Peter and Gary Klutt sit down to watch the Muscle Car Shootout, where we tested the world's fastest, most powerful, best all-around classic Muscle Cars. Check out our previous podcast here: • The Rarest Shelby Cobr... for more Dream Car Garage nostalgia.
7 original muscle cars. 5 tests. 1 winner.
Starring:
1969 AMX 390 Go Package
1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1
1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
1969 Hurst Oldsmobile
1969 Pontiac GTO Judge
Utilizing the same tires, same brake pads, and same conditions, who will reign supreme? Peter Klutt and Tom Hnatiw ignite over 3000 horsepower in a series of 0-60 and 1/4 mile acceleration, 60-0 braking, fastest slalom and longest burnout, the FASTEST MUSCLE CAR OF ALL TIME will be crowned!
1. 1969 AMC AMX 390 Go Package
The AMC AMX is a two-seat GT-style muscle car produced by American Motors Corporation from 1968 through 1970. As one of just two American-built two-seaters, the AMX was in direct competition with the one-inch (2.5 cm) longer wheelbase Chevrolet Corvette, for substantially less money. The Go Pack on the 1969 AMC AMX included the 390 cu in (6.4 L) high-output four-barrel V8 engine with a dual exhaust system and chromed exhaust tips, heavy-duty cooling system, power front disc brakes, uprated suspension for improved handling, "Twin-Grip" limited-slip differential, wide-tread red striped tires mounted on five-spoke "Magnum 500" wheels, and over-the-top racing stripes.
2. 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1
The Gran Sport 400 was replaced for 1970 with the Buick 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 engine, used in the GS 455. The base model was rated at 350 bhp (355 PS; 261 kW) and 510 lb⋅ft (691 N⋅m; 71 kg⋅m) at 2800 rpm of torque. In the optional Stage 1 trim equipped with a single 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor was rated at 360 bhp (365 PS; 268 kW) SAE gross at 4600 rpm and 510 lb⋅ft (691 N⋅m; 71 kg⋅m) of torque at 2800 rpm.
3. 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger
Challenger R/T, with a 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi rated at 425 hp (431 PS; 317 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 490 lb⋅ft (664 N⋅m) of torque at 4,000 rpm. The standard transmission was a 3-speed manual. The R/T was available in either the hardtop or convertible. The Challenger R/T came with a Rallye instrument cluster that included a 150 mph (240 km/h) speedometer, an 8,000 rpm tachometer and an oil pressure gauge.
4. 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6
The SS 454 included the 360-hp, LS5 454, heavy-duty suspension, SS wheels, power front disc brakes, dual exhausts with chrome tips, wheel arch moldings, blacked-out grilles and the SS rear bumper treatment. The LS6's iron block was outfitted with four-bolt main caps for added strength. Inside, forged-aluminum pistons and forged-steel connecting rods swung from a forged-steel crankshaft. The LS6 used solid lifters and an aggressive cam with .520 lift and 316 degrees duration.
5. 1969 Mustang Boss 429
Only offered for two years, the Mustang BOSS 429 was advertised at 375 bhp (380 PS; 280 kW) at 5200 rpm and 450 lb⋅ft (610 N⋅m) of torque at 3400 rpm. The speed equipment manufacturer Crane Cams tested engines that were stock as manufactured, with the exception of substituting tubular headers for the stock cast iron exhaust manifolds. For the 1969 hydraulic cam engine, they measured a peak of 352.0 bhp (262 kW) at 5500 rpm. The 1970 mechanical cam engine measured better, with a peak of 366.5 bhp (273 kW), also at 5500 rpm.
6. 1969 Hurst Oldsmobile
Following the success of Hurst components in Oldsmobile's 442 models, Oldsmobile, in collaboration with Hurst Performance, produced special-edition performance versions of the 442 or Cutlass Supreme, the Hurst/Olds. The 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 (W46) was rated at 380 horsepower (280 kW) and 500 lb/ft of torque. The engine received a unique intake manifold, chrome steel valve covers, and a special vacuum operated air cleaner lid to allow cold air from the hood scoop into the carburetor. This was backed up by a specially calibrated code OH Turbo 400 transmission and 3.42 gears for non-A/C cars or 3.08 gears for cars with A/C. Optional 3.91 gears were available only for non-A/C cars.
7. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge
The 1969 GTO Judge engine was the Pontiac 400-cid/366-hp Ram Air III V-8. It came linked to a three-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted Hurst T-handle shifter and a 3.55:1 rear axle. The more powerful 400-cid/370-hp Ram Air IV engine was installed in 759 cars in the same two lines and 59 of these cars were convertibles. The Judge option was added to 6,725 GTO two-door hardtops and only 108 GTO ragtops.
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