The 1973 OPEC oil embargo found Ford's Lee Iacocca redesigning the Mustang for the future of fuel efficiency to compete with the emerging Japanese imports. A new body was designed and put on top of a Pinto chassis with a choice of 4 or 6 cylinders, a V8 was unavailable. With higher safety standards the vehicle's reduced size was offset by heavier equipment. The the Mustang II won Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1974, it was no such thing. It was smaller, slower and unpopular. It was replaced in 1978 with a new series. 10 Most Embarrassing Car Awards #9 Ford Mustang II
The Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Beetle is replaced by the Volkswagen Golf Mk1. It is produced in America as the VW Rabbit and in Mexico as the VW Caribe. It enjoyed an 11 year run being replaced by a more rounded and larger model the Golf Mk2. The MK1 is still being produced in South Africa. The car was noted for its front wheel drive, hatchback and mechanical stability. The Golf goes on selling, 22 million units in five model generation as of 2008.
The Races of 1974
Indianapolis 500 - Johnny Rutherford
USAC Racing - Bobby Unser
Richard Petty won the Daytona 500
NASCAR Championship - Richard Petty
IROC Championship - inaugural year won by Mark Donohue
Formula One Championship - Emerson Fittipaldi of Brazil
24 hours of Le Mans: the team of Henri Pescarolo / Gérard Larrousse won, driving a Matra MS670B
Rally racing - In the first rally to cross the Sahara Desert, the Australian team of Ken Tubman, Andre Welenski, and Jim Reddiex won the "World Cup Rally" driving a Citroën.
Drag racing - Don Garlits won "Top Fuel" at the NHRA World Finals
