: engine output, 0-60 mph times, and real-world period road-test results.
• Value in period — 15%: what the 1970 MSRP bought you against rivals.
• Reliability — 15%: how dependable each car was when new, by the standards of 1970.
• Style and legacy — 10%: design impact then and the place each model holds in history.
• Collectibility now — 10%: how desirable and valuable each has become today.

Sources for ratings and data included period road tests from *Road and Track* and *Car and Driver*, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Bring a Trailer auction results, Sports Car Market, and the relevant Wikipedia model pages and factory specifications.

1. Datsun 240Z 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1970 MSRP: $3,526 | Best for: the enthusiast who wanted Porsche feel without Porsche money

The 1970 Datsun 240Z was the car that changed everything. Its 2.4-liter SOHC inline-six produced 151 horsepower, sent through a four-speed manual to the rear wheels, and *Road and Track* clocked 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds toward a top speed near 125 mph. What stunned the world was the whole package: independent rear suspension, a long-hood fastback shape, and a build quality that embarrassed the British roadsters it undercut on price.

Today a clean Series 1 240Z is a six-figure car, with one pristine example selling on Bring a Trailer for $310,000 — extraordinary appreciation for a car that launched at under $3,600.

Pros:

• Smooth, torquey 151 hp inline-six that loved to rev.
• Genuinely modern handling with all-independent suspension.
• Reliability that humiliated its European rivals.
• A price that put real sports-car performance within reach of the middle class.

Cons:

• Early cars rusted with enthusiasm.
• Cabin trim and switchgear were merely adequate.

Verdict: The definitive sports car of 1970 and the clear Best Overall — it democratized performance and started a dynasty.

2. Porsche 911S 2.2

1970 MSRP: $8,700 (approximately) | Best for: the purist chasing the ultimate driver's car

The 1970 Porsche 911S stepped up to a 2.2-liter flat-six making 180 horsepower, fed through a five-speed gearbox to the rear wheels in classic tail-heavy 911 fashion. It was quick — roughly 0-60 mph in 8 seconds — but the real magic was the steering, brakes, and the way the chassis communicated every inch of road.

It was the priciest car on this list and demanded skill to exploit, yet it rewarded that skill like nothing else. Early 2.2-liter 911S coupes are now blue-chip collector cars worth deep into six figures.

Pros:

• Sublime, telepathic steering and chassis feel.
• Free-revving 180 hp flat-six with a glorious soundtrack.
• Five-speed gearbox and superb brakes.
• Bulletproof engineering and rock-solid resale.

Cons:

• The tail-happy handling could bite the unwary.
• By far the priciest car here when new.

Verdict: The driver's choice of 1970 — a masterclass in feel that only narrowly trails the 240Z on outright value.

3. Chevrolet Corvette C3 (LT-1)

1970 MSRP: $5,192 (coupe) | Best for: the American who wanted small-block fireworks

The 1970 Corvette C3 in LT-1 trim was the high-water mark of the early small-block era. Its solid-lifter 350-cubic-inch V8 made 370 horsepower, ripping 0-60 mph in about 5.7 seconds and the quarter mile in the low 14s — comfortably the fastest car here. Rear-drive, fiberglass-bodied, and dramatically styled with its Coke-bottle hips, the C3 looked like nothing else on the road.

The LT-1 is the C3 connoisseur's pick today and commands a strong premium over base small-block cars.

Pros:

• 370 hp LT-1 small-block with race-bred internals.
• Brutal straight-line speed, the quickest car here.
• Unmistakable, dramatic American styling.
• Strong, climbing collector values for LT-1 cars.

Cons:

• Heavier and less nimble than the European and Japanese roadsters.
• Build quality and interior ergonomics were patchy.

Verdict: The performance champ and a styling icon, just held back from the top spots by weight and finesse.

4. Jaguar E-Type Series 2

1970 MSRP: $5,725 (approximately) | Best for: the romantic who wanted the most beautiful car money could buy

In 1970 the E-Type was still a Series 2 with the 4.2-liter DOHC inline-six rated around 240-plus horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed and capable of 0-60 mph in roughly 7 seconds. Enzo Ferrari reportedly called it the most beautiful car ever made, and even with the Series 2's larger bumpers it remained achingly elegant.

It offered grand-touring pace, four-wheel disc brakes, and independent rear suspension at a price well under the Mercedes and Porsche. Values have soared, with the roadsters leading a strongly appreciating market.

Pros:

• One of the most beautiful shapes in automotive history.
• Torquey 4.2-liter six with effortless grand-touring pace.
• Four-wheel discs and independent rear suspension.
• Blue-chip collectibility, especially for roadsters.

Cons:

• British electrics and cooling needed attention.
• Series 2 styling tweaks dilute the early cars' purity for some.

Verdict: The most gorgeous car of 1970 and a fine GT, narrowly behind on the all-rounder and reliability scores.

5. Triumph TR6 💎 BEST VALUE

1970 MSRP: $3,275 | Best for: the buyer who wanted an open six-cylinder roadster for the least money

The 1970 Triumph TR6 was the value champion of the year. Its 2.5-liter OHV inline-six made 106 horsepower in US carbureted form, good for 0-60 mph in about 10.7 seconds and a 109-mph top speed, with four-wheel independent suspension and front disc brakes. The Karmann-restyled body gave it a square-jawed look that has aged beautifully, and at $3,275 it undercut nearly everything here while still offering a real six-cylinder and a proper folding top.

Today good examples trade in the mid-teens to low-$20,000s — affordable classic fun with strong parts support.

Pros:

• The lowest entry price of any six-cylinder sports car here.
• Handsome, square-shouldered Karmann styling.
• Four-wheel independent suspension and front discs.
• Excellent parts availability and a huge owner community.

Cons:

• US emissions carbs sapped power versus European injected cars.
• Lucas electrics demand patience.

Verdict: The clear Best Value of 1970 — the cheapest path to a genuine open six-cylinder sports car, and a joy today.

6. Porsche 914/6

1970 MSRP: $6,000 (approximately) | Best for: the handling fanatic who valued balance over badge

The mid-engined 1970 Porsche 914/6 borrowed the 911T's 2.0-liter flat-six, making 125 horsepower behind the seats for near-perfect weight distribution. It managed 0-60 mph in about 8.7 seconds, but the numbers undersold it — the mid-engine layout gave it balance and agility that humbled cars with far more power.

The targa top added open-air appeal. Long dismissed as the cheap Porsche, the 914/6 has finally earned respect and now commands serious money.

Pros:

• Mid-engine balance and razor-sharp handling.
• Porsche flat-six soundtrack and engineering.
• Removable targa top for open-air motoring.
• Sharply rising collector interest.

Cons:

• Modest straight-line speed for the money.
• The four-cylinder versions diluted the model's image at the time.

Verdict: A handling gem that was underrated in period and is rightly celebrated now.

7. Mercedes-Benz 280SL "Pagoda"

1970 MSRP: $8,351 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a sports car with limousine quality

The 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL was the most refined car of the group. Its 2.8-liter M130 inline-six with Bosch fuel injection made 180 horsepower and 193 lb-ft of torque, delivering brisk, unstressed performance through the rear wheels. The "Pagoda" nickname came from its concave removable hardtop.

It was less a back-road weapon than a beautifully built, solid open tourer — and that quality is why it has become one of the most coveted classics here, with top cars trading well into six figures.

Pros:

• 180 hp fuel-injected six with effortless, refined power.
• Peerless build quality and durability.
• Iconic Pagoda hardtop and timeless styling.
• Among the strongest collector values here.

Cons:

• The priciest car on the list when new.
• More boulevard cruiser than sharp sports car.

Verdict: The quality and refinement champion of 1970, and a superb modern classic, if not the keenest driver.

8. Alfa Romeo Spider 1750 Veloce

1970 MSRP: $4,000 (approximately) | Best for: the driver who wanted Italian charm and a slick five-speed

The 1970 Alfa Romeo Spider 1750 Veloce was all about character. Its 1.8-liter twin-cam four made roughly 130 horsepower with a free-revving nature, paired to a delightful five-speed gearbox and rear drive for a sub-10-second 0-60 dash. The Pininfarina-penned body was pure Italian elegance, and the chassis delivered nimble, communicative handling.

The Spider gained lasting fame in *The Graduate*, and clean Veloces remain accessible, characterful classics today.

Pros:

• Eager twin-cam four with a 5-speed gearbox.
• Gorgeous Pininfarina roadster styling.
• Sweet, communicative handling.
• Still affordable to buy and run.

Cons:

• Rust was a constant enemy.
• Less outright pace than the six-cylinder cars.

Verdict: An Italian charmer that rewards the driver who values engagement over numbers.

9. Lotus Elan S4

1970 MSRP: $5,000 (approximately) | Best for: the purist who chased handling above all else

The 1970 Lotus Elan S4 was the featherweight handling king. Weighing only about 1,420 pounds thanks to its fiberglass body and backbone chassis, its 1.6-liter Ford-based twin-cam made 105 horsepower — enough for 0-60 mph in about 7.1 seconds and handling that defined the sports-car ideal.

Colin Chapman's "add lightness" philosophy made the Elan feel telepathic, and it directly inspired the Mazda Miata decades later. Fragile but unmatched on a twisting road, good Elans command strong money today.

Pros:

• Astonishing handling and steering feel.
• Featherweight 1,420-lb construction.
• Eager 105 hp twin-cam, quick for its size.
• A direct ancestor of the modern lightweight roadster.

Cons:

• Fragile and demanding to keep running.
• Tiny, cramped cabin and so-so build quality.

Verdict: The handling benchmark of 1970 — flawed but unforgettable for those who prize feel.

10. MG MGB MkII

1970 MSRP: $2,900 (approximately) | Best for: the first-time buyer who wanted classic British roadster fun on a budget

The 1970 MG MGB MkII was the everyman's sports car. Its 1.8-liter inline-four made 92 horsepower through a four-speed manual to the rear wheels, good for a cheerful pace and a top speed around 105 mph. It was never the fastest, but it was reliable by British standards, easy to maintain, and endlessly charming with its top down.

As the best-selling British sports car of its era, the MGB enjoys unbeatable parts support and remains the friendliest entry into vintage open-top motoring today.

Pros:

• The most affordable roadster on this list.
• Simple, easy-to-maintain mechanicals.
• Unmatched parts availability and club support.
• Genuine open-top charm for very little money.

Cons:

• Modest 92 hp and relaxed acceleration.
• Outclassed on pace and sophistication by the cars above it.

Verdict: The budget gateway to vintage sports-car ownership, then and now — humble but hugely likable.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1970 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

• Rust, rust, rust: the single biggest issue across every car here. Datsun 240Zs, MGBs, Alfas, and Triumphs all dissolved in the salt belt. Inspect floors, sills, frame rails, and suspension mounts first.
• Originality and numbers matching: matching-numbers engines, correct trim, and documented history command big premiums on 240Zs, E-Types, 911s, and LT-1 Corvettes. Confirm VIN and engine stampings.
• Parts availability: the MGB, TR6, 240Z, and Corvette enjoy excellent reproduction and used-parts networks. Lotus Elan and 914/6 parts are scarcer and pricier.
• Electrics and cooling: British cars (Jaguar, Triumph, MG, Lotus) need their Lucas wiring and cooling systems checked; many faults are cheap once diagnosed.
• Mechanical condition matters less than nostalgia implies: these simple machines can be rebuilt by almost any specialist. A tired but rust-free, honest car beats a shiny one hiding corrosion — the metal matters more than the mechanicals every time.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 1970? The Datsun 240Z. Its blend of a 151-hp inline-six, modern independent suspension, strong reliability, and a $3,526 price made it the most complete sports car of the year and the one that reshaped the entire affordable-sports-car market.

What was the best value sports car of 1970? The Triumph TR6 at $3,275 — the cheapest way into a genuine six-cylinder open roadster, with handsome styling, four-wheel independent suspension, and excellent parts support that still make it a bargain classic today.

Why did the 1970 Datsun 240Z change the market? It offered performance on par with far costlier European cars at roughly half the price, with Japanese reliability the British roadsters could not match. It forced rivals to improve and made sports-car ownership realistic for ordinary buyers.

Which 1970 sports car was the fastest? The Chevrolet Corvette C3 with the LT-1 engine. Its 370-hp 350 small-block delivered 0-60 mph in about 5.7 seconds, comfortably quicker than every other car on this list.

Which 1970 sports cars are worth the most today? Early Datsun 240Zs, Jaguar E-Types, Porsche 911S and 914/6 models, the Mercedes 280SL Pagoda, and LT-1 Corvettes have all appreciated dramatically, with the finest examples reaching deep into six figures.

Were these cars reliable when new? By 1970 standards the Datsun 240Z and Mercedes 280SL were notably dependable and the Porsches solid, while the British cars (MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Lotus) needed more attention, especially their electrical and cooling systems.

Bottom Line

The year 1970 sat at the peak of a golden era for sports cars. For sheer all-around brilliance, nothing beat the Datsun 240Z, our Best Overall — six-cylinder performance, modern handling, and rare reliability for a price that stunned the establishment and launched a legend.

For the buyer counting every dollar, the Triumph TR6 was the Best Value, packing a six-cylinder roadster experience into the lowest price tag on the list. Around them stood a murderer's row of icons: the sublime 911S, the thunderous LT-1 Corvette, the beautiful E-Type, the jewel-like Pagoda, and the featherweight Elan.

Buy any on honest, rust-free metal and you own a piece of the best year the sports car ever had.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation Tools — Datsun 240Z, Triumph TR6, Mercedes-Benz 280SL, Lotus Elan, Alfa Romeo 1750 model pages (hagerty.com)
• Bring a Trailer — Datsun 240Z and 1970-era sports car auction results (bringatrailer.com)
• Sports Car Market — 1970 Datsun 240Z Series 1 profile (sportscarmarket.com)
• *Road and Track* and *Car and Driver* period road tests, 1969–1971 (archive references)
• CorvSport — 1970 C3 Corvette specifications and LT-1 options (corvsport.com)
• Conceptcarz — 1970 model specifications for 240Z, TR6, 911T, E-Type, 914/6, MGB (conceptcarz.com)
• Supercars.net and Stuttcars — 1970 Porsche 911S 2.2, 911T, and 914/6 specifications (supercars.net, stuttcars.com)
• Automobile-catalog — 1970 MGB, Fiat 124 Spider, and Jaguar E-Type spec data (automobile-catalog.com)
• Excellence Magazine — 1970 911S and 914 specifications (excellence-mag.com)
• Wikipedia — Datsun 240Z, Chevrolet Corvette (C3), Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, Triumph TR6, Mercedes-Benz W113 model pages (en.wikipedia.org)

*Sports car review — 1970 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 1970, and a retrospective review of the top vintage sports car picks for buyers and collectors.*