Ford Thunderbolt came to mind. Not a Chevy guy, but I think the L88 & ZL1 may be the most powerful engines installed in a factory car in the 60s. Props to the use of aluminum as well.
Last edited by BigDaddy440; 07/22/2102:03 AM.
1969 A12 Roadrunner 1970 Plymouth Cuda 1968 Dodge Dart
Ford Thunderbolt came to mind. Not a Chevy guy, but I think the L88 & ZL1 may be the most powerful engines installed in a factory car in the 60s. Props to the use of aluminum as well.
What about the 1965 A990 Dodge and Plymouths? How about the Hurst SS Hemi Cuda and Darts in 1968?
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Most powerful muscle car
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2946017 07/22/2112:52 PM07/22/2112:52 PM
I always thought it was the 68 hurst hemi cars running 10.60's, but technically its the challenger demon, even if you cannot replicate its certified 9.65 ET
If you're talking about back in the day things the average Joe could walk in off the street and buy, the LS6 is it. Little known, the 1958 Mercury with the super Marauder engine was rated 400hp.
Once again, the question.....what constitutes a "muscle car"? Some folks have set themselves as the authority on the definition but others, myself included, don't recognize their authority.
Once again, the question.....what constitutes a "muscle car"? Some folks have set themselves as the authority on the definition but others, myself included, don't recognize their authority.
Yes, typical, your definition is the only one that matters. A musclecar was well defined long ago, when Elon was still filling his diaper most likely and the internet wasn't invented. Don't like the definition? Too bad, it is what it is.
Re: Most powerful muscle car
[Re: Sniper]
#2946041 07/22/2102:03 PM07/22/2102:03 PM
Most power may not mean fastest though? Kind of a hard question to nail down.
When I think of brutal torque monster then maybe the Buick GSX is it. They are heavy though...
Max horsepower? LS6, or 6 pack and Hemi cars?
There are cars like 1971 351 Boss Mustangs that were faster than other cars with larger engines if you look at the old road tests. They are often overlooked, but still pretty quick.
Once again, the question.....what constitutes a "muscle car"? Some folks have set themselves as the authority on the definition but others, myself included, don't recognize their authority.
Agreed, as soon as someone ups the ante with a candidate, there is someone to cry foul by saying it's a pony car, or a sports car, a full size car or it was not made during the "musclecar era", or it doesn't fit the mold of intermediate chassis/big engine, or it's one of one, or limited production, race only, etc, etc, etc......and the OP's title, "Most powerful musclecar", most powerful meaning what..... HP#'s?, 1/4 mile time?, top speed?, most torque?
Re: Most powerful muscle car
[Re: Sniper]
#2946087 07/22/2104:37 PM07/22/2104:37 PM
Once again, the question.....what constitutes a "muscle car"? Some folks have set themselves as the authority on the definition but others, myself included, don't recognize their authority.
Yes, typical, your definition is the only one that matters. A musclecar was well defined long ago, when Elon was still filling his diaper most likely and the internet wasn't invented. Don't like the definition? Too bad, it is what it is.
By what definition? Horsepower? Torque? Both??? I'm sure we can all agree that the "Muscle Era" was generally 1968-1972, though we can sometimes paint that with a broader brush and say 1964-1974 because that will include the premiere GTO and Mustang, and run all the way to include the swan-song Challengers, Barracudas, Javelins and final year for big-block Camaros & Firebirds.
I thought the Buick GSX won the torque trophy with an advertised 510 lb-ft of torque. Thought it was the '70 Chevelle with LS6 engine that got peak advertised horsepower at 450.
So, both Muscle Car era; both with top advertised numbers.
But then the debate will begin over actual numbers generated. Most will argue that the 426 Hemi actually generated North of 475 Horsepower and has been somewhat proven with "stock build" dyno runs.
Last edited by That AMC Guy; 07/22/2104:51 PM.
Bloody Mary, Full of Vodka, Blessed art thou among cocktails....
I'm sure we can all agree that the "Muscle Era" was generally 1968-1972, though we can sometimes paint that with a broader brush and say 1964-1974
Myself, I look at 68-72 being the peak of the era, and generally agree with the offerings from the 64-74 years, but a few from the late 50's can qualify as "musclecars", they only lack the nomenclature..... same could be said for some foreign makes
Re: Most powerful muscle car
[Re: 3hundred]
#2946108 07/22/2106:05 PM07/22/2106:05 PM
If you're talking about back in the day things the average Joe could walk in off the street and buy, the LS6 is it. Little known, the 1958 Mercury with the super Marauder engine was rated 400hp.
There is a 50 fastest muscle car list that was put together back around 1997, it had the brand new Viper GTS as the king, with the 427 cobra in second. The first "muscle car" on the list was an A12 car piloted by Ronnie Sox
(the Viper ran 12.20, a 1320 challenger today would bag it with its 11.70)
It's just not the same. Yes it hauls azz but it's not the brutal visceral experience of a 60's to early 70's muscle car. It's more of an apples to oranges comparison.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion. '74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon! 2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Most powerful means horsepower. Torque means nothing if there is no rpm to turn it into horsepower. The 426 Hemi wins this one, hands down. It makes more horsepower stock than any other muscle car era motor, and with equal modifications performed to each contender, will continue to out-power anything else of the era.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img] 31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
Re: Most powerful muscle car
[Re: Sniper]
#2946228 07/22/2111:53 PM07/22/2111:53 PM
Yes, typical, your definition is the only one that matters. A musclecar was well defined long ago, when Elon was still filling his diaper most likely and the internet wasn't invented. Don't like the definition? Too bad, it is what it is.
For me a Musclecar was when the "average" younger person (i.e. guy) could go into a dealership & order a car according to his financial status at the time. As In: "I want the big motor, 4-speed, good gears" He wanted a "hotrod" kinda car he could AFFORD. Don't want no am/fm/stereo, a/c, power windows/seats, etc. I can't afford it on my grocery boy salary. Thus, for 1 example the RR or early Mustang, GTO etc.. They allowed a younger gearhead the "means" to buy HIS car based upon what he could afford. Unlike today, where cars "include" all the options: As If You Aren't Paying For It.!!!!!!! Of course those "better off" could go for the SE type models with full options.' IF a 68/69 RR came with ALL the Options back then, they wouldn't have sold as many. I.E. $600 for A/C on a $2500 base price was ALOT back then. It could easily pay for a Dana or a SixPak. They were "targeting" the "youth" market during those early years. Now they target those with the "means" or the Long-Lost-Youth crowd. That's all for now. Try not to bash me too harshly: please