The 1975 Datsun 280Z is the best sports car of 1975, with the Porsche 911S at #2 and the Chevrolet Corvette (C3) at #3. The 280Z was new for North America in 1975, with a fuel-injected 2.8 L inline-6 rated at 149 hp. For value to own today, the MG MGB is known for inexpensive, readily available parts.
1,798 cc B-Series inline-4; US-market engines de-tuned from 1975
An affordable, simple British roadster to own today
Pick by what you want
Best overall
1975 Datsun 280Z
Best handling heritage
1975 Porsche 911S
Most power
1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455
Best mid-engine
1975 Fiat X1/9
Best value to own
1975 MG MGB
The ranking
1
1975 Datsun 280Z
Photo: Berthold Werner / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fuel-injected answer to 1975 emissions rules.
Engine: 2.8 L L28 inline-6 with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injectionPower: 149 hp (1975 280Z)New for 1975: Nissan released the 280Z for North America in the 1975 model yearBody styles: Two-seater and 2+2 coupes, 1975-1978
Nissan released the 280Z for North America in the 1975 model year, enlarging the six to 2.8 L and adding Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection to keep it sporting under tighter emissions rules. It was rated at 149 hp and came as a two-seater or a 2+2.
Go ifA fuel-injected six-cylinder Z for everyday classic driving
Skip ifYou want an open-top roadster
Why #1 over #2: Its fuel-injected 2.8 L six was Nissan’s answer to stricter 1975 emissions rules, and it came as a two-seater or a 2+2.
2
1975 Porsche 911S
Photo: Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe G-series 911 with the bigger 2.7.
Engine: 2,687 cc flat-6 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (1974-1977 911 and 911S)Power: 175 PS (911S, 1974-1977)Bumpers: Impact bumpers arrived for model year 1974 and stayed unchanged for 15 years
The 1974-1977 911S used the 2,687 cc flat-6 with K-Jetronic fuel injection, rated at 175 PS, and wore the impact bumpers that stayed for 15 years.
Go ifThe most power from a classic air-cooled 911 short of the Carrera
Skip ifYou want a front-engine V8
Why #2 over #3: Its 175 PS flat-6 and 911 chassis edge out the Corvette’s 165 hp base V8.
3
1975 Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last open C3 Corvette.
Engine: Base 350 V8 with 165 hp; optional L82 with 205 hp0-60 mph: 7.7 sec (Car and Driver, base engine, automatic)Convertible: Last C3 convertible; the soft top returned in 1986New for 1975: Electronic ignition and a catalytic converter
For 1975 the Corvette got electronic ignition and a catalytic converter. The base V8 made 165 hp and the L82 205 hp; Car and Driver ran 0-60 mph in 7.7 sec. It was the last C3 convertible, and the soft top did not return until 1986.
Go ifV8 power and the last C3 convertible
Skip ifYou want light, nimble handling
Why #3 over #4: It was a true two-seat sports car, while the XJ-S was built as a grand tourer.
4
1975 Jaguar XJ-S
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V12 grand tourer that replaced the E-Type.
Engine: 5.3 L Jaguar V12Introduced: 10 September 19750-60 mph: 7.6 sec (automatic); top speed 143 mphRole: Replaced the E-Type, moving from sports car to grand tourer
Introduced on 10 September 1975, the XJ-S put the 5.3 L V12 in a grand tourer that replaced the E-Type. Automatic cars reached 60 mph in 7.6 sec and 143 mph flat out.
Go ifV12 grand touring at high speed
Skip ifYou want an open car (the XJ-S launched as a coupe only)
Why #4 over #5: Its 5.3 L V12 and 143 mph top speed outclass the Trans Am as a long-distance car.
5
1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last big-cube muscle of 1975.
Engine: 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8, returned mid-year, four-speed manual onlyPower: 200 hp and 330 lb-ft at 2,000 rpmQuarter mile: 16.12 sec in 1975 track testing, similar to the L82 CorvetteNew for 1975: Wraparound rear window
The 455 V8 came back to the Trans Am mid-year with a four-speed only, rated at 200 hp and 330 lb-ft. A 1975 test ran the quarter mile in 16.12 sec, close to the L82 Corvette.
Go ifThe biggest performance engine still sold in 1975
Skip ifYou want an automatic (the 455 came with a four-speed only)
Why #5 over #6: Its 200 hp 455 was the largest performance engine still on sale, far more power than the TR6.
6
1975 Triumph TR6
Photo: Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe classic British straight-six roadster.
Engine: 2.5 L inline-6; later US carburettor cars rated 104 to 106 bhpProduction: 91,850 built; 83,480 exported, almost all to the USLast cars: Last fuel-injected TR6 built July 1975; last TR6 on 14 July 1976Styling: Karmann-designed body on a separate chassis
The TR6 used a 2.5 L six in a Karmann-designed body; later US carburettor cars were rated at 104 to 106 bhp. Of 91,850 built, 83,480 were exported, almost all to the US.
Go ifA traditional British six-cylinder roadster
Skip ifYou want a modern unibody car
Why #6 over #7: Its 2.5 L six has two more cylinders than the Alfa’s twin-cam four.
7
1975 Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe twin-cam Italian roadster.
Engine: 1,962 cc twin-cam inline-4 with 132 hp (2000 Spider Veloce, from 1971)US version: SPICA fuel injection; 22,059 Spider Veloce 2000 Iniezione madeBody: Series 2 Kamm tail; two small rear seats added for 1975
The 2000 Spider Veloce used a 1,962 cc twin-cam four rated at 132 hp when it arrived in 1971; US cars had SPICA fuel injection, and 22,059 of the Iniezione version were made. For 1975 the 2000 gained two small rear seats.
Go ifA twin-cam Italian roadster with a Kamm tail
Skip ifYou want six cylinders
Why #7 over #8: Its 1,962 cc twin-cam has far more power than the X1/9’s 1,290 cc four.
8
1975 Fiat X1/9
Photo: Alf van Beem / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine targa for small money.
Engine: 1,290 cc SOHC inline-4 mounted mid-ship; 1975-1978 US cars rated 61 hpDesign: Bertone, chief designer Marcello GandiniRoof: Removable hardtop stows in the front bootSales: About 2/3 of roughly 160,000 X1/9s were sold in the USA
Bertone’s X1/9 put a 1,290 cc four behind the cabin, with a removable hardtop that stows in the front boot. The 1975-1978 US cars were rated at 61 hp, and about 2/3 of roughly 160,000 built were sold in the USA.
Go ifMid-engine balance in a small targa
Skip ifYou want straight-line speed
Why #8 over #9: Its Bertone wedge and stowable roof made a more distinctive mid-engine car than the 914.
9
1975 Porsche 914 2.0
Photo: Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine Porsche of 1975.
Engine: 2.0 L fuel-injected Volkswagen Type 4 flat-4 (added for 1973) with 100 bhpLayout: Mid-engined targa-topped two-seaterNew for 1975: Heavy rubber-covered bumpers replaced the chrome or painted onesSales: Over 118,000 914/4s sold, outselling the 911
The 914 is a mid-engined targa two-seater; the 2.0 L fuel-injected flat-4 added for 1973 made 100 bhp. For 1975 it got heavy rubber-covered bumpers, and over 118,000 914/4s were sold.
Go ifA mid-engine Porsche with a targa roof
Skip ifYou want a six-cylinder Porsche
Why #9 over #10: Its 2.0 L flat-4 and mid-engine layout out-handle the front-engine MGB.
10
1975 MG MGB
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe easy-to-own British roadster.
Engine: 1,798 cc B-Series inline-4; US-market engines de-tuned from 19751975 changes (US): Rubber bumpers and ride height raised by an inchSales: 523,836 MGB, MGC and MGB GT V8 combinedOwnership: Inexpensive, readily available parts and simple mechanics
From 1975, US-market MGBs got rubber bumpers, an inch more ride height and de-tuned engines. Its 1,798 cc B-Series four, simple mechanics and inexpensive parts keep it popular with collectors, and 523,836 MGB, MGC and MGB GT V8 cars were sold.
Go ifAn affordable, simple British roadster to own today
Skip ifYou want performance
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1975 sports car on its published performance and engineering for that model year, judged against the emissions limits of 1975, plus how it is to own today. Every figure comes from the sources listed. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the best sports car of 1975?
Our pick is the Datsun 280Z, new for 1975 in North America with a fuel-injected 2.8 L inline-6 rated at 149 hp.
How much power did the 1975 Corvette have?
The base 350 V8 made 165 hp and the optional L82 made 205 hp.
Was 1975 the last Corvette convertible?
It was the last C3 convertible; the Corvette convertible returned in 1986.
When did the Jaguar XJ-S come out?
The XJ-S was introduced on 10 September 1975 with a 5.3 L V12.
Horsepower (1975, as published) at a glance
1975 Fiat X1/961 hp
1975 Datsun 280Z149 hp
1975 Chevrolet Corvette (C3)165 hp
1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455200 hp
Horsepower (1975, as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
