Seeing brand-new supercars charging down the quarter-mile is spectacular, but nothing beats a pair of classic muscle cars fighting for drag-strip glory in my book. You guessed it, it's time for yet another Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race (PSMCDR) series battle.
This one's a bit different, though. While this competition usually sees muscle cars from the golden era going against each other, this race brings together two radically different rigs.
In one lane, we have a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette. While the 'Vette was quite powerful at the time, it was never considered a muscle car. Smaller and lighter than the usual beefed-up midsize, the Corvette has been competing in the sports car segment since day one. In the other lane, we have a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. While technically a muscle car, this Torino was built in the early days of the Malaise Era, so it's less potent than its predecessors.
Speaking of oomph, the Corvette is not the most potent iteration of its time. 1962 was the first year for the 327-cubic-inch (5.4-liter) small-block V8, which delivered up to 360 horsepower depending on the carburetor and injection setup. This white drop-top, however, packs the entry-level version, rated at 250 horses.
And while the PSMCDR series allows certain modifications under the hood, this Chevy is as stock as they get. Moreover, it's a true-blue survivor since its V8 was never rebuilt. The mill mates to a two-speed Powerglide, which isn't the best option for drag racing.
Moving to the Gran Torino, it hides a 351-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland V8 under the hood. Previously rated at 300 horsepower in four-barrel form, the Cleveland came with only 248 horses on tap in 1972. Ford's switch from gross to net ratings is also responsible for the drop. Unlike the Corvette, this Gran Torino packs a four-speed manual with the right amount of pedals.
Granted, it's a rather unusual pairing down the quarter-mile with an outcome that's difficult to predict. The Gran Torino has a couple of advantages, including the manual gearbox and superior oomph (nearly 290 gross horsepower). The Corvette, on the other hand, is around 1,000 pounds (454 kg) lighter.
Well, it turns out these classics are pretty evenly matched, but the Gran Torino is just a tad quicker to the finish line. The first race sees the heavy muscle car take the flag in 15.8 seconds, with the Corvette about 0.3 seconds slower.
Both cars had slower runs during the second race, but the Gran Torino came on top again with a 15.9-second sprint. The Corvette needed 16.4 clicks to cover the distance. The third encounter shows a slightly bigger gap between the two, with 15.6 seconds for the Gran Torino and a 16.3-second run for the Chevy. Both vehicles hit the line at speeds of 83 to 89 mph (134 to 143 kph), which is in line with stock vehicles from their respective eras.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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