Ultimate Bench Racer’s Resource!

Ultimate Bench Racer’s Resource!

We’ve all done it: Gotten drawn into a “What-If” argument pitting our favorite muscle car in a hypothetical 1/4-mile match-up against that of some other self-professed expert who clearly doesn’t know just how fierce your grandpa’s ’70 455 Olds Vista-Cruiser really was. Since most such cars are long gone — or worth more than a new Mercedes and thus wrung out on a drag strip even less often than that Benz — such arguments are largely academic. We have our models on the shelves and our war stories to tell, but no objective evidence to support our assertions of Boss-eating Biscaynes or Chevelle-trouncing Coronets. Well, until you bust out some documented figures, that is! Then — BAM! — just like that you’re an internet hero.

So here you go — documented, annotated, timeslips collected and collated by E.T. published in major magazines of the day — to settle authoritatively (if not quite indisputably) which classic muscle machines ranked as the 50 fastest. Its great ammunition — and just a fun read. A few of these are obviously ringers — or at least seriously strip-prepped prior to testing — while others are bone stock down to their bias-ply rubber. Still, the elapsed times (and even more enlightening trap speeds) tell us much about the capabilities of these legendary machines — especially some of those ‘wink-and-a-nod’ horsepower ratings.

So check the list against your diecast collection — if you order your shelves by speed, you may have some re-arranging to do!

 

[Editor’s Note: that this material was originally sourced from http://legacy.earlham.edu/~byersjo/top50.htm. Since this appears to be a site no longer maintained, we re-print this info here for posterity with citation.]

 

 

1. 1966 COBRA 427

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 427 2×4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.54 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 12.20 @ 118

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR AND DRIVER 11/65

2. 1966 CORVETTE 427

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 427 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.36 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 12.80@112

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR AND DRIVER 11/65

3. 1969 ROAD RUNNER 440 SIX PACK

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 440 SIX-PACK

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 12.91 @ 111.8

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPER STOCK MAGAZINE 6/69

4. 1970 HEMI ‘CUDA

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMI 2×4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.54 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.10 @ 107

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR CRAFT 11/69

5. 1970 SS454 CHEVELLE

ENGINE / 450 HORSEPOWER LS-6 454

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.55 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.12 @ 107.01

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR CRAFT MAGAZINE 11/69

6. 1969 ZL-1 CAMARO

ENGINE / 430 HORSEPOWER 427 ZL-1

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.16 @ 110.21

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HI-PERFORMANCE CARS 6/69

7. 1968 CORVETTE 427

ENGINE / 435 HORSEPOWER 427 3×2 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.70 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.30 @ 108

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HI-PERFORMANCE CARS 5/68

8. 1970 ROAD RUNNER 426 HEMI

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMII 2×4 BARREL

AS TESTED / TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.34 @ 107.5

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPER STOCK MAGAZINE 12/69

9. 1970 BUICK GS STAGE 1

ENGINE / 360 HORSEPOWER 455 STAGE 1

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.64 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.38 @ 105

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND 1/70

10. 1969 CHARGER 500

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMI 2×4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.48 @ 109

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 2/69

11. 1973 TRANS AM 455 SD

ENGINE / 310 * HORSEPOWER 455 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.42 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.54 @ 104.2

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 6/73

* DENOTES NET HORSEPOWER

12. 1969 CORVETTE L-88

ENGINE / 430 HORSEPOWER 427 L-88

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.36 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.56 @ 111

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 4/69

13. 1969 SUPER BEE 440 SIX PACK

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 440 SIX-PACK

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.56 @ 105.6

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 8/69

14. 1969 BOSS 429 MUSTANG

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER BOSS429

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.91 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.60 @ 106

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HI PERFORMANCE CARS 11/69

15. 1970 CHALLENGER R/T

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 440 3×2 BARREL

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.23 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.62 @ 104.3

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR CRAFT MAGAZINE 11/69

16. 1970 TORINO COBRA

ENGINE / 370 HORSEPOWER 429 SCJ

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.91 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.62 @ 105.9

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPER STOCK MAGAZINE 3/70

17. 1968 BISCAYNE 427

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 427 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.56 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.65 @ 105

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPER STOCK MAGAZINE 4/68

18. 1964 POLARA 500

ENGINE / 365 HORSEPOWER 426 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.23 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.70 @ 107.3

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HI PERFORMANCE CARS 4/64

19. 1969 GTX

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER 440 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.70 @ 102.8

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND 1/69

20. 1969 DART 440

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER 440 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION AND 3.55 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.71 @ 105

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR CRAFT MAGAZINE 5/69

21. 1971 ROAD RUNNER

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 440 SIX PACK

AS TESTED / TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.71 @ 101.2

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR CRAFT MAGAZINE 1/71

22. 1971 ‘CUDA

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 440 SIX PACK

AS TESTED / TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.72 @ 106

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPER STOCK MAGAZINE 4/71

23. 1971 CORVETTE

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER LS-6 454

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.36 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.72 @ 102.4

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR LIFE 8/71

24. 1971 SUPER BEE

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMI

AS TESTED / TORQUEFLIGHT TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

PERFORMANCE / 13.73 @ 104

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND 12/70

25. 1968 HURST OLDS

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 455 W-30

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.91 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 8/68

PERFORMANCE / 13.77 @ 103.91

26. 1968 FIREBIRD H.O.

ENGINE / 335 HORSEPOWER 400 H.O.

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD 3/68

PERFORMANCE / 13.79 @ 106

27. 1967 CORVETTE

ENGINE / 435 HORSEPOWER 427 3×2 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.55 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 5/67

PERFORMANCE / 13.80 @ 108

28. 1971 BOSS 351 MUSTANG

ENGINE / 330 HORSEPOWER BOSS 351

AS TESTED /4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.91 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE 1/71

PERFORMANCE / 13.80 @ 104

29. 1966 SATELLITE

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMI

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.54 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR AND DRIVER MAGAZINE 4/66

PERFORMANCE / 13.81 @ 104

30. 1968 CORONET R/T

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER 440 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 4/69

PERFORMANCE / 13.83 @ 102.27

31. 1968 CYCLONE GT

ENGINE / 335 HORSEPOWER 428 COBRA JET

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 4.11 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE 8/68

PERFORMANCE / 13.86 @ 101.69

32. 1969 NOVA SS396

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER 396 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.55 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 7/69

PERFORMANCE / 13.87 @ 105.1

33. 1969 SHELBY GT-500

  • ENGINE / 335 HORSEPOWER 428 COBRA JET

  • AS TESTED / 4 SPEEDTRANSMISSION AND 3.91 REAR

  • DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 9/69

  • PERFORMANCE / 13.87 @ 104.52

34. 1970 4-4-2 W30

  • ENGINE / 370 HORSEPOWER 455 W-30

  • AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.42 REAR

  • DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR CRAFT MAGAZINE 11/69

  • PERFORMANCE / 13.88 @ 95.84

35. 1962 CORVETTE

ENGINE / 360 HORSEPOWER 327 FUEL INJECTION

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 1/62

PERFORMANCE / 13.89 @ 105.14

36. 1969 BARRACUDA

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER 440 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 4.10 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 8/69

PERFORMANCE / 13.89 @ 103.21

37. 1969 MACH 1

ENGINE / 335 HORSEPOWER 428 COBRA JET

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.50 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR LIFE MAGAZINE 3/69

PERFORMANCE / 13.90 @ 103.32

38. 1967 GTO

ENGINE / 360 HORSEPOWER 400 RAM AIR

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 4.33 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR LIFE MAGAZINE 10/67

PERFORMANCE / 13.90 @ 102.8

39. 1970 TRANS AM

ENGINE / 345 HORSEPOWER 400 RAM AIR IV

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.91 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 2/70

PERFORMANCE / 13.90 @ 102

40. 1969 CHARGER R/T

ENGINE / 375 HORSEPOWER 440 4 BARREL

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.55 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE 1/69

PERFORMANCE / 13.90 @ 101.4

41. 1969 COUGAR ELIMINATOR

ENGINE / 335 HORSEPOWER 428 COBRA JET

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.50 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 9/69

PERFORMANCE / 13.91 @ 103.9

42. 1972 CORVETTE LT-1

ENGINE / 255* HORSEPOWER LT-1 350

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.11 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / HOT ROD MAGAZINE 8/72

PERFORMANCE / 13.92 @ 104.01

* DENOTES NET HORSEPOWER

43. 1970 CHARGER R/T

ENGINE / 390 HORSEPOWER 440 SIX PACK

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.54 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 8/68

PERFORMANCE / 13.77 @ 103.91

44. 1968 GTX

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMII

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.23 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / CAR LIFE MAGAZINE 2/68

PERFORMANCE / 13.97 @ 103.5

45. 1971 MUSTANG MACH 1

ENGINE / 370 HORSEPOWER 429 COBRA JET

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.50 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 2/71

PERFORMANCE / 13.97 @ 100.22

46. 1970 CYCLONE SPOILER

ENGINE / 370 HORSEPOWER 429 COBRA JET

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.50 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 2/70

PERFORMANCE / 13.97 @ 100

47. 1967 4-4-2 W30

ENGINE / 350 HORSEPOWER 400 W-30

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4.33 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / SUPERSTOCK MAGAZINE 8/67

PERFORMANCE / 13.99 @ 102.4

48. 1970 CHALLENGER

ENGINE / 425 HORSEPOWER 426 HEMII

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.23 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / ROAD AND TRACK MAGAZINE 8/70

PERFORMANCE / 14.00 @ 104

49. 1966 SHELBY GT-350 S

ENGINE / 440* HORSEPOWER 289 HI PERF

AS TESTED / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.89 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED / MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE 8/66

PERFORMANCE / 14.00 @ 102

* ESTIMATED HORSEPOWER WITH PAXTON SUPERCHARGER

50. 1964 COBRA 289

ENGINE / 271 HORSEPOWER 289 HI PERF

AS TESTED / 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 3.77 REAR

DRAG TEST PUBLISHED /CAR LIFE MAGAZINE 8/64

PERFORMANCE / 14.00 @ 98

Updated: January 26, 2016 — 2:49 PM
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