The '70s brought us many things, including an oil embargo that put an end to muscle cars and foreign cars that became popular. In Europe, many of the cars on the streets were already compact designs that were far more efficient than the American V8 engines. Today, there are many foreign classics that can be found for restoration projects. Here are the compact imports that may be small but pack a punch under the hood:

1. 1971 Opel Manta GTE 1.9-Litre

The Opel Manta was a 2-door sports coupe that was sold in GM dealerships. The Manta GTE was the high-performance model sold in European markets, which had the larger 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine and the Bosch fuel injection system. The small engine gave the Manta GTE more than 100hp. With its lightweight aerodynamic body design, this is a fast-compact car for any restoration project.

2. 1975 BMW M2

The BMW M20 was a powerful sports car made by the German automaker. The early M10 models had over 100hp, but it was not until 1975 that the M20 got an engine overhaul, and the newly designed engine gave this car nearly 170hp.

3. 1975 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen GTI is another German car that has been manufactured for decades. It was not until 1975 that Volkswagen came out with the sports package for their Golf model. The Volkswagen Golf GTI had a 1.7-liter engine that gave the little car nearly 115 horsepower. There are also 1.5-liter models that get slightly lower horsepower ratings.

4. 1976 Audi 100 Coupe S

In 1976, the Audi 100 had a sports performance package, the Audi 100 Coupe S. The Coupe S had 115hp that came from a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. The mid-70s models had a new body design that made the Audi 100 Coupe S look more like a true sports car and less like a family sedan.

5. 1970 Porsche 911S

The 911 Porsche is one of the most recognizable sports cars in the world. In 1970, there were several different versions, and the 911 S had the most power. The Porsche 911 S had a 2.2-liter engine that gave it enough power to reach 60mph in less than 8 seconds.

The compact foreign classic you find for restorations is going to need maintenance and good parts for repairs. Contact a foreign auto parts service like Duval Auto Parts to help you find those parts that are difficult to find when doing restoration work. 

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