BEST AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS FROM THE 1970S

The mid-60s were an era of unparalleled power in the automotive world, with the birth of a breed of rare and rambunctious muscle cars. These all-American machines were a testament to raw horsepower, speed, and pure style, reflecting the essence of the era for the American people. As the 60s drew to a close, muscle cars evolved and the 70s brought to the front new challenges.

The 1970s were a trying time for the makers of big block muscle cars. The horsepower wars were in full swing when a sudden gas shortage took the world by storm and wave after wave of government regulation meant that engines had to get smaller and cars had to be more efficient. This spelled doom for muscle cars, but some managed to persevere through the trying times.

We look at some of the beasts of the early 70s that played out the end of the horsepower wars before the oil crises as well as the brave few, that managed to survive on into the next decade. These cars represent the end of an age and the coming of a darker time for American made muscle.

Related: The Definitive History Of American Muscle Cars

1970 Plymouth HEMI Cuda

Top Speed: 117 MPH

The Barracuda did not have a great reputation before its redesign in 1970, it was considered an economy muscle car. The third generation completely rebuilt the Cuda, with it now sharing a platform with the Dodge Challenger.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from AccelerationTimes)

The Cuda was the sport model of the second generation Barracuda, with the most powerful engine choice being the 7.0-liter Hemi. This option also came with tuned suspension and structural reinforcements to ensure that the car could handle the power and weight of the engine. Its biggest charm, however, is its stunning bodywork.

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Top Speed: 123 MPH

The first generation of the Mustang was a huge hit with the American public. It has remained one of the biggest and most influential cars in history and its nameplate continues to run to this day. The 1971 model came with a huge facelift and the introduction of a new Mach 1 performance package.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from automobilecatalog.com)

The 1971 Mustang Mach 1 received a complete redesign, becoming longer and sleeker to accommodate Ford’s new 7.0-liter V-8 engine. Along with this upgrade in powertrain, the Mach 1 came with a ton of track-ready improvements that made it one of the most thrilling cars you can own.

Related: 10 Best Models For Getting Into Old Muscle Cars

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Top Speed: 130 MPH

The Chevelle has had a vastly different appearance depending on its generation. The second-generation Chevelle, which ran from 1968 to 1972, had by far the best curb appeal of any Chevelle.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from Chevrolet)

The Chevelle has a fairly tame reputation if you only take into account its first and third generations and anything later. However, the second generation, particularly the 1970 model, embodied everything we love about muscle cars. After a facelift in 1970, giving the Chevelle a more coke-bottle-style body, it was one of the sexiest muscle cars on the road and it was cheap to boot.

1970 Oldsmobile 442

Top Speed: 135 MPH

The 442 started its life as a performance package for the Oldsmobile cutlass but eventually became a brilliant model in its own right. The 1970 model represented the absolute height of performance for Oldsmobile and the 442.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from FastestLaps)

The 1970 442 benefited from General Motors dropping the cap on engine size to accommodate for the horsepower arms war that was occurring at the time. As a result of this decision, Oldsmobile made the iconic Olds 455 V-8 which became the standard engine option on the 442 and revolutionized the company’s muscle car.

Related: Our Rendering Of A Modern Chevy Chevelle SS Brings The Legend Back To Life

1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS LS6

Top Speed: 142 MPH

The El Camino is perhaps one of the most unique muscle cars to ever exist. It was a two-door sedan that had a truck bed built into it and it started its life in 1959. By 1970 it was in its third generation and had garnered a cult following.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from FastestLaps)

By 1970 the El Camino was well into its third generation, but it now featured two new engine options, Chevrolets 6.6-liter and 7.4-liter V-8s, the latter of which found itself in the limited-run El Camino SS LS6. This interesting muscle car blended performance and functionality in a way that no other automaker has ever attempted.

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Top Speed: 149 MPH

Perhaps one of the most recognizable and iconic cars from this era, Pontiac managed to push on with the Firebird while many competitors downsized and retreated away from performance cars.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from FastestLaps)

The 1977 model of the Firebird Trans Am received a facelift, making it sleeker and more aggressive than ever before. One of the most memorable aspects of this era of Trans Ams is the soaring firebird on the hood of the classic muscle car. This was arguably one of the most popular Trans Ams ever and it was one of the few muscle cars that managed to keep the essence of the American dream alive.

Related: Everything You Should Know About The Trans Am From Smokey And The Bandit

1970 Buick GSX

Top Speed: 150 MPH

Based on the Buick Skylark and the GS455, the GSX was Buick’s contribution to the history of classic American muscle cars. It was a late arrival in 1970, but it featured some truly impressive performances thanks to it being so lightweight.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from FastestLaps)

The Buick 455 which sat in the GSX is a legendary engine, producing 510 pound-feet of torque, a record for the time. The Buick 455 held this record for 33 years. Compared to other muscle cars of the era, the Buick stood tall as being one of the best equipped when looking at its standard models.

1970 Ford Torino Cobra

Top Speed: 150 MPH

1970 marked the start of a new generation of Ford Torino, with a complete body redesign. The new Torino adopted the coke-bottle body shape and the Cobra represented the highest-performance model of the coupe.

Performance

Source: FastestLaps

While many think of the Mustang when they think of Ford’s most impressive muscle cars, the Torino was a brilliant car in its own right and came loaded with performance options in the Cobra trim. The Torino Cobra also housed Ford’s big 7.0-liter V-8 engine, giving it all the horsepower it needed.

Related: What Made The Ford Torino Talladega Truly Special

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

Top Speed: 155 MPH

With the Pontiac Firebird being one of the most successful muscle cars on the market in the late 60s, Dodge needed a car that could up their game and compete, entering the Dodge Challenger and making its debut with the 1970 model year. The 1970 Challenger is most well known for the story of the street-racing Black Ghost.

Performance

Source: AutoData

The R/T (Road/Track) model of the Challenger was the highest-performance model, built to be a sports car that could be daily driven on weekdays and taken to the track on the weekend. The Challenger featured several V-8 options, the most powerful of which being the notorious 7.0-liter Hemi.

1970 AMC Hurst SC/Rambler

Top Speed: N/A

The SC/Rambler is one of the most interesting muscle cars ever built. It was the combined efforts of AMC and American performance tuners, Hurst, and was one of the first muscle cars ever purpose-built for the drag strip.

Performance

Source: FastestLaps

The SC/Rambler is unique in many ways, among which is its styling which many muscle car lovers would consider to be offensive. Ultimately, it was a cheap muscle car that was built to take down much more expensive options at the drag strip, something it did extremely well throughout its lifetime.

2023-10-21T14:03:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd