1968-1970 Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi

Plymouth set out to build a back to basics Muscle Car. Plymouth came up with the name Roadrunner after the Warner Brothers cartoon character, it cost them $50,000 to use the name. The Chrysler B platform was used as the base (just like the Belvedere, Satellite, and GTX). Everything was beefed up in regards to performance and handling; all other nonessentials were left out. The interior was basic in early models and very few options were available. There was no console for the floor mounted shifter so that a bench seat could be used. The early models only available as 2-door coupes. Making this a very basic Muscle Car.

A standard 383cid Roadrunner V8 with 335hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque. Plymouth installed a 426cid Hemi with 425hp and 490 ft-lbs torque for an additional cost of $714. Along with the low weight of the 6-passenger Road Runner Muscle car it could turn 13.4 seconds at 105 mph in the ¼ mile. It proved to be one best engines of the Muscle Car era and the Road Runner the best to use it. Plymouth only expecting to sell about 2,000 cars in 1968 was surprised at the staggering 45,000 models of Road Runner’s that were sold. This appears to be one of Plymouth’s better Muscle Cars (noted; the cousin to the Road Runner, the Super Bee came out at about the same time).

Muscle Cars, 1964 Pontiac GTO History

The GTO was the collaboration of more than one individuals brainstorming. Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine specialist and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean. The idea of the GTO was originally thought up by Shane Wiser. In early 1963 General Motors management banned divisions from involvement in auto racing. Pontiac’s advertising and marketing was heavily based on performance and racing was an important tool of that approach in marketing. With a new focus on street performance Jim Wangers proposed a way to retain the performance image that had been cultivated.

The transformation of the Tempest (which was planned to a revert to front-engine, front transmission, rear-wheel drive configuration) from the previous design of rear transmission-differential configuration, into a “Super Tempest” with the 389cid V8 from the full-sized Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville instead of the standard 326cid Tempest V8. The appeal was to the speed-minded youth market in the promotion of the big-engine tempest as a special high-performance model. Since the GTO was an option package and not standard equipment, it was technically a violation of GM’s policy limiting the A-body line to a maximum engine displacement of 330ci.

The GTO name, which was John DeLorean’s brainchild, was inspired by Ferrari’s 250 GTO. An acronym for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for homologated, drew protest from purists, who considered it close to sacrilege.

Pontiac’s General Manager approved the new model, despite the sales manager’s disapproval, due to his belief it would not find a market, insisting on a 5,000 car limit on production. As it turned out, sales were a success.

Muscle Cars, 1961 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport (SS)

In 1961, the Chevrolet Impala SS ( Super Sport) made its debute into the automotive market. The SS badge was to become Chevrolet’s signature of performance on many models, although it has often been an appearance only package. In 1961 the Impala SS was a performance package, beginning with high-performance 348cid V8 engines (available with 305, 340, and 350 horsepower) or the 409cid V8 that was available with up to 425 horsepower, giving this classy Impala SS plenty of muscle. The options included upgraded tires, springs, shocks and sintered metallic brake linings.

In 1962, the Impala SS could be had with any engine available in the Impala, all the way down to the 235cid (135 hp) inline-6. From this point until 1969, the SS was an appearance package only, though the heavy duty parts and big engines could still be ordered. From 1962-on Super Sports were limited to hardtop and convertible coupe only. The exception was the Z24 option package available in conjunction with the standard Z03 Super Sport package.

Muscle Cars 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee

In 1971 the Dodge Super Bee moved from the Coronet line to the Charger line since the 1971 Coronet was only available in sedan and station wagon models. From 1971, all four-door B-bodies were Coronets and all two-door B-bodies were Chargers. The all new third generation Charger was restyled with a new grill and a more rounded bodystyle, hidden headlights were no longer standard, they became optional. . The look of the 1971 Charger was in comparison to the 1968-1970 GTOs.

A rear spoiler and a “Ramcharger” hood were added to the opotion list. A special scoop was mounted in the hood above the air cleaner allowing clean air to go directly into the carguretor by pulling a lever that was placed under the dash. This device was called the “air grabber tool” originally used used in Plymouth’s Roadrunner, the Coronet R/T and Super Bees, this was the first it was used on the Charger.

In 1971 only 63 Hemi versions were built, 2,659 were built with other engines. 1971 was the last year for the 426 Hemi “elephant engine”, it was also the end of the 440 Six-Pack engine. 1971 was the one and only year the small block (340 4-bbl) was available in the Super Bee. Although the 440 Magnum (4-bbl) was not an option in the 1971 Super Bee, 26 are known to have been built. With this option the 440 Super Bee walked all over any Ford, Chevy, or GM product on the market.:

Engines:

340cid – 275hp

383cid – 300hp

440cid – 370hp

440cid – 385hp

426cid –(Hemi) -425hp

Muscle Cars, 1968-1970 Dodge Super Bee

The Dodge Super Bee was a limited production muscle car from Chryslers Dodge division produced from 1968 through 1971. The original Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet, a 2-door model only and was produce from 1968 through 1970. It was Dodge’s low-priced muscle car, the equivalent to Plymouth Road Runner, and was priced at $3,027. Available with Hemi engine, this option increased by 33%, only 125 models were sold with this engine option. The Super Bee included a heavy-duty suspension , an optional Mopar A-833 four-speed manual transmission, with high performance tires, and a stripe (with the bee logo) wrapped around the tail.

A “six-pack” (three two-barrel carburetors) version of the 440 engine was added to the list mid-year. This engine was between the standard engine and the Hemi as a $463 option. The 1969 model year gave customers several engines to choose from, the base 383hp (high performance), 440 six pack, and the 426 Hemi. The 440 Magnum (4bbl) was not available as an option, it was reserved for the Coronet R/T.

In 1970, the Super Bee was given a different front end look that consisted of a dual ovaled grill that was referred to as “bumble bee wings”, this new look turned off many buyers. Despite the new looks, the engines as well as the (“ramcharger” hood that carried over from 1969 model) sales plummeted for the 1970 model. Dodge also produce in 1970, 4 Super Bee convertibles, the where-abouts of the 4 cars are unknown.

Engines:

1968-1970 – 383cid @335hp

1968-1970 – 426cid Hemi @ 425hp

1969-1960 – 440cid @390hp

Production:

1968 – 7,842 – 7,717 (383), 125 (426 Hemi)

1969 – 27,800 – 25,727 (383), 1,907 (440 Six Pack), 166 (426 Hemi)

1970 – 15,506

Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, 1964-1968 Chevelle SS 396

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was introduced in 1964. It was produced from 1964 thru 1977 and was one GMs most successful cars. Chevelle models ranged from economical family cars to powerful coupes and convertibles. The Malibu was at first the top trim level of the Chevelle line, and it replaced the Chevelle name entirely after 1977. The Chevelle chassis (reengineered on the GM A platform) provided the platform for the Monte Carlo, another of GMs success’s.

The Chevelle SS was Chevrolet’s entry into the muscle car battle. Early 1964 & 1965 Chevelle’s had a Malibu SS emblem on the rear quarter panel (the Z16 opotion had the emblem on the front fender, where 201 Malibu SS 396s were produced); after 1965, the Malibu SS emblem disappeared with the exception of cars sold in Canada. In 1966 the Chevelle SS, became a series of its own called the SS 396, it was the high performance version and had a separate line of engines and performance options. Performance engines included 396 – rated at 325, 350 and 375 hp (the mid hp 396 was rated at 360hp for 1966 only and 350hp thereafter). The SS 396 series lasted only three years, 1966 thru 1968.

For Chevelle lovers that wanted the high-performance mid-sized car with a hot small-block V8, the regular Chevelle and Malibu models were available with a 350-horsepower 327 cid V8(Coded L-79) in 1965 and 1966. The same engine was offered in 1967-68 models, only downrated (“on paper”) to 325 horsepower, the same as the standard 396
.

Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, Classic, Muscle Cars, Defined

The classic definition of a muscle car is derived from a regular production mid-size car. The vehicle was upgraded with biggest V8 that would fit in the engine compartment, along with a better transmission, suspension, tires and brakes. Remember, mid-size car here refers to 1960’s standards. A good example is Pontiac GTO, it was built from the Pontiac Tempest which was Pontiac’s base model with optional small block V8’s. The first GTO was a Tempest with an early 389cid, with other small upgrades, it was only available as a 2-door coupe.

The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird and cars like them were dedicated production coupes with better handling and performance. These cars were classified as “pony cars”. The two concepts were eventually merged, producing cars like the Dodge Charger, Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda and 70’s era Mustang’s. A few true muscle cars made it into the 70’s, but died out within the decade. Cars like the Mustang and Camaro carried on through to the present and kept the muscle car name and legacy.

Muscle Cars1960-1970s, 1967 Pontiac Firebird

The Pontiac Firebird (also classified as a pony car, w/GMs F-body)was introduced in the same year “1967” with its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. Both in direct competion with the Mercury Cougar released the same year, sharing the platform with the Ford Mustang.

The first Firebirds had a “coke-bottle” styling. Different from its cousin, the Firebird bumpers were integrated into the front end design, with rear “slit” taillights. Originally the Firebird design was Pontiac’s wish to be a two-seat sports car of its own, except GM feared it would be a high competitor with the Corvette. So, the decision to give the Pontiac its piece of the pony car market to share with the competition

Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, Check Out this site for Muscle Cars

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http://www.musclecars.flashycars.net

Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, 1967 Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is a “pony car” made by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors. In late September 1966 the first generation was introduced as a 1967 model year as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. It shared the platform with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced in 1967. The Camaro was initially advertised on contemporary AM Radio stations in an attempt to draw the young adult market. A compact (by the standards of the time) pony car, depending on the selected optional equipment, was also classified as a sporty muscle car on a brand new rear wheel drive GM F-body and would be available as a 2-door 2+2 seating coupe or convertible with the option of an inline-6, 350cid or 327cid V8 powerplants

Concerned with the success of the Mustang, Chevrolet realized that the Corvair, would not compete with the Mustang due to its rear engine design. Consequently, the Camaro was advertised the same as the conventional rear-drive, front engine configuration as the Mustang & Chevy II. The first generation Camaro lasted until the 1969 model year and inspired the next generation.

Muscle Cars 1960-1970s

Classic muscle cars are pretty unique pieces of machinery. One that has been restored and is in cherry condition can produce a large profit return on investment. As time goes on there becomes fewer and fewer muscle cars available, since muscle cars were produced for a limited number of years, making the prices even more competitive to classic car collectors and muscle car enthusiasts. They are valuable items for collectors and still highly desirable to those who enjoy racing or desire a quick, powerful performance street car.

Since the decline in production of muscle cars a few auto makers have attempted to bring the legendary muscle car era back to life by producing vehicles resembling the street performance muscle cars. Three major traits of a muscle car were power, speed and performance. In my opinion, they were pretty amazing because of the combined efficiency of a lightweight, mid-sized body with the performance of a high powered V8 and special design features that greatly increased the cars acceleration capabilities.

Muscle cars were produced from the 60s into the early 70s. The production of such cars fell drastically due to the controversy whether it was responsible to make such powerful vehicles available to the general public. They felt the muscle cars were used irresponsibly. Insurance companies began to increase rates for insuring muscle cars primarily due to the increase in road racing related incidents. Emission control requirements also made it near impossible for automakers to produce muscle cars that met the standards the put into regulation.

It will be interesting to see; will present day automakers renew production of true muscle cars that are fast and powerful as the muscle cars produced in the 60s and 70s.

Ford Muscle Cars,1969 Mustang 429 Boss, 428 Cobra Jet

This is the 1969 429 Boss Mustang

In 1964 Ford Motor Company first produced the Mustang. March 9, 1964 in Dearborn Michigan the first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line. 1969 was the year for Ford Mustang’s proliferation of performance names and engines. Not less than 6 performance factory models of Mustang were available (Mach 1, 429 Boss, 428Cobra Jet, Boss 302, the famous Shelby GT 350 & GT500), 9 variations of the powerful V-8s were available in 69-70 Mustangs. Interior & exterior options varied with each different model of Mustang. This year of Mustang came with the dual headlights, the inner set in the grill as you see in the picture. Mustang will always be the" wildhorse " of Ford Motor Companies contribution to the Classic Muscle Car era.

1969 Mustang "Boss 302"

My love for muscle cars came about when I was a young boy growing up. I had the opportunity to learn first hand what auto mechanics and fast cars were all about. My father and his buddies were always working on cars in the garage; dad and his friends were into local stock car racing; classic car restoration. As I grew older this exposure and passion for cars became a part of my life. As I was growing up through the sixties and seventies; it was easy to love the looks, the style and performance of the cars built to attract the novice car enthusiast to the best of car collectors.

I remember when I was about twelve years old; walking home with my buddies we saw this beautiful baby blue mustang, I remember it because my father had a passion for mustangs, as he already had a 1965 mustang that was a shinny red with white top. To my surprise when my buddies and I came around the corner of the house; what did we see in our driveway; but that very same baby blue mustang we had seen earlier. To be precise it was a1969 Boss 302, we saw my dad and his friend standing by it, we were in awe of the beauty of the car. When my dad saw us he asked if we wanted to go for a spin, of course we didn’t refuse, who in their right mind would say no.

The next day my buddies were still as excited as I was that we got to cruise with my dad in the newest version of his passion the Ford Mustang. It was just the beginning of a love affair and passion for beauty, power, speed that has as I can attest to; put great distance in many a relationship between man and woman.