17 Colorized Photos from the Mid-1970s

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.

Tags: 1900s 1970s 70s