Our favourite dad cars from the 70s and 80s

If you’re ever nostalgic for the cars of your youth, you’re not alone. As a child, your dad’s car seemed enormous and all-powerful and some of the smells and textures stay with you forever – sticky thighs on the pleather seats, the smell of the upholstery, the groovy tunes belting out of the crackly radio.

Looking back, you also have a whole new appreciation of the aesthetics of the 1970s and 80s. Some of the family cars from those days were kind of cool - maybe your dad was too! Get out the old family albums and see if you can spot those much-loved vehicles of your youth. Or alternatively, see if these favourite dad cars jog your memory.

If you want to invest in your own cherished classic car, don’t forget to protect your vehicle with classic motor insurance, tailor-made for your needs.

The best dad cars of the 1970s

While the disco kids were strutting their stuff, your dad was probably carting the kids off to the beach in a vehicle in a lovely shade of brown or green. What were the cool dads driving in the 70s?

Austin Allegro

Made between 1973 and 1982, the Allegro was a big hit in Britain. It’s taken a bit of flack over the years, but the smooth lines and classic styling make it worth a second look. The Austin part of the name refers to the transverse-engined front wheel drive layout of the vehicle.

BMW E21 323i

This zippy little vehicle is as quick as other, more expensive models but is often overlooked by classic car buyers. The alloy 140bhp M20 straight six and rear drive handling take a bit of getting used to, but then classic cars are all about stepping out of the ordinary.

BMW 7 Series

Until the 7 Series, BMW made sporty, diminutive cars. This classic car was a departure, with gorgeous curves and plenty of space in the back for kids and a dog.

Citroen DS

The lines on this vehicle are simply to die for - curvaceous and a little alien like, the Citroen DS is an achingly beautiful classic vehicle.

Honda Accord

The eminently affordable Honda was the start of a revolution in the car market as Japanese low-cost vehicles swept the board. It might not have the smooth lines of other vehicles of the time, but it’s still a classic and desirable motor.

Hillman Avenger

The Hillman (later Chrysler, then Talbot) was a cracking little car with a four-cylinder engine and rear drive via live rear axle. It was a completely new design aimed at competing with other classics such as the Ford Escort, Marina and Viva. In an industry first, it pioneered the use of computer-aided design for its bodyshell.

Maserati Kyalami

Your dad probably only drove one of these if he was a car fanatic or a millionaire – but that’s possible, right? The Kyalami appeared after Maserati bought carmaker de Tomaso, debuting in 1976. It had a 4.2-litre V8 engine (later upgraded to 4.9 in 1978). It is a glorious thing to behold – if your dad had one of these, you were a very lucky kid indeed!

Ford Escort

It was first made in 1968 but in the 1970s, the Escort really came into its own and became the car of choice for families up and down the country. It was groundbreaking in its day and the place for many, many childhood adventures and excursions.

The best dad cars of the 1980s

Hair was bouffant, music was poppy and cars were changing fast. The 1980s cars are just about to achieve classic car status as they celebrate their 40th birthdays, and not a moment too soon as these little gems deserve to be treasured and cared for. The specialists at Lancaster can help you find the right classic car insurance for your needs.

Ford Escort

In the early 1980s, the Escort had become the best-selling car in the country. The Mk3 was produced with an update to rival the front-drive Japanese cars that were beginning to become popular. The Mk3 was available as a three and five-door hatchback, a three and five-door estate, a two-door cabriolet and a three-door van. The family favourite only fizzled out in 1990, when the Mk5 was a spectacular flop.

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk II

This roomy vehicle was the choice of many dads in the 80s – in fact, it was the best-selling model of 1985. With alloy-headed OHC engines intended to produce low maintenance costs and good economy, the motor was deservedly popular.

Austin Maestro

People joke about the Maestro but when you think about it, it was a well-designed car for its day. The transverse engine and front drive were nothing new, but the clean lines looked fresh and modern and there was plenty of space inside. Something about this car makes you want to grab your anorak and head out for adventures.

Alfa Romeo 164 3.0 V6

This handsome little car was Alfa’s first large front-wheel drive car, and it took the market by storm. It’s economic to run and has classic styling of the era – why not get yourself some fluffy dice to hang up for the full vintage effect?

Range Rover Classic

In the days before 4x4s became a common sight on UK streets, the Range Rover Classic was an unmistakable silhouette carrying active dads up and down the country. From 1986, the V8 model was fitted with fuel injection to boost performance and improve fuel economy. Driving one of these classic cars is an absolute joy.

Citroen BX

You don’t see many Citroen BXs on the roads these days, which is a shame because they have a definite retro je ne sais quois. The substantial family car was produced between 1982 and 1994 and the spacious vehicle paved the way for other large family cars, such as the Citroen Xantia which replaced it.

Jaguar XJ40

Another hit for the minted dads of yesteryear, this super saloon had a J-gate gear selector and a dashboard with an adorable retro digital display. Driving it feels like you’ve stepped into an episode of Knight Rider – and it’s still a whole lot of fun.

Driving in your classic dad car when you’re a dad today

If you want to take your kids in your classic car, there are a few things to think about. All parents will know that children come with a good supply of grime and crumbs that they spread wherever they go – you will either need to be sure that your offspring are clean or use a protective mat or sheet to ensure your kids don’t trash your investment.

If your classic car comes from a time when the approach to car seats was a little bit more lax, you will need to understand your legal obligations around child car seats, which are now required for kids up to the age of 12 or 135cm in height. If your classic car does not have seat belts fitted because this is how it was originally made, you are only allowed to carry children over the age of three in the back. Children under the age of three always need to be in fitted car seats.

You may be able to add seat belts and car seats to your classic car, but you will need to find a seat that uses a seat belt fixing rather than the isofix system. The tilt of the rear seat may also cause some challenges depending on the design of your chosen car seat.

It is also worth considering the impact that not having seat belts will have on your classic car insurance policy. A vehicle without seat belts may be more expensive to cover, so it might be advisable to have them retrofitted, even if this does detract from the classic styling of your vehicle interior.

You should also be fully aware of the vehicle safety standards of your classic car before taking the family out for a Sunday drive. You love your classic car, you love your kids – but you need to take an informed approach to risk to work out whether it’s a good idea to take them out for a spin in your much-loved classic vehicle. Heading out on a pre-planned route at a quiet time of day in clement weather will help to head off many problems.

There are many adjustments you can make to your classic vehicle to improve the safety without detracting from the overall appearance of the car. For example, you can fit traction tyres, anti-lock brakes, and LED headlights to combine classic style with modern safety. These modifications should always be discussed with your vintage car insurance provider to ensure they will reduce your premiums, rather than increasing them as a result of your insurance’s car modification clause.

Entering the world of classic cars

A 1970s or 1980s dad car is the perfect vehicle with which to enter the enchanted world of classic cars. Owning a classic car can be a source of immense pride and pleasure, but it’s not something to go into without fully understanding the commitment – a bit like becoming a dad, really.

The first thing to appreciate is that classic cars can be an investment that pays off, but they are also often a drain on your wallet. You will need to cover costs such as storage, maintenance and classic car insurance, which all need to be budgeted for. If you need to have the car repaired, you may need to use a specialist who sources specialist parts – in short, it will cost you.

If you want to save money, carrying out basic maintenance and repairs yourself is an option, but it’s easy to underestimate the amount of time and mental space this will take. You will be spending many weekends and evenings on your back, wielding a spanner – if this is incompatible with your lifestyle, you might need to just foot the bill for someone else to do it.

When it comes to buying your classic 1970s or 1980s dad car in the first place, you will need to be careful that you are buying a genuine, functioning vehicle and not a rust bucket or a banger that will conk out after a few miles.

Using a reputable dealer is the best way to do this, although it may cost you more. Owners clubs are a great place to start when searching for a particular classic marque. Someone’s sure to be thinking of selling up and might be able to give you lots of useful background information, too.

It is also important to think about the market for your intended classic vehicle and how easy it would be to sell the car if you decide it is no longer for you. Dad vehicles from the recent past (1970s and 1980s) have less sales appeal than a vehicle from earlier decades.

It is wise to understand the market for reselling your intended classic car before buying it, just in case you need to sell in a hurry at some point.

Choosing the right classic car insurance

To protect your investment, classic car insurance is essential. All classic cars are different, which is why insurance policies also need to be tailored to fit individual circumstances.

If your vehicle is stolen or damaged, you stand to lose a considerable amount of money – which is why it pays to make sure your insurance is reliable and comprehensive.

Lancaster Classic Car Insurance offers classic car insurance using experienced and knowledgeable underwriters. We offer a huge range of benefits, from car club member discounts, historic rally cover, salvage retention and free EU cover for up to 90 days.

If you need to make a claim, you can call our 24-hour claims helpline and UK-based call centre.

Get in touch for a quick quote and get your classic ‘dad’ car on the road again.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.