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The ‘70s may not have been the best decade for the automotive industry, but it was an amazing one for Pontiac.

Pontiac, a division of General Motors, had been around long enough to witness the changing automotive landscape in America. Although the brand has had its hits and misses, it gained prominence with some great muscle cars built in the 1950s. A lineup of luxury cars and performance cars like the GTO and the Firebird followed.

The '70s came with rising fuel costs and government emissions/safety regulations, and everything changed. Engine performance entered a downward spiral while competition from imported models grew fiercer. As a result, Pontiac's selling points shifted from power and performance to luxury, safety, and efficiency. Despite facing strict government regulations and competition from within and outside, here are the ten greatest Pontiacs of the '70s.

With the arrival of the Pontiac Grand Ville to replace the Bonneville Brougham in 1971, the Bonneville was knocked down from the top spot on the pecking order. The '71 Grand Ville was available in 2- and 4-door hardtops as well as a convertible.

For power, the standard unit was a 455 V8 which produced 325 hp. It also got a Turbo Hydra-matic 3-speed transmission, power disc brakes in front, and power steering.

The Trans Am came into the second generation in 1970 with all guns blazing, thanks to a perfect balance of power and proportion. A standard 6.6-liter (400 c.i.) V8 engine churned out 345 hp, which was enough power for most buyers since only 88 customers opted for the 370 hp Ram Air IV.

Two transmission choices were available; the standard 4-speed manual and the optional Turbo Hydra-matic. What most enthusiasts forget about the Pontiac Trans Am is that it could run the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds. Underneath, the Trans Am sported a firmer suspension and quickened steering which improved handling and corner-carving capability.

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Priced moderately at $3,445, the Firebird Formula came into 1971 with some styling and comfort upgrades, including optional honeycomb wheels, thicker bucket seats, and a rear-seat console. Power choices for the '71 Formula included a brawny 455 c.i. (7.5-liter) mill that pumped out 335 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.

Routed through a 4-speed manual transmission, this was enough juice to take the Formula from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. As an alternative to the more expensive and flashy Trans Am, the Formula did all the right things and ended up outselling the Trans Am four to one.

With a record sales of over 288,000 cars, the 1977 Grand Prix was a highly successful coupe offered in 3 trims and several engine options. The Grand Prix models sold outside California were powered by engines ranging from a 135 hp 4.9-liter Pontiac V8 unit to the 6.6-liter V8 that put out 180 hp.

Going up the model lineup, buyers got features like bucket seats, rally gauges, more soundproofing, and a handling package to ensure driving fun. Considering its handsome styling, exquisite handling, and gentle road manners, it wasn't surprising that it sold so well despite fierce competition from the cheaper Ford Thunderbird.

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Having taken over Pontiac's flagship status from the Bonneville in 1971, the Grand Ville offered the only full-size Pontiac convertible in 1973. The front and rear were given a distinctive restyle further stand out from the rest of Pontiac's lineup.

Inside the luxuriously trimmed cabin, which could seat up to 6 persons, it boasted available features like a tilt steering wheel, AC, power windows, seats, and more. The sole power train for the drop-dead gorgeous convertible was a 250 hp 455 c.i. (7.5-liter) V8 mated to a Turbo Hydra-matic automatic transmission.

For 1977, the Firebird Trans Am received an ingenious styling upgrade that included new quad square headlamps and a more aggressive grille. Failing to meet the tightening emissions restrictions, the 7.5-liter V8 did not return for 1977.

The standard engine was now a 6.6-liter Pontiac V8 rated 180 hp, while a 6.6-liter Oldsmobile V8 and an upgraded 200 hp Pontiac 6.6L were options. Although sales were good, gearheads loved the 1977 Trans Am all the more when the black and gold Special Edition appeared in the hit movie - Smokey and the Bandit.

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When the third generation Grand Prix finally arrived redesigned in 1973, the crash bumpers and pillared roof it sported were influenced by federal safety standards. Two V8 power mills making 230 hp and 250 hp were available for motivation, while an optional radial tuned suspension improved handling.

Unlike what was attainable in cars back then, the interior had genuine wood trimmings, and the new bucket seats had higher seat backs and lumbar support. Although the '73 Grand Prix was more of a watered-down model, its perfect blend of luxury and sportiness led to the record production of over 150,000 cars.

The 10th Anniversary Trans Am had a unique silver/charcoal paint and a larger Firebird hood decal in addition to the "Turbo cast" alloy wheels that made it easily recognizable. Finished in gray and silver, the interior featured red lighting for the instruments, a leather-wrapped Formula wheel, leather upholstery and a premium sound system.

For power, 1,817 models out of the 7,500 built got the last 220 hp Pontiac high output ("T/A 6.6") 6.6-liter V8 engines coupled to a 4-speed stick. Every Anniversary Trans Am came with the WS6 Special Performance Package to cap it off.

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While the second-generation Pontiac GTOs are some of the most sought-after models from Pontiac's golden era, the 1970 GTO 455 outshines most of them. Powered by a 7.5-liter (455c.i.) Pontiac V8 power plant that spewed up 360 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, it was a fearsome beast that appealed to gearheads.

It also got styling updates which gave it larger grille openings, and reshaped front fenders and rear quarter panels. To match the GTO's aggression, it came with a sports steering wheel, rally II wheels, stiffer springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars.

The Firebird's lineup for 1976 had four models which shared the same head-turning style, the same basic interior, and the same Radial Tuned Suspension. Power was supplied either by a standard 5.7-liter (350 c.i.) 160 hp V8 or an optional 6.6-liter (400 c.i.) unit that was good for 185 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

With a starting MSRP of $4,565, the '76 Firebird Formula was a favorite of those who couldn't afford the Trans Am. At a period when muscle cars were losing their appeal to subcompact cars, the Formula still managed to offer performance and class that kept it in the game.

Jay Moren is a car enthusiast who loves everything with an engine. When he's not writing about cars, he plays the saxophone and keyboard. He also plays as a goalkeeper for a non-league side in his native Nigeria