Muscle automobiles are famend for taking physics out again and giving them a correct seeing to, one thing made potential by their large V8 engines below the hood. Whereas taking management of the streets, additionally they dominated the roost on the American drag strips and racetracks. Racing proved to be the best growth software for producers to seek out the subsequent avenue in unlocking extra efficiency.
NASCAR was one of many best-proving grounds on this regard, as automobiles spent a lot time maxed out and at excessive pace. High pace was key right here, and a number of other iconic muscle automobiles, such because the Plymouth coated right here, had been constructed with this metric purely in thoughts.
With the top-speed conflict having spilled over into the Seventies, HotCars determined to shine a highlight on the muscle with the best top-end determine of the last decade.
With the intention to guarantee accuracy stats, specs and details have been collected from the next sources; Simone Automotive Museum, Hagerty, Mecum Auctions, Plymouth.
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Blazing Plymouth Superbird Might Breach The 200 MPH Barrier
1970 Plymouth Superbird Specs
Engine | 426 ci V8 |
Energy | 425 hp |
Torque | 490 lb-ft |
High Velocity | 200 mph |
(Sources: Hagerty, Plymouth)
The quickest muscle automotive of the Seventies was the mighty Plymouth Superbird, one of many winged warriors from the Chrysler Company that was constructed with one objective in thoughts. To dominate NASCAR. The automotive large’s foremost goal was to show untouchable on the superspeedway tracks on the NASCAR calendar, specifically Daytona and Talladega, the latter of which has some attention-grabbing hidden particulars.
Whereas the impact that massive, highly effective engines had on the tempo of a automobile had been identified for many years, the benefits of good aerodynamics had been much less clear-cut. Data of the black artwork of aero effectivity on automobiles was gained at a speedy tempo throughout the Nineteen Sixties, with the perfect experimental area being the racetrack.
The push to make a automobile not solely immensely highly effective, however one that might make use of the encompassing air, got here to a head within the late Nineteen Sixties. Chrysler’s Dodge model developed the Charger Daytona, a closely modified model of the usual Charger R/T mannequin it had campaigned within the 1968 NASCAR season.
Aerodynamics Had been A Key Focus For The Charger Daytona Challenge
Having struggled towards its Ford and Chevrolet rivals, Dodge went all in on the Daytona to dominate the game. Utilizing a wind tunnel, a brand new expertise within the automotive house throughout the Nineteen Sixties, Dodge developed a particular 18-inch nosecone that channeled air over the entrance of the automotive, enhancing its drag coefficient.
An enormous rear spoiler was additionally added to the social gathering to assist improve rear downforce, making the automotive extra steady by means of the lengthy, banked corners of American oval tracks. Measuring a mammoth 23.5 inches excessive and 58 inches extensive, the solid aluminum parts labored completely with the brand new nostril to create a monster.
The wing was designed to be this excessive in order that it may reap the benefits of the ‘clear air’ above the automobile’s roofline. Any air that’s disturbed by the automotive touring by means of it would not present as a lot downward stress, making it tougher to realize constant downforce. Getting clear air means extra downforce may very well be generated by the rear wing, growing grip and stability at excessive pace.
The Charger Daytona hit 200 mph in 1969, although it could solely final for that one yr. That is the place the Plymouth Superbird got here in, taking on its predecessor’s mantle to turn out to be the Seventies muscle automotive with the best prime pace. It may additionally hit 200 mph, as per Simone Automotive Museum.
Plymouth Superbird’s Efficiency Was Compromised Due To Aesthetics
Whereas the Dodge Daytona continued to compete in NASCAR in 1970, Chrysler’s consideration was turned in direction of its Plymouth model’s program. It had managed to lure the legendary Richard Petty again from Ford for that yr’s marketing campaign, so its Superbird wanted to hit the spot. Plymouth’s engineers gave its Highway Runner mannequin the identical therapy the Charger received, designing a brand new nosecone and rear wing.
For the monitor, it received the identical race-prepared 426 ci Hemi V8. The road model of this powerplant was out there for the buyer mannequin, although most got here with the easier-to-maintain 440 ci massive block engine. The previous made 425 hp below the hood of the Superbird, with the latter providing up 380 hp. These may very well be mated to both a four-speed guide gearbox or a three-speed TorqueLite auto transmission.
The nosecone on the Superbird was smoother than that of the Charger, permitting it to chop by means of the air extra simply. Their laborious work was undone by deciding to have the rear spoiler lean again considerably additional than the Daytona’s. This was finished as Plymouth most popular the look, although all it actually achieved was making the automotive much less aerodynamically environment friendly.
As per Hagerty, the change in rear wing design meant the Superbird was left with a drag coefficient of .31. The Charger Daytona was rated at .29, making it considerably extra aero-efficient. This translated to a deficit of something between 1-3 mph when it comes to prime pace, a major quantity over an extended race.
Because of this, the Charger Daytona took the NASCAR title in 1970 courtesy of Bobby Isaac, whereas Petty ended up because the highest-classified Superbird racer within the standings in fourth. He nonetheless claimed 18 wins over the yr although, so it wasn’t all unhealthy. Plus, because the Charger was a product from the Nineteen Sixties, the Superbird will get the accolade of getting the best prime pace of any Seventies muscle automotive.
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LS6-Geared up Chevy Chevelle SS 454 Was One other Seventies High Velocity Service provider
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Specs
Engine | 454 ci V8 |
Energy | 450 hp |
Torque | 500 lb-ft |
High Velocity | 162 mph |
(Sources: Hagerty)
Whereas not anyplace close to the extent of the extreme-winged Superbird, the Chevy Chevelle SS 454 with the commanding LS6 V8 below the hood may nonetheless handle a good 162 mph. The LS6 was the important thing aspect within the Chevelle hitting its spectacular top-speed determine, the 454 ci unit being a major improve over its LS5 sibling.
Regardless of sharing the identical cast-iron engine block and displacement, the ultra-rare LS6 V8 obtained a number of unique elements to assist increase its energy and torque ranges. A cast metal crankshaft, and connecting rods, had been added to take care of the additional energy, whereas lighter cast aluminum pistons had been additionally delivered to the social gathering.
The engine’s compression ratio was additionally elevated to 11.25:1, which was the principle motive energy ranges hiked up a lot. The mighty V8 despatched 450 hp and a tire-shredding 500 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, which had been protected considerably by a limited-slip differential. The element is useful for automobiles with excessive energy figures because it prevents the wheels from rotating on the similar pace, which might trigger the within wheel to spin up.
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The Smallest Displacement V8 Engine Ever In A Manufacturing Muscle Automobile
Whereas Normal Motors is thought to have constructed the biggest displacement V8 in a manufacturing muscle automotive, Ford constructed the smallest displacement V8 engine.
The LS6’s star sadly proved to be shortlived although, courtesy of ever-tightening emissions laws and rising gasoline and insurance coverage prices. It was subsequently dropped from Chevy’s line-up following its use within the Corvette ZR2 in 1971, although it had arguably already finished its job.
Whereas not in a position to make up the deficit of the Chevelle’s inferior aerodynamic properties in comparison with the Superbird, it nonetheless proved greater than sufficient to internet the muscle automotive a powerful prime pace.
Sources: Simone Automotive Museum, Hagerty, Mecum Auctions, Plymouth
