2). 1966 Corvette, 427 cubic L72 425 HP
In the mid 60’s, or more precisely 1966, Chevrolet have made some significant moves in the construction and developing of its sports cars and their most important brand of muscle cars, the legendary Corvette began its first and serious steps on the path of glory. Under direction of Zora Arkus Duntov, Corvette gain a big block engine extension and the legend had began. The 427 cubic L 36 (that was producing 390 HP) and the L 71 (that was producing 425 HP) with its V8 engine were unveiled and introduced to the wide audience throughout the world. The difference between these two was that 427 was actually smoother and coddled version of the 396 cubic model and L 72 V8 engine was constructed with Holly 780 CFM 4 barrel carburetor with aluminum intake, aluminum pistons, bigger camshaft, 4 speed Muncie close ratio manual transmission, independent suspension on all 4 wheels and 4 wheel hydraulic disc brakes.
1966 Corvette that gain the name Sting Ray became the most distinguished name amongst the American sports cars, with adroit handling capabilities, very easy to drive and steer, a muscle car that can be driven for every day usage, with an intention to become MG beater of the new generation of Americans. Therefore it is no wonder that when this year Chevy unveiled the new 2014 Corvette 7, they returned back the name of Sting Ray. Before Zora Arkus Duntov joined the Corvette project, the ambitions of Chevy people were not that big and high. But when maestro Arkus Duntov started to implement his ideas, V8 engine started to grow in volume and the list of possibilities and options got hotter and more attractive, with more and more fast goodies available, Corvette definitely got into the company of other muscle cars. Within the next few years, Corvette had become one of the most important muscle cars that was on every list on wishes of every sports car enthusiasts in the United States and all over the world.
..CLICK BELOW ON NEXT PAGE to SEE THE NEXT ONE..
The list is a bit one-sided. 6 GM products, 3 Chrysler’s, and 1 Ford. The 6 GM are 3 Corvettes; 2 Chevy’s; and 1 Buick. The 3 Chrysler’s are all Plymouths. And the lonely Ford wasn’t a viable option to the public at the time unless you had the cash for it. Same thing for the Corvettes; those were not easy to obtain for the everyman. The Plymouths were a readily accessible as was the Camaro, Chevelle, and Buick.
My list:
10. 1966 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power
Production: Sports Coupe: 10,363 Hardtop Coupe: 73,785 Convertible: 12,798
Engines: 389 V8 335 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 431 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. 389 V8 360 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 424 lb-ft @ 3600rpm. 389 V8 Ram Air 360 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 424 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Performance: 389/360: 0-60 in 6.5 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.65 sec @ 98mph.
09. 1967 Mustang Fastback
Production:
2D Hardtop: 356,271
Fastback: 71,042
Convertible: 44,808
Engines:
390 V8 320 bhp.
(Shelby GT500) 428 V8 355bhp@5400rpm, 420lb-ft@3200rpm.
Performance
(Shelby GT500) 428/355: 0-60 in 6.2 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.6 sec @ 99mph.
08. 1969 AMC Hurst
Production: 1,512
Engines: 390 V8 315 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
Performance: 390/315: 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.3 seconds @ 99 mph.
07. 1968 Dodge Charger
Production: 17,665
Engines: 318 V8 230bhp. 383 V8 335bhp. 426 V8 Hemi 425bhp@5000rpm, 490lb-ft@4000rpm. 440 V8 375bhp@4600rpm, 480lb-ft@3200rpm.
Performance: 426 Hemi V8 425: 0-60 in 5.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.8 sec @ 105mph.
06. 1970 Olds 442
Performance:
(W-30) 455/370: 0-60 in 5.7 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.2 sec @ 100mph.
05. 1969 Firebird
400 V8 (Ram Air IV) 345 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm.
Performance:
400/335 (RA IV): 0-60 in 6.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.1 sec @ 101 mph.
04. 69 Mercury Cougar
428 V8 335 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
Performance:
428/335: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.1 seconds @ 103 mph.
03. 1970 Cuda
440+6 V8 390 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 480 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm.
Performance:
Hemi – 426/425: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.41 sec. @ 104.6 mph.
02. 70 Challenger
Performance:
T/A: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.5 seconds @ 99.6 mph.
R/T 440-6: 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.7 seconds @ 105 mph.
01. 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2
Production: 11,519
Engines: 421 V8 338 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 459 ft-lb @ 2800 rpm. 421 V8 356 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 459 ft-lb @ 3200 rpm. 421 V8 376 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 461 ft-lb @ 3600 rpm.
Performance: 421/376: 0-60 in 3.9 sec 1/4 mile in 13.8 @ 106 mph
There we are.
GM: 4
Ford: 2
Chrysler: 3
AMC: 1
Not a bad list.