remember when
I started driving in the late 50's so I grew up with the muscle cars of the 60's and 70's. I never had a true muscle car but did have some big V8's. Back then you either had a stick or a 3 speed auto...
Forum Discussion
Lessmore wrote:mowermech wrote:
1970...
ah, yes...
the scene: I-5, between Everette and Seattle
the time: A little after 0200
Road conditions: bare and dry. dark.
My car: 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T, 440 Magnum, auto.
the car that didn't like being passed: A fairly new Chevy SS396 I don't know which body.
I backed off to 55 MPH when I saw him coming, then when he was beside me I floored the Dodge. Pretty much left him sitting there.
That car was great in Montana back then. MT had the "reasonable and prudent" speed limit then. I used to cruise I-90 at about 110 MPH. I guess the Highway Patrol thought that it was perfectly "reasonable" for a new car on a new freeway with little traffic to be going that fast. Or perhaps they figured their Fords couldn't catch me, so why bother.
Whatever...
Your Dodge Coronet R/T 440 was a very good car. But it also had 7.4 liters (440 cubes) vs 6.6 liters (396) of that Chevelle SS 396, which came in different hp ratings from 325 to 350 to 375 (not too common).
A better test would of been a '70 Chevelle SS 454 (7.5 liters) ...450 hp.
The results may have been different. :)
My grandfather had a '66 El Camino with a 396. I believe it was 375 hp since it came from the factory with a aluminum manifold, Holley carb, and chrome valve covers. With a Powerglide transmission and 4.10 rear end it was a very fast accelerating car.
I've located it and it's still in my home town and it's still with the second owner. I recently made an offer and hope one day he turns it loose.
