1970s
The 1970s tend to be characterized as an era of mediocrity and malaise in the car industry, but we beg to differ. Sure, it took manufacturers a while to adapt to new safety and emissions regulations, but there was plenty of excitement to go around. The mid-engine supercar caught on in earnest with models like the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari BB, and the Porsche 911 received a turbocharger and a "whale tail" rear wing. Gandini and Giugiaro penned futuristic wedge designs, and independent automakers like Jensen, Iso, and De Tomaso marketed European sophistication with American V8 power. The Cosworth DFV dominated Formula One, and constructors experimented with all manner of aerodynamic aids and chassis configurations.