16 Cars From The 1970s And 1980s That Hagerty Flagged As Almost Extinct

Remember when the street was full of Capris, Sciroccos and Citations? Take a look around next time you are at a car show, and try to spot one.

A vintage classic car parked near a concrete wall.

Starting in 2009, Hagerty’s Rob Sass and later Jeff Sabatini published lists of cars that have all but disappeared. The cars are sorted into threatened, endangered and extinct, and the lists are based on how many of them Hagerty insured at the time.

In the original December 2009 Hagerty list, “threatened” meant fewer than 25 insured cars, “endangered” meant fewer than 15, and “extinct” meant none. Each car had to have more than 10,000 built. Pulling from Hagerty’s lists of 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014, here are 16 cars from the 1970s and 1980s that earned a place.

1. Mercury Capri, The Mini Mustang Marketed As The Sexy European

Hagerty’s 2014 list, republished by Fox News, describes the 1971-77 Mercury Capri as the German Ford mini-Mustang sold in the U.S. through Mercury dealers with four- and six-cylinder engines. It was marketed as “The Sexy European.”

The 2009 list put it among the endangered cars.

2. Volkswagen Scirocco Was An Italian-Designed Successor To The Karmann-Ghia

Hagerty describes the 1975-81 Scirocco as the spiritual successor to the Karmann-Ghia, with a body designed by Italdesign over Rabbit-derived mechanicals. In 2009 it was also on the endangered list.

The Scirocco shows how a stylish import can nearly vanish.

3. Chrysler Conquest Was The Captive Import Twin Of The Mitsubishi Starion

The Conquest was the captive import twin of the Mitsubishi Starion, according to Hagerty. The hottest turbo spec produced 197 horsepower.

It was one of five cars on the 2014 list of nearly extinct cool cars from the 70s and 80s.

4. International Harvester Travelall Was A Pioneer Of The Modern SUV

The 1969-75 Travelall was the Scout’s larger sibling. Hagerty says it was one of the pioneers of the modern SUV and one of the first vehicles to offer anti-lock brakes.

It was also one of the cars on the 2014 list.

5. Chrysler Laser And Dodge Daytona Z Turbo Shared The K-Car Platform

Hagerty says the Chrysler Laser and Dodge Daytona Z Turbo were built on the K-car platform. The 2.2- and 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engines produced 175 to 224 horsepower in their hottest tunes.

The Carroll Shelby versions of the Daytona are somewhat collectible, and in 2009 Hagerty listed the 1985-86 Chrysler Laser XE as extinct.

6. Chevrolet Citation X-11 Was A Hot Rod Version Of An Everyday Car

Hagerty calls the Citation X-11 the performance version of the Citation, a GM “X-car.” More than 25,000 were built, but very few remain.

The 2009 list showed the 1981-85 model as endangered.

7. Oldsmobile Firenza Was The Premium Compact From 1982 To 1988

The 1982-88 Oldsmobile Firenza shared the J-body platform with the Chevrolet Cavalier. Hagerty says it was positioned as Oldsmobile’s premium compact with more luxury features.

The 2012 list placed it as possibly extinct.

8. Cadillac Cimarron Was A Cavalier In Cadillac Clothing

Hagerty describes the 1982-88 Cadillac Cimarron as a Cavalier in Cadillac clothing, a cynical attempt at a smaller Cadillac. The article says it “nearly killed the brand.”

The Cimarron was listed as endangered in 2012.

9. Volkswagen Fox Was The Last Truly Entry-Level VW

The 1987-91 Volkswagen Fox was VW’s last truly entry-level subcompact, Brazilian-built with water-cooled front-wheel drive. Hagerty says the two-door wagon is the most likely survivor.

It was listed as endangered in 2012.

10. Ford EXP Turbo Was A Two-Seater With A Turbocharged 1.6

In Hagerty’s 2010 Part II list, the 1984-85 Ford EXP Turbo was extinct. The two-seater was based on the Escort coupe, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine rated at 120 horsepower.

It was priced near $10,000.

11. Volkswagen Dasher Was A Five-Door Hatchback From 1974 To 1981

Hagerty says the Dasher was related to the Audi Fox sedan and had a 1.5-liter four-cylinder. A diesel version was offered from 1979.

It was listed as endangered in 2010.

12. Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo Brought All-Wheel Drive And 190 Horsepower

Hagerty lists the 1988-89 Celica All-Trac Turbo as threatened in 2010. It was a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Celica with 190 horsepower, weighing 3,200 pounds, and priced over $20,000.

It was a lot of car for the money back then.

13. Sterling 825 And 827 Were A Sales Failure With A Honda V6

The 1987-91 Sterling was a Rover 800-based luxury sedan with a Honda V6, sold in the U.S. as a sales failure, according to Hagerty. Honda’s version was the Acura Legend.

Hagerty listed it as endangered in 2010.

14. Toyota Supra Of 1979 To 1981 Was Endangered By 2009

Hagerty placed the 1979-81 Toyota Supra on its 2009 endangered list. That means fewer than 15 were insured with the company at the time.

It is a reminder that even famous nameplates start small.

15. Isuzu Impulse Was Extinct On The 2009 List

The 1983-86 Isuzu Impulse landed in the extinct category in Hagerty’s 2009 list. Extinct meant Hagerty insured none.

The list required more than 10,000 built.

16. Dodge St. Regis Of 1980 Was Also Extinct

The 1980 Dodge St. Regis joined the Impulse in the extinct category in 2009. In that same list, the 1971 Plymouth Cricket moved up from extinct to endangered after a reader showed Hagerty had insured his car since September.

These lists capture a moment in time, based on what Hagerty insured when each was published. If you own one of these cars, you are keeping a piece of history alive.

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