With the popularity of movies like The Fast and also the Furious, Gone in Sixty Seconds and also the last Ride, there’s been some mention of the the good old muscle cars which were immortalized in movies like Bullit, Vanishing Point not to mention The Dukes of Hazzard series. This top ten list includes a take a look at some of the muscle car icons born in the late 60′s and early 70′s.
The main way of measuring these cars is power, with Brake Horse Power (bhp) being the term flung around most often. What this refers to is the power released through the engine before the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump, and other components sap its power. If you are used to Kilowatts, then take into consideration that 250kw translates to 335.26bhp.
The 1969 Pontiac GTO
Conceptualised to gain attract the younger market, Pontiac put a 6.3 litre V8 engine into the midsized Tempest shell, making for an inexpensive fast car. Towards the surprise of Pontiac’s marketing team the GTO became massively popular and in 1969 they fitted it with a 6.5 litre V8 that could remove 366bhp. The Judge was born.
The 1970 Buick GSX
Again the idea here was to squash a beast of the engine into a midsized body, in this case the Buick Skylark. In 1967 the Buick GS became recognised as a standalone model available as a sedan and convertible.
The 1970 model was handed a monstrous 7.5 litre engine capable of producing 400bhp. The GSX body came in yellow or white only, adding to the image which made this car a distinct classic.
The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
There have been various options available to those purchasing a first generation Camaro, the Z28 package being the most exciting. With a 4.9 litre engine, power steering, disc brakes about the front and a four speed manual gearbox, the Z28 is made for racing – producing as much as 400bhp.
The Plymouth Roadrunner
Built to beat 14 seconds over a quarter mile, the Plymouth Roadrunner was stripped right down to the bare essentials, sacrificing the carpets to make this into a beast of a machine. It featured a beefed up steering, brake and suspension systems along with a 6.3 litre engine which pushed 335bhp. An optional boost originated from the 7.0 litre version’s 425bhp.
The Dodge Challenger
Striking the market in 1970, the Dodge Challenger would be a hit from the get go, selling more than 80,000 in the first year. Although various options were provided, the R/T is the model which attracts probably the most attention using its 7.0 litre Hemi engine kicking out 425bhp. Later models lost the plot, with the ’72 model dropping to a measly 240bhp. See the Challenger in the cult classic movie, Vanishing Point.
The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT
Launched in ’62 having a 3.6 litre V8, the Ford Fairlane was given a makeover in 1966, including a 6.4 litre engine capable of 335bhp. As if this weren’t enough they decided to upgrade to a 7.0 litre NASCAR engine with 435bhp. Rigid front suspension and disc brakes gave the car better handling, and the brute power kicked the dial over 60mph (100km/h) in six seconds.
Oldsmobile 442
The Cutlass model was designed with a police specification engine able to 310bhp. The 442 refers back to the four barrel carburettor, four speed manual gear box and the twin exhausts. The 442 were built with a track record of its handling in comparison with other muscle cars, thanks to its improved springs, shocks and the comforting safety of an anti-roll bar.
The 1968 edition was redesigned as a shapely coupe, with a 7.5 litre block blasting 390bhp.
Plymouth Barracuda
Although the Barracuda was launched in 1964, just a few weeks before the Ford Mustang, it was not until 1970 that Plymouth gained wider popularity with sexy lines and some serious growl underneath the hood as a 7.2 litre 390bhp. The other choice was a smaller 7.0 litre Hemi block which knocked out some extra power at 425bhp!
Despite a revamped suspension the ability am much that the ‘Cuda gained a track record of difficult handling.
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
The 1965 Chevelle SS sported a 6.5 litre block pushing 375bhp, which was very much for that front end of the car, creating some pretty horrible handling. Luckily it was addressed using the revamping of the suspension and the addition of disk brakes on the front.
1969 saw the development of the very best engine spec, that was featured within the El Camio pick-up too. The 1970 SS was powered with a 7.4 litre V8 with 450bhp pulling the Chevell to 100km/h in only six seconds. Later models were adjusted for unleaded fuel and the power output suffered considerably.
Dodge Charger
Bo and Duke’s ride of preference, the Charger premiered in 1966 and some 37,000 cars were bought from the first year. A 7.0 litre Hemi reputedly kicked out around 500bhp, though it was officially with a rating of 425bhp. This monster reached 100km/h in just five and a half seconds. The Hemi engine option was available until 1972.