We’ve looked at length at the longest cars of the Seventies, now let’s check in on the shortest. Predictably, the pint-size rides built at the end of Richard Nixon’s first term are of an economical bent–all but two of them (the Mercury Capri and Opel 1900) are the least-expensive vehicles in their respective lineups.
Our collection of 10 cars is as tested by Consumer Guide and reported in Auto Test ’72–thus, there are no sports cars or low-volume import models represented here.
Note that the shortest car on our list is the Datsun 1200. For comparison purposes, we present here the specs for the shortest car in Nissan’s current lineup:
Overall Length: 163.7 inches
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches
Curb Weight: 2460 pounds
If you remember spending time with any of these tiny rides, please tell us about it.
Hard to Park: The 5 Longest Cars of 1973
Hard to Park: The 5 Longest Cars of 1975
Hard to Park: The 5 Longest Cars of 1977
Hard to Park: The 10 Longest Cars of 1979
Shortest Cars of 1972
Datsun 1200: 150.8 Inches
Wheelbase: 90.6 inches
Curb Weight: 1624 pounds
Dodge Colt: 159.8 Inches
Wheelbase: 90.6 Inches
Curb Weight: 1918 pounds
Fiat 124: 159.8 Inches
Wheelbase: 95.3 inches
Curb Weight: 2120 pounds
Volkswagen Super Beetle: 160.6 Inches
Wheelbase: 95.3 inches
Curb Weight: 1998 pounds
AMC Gremlin: 161.3 Inches
Wheelbase: 96.0 inches
Curb Weight: 2650 pounds
Opel 1900: 162.4 Inches
Wheelbase: 95.7 inches
Curb Weight: 2197 pounds
Ford Pinto: 160.0 Inches
Wheelbase: 94.0 inches
Curb Weight: 2074 pounds
Toyota Corona: 164.0 Inches
Wheelbase: 95.0 inches
Curb Weight: 2195 pounds
Mercury Capri: 167.8 Inches
Wheelbase: 95.0 inches
Curb Weight: 2195 pounds
Chevrolet Vega: 169.7 Inches
Wheelbase: 97.0 inches
Curb Weight: 2213 pounds
The 10 Cheapest Wagons of 1973
Shortest Cars
Shortest Cars
