Top 10 Sports Cars 1973 — Best Overall + Best Value

1. Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is the definitive 1973 sports car, a homologation special built to qualify the 911 for racing. Its 2,687 cc flat-six produced 210 bhp, pushing the Lightweight-spec car to 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds and on to roughly 150 mph. Just 1,580 were built between late 1972 and mid-1973, with its ducktail spoiler and flared arches making it a road-legal race car.

This is for the driver who demanded the purest, fastest, most focused machine money could buy, and who has the skill to handle its lift-off oversteer. It was brutally expensive at roughly $15,000 then and is astronomically expensive now, trading away any pretense of practicality. Compared to the Datsun 240Z below, it offers vastly more performance and pedigree but costs over three times as much in period, making it the ultimate, not the sensible, choice.

2. Datsun 240Z

The 240Z is the runaway Best Value of 1973, breaking the sports-car cost barrier with genuine performance and Japanese reliability. Its 2.4-liter overhead-cam straight-six made 151 hp, good for 0-60 mph in the high-7 to mid-8-second range through a five-speed manual. For roughly $4,600, buyers got a long-nosed fastback that looked like an E-Type costing four times as much, and it started every morning.

This is for the thinking buyer who wanted European-style performance without the temperamental British or Italian electrics, trading away the Porsche's ultimate handling for bulletproof dependability. It is prone to rust, so honest survivors are scarce, but its performance-per-dollar remains unbeatable. Compared to the Carrera RS above, it is slower and less exotic, yet it delivers 80 percent of the thrill for a fifth of the price, making it the smartest pick on the list.

3. Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray

The 1973 Corvette is the all-American sports car, a transitional C3 with a body-color urethane front bumper and a chrome rear. The base 350 (L48) made 190 net hp, but the top 454 (LS4) made 275 hp, pushing the strong cars to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. At a $5,561 base price, it offered genuine V8 muscle wrapped in striking Coke-bottle fiberglass styling.

This is for Americans who wanted big-cubic-inch muscle and straight-line punch, trading away the cornering finesse of the European entries for a loud, unmistakable presence. Its crude handling and brakes lagged the Datsun 240Z above, but its parts support and club network are unmatched, making it a practical classic to own and maintain today.

4. Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12

The E-Type Series 3 V12 is the most elegant way to cover ground fast in 1973, powered by Jaguar's new 5.3-liter V12 making 272 hp. It reached 60 mph in roughly 6.4 seconds through a four-speed manual, transforming the E-Type from a sharp sports car into a refined grand tourer. At approximately $7,400, it remained one of the most beautiful cars ever made, with a creamy, quiet V12 and surprising comfort.

This is for the buyer who prioritized grand-touring beauty and twelve-cylinder smoothness over razor-edge handling, trading away the Corvette's raw muscle for sophistication. It is heavier and softer than the earlier six-cylinder E-Types, and its complex V12 and Lucas electrics demand careful upkeep, making it a car for a patient owner rather than a daily driver.

5. De Tomaso Pantera

The Pantera is the most attainable true supercar experience of 1973, a Ford-backed Italian mid-engine exotic sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Its Ford 351 Cleveland V8 made about 310 hp in US L-spec, sending power through a five-speed ZF transaxle for 0-60 mph in the mid-5-second range and 150-plus mph potential. This mid-engine layout gave it exotic handling and a dramatic presence that few rivals could match.

This is for the exotic-car buyer who wanted mid-engine drama with Detroit reliability, trading away the E-Type's elegance for a more aggressive, wedge-shaped presence. Its cramped cabin, heavy clutch, and cooling and rust concerns demand a dedicated owner. Compared to the E-Type above, it is faster and more exotic, but it is also less refined and more demanding to drive, making it a weekend toy rather than a grand tourer.

6. BMW 2002 tii

The 2002 tii is the sports sedan blueprint, a fuel-injected hot version of BMW's beloved boxy two-door that launched a genre. Its 2.0-liter four with mechanical injection made 130 hp, good for 0-60 mph in about 8.9 seconds and a 116 mph top speed. At approximately $4,000, it offered tight, balanced, eager handling that made it endlessly entertaining on a winding road, with four seats and a usable trunk.

This is for the enthusiast who valued nimble, tossable real-world fun over outright power, trading away the Pantera's straight-line speed for everyday practicality. Its modest acceleration is its main weakness, and rust-prone bodies thin out the survivor pool. Compared to the Pantera above, it is far slower but much more usable, offering genuine sports feel with four seats and a trunk, making it the most practical fun car on this list.

7. Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce

The Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce is the purest open-top driving pleasure per dollar in 1973, with a 2.0-liter twin-cam four producing 129 hp. It drove the rear wheels through a sweet five-speed manual for lively if not blistering pace, with an eager twin-cam soundtrack and a balanced chassis. At approximately $5,260, its appeal was never about numbers but the joy of driving, wrapped in pretty Pininfarina roadster lines.

This is for the romantic who wanted a slick five-speed Italian roadster for spirited back-road drives, trading away the BMW's practicality for open-top charm. Rust and Italian electrics require diligence, and outright performance trailed pricier rivals, but its character and style are hard to beat. Compared to the BMW 2002 tii above, it is less practical but far more evocative, making it a weekend toy for the heart rather than the head.

8. Mercedes-Benz 450SL R107

The 450SL R107 is the most livable and best-built convertible of 1973, powered by a 4.5-liter V8 making 190 net hp for a smooth 0-60 mph of about 8.4 seconds. At approximately $12,773, it was heavy and built like a vault, prioritizing refinement, safety, and durability over knife-edge sharpness. With its removable hardtop and soft top, it was the rare 1973 sports car you could comfortably drive every day for decades.

This is for the buyer who wanted a fast, solid, all-weather luxury convertible built to last, trading away the Alfa's driving engagement for tank-like quality. It is heavy and soft, more grand tourer than sports car, and the automatic dulls the experience. Compared to the Alfa Spider above, it is far more refined and durable, but it lacks the Italian car's charm and agility, making it a sensible choice for the daily driver rather than the weekend enthusiast.

9. Triumph TR6

The TR6 is the last great old-school British roadster, a burly body-on-frame machine with a handsome Karmann-styled body over a 2.5-liter inline-six. US cars by 1973 made roughly 104 hp, enough for a 0-60 mph of around 11 seconds, but the appeal was the torquey six and rugged simplicity. At approximately $4,095, it was a proper roadster you could fix in your own garage, with wind-in-your-hair character.

This is for the traditionalist who wanted a muscular, honest British roadster on a budget, trading away the Mercedes' refinement for old-school charm. Its detuned US emissions engine blunted performance, and rust and aging electrics need ongoing attention. Compared to the 450SL above, it is much cheaper and more engaging, but it is also less reliable and less comfortable, making it a car for the enthusiast who enjoys hands-on maintenance and the raw roadster experience.

10. Fiat X1/9

The Fiat X1/9 is the budget mid-engine gem that punched far above its price, bringing a genuine mid-engine layout to the masses. Its transverse 1.3-liter four made just 75 hp, so straight-line speed was modest, but the low weight, four-wheel disc brakes, and removable targa roof made it handle far above its class. This made it a thrilling car on twisty roads despite its small engine.

This is for the budget enthusiast who wanted razor-sharp handling over outright power, trading away the TR6's torque for a more modern chassis. It is genuinely slow with only 75 hp, and notorious rust and parts-supply challenges require patience. Compared to the TR6 above, it is less traditional and less torquey, but it offers superior cornering and a clever targa roof, making it a more technically interesting and affordable entry point into classic sports car ownership.

How we ranked these

We ranked the top 1973 sports cars using six weighted criteria: driving fun and handling (30%), performance (20%), value in period (15%), reliability (15%), style and legacy (10%), and collectibility now (10%). Rankings drew on period Road & Track and Car and Driver tests, plus Hagerty, Bring a Trailer, and Classic.com market data.

We deliberately ignored modern nostalgia and speculative future appreciation, focusing instead on what the cars actually delivered in 1973. We excluded any vehicle not sold new that year, and we did not weight rarity alone—a car had to earn its place through period performance, usability, and lasting significance, not just scarcity.

What to look for

When choosing between these 1973 cars, prioritize rust-free bodies and documented provenance over shiny paint or rebuilt engines. A tired but honest 240Z or TR6 is a better buy than a corrosion-hiding restoration. For the Porsche, E-Type, and big-block Corvette, matching numbers and original options drive value far more than aftermarket upgrades.

The biggest mistake buyers make is chasing the cheapest example, then discovering that hidden rust in sills, floors, or frame rails costs more than the car. Another error is ignoring parts availability—British and Italian cars can be money pits. Buy the body first, verify service history, and budget for mechanical sorting, especially on the Jaguar V12 or BMW tii.

Related questions

What was the best sports car of 1972?

The 1972 best overall was the Ferrari 365 GTC/4, a front-engine V12 grand tourer with 340 hp and a 5-speed, praised for its balance and refinement. The best value was the Datsun 240Z, which offered near-exotic looks and reliable performance for under $4,000, setting the template for affordable sports cars.

What was the best sports car of 1974?

In 1974, the best overall was the Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7, a carryover of the RS formula with less weight-saving but still superb handling. The best value was the Datsun 260Z, which added a larger engine and more comfort, though emissions tuning slightly dulled performance compared to the 240Z.

What was the best sports car of 1970?

The 1970 best overall was the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, a front-engine V12 with 352 hp and a 174 mph top speed, blending exotic looks with race-bred handling. The best value was the Datsun 240Z, which launched that year and redefined the affordable sports car segment.

What was the best sports car of 1969?

In 1969, the best overall was the Chevrolet Corvette L88, a race-spec big-block with 430 hp and brutal acceleration, though it was rare and track-focused. The best value was the Datsun 2000 Roadster, a nimble twin-cam two-seater that offered genuine sports car thrills for under $3,000.

What was the best sports car of 1968?

The 1968 best overall was the Lamborghini Miura P400, a mid-engine V12 masterpiece with 350 hp and stunning Bertone styling, setting the supercar template. The best value was the Triumph TR5, a fuel-injected straight-six roadster that combined British charm with strong performance for about $3,500.

What was the best sports car of 1967?

In 1967, the best overall was the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, a front-engine V12 with 300 hp and a 5-speed transaxle, celebrated for its balance and beauty. The best value was the Datsun 1600 Roadster, a lightweight twin-cam two-seater that offered reliable, fun driving for under $2,500.

Why is the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS so valuable?

The Carrera RS 2.7 is valuable because it was a homologation special with only 1,580 built, featuring a 210 bhp flat-six, ducktail spoiler, and lightweight construction. Its racing pedigree and status as the definitive air-cooled 911 have driven prices into seven figures, making it a blue-chip collector car.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 1973?

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. It blended the best handling, real performance, and a motorsport pedigree that has made it the most collectible classic 911, which is why it tops this retrospective ranking.

Which 1973 sports car was the best value?

The Datsun 240Z. At roughly $4,600 it delivered performance and styling that rivaled cars costing several times more, plus reliability the European roadsters could not match, making it the standout value buy.

Why is 1973 considered the end of an era for sports cars?

The OPEC oil embargo struck in late 1973 and tightening emissions rules followed, so cars built that year were among the last from the cheap-gas, free-breathing period before power outputs fell sharply across the industry.

Which 1973 sports cars have appreciated the most?

The Porsche Carrera RS 2.7, the Datsun 240Z, and the Jaguar E-Type V12 have all climbed dramatically. The Carrera RS now trades in seven figures, while the 240Z went from cheap to a $40,000-plus collectible.

Was the 1973 Corvette fast?

In big-block 454 or L82 350 four-speed form, yes, with 0-60 mph times under 7 seconds. The base 190 hp automatic was much milder, so engine choice heavily shaped both the performance and the value.

Is a 1973 sports car practical to own today?

The Datsun 240Z, BMW 2002 tii, and Mercedes 450SL are the most usable, thanks to durability and parts support. The British and Italian roadsters reward owners who enjoy hands-on maintenance.

What should I look for when buying a 1973 sports car?

Rust is the number one killer—inspect floors, sills, rear arches, and frame rails. Originality matters: matching numbers and correct parts command premiums. Service history, especially for the Jaguar V12 and BMW tii, separates a sound car from a money pit.

Which 1973 sports car has the best handling?

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 offers sublime, communicative handling that still defines the sports car feel, though it demands respect at the limit. The Fiat X1/9 also delivers razor-sharp balance thanks to its mid-engine layout and low weight.

Are 1973 sports cars reliable by modern standards?

No, most require regular maintenance. The Datsun 240Z and BMW 2002 tii are the most reliable, with robust engines and good parts support. British and Italian cars need constant attention to electrics and rust, while the Mercedes 450SL is famously durable.

What is the cheapest 1973 sports car to maintain?

The Triumph TR6 and Fiat X1/9 are affordable to buy, but parts can be tricky. The Corvette C3 has the cheapest parts and club support, while the Datsun 240Z offers a good balance of low cost and reliability, making it a practical choice.

Sources

• https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools
• https://bringatrailer.com/
• https://www.classic.com/
• https://www.supercars.net/blog/1973-porsche-911-carrera-rs/
• https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11964/chevrolet-corvette-c3.aspx
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Tomaso_Pantera
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_X1/9
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_TR6
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_E-Type
• https://www.automobile-catalog.com/

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