Top 10 Sports Cars 1979 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best sports car of 1979 was the Porsche 911 SC — our Best Overall pick — a 180-hp, air-cooled flat-six coupe that shrugged off the late-malaise emissions era better than almost anything else on sale, with a 1979 MSRP of $19,550. The Best Value of 1979 was the new Mazda RX-7, a featherweight rotary coupe that delivered honest sports-car balance and a wailing twin-rotor soundtrack for a 1979 MSRP of $7,195 — roughly a third of a Porsche's price. 1979 was a landmark year: Datsun retired the beloved 240/260/280Z and replaced it with the softer, plusher, more grown-up 280ZX, while the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am rode the cultural wave of *Smokey and the Bandit* to its black-and-gold commercial peak.

Power was down across the board thanks to emissions plumbing and low compression, but charm, character, and bargain pricing were everywhere. This is a past-tense retrospective: an honest look back at what 1979 actually delivered, and what those cars are worth to collectors now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighed each 1979 contender on six factors, scoring relative to its own era rather than to modern machinery. A 0-60 time near nine seconds was respectable in 1979, not embarrassing, and we judged accordingly.

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: steering feel, balance, and how alive the car felt on a back road.
• Performance relative to the era — 15%: honest output and acceleration measured against the malaise-era field, not against modern numbers.
• Value in period — 15%: what you got for the 1979 sticker price.
• Reliability — 15%: how dependable the car was when new and how it has aged.
• Style and legacy — 15%: looks, cultural footprint, and lasting reputation.
• Collectibility now — 10%: current values and momentum in the classic market.

Sources for our scoring include period road tests from *Road & Track* and *Car and Driver*, plus modern valuation data from Hagerty, auction results from Bring a Trailer and Classic.com, and historical specifications cross-checked against Wikipedia and automobile-catalog.

Where U.S. And European outputs differed, we used the U.S.-market figure because that is what most buyers in this retrospective remember.

1. Porsche 911 SC 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1979 MSRP: $19,550 | Best for: the buyer who wanted one sports car to keep forever

The 911 SC was the car that quietly saved the 911 line, and in 1979 it was near the peak of its early form. Its 3.0-liter air-cooled flat-six made 180 horsepower driving the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual, good for roughly a 6.3-second 0-60 and a 126-mph top speed — genuinely quick for the emissions era.

What set it apart was feel: the unburstable engine, the telepathic steering, and a chassis that rewarded skill rather than punishing it. Long dismissed as the "cheap" old 911, the SC has since climbed hard, with clean driver-grade cars now trading well into five figures and the best examples climbing further.

It is the definition of a future classic that came true.

Pros:

• Bulletproof air-cooled flat-six that runs essentially forever with care.
• Best-in-class handling and steering feel of any 1979 sports car.
• Strong modern appreciation after decades as the affordable 911.
• Daily-usable in a way exotics of the era were not.

Cons:

• Highest entry price of the mainstream field in 1979.
• Rust and prior bad restorations plague unsorted cars today.

Verdict: The most complete, most rewarding, and most enduring sports car of 1979 — worth every period dollar.

2. Datsun 280ZX 🆕 NEW FOR 1979

1979 MSRP: $9,895 | Best for: the Z loyalist who wanted comfort with the speed

1979 introduced the all-new 280ZX (S130), a softer, plusher reinvention of the Z that traded some of the old car's rawness for refinement, sound deadening, and luxury. Under the hood sat a fuel-injected 2.8-liter inline-six making 135 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, with 0-60 in the 8.8-to-9-second range and a 124-mph top speed.

Purists grumbled that it had gone soft, but buyers loved it — the 280ZX sold in huge numbers and became the everyman's grand tourer. Values have surged: the 1978-1983 280ZX has appreciated dramatically in recent years, with very clean examples now drawing real collector money after decades of being overlooked.

Pros:

• Smooth, durable fuel-injected six that asks little and gives plenty.
• All-new-for-1979 styling that has aged into a genuine icon.
• Strong recent appreciation — up well over 100% in a few short years.
• Comfortable enough to drive every day.

Cons:

• Softer and heavier than the beloved 240Z it replaced.
• Rust-prone in the floors and rear arches.

Verdict: The headline debut of 1979 and a smarter buy today than its modest power suggests.

3. Porsche 930 Turbo

1979 MSRP: $34,000 | Best for: the thrill-seeker who could handle the boost

The 930 Turbo was the wild child of the range and 1979 was the final year of the original 3.3-liter U.S. Car before a hiatus. Its turbocharged flat-six produced around 265 to 300 horsepower depending on market, with explosive, laggy boost that arrived all at once — earning its "widowmaker" reputation.

Rear-wheel drive, a whale-tail spoiler, and flared arches made it the era's supercar. Today it is blue-chip: clean 1979 930s command serious six-figure sums and remain among the most coveted air-cooled Porsches ever built.

Pros:

• Savage turbocharged performance unmatched in 1979.
• Iconic whale-tail and flared-arch styling.
• Blue-chip collector status with strong six-figure values.
• Final-year original 3.3 desirability.

Cons:

• Vicious turbo lag demands respect and skill.
• Far beyond most 1979 budgets, then and now.

Verdict: The most exciting car of 1979, if you could afford it and survive the boost.

4. Chevrolet Corvette (C3)

1979 MSRP: $10,220 | Best for: the American buyer who wanted V8 muscle and a targa roof

1979 was the year the base Corvette first cleared $10,000, and it was the best-selling Corvette year ever. The hotter L82 350 V8 made 225 horsepower — strong for the era — and a *Road & Track* test recorded 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, with a 15.3-second quarter. Rear-wheel drive, removable T-tops, and that long fiberglass nose made it the all-American sports car.

It was also the last year the L82 could be paired with a 4-speed manual. Values are stable rather than soaring, which makes a sorted L82 a lot of car for the money.

Pros:

• Genuinely quick L82 V8 by 1979 standards.
• Targa T-tops and unmistakable C3 styling.
• Plentiful supply and cheap parts keep ownership affordable.
• Last-year L82 4-speed manual desirability.

Cons:

• Base L48 cars were noticeably softer and slower.
• Build quality and fit-and-finish were patchy.

Verdict: The definitive American sports car of 1979 and a relative bargain in the classic market.

5. Ferrari 308 GTS

1979 MSRP: $33,500 | Best for: the buyer chasing the most beautiful car in the showroom

No 1979 sports car looked better than the 308 GTS, the targa-top Pininfarina wedge that would soon become a TV superstar. Its mid-mounted 3.0-liter V8 made about 205 horsepower in U.S. Trim — emissions tuning sapped the European car's edge — with rear-wheel drive and a roughly 6-to-7-second 0-60.

It was never the fastest exotic, but it was achingly pretty and sounded glorious. Carbureted U.S. Cars are the sweet spot for collectors today, and clean 308s have climbed steadily as the entry point into Ferrari ownership.

Pros:

• One of the prettiest shapes ever to wear a prancing horse.
• Glorious mid-mounted V8 soundtrack.
• Targa roof and exotic theater at a relative-to-Ferrari price.
• Steady collector appreciation as the gateway Ferrari.

Cons:

• U.S. Emissions tuning blunted real-world output.
• Maintenance bills are pure Ferrari.

Verdict: The style icon of 1979 and the most attainable way into the marque, then and now.

6. Mazda RX-7 💎 BEST VALUE

1979 MSRP: $7,195 | Best for: the enthusiast who wanted the most fun per dollar

The first-generation RX-7 (FB) was the bargain of the era and arguably the purest sports car on this list. Its tiny, high-revving 12A twin-rotor engine spun out 100 horsepower from almost nothing, mounted behind the front axle for near-ideal balance, driving the rear wheels with 0-60 around 9 seconds.

Light, tossable, and exotic-sounding, it cost a fraction of a Porsche or Ferrari and delivered a huge share of the joy. First-gen FB values have lagged behind later RX-7s, which means clean originals remain genuinely affordable today — a rare classic bargain with real driving credibility.

Pros:

• Featherweight near-50/50 balance that handles beautifully.
• Unique high-revving rotary character found nowhere else.
• Lowest price of any serious sports car in 1979.
• Still affordable as a classic while later RX-7s soar.

Cons:

• Rotary apex seals demand careful maintenance and warm-ups.
• Rust was a serious enemy on early cars.

Verdict: The most fun-per-dollar car of 1979 then, and one of the last great classic-car bargains now — our clear Best Value.

7. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (10th Anniversary)

1979 MSRP: $10,620 | Best for: the buyer chasing the *Smokey and the Bandit* dream

1979 was the cultural peak of the Trans Am, riding the wave of *Smokey and the Bandit* into showrooms, and the special 10th Anniversary Edition was its silver-and-charcoal showpiece. The hot setup paired the Pontiac T/A 6.6 (400 V8) with a Borg-Warner Super T-10 4-speed — though only 1,817 of the 7,500 anniversary cars got it, the rest making do with an Olds 403 automatic.

Output hovered around 220 horsepower with rear-wheel drive; this was about presence and screaming-chicken swagger, not lap times. Clean documented anniversary cars are prized collector pieces today.

Pros:

• Unmatched cultural cool at its 1977-79 peak.
• Rare T/A 6.6 4-speed combo is the one to own.
• Bold anniversary styling with the giant hood bird.
• Strong collector demand for documented examples.

Cons:

• Heavy and softly sprung — a cruiser, not a corner-carver.
• Olds-403 automatic cars are far less desirable.

Verdict: The most culturally significant American car of 1979, and the anniversary T/A 6.6 is the collector's prize.

8. Porsche 924

1979 MSRP: $12,025 | Best for: the buyer who wanted Porsche handling on a budget

The entry 924 proved that balance beats brute force. Its front-mounted 2.0-liter four made just 110 horsepower, but a rear transaxle gave near-perfect weight distribution, and the car handled far better than its modest 8.9-second 0-60 suggested. Rear-wheel drive, light, and economical, it was the affordable Porsche — and the 924 Turbo added 150 horsepower for those who wanted more.

Long the cheapest way into the badge, good 924s are slowly gaining respect as enthusiasts rediscover how sweetly they drive.

Pros:

• Superb transaxle balance and handling.
• Real Porsche badge at a fraction of 911 money.
• Light and economical to run.
• Turbo variant for genuine pace.

Cons:

• Modest base power left some buyers wanting.
• Long undervalued, so finding a cherished one takes patience.

Verdict: The thinking enthusiast's bargain Porsche of 1979, finally earning its due.

9. Triumph Spitfire 1500

1979 MSRP: $5,995 | Best for: the top-down purist on a tight budget

The little Spitfire 1500 was a true open roadster for the price of an economy sedan. Its 1.5-liter four made a modest 57 horsepower in U.S. Emissions trim, rear-wheel drive, with leisurely acceleration — but its tiny size, flip-forward bonnet, and wind-in-the-hair charm made it endlessly likeable.

This was sports-car ownership at its most accessible, and that remains true today: tidy Spitfires are among the cheapest open classics you can buy and run, with a thriving parts and club network.

Pros:

• Cheapest true open roadster of 1979.
• Charming, simple, and easy to wrench.
• Excellent club and parts support to this day.
• Affordable classic ownership with low running costs.

Cons:

• Strangled to just 57 hp by U.S. Emissions rules.
• Rust and electrical gremlins are part of the package.

Verdict: The budget joy of 1979 — slow but smile-inducing, then and now.

10. Fiat X1/9

1979 MSRP: $6,995 | Best for: the bargain hunter who wanted a mid-engine layout

Rounding out the list, the X1/9 offered a genuine mid-engine chassis — a layout shared with exotics costing ten times as much — for pocket-money pricing. Its transverse 1.5-liter four made around 67 horsepower, drove the rear wheels, and was wrapped in a sharp Bertone wedge with a removable targa roof that stowed in the front trunk.

It was never fast, but it cornered like nothing else at the price and felt special doing it. Undervalued for decades, clean rust-free X1/9s are slowly being recognized as the affordable mid-engine bargain they always were.

Pros:

• True mid-engine balance at an economy-car price.
• Sharp Bertone targa styling.
• Removable roof stows in the trunk.
• Underappreciated classic with rising interest.

Cons:

• Low power made it more nimble than fast.
• Italian rust was relentless and unforgiving.

Verdict: The cleverest cheap thrill of 1979 — exotic layout, economy-car price.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1979 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

Shopping these cars today means reading the era's weaknesses honestly:

• Rotary apex seals (RX-7): check for hard starts, smoke, and low compression; a tired rotary needs a rebuild, so verify warm-up behavior and service history.
• Smog and emissions gear: 1979 cars wore tangles of vacuum lines, air pumps, and catalytic plumbing; missing or hacked-up systems hurt running quality and originality.
• Rust, rust, rust: floors, rockers, and rear arches on the 280ZX, X1/9, Spitfire, and RX-7 are notorious — inspect every seam and lift the carpets.
• Bad prior restorations: especially on 911 SC and 308 GTS, where a cheap respray or wrong parts can mask serious sins.
• A note on numbers: the modest horsepower figures of 1979 matter less than nostalgia implies — these cars were never about straight-line speed, and judging them by modern 0-60 times misses the point entirely. Balance, feel, sound, and character are what make them worth owning.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 1979? The Porsche 911 SC — its 180-hp air-cooled flat-six, superb handling, and lasting durability made it the most complete sports car of the year and a strong appreciating classic today.

What was the best-value sports car of 1979? The Mazda RX-7, at a $7,195 MSRP. Its lightweight rotary layout delivered genuine sports-car balance for a fraction of a Porsche's price, and first-gen cars remain affordable classics now.

What new sports car launched for 1979? The Datsun 280ZX (S130) debuted in 1979, replacing the 280Z with a plusher, more refined grand tourer that has since climbed sharply in value.

Why were 1979 sports cars so low on power? Strict emissions rules forced low compression ratios, catalytic converters, and lean tuning across the industry, sapping output. A 1979 280ZX made 135 hp where its larger six might once have made far more — the malaise-era reality.

Which 1979 sports car has appreciated the most? The Porsche 930 Turbo is now blue-chip at six figures, but the Datsun 280ZX has shown the most dramatic recent percentage gains after decades of being overlooked.

Is the Trans Am from 1979 the Smokey and the Bandit car? The 1977-79 Trans Am was the cultural peak of the *Bandit* craze. The 1979 10th Anniversary Edition is a direct descendant of that black-and-gold icon, though without the earlier 455 V8.

Bottom Line

1979 was the late-malaise era, and the numbers prove it — outputs were down, emissions plumbing was everywhere, and few of these cars would frighten a modern hatchback in a straight line. But character was abundant. The Porsche 911 SC stood above the field as our Best Overall, the rare car that combined real performance, telepathic handling, and the durability to become a treasured classic.

The Mazda RX-7 took Best Value, proving that the most fun per dollar came from a featherweight rotary coupe, not a six-figure exotic. From the brand-new 280ZX to the Bandit-peak Trans Am to the achingly pretty 308 GTS, 1979 delivered charm in spades — and many of these cars are worth far more to collectors now than their modest spec sheets ever suggested.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1979 Porsche 911 SC, Mazda RX-7, Datsun 280ZX, Triumph Spitfire values
• Hagerty Media — "Why aren't 1979-85 Mazda RX-7s worth more?" and 10th Anniversary Trans Am profile
• *Road & Track* — period road test of the 1979 Corvette L82 (0-60 of 6.6 seconds)
• *Car and Driver* — period sports-car comparison tests
• Bring a Trailer — auction results for 911 SC, 930 Turbo, 308 GTS, and 280ZX
• Classic.com — Corvette C3 L82 and Datsun 280Z/280ZX market data
• Automobile-catalog.com — 1979 specifications for Porsche 911 SC, 924, Ferrari 308 GTS, Datsun 280ZX
• Wikipedia — Mazda RX-7, Porsche 911 SC, Datsun S130, Pontiac Firebird histories
• Silodrome — 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition feature
• Conceptcarz.com — 1979 model specifications and pricing references

*Sports car review — 1979 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 1979, and a retrospective review of the top vintage sports car picks for buyers and collectors.*