AMC Gremlin
The first American compact car, and the most popular one available in the 70's. It was built from 1970-1978, and was offered with a 6 cyl engine instead of a 4 banger. People often mocked it's wedge shape styling, but it was more stylish then any Pinto, Vega, or Chevette and lasted ALOT longer.
Unlike the Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega, the AMC Gremlin didn't blow up, or rust on dealership lots. Nope, they were reliable, and I used to see them still still cruising the streets back in the 90's.