25 classics from the 1970s which are now tax-free
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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Did you know that cars built before 1976 now qualify for free road tax in the UK?
To join this club of tax-free classics, all you have to do is prove your car was built (not registered) before January 1, 1976.
We’ve taken a look at some of the cars launched between 1974-1976 – plus some of 1975’s biggest sellers – all of which are now tax exempt.
Some of them are workhorses of the road such as the Mini, Morris Marina, Ford Cortina and VW Golf, but there are a few exotics including the Ferrari 308GTB, Lotus Eclat and Rolls-Royce Camargue.
It’s all change again in 2017, when all cars built before January 1, 1977, will qualify for tax-free motoring.
BMW 3-Series
We’re now on the sixth generation of the BMW 3-Series, but it was back in 1975 when the Mk 1 appeared. Codenamed E21, it was a compact sport saloon with impressive driving dynamics. It was launched in the UK in October 1975, so early (and therefore tax-free) examples may be few and far between, but if not this year, then 2017 isn’t too far away.
Ford Cortina
With its “Coke bottle” design, the Mk 3 Ford Cortina was dramatically different to the Mk 2’s boxy looks. In 1975 it just outsold the Ford Escort to become Britain’s best-selling car. Sadly many Cortinas fell victim to rust, so Mk 3s are a rare sight on our roads. The few that are left (the Mk 4 was introduced in 1976) are likely to cost nothing to tax.
Ferrari 308 GTB
The gorgeous Ferrari 308 GTB (berlinetta) was a V8 mid-engined sports car manufactured from 1975 to 1985. Replacing the Dino 246 GT and GTS, the Pininfarina-styled car was joined by its targa-topped sister, the 308 GTS, in 1977. Rare even in its heyday, if you own an early example now, it’s good to know that it won’t cost you a penny to tax in the UK.
Chrysler Alpine
This badge-engineered family hatchback (also known as the Simca 1307-1308) remarkably won the European Car of the Year title in 1976. The French Simca brand disappeared entirely in 1978 when its parent company, Chrysler, sold out to PSA Peugeot Citroen. We fear that there won’t be many early examples of the Alpine qualifying for tax-free motoring now.
Hillman Hunter
The Hillman Hunter was just hanging in there in the 1975 UK Top 10 cars with 28,966 sales – not bad considering it had been launched in 1966. It soldiered on until 1976 in the UK, but was to have an afterlife in Iran where it was built until 2005.
Citroen CX
The innovative and extremely aerodynamic Citroen CX was the successor to the legendary Citroen DS. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1974, more than 1.2 million were built until production ceased in 1991. The CX made its mark with advances in technology, including the turbocharged diesel engine, a GTi version and updated hydropneumatic suspension for new standards of comfort. It was also the first French car to be fitted with ABS brakes in 1985.
Lamborghini Countach
Perhaps the ultimate poster pin-up car, the V12 mid-engined Lamborghini Countach was produced between 1974-1990. Designed by the prolific by Marcello Gandini of the Bertone studio, it pioneered and popularised the wedge-shaped, sharply-angled look popular in so many high-performance sports cars of the time. Its was made almost entirely of flat, trapezoidal panels and featured amazing scissor doors. A total of 2,049 examples were manufactured at Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese plant.
Ford Escort
The Mk 2 version of Ford’s bestselling Escort family car featured squarer styling than the “Coke-bottle” Mk 1. Produced between 1974 -1981, the rest, as they say, is history. Now considered a classic, asking prices for mint examples are now as much as £10,000.
Fiat 131
Also known as the Mirafiori, Fiat’s popular family car was first exhibited at the 1974 Turin Motor Show and built between 1974 – 1984. In total, 1,513,800 examples were produced and it enjoyed considerable successful in rallying. A relatively common sight in the mid-1970s, as with many cars of the time, few now survive in the UK to qualify for zero road tax.
Lancia Monetcarlo
Produced between 1975-1984, this mid-engined exotic sports car was sold as a Lancia Beta Monetcarlo initially. Originally designed as Pininfarina’s contender to replace Fiat’s 124 Coupe, it lost out to Bertone’s cheaper design, which became the Fiat X1/9. Sadly few Lancia cars survive – many were blighted with rust during the 1970s/80s.
Princess
Technically this was a new marque created by British Leyland (although it had previously been used as a model name on Austin Princess limousines). Often referred to as the Austin Princess, the design of the 1975 Princess was daring to say the least, compared to the Austin Maxi and Morris Marina it replaced. However, like so many BL cars of the era, it suffered from quality and reliability issues and was not initially available as a hatchback – despite its shape. It was revamped as the Austin Ambassador hatchback and finally put out of its misery in 1984.It sold reasonably well though – and in 1975 was ninth in the UK Top 10 cars with 29,067 sales.
Volvo 200 Series
The Volvo 200 series was a range of executive cars produced by the Swedish car giant between 1974 – 1993. More than 2.8 million examples were sold worldwide, and they were popular in the UK as classy family cars and general load-luggers. They are a surprisingly rare sight in the UK, considering their durability.
Vauxhall Viva
The HC Viva was built between 1970-79 and, looking back, was yet another fairly dull car popular with families. A “hot” coupé version called the Firenza (with a 2.0-litre twin carb) was introduced in early 1971 to compete with the Ford Capri, but it didn’t set the world on fire. Nevertheless, the Viva was Britain’s sixth best-selling car in 1975.
Volkswagen Scirocco
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the VW Scirocco was the sportier alternative to the Golf. Launched in 1974, more than half a million examples were built until the Mk 2 was introduced in 1981.
Volvo 66
Swedish car giant Volvo took over Dutch manufacturer DAF in 1974 and the Volvo 66 small family car (a slightly modified DAF 66) was one of the first fruits. Small and unusual, because it featured continuously variable transmission (CVT or Variomatic as it was known), introduced in 1975, it was replaced in 1980 by the long-running Volvo 300 series. You’re unlikely to see any 66s now – let alone early tax-free examples.
Volkswagen Golf
Many Mk 1 Volkswagen Golf survive, especially in GTI and convertible forms. It seems almost unbelievable that a car as significant as the VW Golf didn’t win the European Car of the Year award, but that’s exactly what happened in 1975 – the innovative Citroen CX picked up the trophy that year. Arguably the blueprint for all modern hatchbacks, the Mk 1 Golf was produced between 1974 – 1984. Early examples still exist – especially GTI and convertibles versions.
Rolls-Royce Camargue
Just 531 Rolls-Royce Camargue cars were built between 1975–1986, so they are a rare enough sight as it is. The number of pre-1976 examples is likely to be minuscule, but the few that exist will be road tax exempt!
Reliant Kitten
The concept of the Kitten, manufactured from 1975 to 1982, was not a million miles away from the three-wheeled Robins and Rialtos, also built by Reliant. The different was that the Kitten had four wheels. A total of 4,074 Kittens were sold, so there’s a chance a few will qualify for zero road tax.
Renault 20/30
The Renault 20 and Renault 30 were executive cars produced by the French car giant between 1975 and 1984. Few remain and you’re unlikely to see a pre-1976 vehicle enjoying tax-free motoring in the UK.
Hyundai Pony
Launched in 1975, the Hyundai Pony was a hugely significant car because it was South Korea’s first ever mass-produced car to be exported. If any survive, the first UK versions would have appeared in 1976, so probably won’t qualify for zero road tax until 2017. The first generation car was produced up until 1982.
Mini
The iconic classic Mini was built between 1959 – 2000. A total of A total of 5,387,862 cars were produced and plenty of pre-1976 exist, therefore qualifying for zero road tax.
Peuegot 604
This Pininfarina-designed beast would have been a rare sight on British roads in 1975. An executive car produced by French car giant Peugeot between 1975 – 1985. a total of 153,252 examples were built. As recently as 2014, only 17 survivors were road-legal in the UK.
Lotus Eclat
Built between 1974 – 1982, the Eclat was based on the Lotus Elite but had a fastback body style which was more practical and offered more storage in the boot. Powered by a 2.0-litre Lotus twin-cam, the car was praised for its handling and grip. There are currently thought to be around 600 registered in the UK, some of which will be early tax-free examples.
Vauxhall Chevette
Launched in 1975 (a year before the Ford Fiesta), the Chevette was Vauxhall’s compact hatchback contender and it stayed in production until 1984. Curiously, the Chevette was also rear-wheel drive – quite against the fashion. Sales began on 1 May 1975 , so it’s possible that some of the few remaining examples are now enjoying tax-free motoring.
Morris Marina
The Morris Marina epitomised the blandness of motoring for many in the 1970s. Built between 1971-84, it competed with the Ford Cortina, but not even a coupe with vinyl roof or an Italian facelift and re-badging (the Morris Ital) could redeem it. Even so, it was the fourth in the UK Top 10 in 1975 with 78,632 sales. In total, almost a million Marinas and Itals were built. Few remain, but a cherished few qualify for zero road tax.