Top 10 Sports Cars 1972 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

Looking back across the 1972 model year, the Datsun 240Z was the Best Overall sports car of its time, a smooth twin-cam six-cylinder GT that out-handled and out-valued nearly everything European at a fraction of the price. Its 1972 MSRP of roughly $3,700 undercut a Porsche 911 by more than half while delivering 0-60 mph in the mid-eight-second range and styling that still draws crowds.

The Best Value of 1972 was the MG MGB roadster, an honest, fixable, top-down British two-seater that started at a 1972 MSRP of about $3,320 and remains one of the cheapest ways into classic open-air motoring today. 1972 was the 240Z's affordable-GT peak and, on the other end of the spectrum, the last hurrah of the big-engine Jaguar E-Type V12 before the marque turned toward heavier grand tourers.

How We Ranked the Top 10

This retrospective scores genuine 1972 sports cars (true two-seat and 2-plus-2 sports machines, not muscle cars) against six weighted criteria, judged by period road tests and modern collector data:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: steering feel, balance, and how alive the car felt on a back road.
• Performance — 20%: real period horsepower (SAE net where applicable), 0-60 mph, and top speed.
• Value in period — 15%: what a buyer paid in 1972 dollars versus what the car delivered.
• Reliability — 15%: how well each car held together, by the standards of its era.
• Style and legacy — 10%: design impact and lasting cultural pull.
• Collectibility now — 10%: current market trajectory and desirability.

Sources include period road tests from *Road & Track* and *Car and Driver*, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Bring a Trailer and Barrett-Jackson auction results, Wikipedia model histories, and specification archives such as automobile-catalog and conceptcarz.

1. Datsun 240Z 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1972 MSRP: $3,700 | Best for: the enthusiast who wanted Jaguar style and Porsche poise without the price

The 240Z rewrote the rulebook. Its 2.4-liter SOHC inline-six made 151 hp (gross) feeding the rear wheels through a slick four- or five-speed manual, and it cracked 0-60 mph in roughly 8.0 to 8.5 seconds — quick for the dollar in 1972. With independent rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and that long-nose fastback shape, it drove and looked like a car costing twice as much.

Nissan sold them by the boatload, which proved the formula and seeded today's market: clean 1972 cars routinely trade in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, with concours and rare examples pushing past $100,000. It was the most complete sports car you could buy in 1972.

Pros:

• Twin-cam-smooth six with real torque and a willing top end
• Independent rear suspension and sharp steering that embarrassed pricier rivals
• Half the cost of a Porsche 911 with comparable thrills
• Soaring collector values that reward owners today

Cons:

• Early cars rust badly in floors, frame rails, and rear arches
• Emissions tuning on later-1972 units softened throttle response

Verdict: The 240Z delivered exotic looks, real performance, and bulletproof value — the definitive sports car of 1972.

2. Porsche 911 S

1972 MSRP: $9,450 | Best for: the purist chasing the sharpest driving instrument money could buy

The 2.4-liter "S" sat at the top of the air-cooled tree, its mechanically injected flat-six producing 190 hp at a screaming 6,500 rpm. Rear-engined and rear-driven, it demanded respect but rewarded skill with steering and balance no front-engine rival could match, plus a top speed near 144 mph.

The 1972-only oil-filler-flap cars are prized oddities among collectors. Values have climbed into the six figures for clean examples, a reflection of how special these early long-hood 911s remain.

Pros:

• Telepathic steering and chassis feel that defined the sports car ideal
• High-revving flat-six with a sound all its own
• Blue-chip collectibility that keeps appreciating

Cons:

• Nearly three times the price of a 240Z in 1972
• Lift-off oversteer punished careless drivers

Verdict: The driver's purist's choice, but you paid dearly for that precision — then and now.

3. Jaguar E-Type V12 Series 3 💎 BEST VALUE

1972 MSRP: $7,400 | Best for: the grand tourer who wanted twelve cylinders of velvet thrust

The Series 3 brought Jaguar's all-new 5.3-liter V12 making 272 hp to the E-Type, good for 0-60 mph in under seven seconds and a top speed comfortably over 140 mph. With its slatted grille, flared arches, and four-tip exhaust, it was the most muscular E-Type yet — and the last with a big engine, marking the end of an era.

For the V12 smoothness and pedigree on offer, its period price made it a relative bargain against Italian exotics, and that value logic holds now: driver-grade roadsters remain attainable while the best command strong money. It earns Best Value here for delivering exotic-car experience at near-mainstream-luxury cost.

Pros:

• Silky 5.3-liter V12 with effortless, surging power
• The last big-engine E-Type — a genuine end-of-an-era collectible
• Exotic looks and pace for far under Ferrari money

Cons:

• Complex twelve-cylinder maintenance intimidates owners
• Added weight blunted the earlier E-Type's lightness

Verdict: Twelve cylinders, timeless lines, and a historic send-off — extraordinary value for the experience.

4. Chevrolet Corvette C3 (LT-1)

1972 MSRP: $5,533 | Best for: the American buyer who wanted small-block sports-car pace

1972 was the final year for the high-strung LT-1 350, now rated at 255 hp (SAE net) and capable of 0-60 mph in about 6.9 seconds — the quickest stock car on this list. The Coke-bottle C3 body, removable T-tops on coupes, and a proper four-speed made it a genuine sports car rather than a straight-line muscle machine.

Only 1,741 LT-1 cars were built that year, which makes them the prize C3 variant for collectors, well clear of base 350 values.

Pros:

• Last-of-the-line LT-1 small-block with real revability
• Quickest 0-60 here straight off the showroom floor
• Iconic Coke-bottle styling and T-top theater

Cons:

• Fiberglass and chrome-bumper trim need careful inspection
• Build quality lagged the European competition

Verdict: America's sports car at its small-block best, and the LT-1 badge keeps it desirable.

5. De Tomaso Pantera

1972 MSRP: $10,000 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a mid-engine exotic with Ford-cheap upkeep

Sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers, the Pantera paired Italian mid-engine drama with a 5.8-liter Ford 351 Cleveland V8 making about 330 hp and a ZF five-speed transaxle. *Car and Driver* timed a stock example to 0-60 mph in roughly 5.5 seconds with a top speed near 160 mph — supercar numbers for the money.

It looked like a Lamborghini but you could fix the engine at any Ford shop, a rare combination that keeps values strong today.

Pros:

• Mid-engine exotic looks at a relative discount
• Ford 351 Cleveland V8 that is powerful and serviceable
• Genuine supercar acceleration for 1972

Cons:

• Notorious cabin heat and early rust issues
• Cramped ergonomics for taller drivers

Verdict: The most exotic thing here per dollar, blending Italian flair with Detroit muscle.

6. Mercedes-Benz 350SL (R107)

1972 MSRP: $10,500 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a solid, all-weather luxury roadster

The new R107 350SL brought a 3.5-liter V8 making about 197 hp and a fuel-injected smoothness that suited its grand-touring brief, reaching 0-60 mph in roughly 9 seconds. It was the safest, best-built convertible of its day, with a removable hardtop and a reputation for running for decades.

More boulevardier than back-road weapon, it nonetheless earns its place for engineering integrity and the kind of long-term durability rivals could only envy.

Pros:

• Bank-vault build quality and legendary longevity
• Refined fuel-injected V8 with effortless cruising
• Removable hardtop for genuine all-season use

Cons:

• Heavier and softer than the sharper sports cars here
• Premium price for modest straight-line pace

Verdict: Less a sports car than a superbly engineered luxury roadster — and unbeatable for durability.

7. BMW 2002 tii

1972 MSRP: $4,000 | Best for: the driver who wanted sports-car joy with back-seat practicality

The 2002 tii proved a boxy two-door could be a sports car at heart. Its 2.0-liter fuel-injected four made about 130 hp (125 hp SAE net in U.S. Trim) and hit 0-60 mph in roughly 8.5 to 9 seconds, but the magic was in the tossable chassis, quick steering, and upright visibility.

It practically invented the sport-sedan template and remains a beloved entry into vintage BMW ownership, with strong and rising values for clean tii examples.

Pros:

• Mechanical-injection four with eager, willing power
• Delightful chassis balance and communicative steering
• Usable practicality with real seats and a trunk

Cons:

• Rust-prone rockers, shock towers, and floors
• Not as fast in a straight line as the headliners

Verdict: The thinking enthusiast's choice — sports-car fun you could drive every day.

8. Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce

1972 MSRP: $4,400 | Best for: the romantic who wanted Italian twin-cam charm in a roadster

The Pininfarina-bodied Spider ran a jewel of a 2.0-liter twin-cam four making about 129 hp (SAE net), paired to a crisp five-speed and fed by a chassis that loved to be hustled. It reached 0-60 mph in around 9 seconds, but numbers missed the point: the engine note, the shifter, and the open-top theater made it special.

Immortalized on film, it has a devoted following and steady collector appeal.

Pros:

• Sweet twin-cam engine that loves to rev
• Five-speed gearbox when many rivals had four
• Timeless Pininfarina roadster lines

Cons:

• Italian electrics and rust demand vigilance
• Modest outright pace

Verdict: Pure top-down Italian character — a roadster you drive for the soul, not the stopwatch.

9. Triumph TR6

1972 MSRP: $3,723 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a muscular, traditional British roadster

The TR6 was the brawny British sports car, its 2.5-liter inline-six making about 106 hp (U.S. Carbureted spec) pushing it to 0-60 mph in roughly 10.7 seconds. Karmann's squared-off restyle gave it a tough, handsome stance, and the torquey six made it feel gutsier than the numbers suggest.

Affordable, rugged, and easy to wrench on, it has long been a value-minded classic with a loyal club scene.

Pros:

• Torquey straight-six with a satisfying growl
• Handsome, masculine styling that aged well
• Simple mechanicals and strong parts support

Cons:

• Cart-sprung live rear axle on U.S. Cars rode firmly
• Emissions tuning dulled American-market output

Verdict: A hairy-chested British roadster bargain that still delivers honest open-road fun.

10. MG MGB 💎 BEST VALUE

1972 MSRP: $3,320 | Best for: the first-time classic buyer who wanted maximum smiles per dollar

The MGB was the people's sports car. Its 1.8-liter inline-four made about 78.5 hp (SAE net) and pushed the roadster to a top speed near 104 mph — never quick, but light, balanced, and endlessly entertaining at sane speeds. Simple to maintain, cheap to buy, and supported by one of the deepest parts catalogs in the hobby, it remains the easiest and most affordable entry into vintage open-top motoring, which is exactly why it shares Best Value honors.

More were built than almost any sports car of its time, keeping ownership accessible to this day.

Pros:

• Lowest price of entry of any car here, then and now
• Bulletproof simplicity and unrivaled parts availability
• Genuinely fun, light-footed handling at real-world speeds

Cons:

• Modest power makes highway merging leisurely
• Rust-prone sills and floors need checking

Verdict: The friendliest, cheapest doorway into the classic sports car world — Best Value, no contest.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1972 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

• Rust is the number-one killer. Inspect floors, sills, frame rails, shock towers, and rear arches on every car here — especially the 240Z, 2002 tii, and British roadsters. Surface scratches matter far less than structural corrosion.
• Originality drives top values. Matching-numbers engines, correct trim, and documented history command the strongest prices. An LT-1 Corvette or a 1972-only Porsche 911 S is worth far more with paperwork that proves what it is.
• Parts availability shapes ownership cost. The MGB, TR6, 240Z, and Corvette enjoy deep parts catalogs; the Pantera and E-Type V12 are more specialized and pricier to maintain.
• Cosmetic imperfection matters less than nostalgia implies. A car that runs, stops, and is structurally sound is a better buy than a shiny example hiding filler. Drivability and honest metal beat a glossy respray every time.

FAQ

What was the best-handling sports car of 1972? The Porsche 911 S set the handling benchmark with its telepathic steering, though the Datsun 240Z and BMW 2002 tii delivered remarkably close feel for a fraction of the price.

Which 1972 sports car was the best value when new? The MG MGB at about $3,320 and the Datsun 240Z at roughly $3,700 offered the most sports-car-per-dollar, which is why they both feature prominently in this ranking.

Why was 1972 significant for the Jaguar E-Type? The 1972 Series 3 was the last big-engine E-Type, powered by Jaguar's new 5.3-liter V12 before the model line wound down — making these cars an end-of-an-era collectible.

Did emissions rules hurt 1972 sports cars? Yes. The switch to SAE net horsepower ratings and early emissions controls trimmed output across the board, which is why a 1972 Corvette LT-1 read 255 hp versus 330 the year prior, even though much real power remained.

Which 1972 sports car has appreciated the most? The Datsun 240Z and early long-hood Porsche 911 have seen the steepest climbs, with clean 240Z examples now trading from the $30,000s into six figures and 911 S coupes well into six-figure territory.

Was the De Tomaso Pantera reliable? Surprisingly serviceable, thanks to its Ford 351 Cleveland V8 — though cabin heat and early rust were real period weaknesses that owners learned to manage.

Bottom Line

1972 was a high-water mark for the affordable sports car. The Datsun 240Z stood above the field as Best Overall, fusing exotic looks, a smooth six, sharp handling, and a giveaway price into one irresistible package. For pure dollar sense, the MG MGB and the surprisingly attainable Jaguar E-Type V12 split Best Value honors at opposite ends of the spectrum — one the cheapest doorway into the hobby, the other a twelve-cylinder send-off for far under exotic money.

Whether you wanted Japanese value, German precision, Italian soul, British charm, or American muscle, 1972 had a genuine sports car waiting, and the best of them have only grown more cherished with time.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1972 Datsun 240Z, Porsche 911 S, Jaguar E-Type SIII, MGB, TR6, 2002 tii
• automobile-catalog — 1972 Datsun 240Z specifications and performance
• Wikipedia — Chevrolet Corvette (C3) and Chevrolet LT-1)
• conceptcarz — 1972 Porsche 911S specifications and dimensions
• RM Sotheby's — 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster auction profile
• Wikipedia — De Tomaso Pantera model history
• Wikipedia — Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107
• automobile-catalog — 1972 BMW 2002 tii and Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce specs
• Barrett-Jackson — 1972 Datsun 240Z auction results, Scottsdale
• conceptcarz and CarGurus — 1972 Triumph TR6 and MG MGB pricing and specifications

*Sports car review — 1972 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 1972, and a retrospective review of the top vintage sports car picks for buyers and collectors.*