Recent popular films like The Fast and the Furious and Gone in 60 Seconds have hearkened back to the era of muscle cars, epitomized by films like Vanishing Point and the original Dukes of Hazzard TV program. This list of the ten best, takes a look at the iconic muscle cars of the 60's and 70's.
The real yardstick of these vehicles is force. Brake Horse Power (bhp)is the phrase that's bandied about most. This term is in reference to the power that the engine releases before the water pump, gearbox, generator, differential, and other parts consume its power. If you usually think in Kilowatts, consider this. Two hundred and fifty Kilowatts is equal to 333.25 Brake Horse Power.
The '69 Pontiac GTO: Envisioned to garner the attention of the younger demographic. Pontiac joined a 6.3 liter V8 block with the midsized Tempest's frame. This resulted in an affordable but speedy vehicle. Pontiac's advertising wizards were amazed at the GTO's growing popularity. In 1969 they equipped it with a 6.5 liter V8 engine capable of 366bhp of brute force. The result was the new Judge.
The 1970 Buick GSX: The concept in play here was, once more, to team a monstrous motor with a midsized shell. In this instance it was the Buick Skylark. The Buick GS gained recognition as its own unique model in 1967. It was offered in sedan and topless versions.
They endowed the 1970 version with a humongous 7.5 liter motor with a capacity of 400bhp of sheer power. The GSX model was offered exclusively in yellow or white. This contributed to the iconic look that made this vehicle a unique classic.
The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro: With Camaro's earliest generation there were plenty of alternatives to choose from. The biggest thrills came from the Z28. The Z28 was built for speed. It had a 4.9 liter block, power steering, front disc brakes, and four-speed transmission, letting it kick out 400bhp.
The Plymouth Roadrunner: Engineered to go a quarter mile in under fourteen seconds, Plymouth's Roadrunner was taken to its most basic form. It was stripped even of its carpets to add to its sheer brute strength. It offered enhanced steering, brake and suspension, along with a 6.3 liter motor capable of kicking out 335bhp. An extra push was provided by the optional 425bhp produced by the 7.0 liter edition.
The Dodge Challenger: Launched in 1970, Dodge's Challenger was a star from the time it hit the sales floor. Over 80,000 units were sold during its initial year. A variety of options were available; however, the R/T model definitely attracted more attention than any other. It had a 7.0 liter Hemi engine that kicked out 425bph. Future versions dropped the ball. The 1972 model fell back to a mere 240bhp. If you want to see the Challenger, watch Vanishing Point. It is a cult classic movie.
The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT: This car debuted in 1962. The 3.6 liter V8 Ford Fairlane was revamped in '66, down to its new 6.4 liter block with 335bhp capacity. They didn't stop there, though. They went a step further by upgrading to a NASCAR type 7.0 liter motor capable of 435bhp. The vehicle's improved maneuverability came from rigid front suspension along with disc brakes, while the sheer strength pushed the needle past 60mph or 100km/h in just 6 seconds.
Oldsmobile 442: The Cutlass version was outfitted with a 310bhp motor that met police specs. 442 is a reference to its four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. The 442 was well-known for its handling ability in comparison to the rest of the muscle car class. It had enhanced springs, shocks and an anti-roll bar for extra security.
The '68 model was revamped as a stylish coupe. It was equipped with a 7.5 liter engine roaring with 390bhp.
Plymouth Barracuda: While the Barracuda debuted in '64, mere weeks prior to Ford's Mustang, Plymouth didn't garner a bigger fan-base until 1970, when it got a sexier look and real power beneath the hood. It had a 7.2 liter 390 bhp motor. The alternative was a more minimal 7.0 liter Hemi. This was still capable of blasting out 425bhp!
Despite the retooled suspension, the brute force was so great that the 'Cuda earned a name for being hard to control.
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS: The '65 Chevelle SS boasted a 6.5 liter engine capable of 375 bhp. This was a bit too powerful for the vehicle's front end, resulting in erratic maneuverability. Fortunately this was resolved with the suspension's redesign along with added front disk brakes.
The top motor specification debuted in 1969 and was offered in the El Camino pick-up, too. The '70 SS was fueled by a 7.4 liter V8 capable of 450bhp. This powered the Chevelle to a speed of 100km/h in a mere 6 seconds. Future versions were modified for unleaded gas and sacrificed some of their strength in the process.
Dodge Charger: This was the Hazzard boys' preferred ride. The Charger debuted in '66. Thirty-seven-thousand Chargers sold in their inaugural year. The 7.0 liter Hemi engine was said to be capable of nearly 500bhp; although, its official capacity was listed at 425bhp. This behemoth attained 100km/h in a mere 5.5 seconds. You could get the Hemi engine choice until 1972.
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