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From the invention of the microprocessor and the opening of Disney World to decimalisation in the UK, 1971 was a vintage year for a whole host of reasons. And many of these technological and cultural changes were also mirrored in the world of car design and production. Many car makers dropped the chrome radiator grills and wood and leather interiors of the 1960s in favour of American coke-bottle styling and black plastic.

To celebrate the fact that these beauties are now half-way to their centenary, here are just some of our most beloved cars you might not realize were born in 1971. So, let’s wind the clock back 50 years and take a look at this incredible period in motoring history.

If you’ve already bought one of these marvellous motors for yourself or you’re looking to take the plunge, then be sure to cover them with great value classic car insurance from Lancaster Insurance.

1. Alfa Romeo Alfasud

Launched in 1971 as Alfa Romeo’s first foray into the world of entry-level front-wheel-drive models, the Alfasud (so-called because it was built in a new factory in southern Italy) was immediately lauded by motoring journalists for its styling.

Marrying a unique engineering package developed by Austrian Rudolph Hruska, and the body styling of Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Alfasud instantly became a popular four-seater family sports car. With cutting edge technology and a comparatively elaborate suspension set-up, the Alfasud caused quite a stir on the roads.

Aerodynamic and with a low centre of gravity, the Alfasud has been rightly claimed to be one of the best handling cars of the 1970s – rivalling even the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Mini 1275 GT. The Alfasud certainly set a new dynamic benchmark for other car makers in this class.

One of the most successful Alfa Romeo cars, over 893,000 were produced along with 121,000 Alfasud Sprint 3-door coupes. Unfortunately, despite the top-class styling and sophisticated engineering Alfasuds (particularly the earliest models) have suffered from a tendency to rust.

2. Renault-Alpine A310

Designed to take on the mighty Porsche 911 and developed hand-in-hand with the Renault research department, the Renault-Alpine A310 was launched at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show by Dieppe-based manufacturer Alpine.

As the successor to the plucky but now aging A110 coupe, the striking wedge-shaped styling of the A310 was a big leap into the future and certainly had lots of appeal. Boasting six distinctive oblong headlights mounted behind glass, and a luxurious interior providing somewhat tight seating for rear passengers (just like the Porsche 911 it was designed to challenge).

But while the styling was certainly a move upmarket, the early four-cylinder model was something of a let down when it came to performance – being larger, heavier but no more powerful than its older but more affordable predecessor.

The A310 would have to wait five years until Alpine finally addressed the disappointing performance with the Robert Opron re-styled A310 V6. With a more potent 2664cc V6 PRV engine the 1976 model was capable of hitting 137mph. Coupled with more acceptable acceleration this model’s performance finally began to match its sporting appearance.

3. De Tomaso Pantera

The brainchild of Argentinian former racing driver Alejandro de Tomaso, the Pantera (Italian for Panther) is undoubtedly one of the defining supercars of the 1970s, although it could have been so much more. It was a supercar designed for the masses combining sharp Italian styling from Ghia’s American-born designer Tom Tjaarda, a Giampaolo Dallara-engineered chassis and the reliable power of a Ford V8 engine.

However, while it had much going for it, build quality and reliability never quite lived up to the very best Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati had to offer. Just a few short years later Ford withdrew its support for the Pantera and it became a hand-built, low-volume supercar. In all, about 7,260 cars were built between 1971 and 1992.

4. Ferrari 365 GTC/4

While Ferrari has many well-known masterpieces to its name, the short-lived and often-forgotten Ferrari 365 GTC/4 also deserves recognition. This front-engined V12 2+2 grand tourer in the contemporary wedged fastback style was produced for just one year from 1971 to 1972.

Based on the chassis of Ferrari’s cult-like 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the two stable-mates also shared a Colombo-developed 4.4-litre V12 engine. However, many changes were made to create a more comfortable grand tourer experience, including a softer spring rate and hydraulic power steering.

While only 505 of the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 were made, if you’re looking to invest you might need to get a move on. Until fairly recently it was only all but devoted Ferrari aficionados who had appreciated all that this car had to offer, with many car fans ignoring its charms. However, this is finally beginning to change with many considering this a truly grand and collectable Ferrari, worthy of wearing that coveted badge.

5. Fiat 127

The ultra-popular supermini Fiat 127 was one of the best-selling cars of the 1970s and first launched in April 1971 as a two-door saloon. Other versions followed soon after including a popular and highly influential three-door hatchback in 1972.

This hatchback helped the 127 stay at the top of Europe’s car sales charts throughout the 1970s, with millions of this spacious and great handling car being built. Unfortunately, many Fiat 127s have succumbed to the problems of rust over the years, with pristine examples now a very rare find indeed.

But it wasn’t just the Fiat 127 that launched this year. Along with the stylish Fiat 128 Sport Coupe there was also the achingly beautiful Fiat 130 Coupe. With styling from Paolo Martin of Italian car design firm Pininfarina, the expensive and exclusive 130, with its 3.2-litre V6 engine, sat at the very top of the Fiat offering. It’s easy to see why Fiat dominated so many car design awards in the 1970s.

6. Ford Cortina Mark III

Few cars more typify the 1970s for UK car enthusiasts than the charming Ford Cortina Mark III. With its coke-bottle styling and choice of trim, style and engine size, the Mark III certainly took the opposition by surprise. However, following its first announcement at the London Motor Show of 1970, early sales figures looked like it might have been a gamble too far for its maker.

In the early months following the launch in late 1970, sales were very slow and disrupted by production difficulties and industrial action. However, Ford quickly reacted to sort out the issues during 1971. By 1973 the fleet favourite had taken its rightful place at the head of the UK sales chart, a position it held onto until 1982. Just make sure you’ve got Life on Mars on the stereo to give you that feeling of stepping back in time to the fabulous 70s.

7. Jaguar E-Type Series III

With a combination of beauty and high performance they don’t come more iconic than the Jaguar E-Type. But while the Series I entered production in 1961 it wasn’t until 1971 that the lovely Series III hit the market. Perhaps unfairly neglected over the years in favour of its lighter predecessors, there is much to recommend the Series III.

Not the least of which is the silky-smooth 5.3-litre Le Mans-proven V12 engine under that long tapering bonnet. Available only in a convertible and 2+2 coupe the Series III is easily identifiable by its cross-slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, wider tyres, four exhaust tips and badge that proclaims it a V12. The Series III demonstrated serious performance credentials and pretty much set the tone for every sporting Jaguar since. Over 15,000 were produced during its three-and-a-half-year production run.

The final 50 that rolled off the production line were finished in black and carried a specially numbered dashboard plaque bearing the signature of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons. High praise indeed from Mr Jaguar himself!

8. Lamborghini Miura SV

For many enthusiasts, the Lamborghini Miura is the supercar classic that most epitomises the late-1960s generation. Available in a fabulous range of colours it’s quite simply one of the most beautiful automotive designs the world has ever seen. Heralding the age of the supercar it was the first mid-engined sports car in series production and with its svelte Bertone-designed body it was a favourite of rock stars and rulers the world over. 

The Miura received periodic updates as the team of young engineers constantly strove to develop the Miura to the very peak of motoring excellence. This resulted in the Miura SV of 1971. The last and most famous, the SV is believed to be the best of the bunch, with more power, a more aggressive stance, and better handling than its predecessors.

Produced in significantly smaller numbers than the previous versions, just 150 SVs were built before the oil crisis and lack of demand prompted Lamborghini to halt Miura production in 1973. If you do come across one of the cars still unaccounted for, they're now worth big money. But you can still dream!

Whatever your dream car, if you do manage to find one, make sure you get it covered by classic car insurance as soon as possible.

9. Maserati Bora

Joining the likes of the Lamborghini Miura in 1971 was Maserati’s own mid-engined two-seat sports car the Bora. With body styling from Giugiaro’s ItalDesign and a 4.7-litre V8 engine there was some serious power under the gorgeous designer clothes. The Bora also boasted some incredibly advanced hydraulic controls that Masertai’s French parent company Citroen was already famous for.

With a full-size trunk and decent leg room the Bora was known as offering a far more civilized level of comfort than its competitors in the supercar class. The Bora is still one of the finest grand tourers money can buy – that’s if you can find one of the 564 produced.

10. Morris Marina

It may feel a long way from the rarefied world of the Italian-designed supercars, but British Leyland’s Morris Marina also debuted in 1971. Launched with the memorable marketing slogan, ‘Beauty with brains behind it’, the Morris Marina was designed to compete with Ford’s Cortina and Escort.

Unfortunately, taking only 18 months to move from the drawing board to the production line, the Marina promised much but failed to deliver. And despite being sold in big numbers its tendency to rust and be cannibalised to keep other British Leyland models going means there are fewer than 300 left on the roads today.

11. Volvo 1800ES

As a sports car, Volvo’s original P1800 coupé had become world famous in the early 60s for being driven by Roger Moore's character Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint. With styling by Pelle Petterson under the tutelage of Pietro Frua of Ghia and mechanicals derived from Volvo's dependable Amazon/122 series, it was a near perfect blend of Italian design and Swedish durability.

Unveiled in the autumn of 1971, the "shooting brake" 1800ES arguably looked even better and offered genuine practicality. While the front end looked very similar, the roofline had been extended to give the car a profile more reminiscent of an estate car. A frameless, all-glass tailgate was also added. Unfortunately, just over 8,000 of the 1800ES cars were built before production stopped in 1973.

Protect your 50-year-old motor with classic car insurance

If you want your 50-year-old classic to make its 100th birthday you’ll need the very best classic car insurance to protect it.

Lancaster is the broker of choice for thousands of UK classic car owners looking for the right cover at the right price.

For over 35 years the team of insurance specialists at Lancaster have been making sure that as many classics as possible are kept on the road. Every year we see vehicles hitting significant milestones because they’ve been adequately protected.

Choosing cover from Lancaster entitles you to a range of benefits including:

• Up to 25% Classic Car Club member discounts
• Static show cover
• Historic rally cover
• Limited mileage discounts

You’ll also have 24-hour access to our claims helpline and UK-based call centre.

Get a quote for classic car insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.