8). 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 426 cubic Hemi 425 HP
The introduction of 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, also kwon as the Superbird, happened in 1970 in from the very first look, it was clear that it resembled many things (from the design) with the Dodge Daytona. The basis had been taken from the Plymouth Road Runner from the previous year’s model, with a visible difference at the node and airfoil. Because the main goal was to be able to compete with other muscle cars on the roads and racing tracks, it got big and mighty engines.
Compared with the Daytonas, Superbird had higher and more angled spoilers. It also had high mounting wings in order to gain a better access to the trunk, but driven under 90 mph, they were totally useless.
The potential customers could choose from three different engine options. The most popular was The Super Commando 440 V8 with single 4 barrel carburetor that was producing 375 HP and 480 pounds feet of torque and it had acceleration from 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds. Than there was the V8 440 cubic inch engine with Six Pack that running through a quarter mile in 14.5 seconds at the speed of 103 mph. However, the most powerful model (and also the most expensive) at 1970 Plymouth Road Runner was the 426 Hemi with its 425 HP that was enabling the Superbird to hit from 0 to 60 in only 4.8 seconds and to go through a quarter mile in about 13.5 seconds.
The production of 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 426 cubic Hemi 425 HP lasted only one year and the total of production units was 93. Some say that the reason for the small number of production of this beautiful muscle car is in the controversial oversized wing and angular nose, as well as the ‘beep-beep’ horn that was hated by many. Even though it had undisputed performance abilities as well as the top speed, which was unbeatable for a long time. But, regardless to everything, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner with a 426 cubic Hemi engine and its astonishing 425 HP remains as one of the very best muscle cars of all times.
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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.