Questions about the Early 70s Muscle Car Experience

[frnjplayer]

One thing to be aware of. In 1972 the big 3 saw the beginning of the end and were starting to cut back horsepower. By 73 emissions controls were firmly in place and muscle cars were merely trim packages,.

 

[hbarcat]

One thing to be aware of. In 1972 the big 3 saw the beginning of the end and were starting to cut back horsepower. By 73 emissions controls were firmly in place and muscle cars were merely trim packages,.

So true.

Government mandated higher fuel economy and less pollution which made it impossible for companies to continue to manufacture cars with big engines making lots of horsepower.

This coincided with much higher gas prices and the market for big heavy cars with V8s shifted to Japanese economy cars with 4 cylinder engines and the age of classic muscle cars was effectively over by 1974.

 

[seilerbird]

Muscle cars - stupidly expensive to buy, stupidly expensive to maintain, uses a lot of gas, is very noisy and you will loose a lot of money.

 

[Mike N]

This is correct. The ""SS" chevelles had the bigger motors, like a 396 or 454. My "SS" had SS emblems on the seats, door panels, dash, etc. Which is easily replicated now days. Mine originally had a 396. You can run the VIN and it will state it. Sometimes the seller is upfront with the clone. Sometimes they may not know or other times they are scamming you. I would buy a clone in a minute if it was 'clone' price. You dont want to throw down $40K+ for a chevelle, take to a car show, & the chevelle guru says "nice clone'

You'll need a build sheet on a 69 and newer Chevelle to prove its an SS. 68 and older the VIN will start with 138 if it's a real SS.

 

[charlie monroe]

Muscle cars - stupidly expensive to buy, stupidly expensive to maintain, uses a lot of gas, is very noisy and you will loose a lot of money.

And enjoy every moment of it.

 

[Stewie26]

My best HS friend had a lime green Duster 340 in 1971. That said, it seemed very fast to me, but he was a crazy driver and always had his foot in the peddle to the metal position. It got to the point that I was scared to drive with him. He later wrapped this car around a utility pole but walked away without a scratch.

 

[hbarcat]

Some of you guys are probably the perfect age where you were about twenty when 1970 hit so I'm sure to get some good advice here. It must have been an interesting time when cars were finally being built for speed.

I absolutely love the styling of many of these cars during that era and I've just closed the deal of a lifetime and I'm looking to finally buy a muscle car. I've been looking at a 70 Chevelle, a 73 Plymouth Duster and a 73 Pontiac GTO, the Judge model. There are lots of good-looking rebuilds out there with a variety of different traits quality and pricing. I plan to make it my weekend driver.

Just curious, have you ever actually driven any if these early 70s muscle cars on the road? Because these cars are built on technology that's more than 50 years old.

As cool and stylish as they are, they all really do drive like crap. The suspension and brakes were terrible, the big V8s made them nose heavy, they typically ran rough and needed constant tune ups, and they weren't just uncomfortable, but horribly unsafe.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting one. Just suggesting that it's worth considering if the appeal of owning a car like this will quickly wear off after you've experienced a summer of taking it out on a cruise every weekend or so.

Like so many others my age, I owned one or more classic muscle cars that were available on the used market during the 80's for dirt cheap. Many of us gave up on them in the decade or two following, at least in part because driving these cars on the street really kinda sucked,

You may not care about that at all and it's just part of the charm and that's cool. But I've seen people who are used to modern cars, first time driving a 1970 GT something or other with a big block, 4 wheel drum brakes, rear leaf suspension, and front bench seat just about crap their pants in horror from the experience.

 

[Alkali Ike]

I watch a lot of shows on the Motor Trend channel like Graveyard Carz and Chasing Classic Cars. If you want an authentic car and not a tribute, but you're not an expert yourself, you almost need to pay for the services of an expert in this stuff. A shiny coat of new paint and a ton of Bondo can hide a multitude of problems. Then you get into build sheets and numbers matching etc. Don't drop $50K on one of these (especially as an investment) until you're certain of its provenance.

 

[Clark Dark]

Of the 3 the OP highlighted the 70 SS Malibu w/454 is in my opinion the class of the three. The Judge had the spoilers for sure but that 400 isn't a 454. I liked the air induction scoop on the Chevy as well

 

[sharkbait130]

If it's power that you're looking for , just keep in mind that starting around 1971 or 72 (can't remember which) the first gas crunch hit and ALL the manufacturers started de powering the muscle cars.

 

[Mike N]

I had a 74 camaro that had a 30 over 350, I would let off at 145MPH, still climbing. I could hold it at 6500RPM. That is pretty good for a street motor.

What kind of money did you have wrapped up in that engine??

 

[lyonaudio]

If you guys were looking for a car like this, and were me, what direction would you go? What would you look for?

It all depends on whether you're a GM guy or a Mopar guy. Personally I'd go for the Judge, if it's authentic, although I'd really like a Ford Boss 302 with the optional badge/stripe/BS delete option. Very few were ordered but that sucker must have been a stealth monster.

The Judge...


Boss 302...

 

[pappabass]

What kind of money did you have wrapped up in that engine??

Not a lot, 30 over with flat top pistons, factory was dish. Ported, polished, matched intake. 268/454 cam. Like a round-track RV type cam.

 

[lyonaudio]

I pass trucks on the highway in my 40hp Karmann Ghia.

Up hill?

 

[lyonaudio]

Government mandated higher fuel economy and less pollution which made it impossible for companies to continue to manufacture cars with big engines making lots of horsepower.

Now they make cars with small, turbocharged engines making lots of horsepower. The current Audi RS3 has a 2.5 liter (152 cubic inch) engine that puts out 400 bhp.

 

[SgtHulka]

Just curious, have you ever actually driven any if these early 70s muscle cars on the road? Because these cars are built on technology that's more than 50 years old.

As cool and stylish as they are, they all really do drive like crap. The suspension and brakes were terrible, the big V8s made them nose heavy, they typically ran rough and needed constant tune ups, and they weren't just uncomfortable, but horribly unsafe.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting one. Just suggesting that it's worth considering if the appeal of owning a car like this will quickly wear off after you've experienced a summer of taking it out on a cruise every weekend or so.

Like so many others my age, I owned one or more classic muscle cars that were available on the used market during the 80's for dirt cheap. Many of us gave up on them in the decade or two following, at least in part because driving these cars on the street really kinda sucked,

You may not care about that at all and it's just part of the charm and that's cool. But I've seen people who are used to modern cars, first time driving a 1970 GT something or other with a big block, 4 wheel drum brakes, rear leaf suspension, and front bench seat just about crap their pants in horror from the experience.

I've driven the Duster and a 60s something Mustang. I remember thinking how big a Car Duster was oh, but I was younger and I don't think I think the same way now.

You do make a good point. I've also been looking at aboit 10 year old corvettes and I'm sure you get a better experience all around, not to mention reliability and more features for less money. Just something about the way those older cars look though. I'd settle for a much cheaper one if it had an aftermarket engine and was souped up with some Modern conveniences like power steering and better gauges and air conditioning and other kinds of stuff I guess it doesn't have to be period-correct or what not.

 

[lyonaudio]

Muscle cars - stupidly expensive to buy, stupidly expensive to maintain, uses a lot of gas, is very noisy and you will lose a lot of money.

Chicks dig 'em. And that's a great thing if you like "chicks" that are as old as you are...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Up hill?

Point is, cars have a LOT more horsepower than they used to. The 2020 Corolla has 139-169 horsepower. The 1976 model had 55. So 350 HP in 1970 means a lot more than it does now. OP is worried that 350 won't be enough. I think he would be surprised, to put it mildly.

 

[lyonaudio]

Point is, cars have a LOT more horsepower than they used to. The 2020 Corolla has 139-169 horsepower. The 1976 model had 55. So 350 HP in 1970 means a lot more than it does now. OP is worried that 350 won't be enough. I think he would be surprised, to put it mildly.

Heck, a new VW GTi puts out a "mere" 245 bhp and that sucker is a rocket.

 

[Stewie26]

Also, from what I have read, cars from the 60 & 70's HP was measured at the flywheel. Today's cars, HP is measured where it really counts, at the drive axle.