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17 Colorized Photos from the Mid-1970s

History Nostalgia Vintage Photos May 24, 2025

Last Updated on May 24, 2025 by Matt Staff

Take a step back into the iconic era of the mid-1970s. This was a time when bell-bottoms danced back and forth to the soundtrack of Fleetwood Mac, and disco lights glittered on every corner. These 17 masterfully colorized photos effectively revive a decade most often remembered for its more frequently sepia-toned photos.

1. City Light Superintendent Gordon Vickery charging a prototype AMC Gremlin electric car, Seattle, 1973

A man in a suit charges a red car at a vintage "Electro Park" electric vehicle charging station on a city street, kneeling by a parking sign labeled with loading and no parking times.
anonymous

2. Winners of a beard growing contest celebrating their victory back in 1975.

Three bearded men wearing blue knit hats sing or shout together; one holds a plastic tube and another holds a cup of beer. They appear joyful and animated in a casual, indoor setting.
xanderlionheart

I mean, the beards are pretty epic. That much is undeniable.

3. George Carlin holding it down back in 1975

A smiling man with shoulder-length dark hair, a full beard, and mustache wears a red, long-sleeve, ribbed shirt against a plain light background.
therealdwf

The colorization is pretty great, but the lips could’ve used more deliberation.

4. Some intimidating members from an outlaw motorcycle gang in the mid-1970s.

Four women wearing leather jackets pose confidently with two vintage motorcycles in front of an old, purple car and a brick building, creating a rebellious, retro atmosphere.
anonymous

5. Someone’s parents on their grand wedding day back in 1974.

A bride and groom stand outdoors by blooming purple flowers. The bride wears a white dress, veil, and gloves, holding a bouquet, while the groom wears a dark suit. Both appear to be admiring the flowers together.
deleted

6. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Melbourne, Australia in 1974.

A muscular, shirtless man poses, flexing his biceps in the middle of a city street, while three people on the sidewalk look on in surprise or curiosity. Tall buildings and parked cars line the background.
tswan

7. Goldie Hawn keeping up with her yo-yo skills.

A woman in jeans and a striped sweater plays with a yo-yo outside a country sausage stand, with a Coca-Cola sign above her and people and equipment in the background.
ectheow3

8. Getting ready to make some tasty creation.

A woman in hair curlers and a headscarf sits at a kitchen table with a bowl, eggs, a measuring cup, a box of baking soda, a blender, and a box of sugar, looking at the camera. Floral curtains are in the background.
ectheow3

9. The colorization here is really captivating.

A young girl with blonde hair in a red jacket sits on a wooden bench, resting her head on her hand and looking thoughtful. A large gray bag sits beside her on the bench.
collinfiat

10. Mary Wallace, the first female bus driver for Chicago Transit Authority in 1974.

A smiling woman in a patterned shirt and bus driver’s cap sits at the steering wheel of a bus. Through the window, a yellow taxi and city buildings are visible in the background.
genesis11

11. The backdrop really ties the whole aesthetic of this shot together beautifully.

A man in a white suit and sunglasses stands with his arm around a woman in a green dress with cut-out details. They pose indoors, surrounded by lush green plants and purple flowers.
ultralightdude

12. Groucho Marx and Alice Cooper holding it down in 1974.

At an outdoor gathering, an older man in a beret and glasses offers grapes to a long-haired man in a white jacket who is drinking from a Budweiser can, while others sit and socialize around a table.
ectheow3

13. NYPD officer ends his shift in 1974

A police officer opens his uniform to reveal a bulletproof vest, standing behind a cluttered desk with a pink rotary phone and papers in a police station with notes pinned on the wall.
stumpedhard

14. A shot of the 1974 Grand Prix

Two vintage Formula 1 cars race on a curving track bordered by grass and advertising signs, with a crowd of spectators watching from the background.
angelinaretro

15. George Harrison in 1974

A man with shoulder-length brown hair and a thick mustache, wearing a brown jacket and a button with an image on it, stands in front of a light, blurred background.
xanderlioneart

16. Some snowfall in San Francisco in mid-1970s

Two people in blue coveralls try to push-start an old blue van on a snow-covered suburban street, with houses in the background and snow piled on the vehicle and ground.

17. A girl carrying her doll on her back in South Korea in 1974

A young girl with dark hair stands on a dirt road, glancing shyly at the camera. She wears a brown sweater and carries a green sack on her back with a stuffed dog toy peeking out. A dog and buildings are in the background.
genesis916

Explore more vintage content:

Feeling the groove of these mid-’70s hues? Jump ahead to the neon-tinted 35 Vintage Photos of the 1980s to watch disco’s glitter evolve into arcade fever. If a backward spin is more your style, our candid 1960s Family Photos reveal the Sunday drives and kitchen-table chats that laid the groundwork for shag-carpet swagger.

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