Posted on 11/16/2025 6:42:18 PM PST by Duke C.
The Ernst Bros and I have talked about collaborating on an article on American muscle cars for a while. I wanted it to be different from all the “Top 10” or “Best 15” titles you see on the web.
So, we decided to pick just one from the 1964-1972 era and call it the Best Muscle Car of all time.
(Excerpt) Read more at classicnation.com ...
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Camaro Z-28
GTO
Same in a 69 Chrysler with the “small” 440. It took awhile to get to 140 on a stretch in Indiana. But the 2.76 rear did it.
How do I know it was 140? I had a SW speedometer instead of the factory.
At that speed it seemed like it wanted to fly off the road. I added a set of Koni shocks and cranked them up.
427 Cobra 12.4–12.5 seconds vs. 289 ~13.5–14 seconds.
I find it hard to believe the 289 was that close to the 427. Just 1 to 1.5 seconds slower?
And the 289 Cobra handled much better
I have always been partial to the GM’s. I’ll take any two door from 1964 to 68. GTO, any ragtops available?
63 and a half ford galaxie 500 with a 427
Make that another vote for 69 Roadrunner💖💯
For pure muscle? The Pontiac GTO.
I’m sure...much better weight distribution. Probably lots less understeer in the 289 without that monster engine up front.
In a Yugo....
65 chevy impala
The Pontiac 1965 GTO four barrel.
“...BOSS 302...”
My first car in 1973, ‘70 Grabber Blue. It wasn’t the best drag car in those days but on the race car circuit it dominated racing for years, especially the Can-Am races. That Boss had torque unmatched for the longest time, the good ole’ days.
For me it was 1964 Corvair Monza, LOL, because during the snow storm of 1967 in Chicago, I was one of the very few workers who made it home. Never needed snow tires, with the rear engine rear drive design, it was fabulous on snow covered roads.
This was my 2011 version. Amazing automobile.
The car to have was the SS 396 El Camino.
Shelby modified the AC Cobra, made in Walton on Thames, England.
427 cu. in. Corvette.
1967 version for me.
Yeah, good choice... but I think the 1965 version is the one that best fits the size/weight/engine displacement sweet spot for the musclecar category. Back then, each body revision made mid-sized cars larger and heavier. The '65 396 was re-engineered pretty extensively to accommodate the big block's power, but it was still a small, relatively light package. Much like the early GTO.
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