Not sure about that one, Steve, but my '74 SG Special (sixer) meant budget version... single ply scratch, mini pups, basic fin, plastic faced headstock, and a Bigsby (clone, stamped Gibson)... pickups are just plain mean, and by that I mean off or KILL... absouletly gorgeous rock sound and same for bottle in an E tune situ...
The 70's special guitar was circa half price and not a perfect instrument, but... presumably something similar...?
Mine's presently (sort of) bare timber, and has been for a couple of decades (including headstock face) and she's all mahogany and ebony... presume just cheaper cuts, but...
Someone will be able to offer a direct comparison sooner or later... a very "sixties" shape bass but still a popular "guitar"...
Mind you, a "P" is a very "fifties" shape, if you get my drift...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
You could possibly get a long scale, set neck, Epi SG bass for half the price of the "Special", if the shape fits, that may be just as good... may be...
My Squier Jazz is as good as many Fender's I've tried...