10 Quickest Muscle Cars of the 1970s | What They Cost Then vs. Now

This is part of a series of videos featuring Quickest Muscle Cars by Year. Here is a link to the playlist that contains the entire series:
• Quickest Muscle Cars b...
Get ready to step into the fast lane of nostalgia with Magnalume's latest video, "10 Quickest Muscle Cars of the 1970s: What They Cost Then vs. Now." Join us as we ignite the engines of classic American muscle cars from the 1970s, exploring their speed, power, and the evolving market values from back in the day to the present.
From the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle to the powerful Chevrolet El Camino 454, and the legendary Ford Mustang Boss 429 to the blazing Pontiac Trans AM SD 455, we've curated the top 10 quickest muscle cars that defined the high-octane spirit of the 1970s. Join us on a journey through the roaring engines and sleek designs that made these cars legends of their time.
Discover the original costs of these muscle marvels in the 1970s and witness the transformation of their values in today's market. From the most expensive classic cars to the 10 rarest muscle cars of all time, we delve into the history of these iconic vehicles that continue to capture the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the world of classic cars, this video is your ticket to the top 20 muscle cars that ruled the roads in the 1970s. From the fastest muscle cars to the best first muscle car, Magnalume is your guide through the muscle car history that shaped an era.
Don't miss out on the chance to witness the roar of engines and the sleek designs that made the 1970s a golden era for classic American muscle cars. Join us in "10 Quickest Muscle Cars of the 1970s: What They Cost Then vs. Now" for a thrilling ride down memory lane!
#ClassicCars #MuscleCars #1970sMuscleCars #Top10ClassicCars #FastestMuscleCar #MuscleCarHistory #AmericanMuscleCars #Magnalume #RarestMuscleCars #BestFirstMuscleCar
If you like quality classic car and muscle car videos, consider checking out our other content on our channel. This playlist contains all of our car-related videos:
• 14 Odd Car Features Th...
Want to know which muscle cars were quickest by year and how much they cost back when they were new and how much they're worth now? Check this playlist with just those videos:
• 10 QUICKEST Muscle Car...
00:00 Intro
00:47 10 1970 Buick GS
01:49 9 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
02:43 8 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
03:41 7 1979 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
04:41 6 1971 Chevrolet Corvette
05:48 5 1970 Dodge Super Bee
06:50 4 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
07:51 3 1970 Ford Mustang
08:47 2 1970 Pontiac GTO
09:48 1 1970 Chevrolet El Camino
10:49 Outro

[@jjMcCartan9686]

Still have my 70 chevelle SS it was my father's & I spent the last 8 years restoring it but keeping it original except brakes obviously & best part at 74 my father can still ride with me & get behind the wheel sometimes. 😃

[@conniecostner9665]

That's freaking awesome 😎

[@anthonynelson9136]

I am glad my wife and I put together our car collection before 1990. Almost all of them are low mileage survivor cars. When we bought them we never dreamed they would go up in value as much as they have.

[@charlesrobinson2210]

The GTO will always be my favorite car. It was everything then, and everything now. If Pontiac hadn’t have faded this would’ve been just as popular as Camaro’s, chargers, and challengers are today.

[@Fanuc_Operator1990]

The 2000s GTO was pretty sick as well.

[@ravisriram6746]

Back in the '70's, a classmate in my high school had a Chevelle SS and god, it was fast!

[@jimgrissinger817]

19 years old and bought 1970 Pontiac Judge still have it today. Have alot of memories from then and also today having my son and grandkids enjoy it.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

I'm so glad that I grew up in the era of muscle cars especially MOPARS as my grandpa was a salesman from 1946-1977

[@noneed4me2n7]

Lucky bastard.👍

[@gerry.shafer6101]

ME. 2. 😆 Best Cars. And. Best. Music. 🏁 🎵

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

The 1970s are forever the decade that will always be the best, say me. 🐕

[@JoeR203]

I love the 70-73 Trans Am front ends.

[@alanploetz7100]

I'm a fan of the Formula in that same generation.

[@jaya.0069]

I love them also, they're much better looking than the over done later years. IMO...

[@DG-sf9ei]

Agreed, it was an aggressive yet fluid design, not lunky as many the other sport cars in that era. Around my area these year cars suprisingly sell for a considerable amount less than alot of the others, especially if they are a street driver condition with minor cosmetic flaws.

[@chrislgarner4927]

This video showed a trim version with a stripe down the center of the hood & a much smaller Screaming Chicken just on the nose piece. I don't believe I'd seen that before, if indeed that's a factory version.

[@ward5746]

The 70s and 80s were the best years. My stepdad had a 73' Challenger and I had a 76' Firebird in high school. These were great times with great cars, movies and music then our country started going downhill.

[@freddillard6775]

Just...WOW!. Thank you for posting.

[@randallanderson1632]

In 1971, when I was 20, I had a '68 Chevelle with a 396. The only problem I had with it is that one thing or another would break and so a lot of the time it was not on the road. I bought it used and have long since forgotten what I paid for it. These days the most painful thing to come to grips with about the car is that it was 50 years ago... *_50_* .

[@vanitamann7985]

I bought my first car from my brother after I graduated high school in '72. He bought it in 1970 and after he got married, he started going to college, his wife got pregnant and he couldn't afford it. It was a '70 Challenger R/T with a 383 Magnum, sublime with black racing stripes, and a black spoiler. The payments were only 124.42/mo. Wow!!! I sure I still had that car.

[@robertferguson5518]

If only car manufacturers still made cars like these today, we need to get back to 1970!

[@RC_928]

They still make them, with better powertrain

[@courtneymoyer2690]

I do agree I wish that they still made cars like that today.

[@victorfols39]

Agree. But with more safety

[@goat_life254]

You are living in the last days of the last gas powered muscle car era. I’d suggest you enjoy it while you can. Maybe even invest in one. I chose enjoyment over investment and got an 04 gto which I will have no regrets about modifying it. Grab ahold of your dream, before it’s too late.

[@terryschnereger8531]

Keep the govt out of your garage. Protect your hobby of building and modifying.

[@edwardstewart7835]

All fantastic cars! But my 70 GS Stage 1 just kicked Ass. Thanks to all The Buick GS race team guys I knew back in Michigan, we had alot of fun🙏🏻 RIP Vern!! Never forget you.

[@felixmadison5736]

Those were the days! I was 21 years-old, and just back to 'the world' after my tour of Vietnam with the army in 1970. I used my $500 savings bonds from the army to put down on a Plymouth first, the Duster. Damn, was that a sharp car! I think I paid about $80 a month for payments. The 1970s were the kick-ass decade! The cars, the music, AND the girls were all top notch!! Later on in 1986 I purchased a brand new Pontiac Firebird Trans Am for around $35,000. It had the most bang for the buck of any car I ever owned. It was candy apple red and I got looks and questions about it wherever I went. I saw one go for around $100,000 on Mecum Auctions.

[@richardowen4558]

I drove my first Duster 340 in 1970 when a shipmate bought one. I fell in love instantly but had to pay off another car before I could buy one. I bought a 1972 Sky Blue Duster 340 with bench seat and three-speed floor mounted shifter that gave a number of my shipmates problems. The car barely weighed 3400 pounds and, while factory rated at only 275hp, dynoed at closer to 325 hp. Beat a lot of big blocks back in the day. The thing that drove the 4-spd big blocks nuts was when they had to shift from first to second I was still accelerating in first gear. Usually gave me a 1-2 car lead right off the line! Finally had to sell in 1987 due to money needs but I still miss that car. My daughter gave me a 1/25th replica that I painted to match my original car. It now sits in a place of distinction on my desk.

[@Rock_Girl_Daze]

Those were the days indeed! Best of times. Now, let’s hit the speedway for some racing.

[@g.d.m.4564]

My high school boyfriend had a 1976-77 Orange Trans Am with white seats and T-top! It was beautiful! He always let me drive it !He didn't sell it either ! I saw it a few months ago and it looked just like it did on our 1st date ! Smart guy !!! 👍

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

I had a Duster with a six cylinder. You had enough room under the hood to carry a passenger if you were so inclined. That was the easiest car to work on I ever owned.

[@tgtrax9130]

@@g.d.m.4564 … but not a car for the drive-in movies.

[@Thestargazer56]

I had a 71 Challenger R/T with the 383. I got 375+ HP out of it with mostly bolt-on modifications. The coolest hot rodder in my area had a Red and black stripe 70 Chevelle SS 454ci with some engine work, he was the equivalent of "Fonzie" before Fonzie existed, everybody was scared of his car. We met in the local hot rod hangout parking lot, just him and me, I was scared snotless. He told me "Let me look under the hood, boy." I meekly complied,. and he said "nice ride", and gave me some tuning tips. I felt like I was hot stuff after that conversation

[@dmk7700]

Had a '70 Chevelle 454 (Marina Blue) on order when I got drafted ----- BUMMER!!! That Buick GS is my pick overall. Didn't consider the El Camino in the mix - great choice. No E.T. given on the Challenger. Good post.

[@richardfanizzi8500]

Those were the days. Of all the Muscle Cars I owned I kept 1967 Corvette Coupe and I'm glad I did. So many memories associated with that car.

[@jonhenke1504]

Thank you, I really enjoyed the way you did this!! You didn't go on babbling and on and on and on about your friend had this and this and that happened. You just gave the information out on each car in an easy-to-understand very timely manner thank you again! In other words I was very curious having grown up in the 70s and I didn't have to wait and wait for the answers and I got the answers I was looking for and enjoyed each one!!!

[@johnnieblackburn3182]

My first car was a 1969 Dodge Charger, first owned by someone's grandmother and always garaged. It cost me $900. My second car was a 1972 Buick Skylark, with a creamy white leather interior. It was 5 years old and we paid $3,000 for it in 1977. They may not have been the cherry year, but they were both awesome cars.

[@DLTJR1959]

My father purchased a 70 SX Cutlass Olds with a W30 455 for my sister in 74. Got to have it as my own as a when my sister bought a new Olds later. What a hoot to drive. Broke a valve spring running it hard one night when I should have known better. Pop didn't ask me anything about it. His mechanic just asked him who I passed when I was running it hard.

[@cowboypatriot1200]

My wife has a 70 Chevelle SS 396 with cowl induction , she got it in 84 for her graduation present from her dad . She still has the today , needs 2 quarter panels other then that the car is in good shape .

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

They all had a tendency to rust out so overall not a bad situation

[@alanploetz7100]

Nice ride and not a bad one to try to find parts to rebuild from sources like NPD.👍

[@markoberg2291]

I bought my 70 chevelle ss 396 in 83 after i graduated. I still have mine and needs the same repairs. I'm gathering parts to start the rebuild.

[@deborahclark1108]

I bought a ‘69 AMX when I was 18, it cost about 4K. It was new 390, air, leather interior. I tried street racing and that was so much fun I joined a car club and started drag racing. I am an old lady now but still remember the high I got watching those lights and taking off. My best time was 13.9. It beat lots of other muscle cars that weren’t stock. Wish I still had it.

[@stevecoffey7396]

The Alabama State Patrol, tied of boys out running them ALL the time, bought '69 AMXs to catch us. I'm from south Ga. and we stay the (*&^% away from Ala. ( I had a '69 roadrunner)

[@yrbadself]

I worked as a valet parking lot attendant from 1977-1981. In that time I was able to drive all of these cars (only for short distances). I wish I still had my 1972 Cutlass.

[@chuckselvage3157]

I like the Boss 429 was detuned and still gave all these cars a run for their money. The El Camino is a ute less weight in the back so helps with power to weight ratio.

[@robertterrones3621]

I was 17 when I bought a brand new 1969 Z28. I worked summers since I was 14. When I turned 15 I got a job working at a local liquor store. I worked full time and still went to school. I saved every nickel I made. When I had enough money I bought that '69 Z28. I paid cash for it. $4,495 and I still had enough left for insurance and gas. Loved that car. It had a high rise aluminum cross fire 2×4 750 Holley carburetors. I put headers mallory duel point distributor with the matching plug wires. It had a 410 rearend positraction. Quarter mile time 13.1 at 109 miles an hour with uncorked headers. It was quick off the line. I only lost 1 race to a '70 Hemi Cuda but not by much.

[@kfiscal01]

Memories so thick! High school in the late 70s so many of us had these "used" cars. I had a 74 firebird esprit, no smog crap on it and a great 350 with 4 bbl carb, real dual exhaust, midnight blue with white buckets and black dash/console. It was a fast car, I swear that thing drove its self, it knew the road better than a stupid 16 yr old. Chicks loved it too, just love those old birds!

[@lpd1snipe]

In 1973 I owned a 1970 Chevelle Super Sport 396/ 375 horsepower 4 speed. I was working at Jack Nicklaus Pontiac in Delray Beach at the time. It was a trade-in on a Trans Am. I was able to buy it for $800. That car would pretty much pass everything but a gas station. What a car, I wish I still owned it.

[@domxem5551]

Thanks for the work you put into this.

[@MagnaLume]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikesweat9052]

Back in the day i had a 70 Chevelle, and my girlfriend had picked out a Ford Futura, but her dad brought her a 73 Laguna, she was not happy but I was! Swivel buckets and all, it was a classic, it gave way to our 84 Custom Cruiser Wagon after a couple of kiddos, but still hold fond memories of the Chevelles.

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

Mike! Me too with the wagon and 3 kids. Best road trip car . I would trade any car,truck,van for my Oldsmobile wagon again. Mine was greenish blue with the wood paneling. 2 way tailgate. 3 seater. Only issue was , a diesel. My favorite after almost 50 years of driving. 🐕🚗

[@fredboat]

Thanks ,Enjoyed the flash back, Started driving in the early 70s. I remember most of these rides Was a Camaro guy, then trucks.

[@keithoneil6711]

Very beautiful amazing perfect looking cars beautiful amazing colours thanks friend

[@plantlvr]

Love these, a lot were in my High School parking lot in the early 70's.

[@skibootdier9488]

When I was a kid in the 70's, my neighbor across the street had a Black El Camino with a 454. That car was WICKED, but it couldn't handle my brother's 70 Roadrunner with a built 383 Pistol-Grip 4-Speed..

[@KattMurr]

I love muscle cars!!! They were so amazing to see in person...my first boyfriend owned an uncommon muscle car. A 1971 Orange Comet GT. I always knew when he was coming over in it because it had a very recognizable sound....😁

[@timmotel5804]

Cool car.

[@DG-sf9ei]

With your enthusiasm, I'll bet he felt the same way about you.

[@donniebrown2896]

My sister “had” a 68 mustang, got rear ended and pushed her into oncoming traffic. Both drivers hit her doing over 60. With her winnings she bought a 1970 comet gt. Black on black. She got more than one speeding ticket

[@heavenhelpus479]

I had a '70 Buick GSX (yellow w/black stripes). Since it was a 4 speed, I had the edge from a stop over anything else on the road. Automatics really sucked back then. I never lost a race to another car that was stock as built. Unfortunately, I drove that car to death.

[@LR-my2di]

The "BB" TH400 of the Stage 1 package was a great trans and quicker than the 4-speed.

[@zsavage1820]

BUWAHHAHAHA where did you live Alaska? you should'a brought that to Detroit.. was nice car.. my friend had one... he hated me cause I'd kick his ass every time we raced.. with what you might ask... hehe with my 1968 Ford Torino GT 428cj

[@coolbreeze253]

Had a GS Stage 1 automatic. Until the Viper and its V-10, the Buick had the highest torque rating so the auto trans version was no slouch. With headers and a tune I got it to13.1 in the quarter mile.

[@ronbaker7501]

396-375 hp Nova 12.5 pistons 1969 Bought it in 1986. I drive like that too. Sold it eight years later. I still cry. Gas was horrible by then. 12.8 quarter mile. I paid $4500 for it.

[@randycoursey7230]

My uncle had one, he tore the rear end up in it so he dropped a Ford rear end in it. I believe it was a 350 and it had a four-speed in it. And stock versus stock the 351 Cleveland was the fastest small block engine of this time period.

[@GMBoehler]

Great vid! Great job! 👍🏻

[@candlelight33]

The 1969-70 boss 429s are so rare now and I will most likely won’t see them in the nearby future as the cars value is skyrocketing.

[@42lookc]

I'm an El Camino guy. What a feather in my fellow Elkie lover's caps this video turned out to be! I never even gave it a thought. I thought it would be the Buick GS Stage 1.

[@scotprentis3918]

I totally agree with your comment I love the El Caminos and sprints but if I hadn't seen this video I never would have guessed the elky could hold a candle to a Buick GS

[@garyputman9694]

Ohh what memories! My parents bought me a 69 AMX for living through the Army and then I bought a 71 Cuda. Both were beautiful cars. The AMX won me MANY honors from drag strips in Texas but never raced the Cuda. Damn I wish]I still had both.

[@kellyhollingsworth6100]

Was the AMX A 390?

[@glenncurley680]

My Dad had a 1967 GTO big motor 3 two barrel carbs, high compression clutch. That car was a beast. I couldn't shift with squawking tires. Fun to drive!

[@mrvlsmrv]

Wish I still had my 70 GTO. That car was stupid fun and fast. Fast on curves as well.

[@kellyhollingsworth6100]

Oh yes the 428 tri power.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

I really miss those cars. My buddy had a 71 Chevelle that could flat out scream. I loved that car but unfortunately, he also had a drinking problem that screamed equally loud and the combination of the two got the better of him. He survived the crash but the car was DOI. But that wasn't the sportiest car in our gang. Another buddy used to drive his mom's Maverick and that car was quick, especially off the line. It had a 302 and weighed next to nothing. Now, he wasn't much of a drinker so the car didn't suffer the same fate but his mom traded it in for a Lincoln. She didn't like driving a small car as she put it. Man, we had some fun nights racing with that one. Of course, my neighbor's Charger with the 440 was the true boss of the block. He was a test driver for Ford and used to light the tires up for us youngsters when he was in the mood to show off. My 72 Impala held it's own with a 350 but it was too heavy and it took a bit to get it over 60. Like I say, I miss those cars. Not that I would spend six figures for one now though. I'll just hang onto my memories.

[@randycoursey7230]

Our neighbor down the street had a 1970 Boss 429 Torino Cobra drag pack. It had positraction in the rear with 411 gears. Sometimes he would light up those tires just to impress us kids. That car created so much tire smoke you couldn't see. It was yellow with black interior, with a close ratio for Speed. One of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen in my life.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

@@randycoursey7230 Wasn't it something to see those beasts generate torque. My neighbor used to take his Charger to the track and I guess race in some sort of stock class because he brought home a few trophies. He was a real good guy. He did a tour in Vietnam and when he came back he got that job at Ford. Him and a bunch of his buddies brought home a beat up Corvette that they fixed up and sold. I would go over there and talk to them at night when they were working on it. Like I say, nice guys for letting an 11 year old kid hang around. He had two company cars Ford let him drive and one day he said he had to give one back. One was a T-Bird, the other a Lincoln. I told him he should keep the Lincoln but he hung on to the T-Bird. His entire family were nice people. His older brother drove vehicle haulers cross country and used to give us kids candy when he came home. No one thought twice about a guy being nice to kids back then and handing out candy that way. The 60s had it's problems but it was a great time to be a kid.

[@randycoursey7230]

@@itinerantpatriot1196 Yes I'm glad I grew up in the '60s. We rode our bikes without helmets and never got into any nasty accidents we rode alongside the road with cars and they never ran us over. I lived in Baldwin Park California so there were lots of people there and most everyone I knew treated us kids well. It's sad to see what the United States has become today. And California is one of the worst states to live in now. The homeless population keeps growing in Los Angeles. Governor Newsom is a complete waste. When Newsom got recalled it would have been nice to see Larry Elder become the governor. I can tell you that I would not want to live in Baldwin Park California today. I'm an Oregonian and here I'll stay, LOL.

[@chevyblue10]

I had a 71 SS454 Chevelle. 71s suffered from lower compression but my 454 had been rebuilt to match any LS6 from 1970. The 71 SS had the best looking body style of all the Chevelles, with the round taillights and the single headlights. Just think, before the GM brass ruined everything, the 71 SS was intended to come with an LS7 option! What a beautiful beast that woulda been!!!

[@plymouthdie-castreplicas]

Awesome machines of the muscle cars golden era. The '70 Chevelle 454 SS is just incredible... For me, number one is 1970 hemi 'Cuda. The king of Mopars!

[@ernesttaintor3040]

6 days back from Vietnam I bought a 1970 GTO 455cid. Best car ever!

[@ernesttaintor3040]

This GTO cost $4,400. After $2,000 down my payment was 75.00 per month.

[@thomaswiker3471]

Loved the way a 73 AMC javelin amx sst looked

[@steveb6103]

I remember when the oil embargo happened. You could pick these cars up for $500. USD or less ! And I did have a 454 Chevelle SS that I paided that for. Traded it for a 1966 and 1968 Chevelle SS. The 68 has the 427ci and is a convertible 41,000 original miles. The 66 is my toy and has been built for show and the strip.

[@timmotel5804]

Love it. I owned a 1968 Charger RT 440, 1969 GTX 440 and a rare 1970 Challenger RT/SE 440. All TorqueFlites with AC, power steering and power brakes. Great cars. Thanks for posting this. Great days for cars.

[@danbaumann8273]

Omg. I'm jealous. 👍👌

[@edt6044]

Gtx.. what kinda top end did you have?

[@the70oojudge]

Great video!! Wondering why no great mention on. The Judge option value on the GTO

[@ChachoGSX]

It's almost crushing that my dream car the Stage1 GS is only slightly quicker than my 2020 Suburban. Still need it.

[@davegerrard6857]

Lol. So true!

[@mafirearmsafety]

I’m my high school days 72-76 there were all the muscle cars you could hope to see in the school parking lot, or VW Beatles . Them were the days.

[@Sam-ko1lo]

Brings back memories of my 70 1/2 Camaro with a 396 oval port BB. 4 speed. Positrac 12 bolt.

[@revolutioninthespiri]

I had a 70 1/2 with the 350. Rally sport. So much fun!

[@JohnCBurzynski]

My brother was into driving his friends muscle cars. He really loved the GTO with the 400, but the one he told me was the fastest and surprised us both was the El Camino. I don’t think it’s speed was common knowledge back then.

[@juno4494]

Yes, they were quick, mainly because of their weight, but you couldn't keep the tires under them without help.

[@g.d.m.4564]

My husband had a 1970 Chevy Chevlle ! It was blue with white seats and white hard top !! White stripes ! Fastest car in town ! He sold it ! 😣 We didn't know each other at the time , but had he been with me back then I never would have let him !!! Just about makes me ill........ 😏

[@kenrhodes8180]

I had 1070 chev so 396 great car still wished I had it.

[@SteveBrownRocks2023]

I also had a ‘70 Chevelle, it was great! Times were good back then!

[@rayhanmahmud6097]

I had one too but I broke it because my gf broke up with me.😏

[@hamshack8735]

My 70' Chevy Nova SS 396 ran mid 11's in the quarter mile with no more than the addition of tubular headers and racing tires. Car cost me 4 and a half grand total... and was very hard to beat!

[@dmk7700]

CHEVY's RULE!!!

[@davidpalmer9503]

I have same car 4 speed big block

[@LR-my2di]

WOW. Which 396 did you have? You must have had the quickest one like that in the universe with *just* those mods. My low-option '69 Nova 396/375 with 4.10's ran a best of 12.90's/104 mph with Hooker headers and M&H's back in late '71 at Gainesville.

[@jeffreylatham3307]

@Jankman 1 running 4100 rpm at 70 mpg down the highway kinda sux, but for running the quarter mile that's pretty awesome for sure. Thats the one thing about newer stuff, buddy with a 2018 Mustang GT runs 11.9 completely stock. can cruise in high gear with the AC on and get 27 mpg highway . best of both worlds really. although old muscle car look and feel is way better

[@starhamblin9578]

Nice!!

[@terryschiller2625]

Lord I miss those days!! Had a hemi Cuda Micky Thomson 50's on cragar SS rims on the back and 70's on the front on cragar SS rims! Black exterior with pinstripe red trim and red interior. Forgot the back end was raised on air shocks I think 3" if I remember right! LoL

[@joequillun7790]

Wow. Cool video. All cars were similar in performance, for one main reason...the polyglass tires were the limiting factor. Put slicks and hedders on these cars, and the gap will widen significantly between models. And it's amazing how much attention, (and how available) these extremely rare cars are today. Back in the day, the Hemis, RAIVs, and LS6s were as popular as hens teeth. Even the SD 455. Nobody knew about these engs, and availability. (Unless you were in your 20s, and your dad owned a dealership.). It's still fun seeing them promoted the way they do. :)

[@michaelgalganski5770]

My 1st car was a red 71 Chevelle 309 Malibu, which we got from a neighboring farm. We made some repairs, cleaned it up and put some nice wheels on it, so I was voted with 'Best Car' as a HS Senior in 1989, even though my friends were much better mechanics 😊 Regretfully we sold it when I moved away for college, but it'd be great to have today 👍

[@thetaylorpenn]

@@sluttyboy69 Wasn't that a 307 and not a 309?

[@johnscott6072]

@@thetaylorpenn Yes it was. I had a 72 as my first car. After high school, the 307 was replaced with a .060 over 400 small block.

[@plusafdotcom959]

I'll never forget and still pine away for my '69 390 hp blue Corvette coupe with the 427 cu in engine. I ordered it with the wide ratio M-20 four-speed and 3.08:1 rear gears for a better ratio in first gear than the close-ratio 4-speed and the typical 3.36:1 rear for more streetability and in-traffic daily driver. Shift speeds were 50, 70 and 90 mph at orange-line, which embarrassed kids who couldn't downshift their hopped-up Mustangs TWICE at 55 mph! About $4500, as I recall for my 'first car.'

[@gregamerson9172]

I had the same car 69 427 390 mine was riverside gold👍👍👍

[@grayboo212]

I laughed when you stated "at orange-line". It's been so long since I've been in an old car with a tach that it slipped my mind about that little orange part before the red line. i had to google "1969 427 Covette tach" to see if it was really orange.

[@briansd2772]

Nice to see the SD-455s making one of these lists.

[@Nihaowilson]

Base 2020 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0l, 252 hp & 273 lb-ft goes 0-60 in 5.2 secs and 13.9 secs 1/4 mile... With AWD... My how times have changed for combustion engine cars. So nice to see all these fine examples from when I grew up too.

[@Norm42551]

Still have my 1970 Plymouth GTX that I bought used for $1250. It is yellow with a black vinyl roof. I love driving it around. It has a 440 cu in engine and a four barrel carburetor. It passes everything but a gas station!

[@edt6044]

A buddy of mine had the same car.. only difference orange exterior... other friends had 67 ss 70 gto, 67 cougar, 70 ss. REALLY don't know how fast it was in the 1/4.. BUT TOP END.. NO EQUAL..

[@warrengibson3317]

GREAT JOB

[@marcplucinski8846]

All the plastic cars today look the same. Long live late 60s early 70s muscle cars

[@amo5015]

I had a 1973 AMC JAVELIN AMX, with a 360 engine, white exterior with black hood stripe, and trunk spoiler. Had a Piere Cardin edition interior with the multi color strips that went on the seats and door panel. Bought it in Grand Island, Nebraska. Was in mint condition but had to sell it to pay for mean aunt’s surgery in Florida. Should have kept that car, it was a beauty.

[@mrnobody8540]

70 Chevelle was the very first car I had as a young man - washed a lot of dishes for that buy ---. Great on the straight - however if you wish to corner it.... You needed to rework the front end. Install the F body spindles - modify control arms and install a good sway bar front and rear. Add an alum head and intake your on your way to being the King of the street.

[@theslowwalker]

One of my dream cars was the Hemi Cuda. I owned a used 67 cuda bought used for $300 and dropped a 340 in it along with about $1000 in modifications and ran low 12s in the quarter mile. Transmission? I switched the stock auto for a standard than went to a modified auto. 0 to 60? That depended on which 3rd member I installed for the day 4.10, 5.13 or (I think) 3.18. I miss the 70's.

[@rickbailey189]

1968 426 HEMI Barracuda was capable of 10 to 11 second passes at the strip. Talk about overkill. That was Sox & Martin's weapon of choice at the drag strip. If S&M were running today, they'd probably be running a Hell Cat or better yet, "the Devil on 4 wheels"-2018 Dodge Demon...which is an instant collectible car. FYI-I have a small car ad back in 1988 for a 70 HEMI Cuda(show winner car)--$18 grand. Today, take your pick a mint HEMI Cuda or the average house in US. Mind blowing isn't?

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

If you can get your hands on an original super rare 426 Hemi, they go for a big $$$. The Mopar "Hellephant" 426 Supercharged Crate Hemi engine will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $29,995.

[@AveragePicker]

If you can get your hands on an original super rare anything, it’ll go for big $$$. …that’s kind of the thing with stuff being super rare.

[@danbaumann8273]

Very cool video. Do some more. Surprised by the El Camino. Makes sense in a way cuz I suppose they're lighter. Problem would be getting traction I'd imagine. Always thought the GS, GSX Stage 1's were the top of the heap. Especially for 0 to 60. 510 ft/lbs...Damn! I _think_ that'd be my pick, in my top 5, although the Hemis are way more valuable and I absolutely love those Trans Ams. 😛😍 Love the posts about the cars people had back in those days. I remember them well. My own was a 66 Chevelle SS, with a 327. In Canada it's different. One friend had a 69 Super Bee 383. What a rust bucket but what a sleeper. Underrated imo. Blew away the late 70's Trans Ams, rust and all. haha. Another had a 70 GTX 440 6 pack! What a monster. I think he bought the damn thing for under a 1000 bucks. Now? Jeeez. $$$$ Good times.

[@amsb4dafunk406]

I use to swap a spare tailgate filled with concrete.

[@nd715]

I think the El Camino actually weighed more but it was at the rear allowing more traction. One of the driving magazines of the day said it was the weight bias that allowed the El Camino to beat the Chevelle around a track.

[@mauricepowers8079]

One of my cousins had a 69' Super Bee...had the 383 Magnum engine(blueprinted) ... Car was a BEAST. It had frame rot but he sold the nose for $500 and drove what was left to the boneyard and sold THAT for another $175. Car had 280K miles on it and all he ever did was standard maintenance...he said it BARELY made it over 120 mph on the way to the boneyard...smfh...compression was toast. He won a LOT of street races with that monster...

[@gregkistner1955]

All great cars!!

[@JohnDoe-qu8ny]

Wicked thanks 😎

[@michaelmoon6675]

Great video.🆒💪😎

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

Amazing the current year difference in some of them selling at 100k to over 300k. A big range

[@IronWolf277]

If i ever win the lottery, i want to pick up one of them 70's Chevelle SS! Always loved how it looked

[@chessflower2092]

All the Master Peace Cars are in this video. Good work guys. 👍👍👍👍

[@martinmath8140]

Simply beautiful

[@kencurtis7322]

I took a 1970 Camero, with a black interior, sandblasted the body, put in a 010 block motor, muncie transmission, and a 12 bolt positraction with 373 gears! What a ride!

[@raymondperales6612]

Absolutely Sick.

[@chickenwingsboi8255]

My grandfather has a el Camino, he has had it for a long time. It is very bad ass, my other grandfather probably used to have half of those cars.

[@kimbergreen2120]

Props & Price ...Manly

[@seamusoreilly804]

Memories. God, such a time for muscle cars. In 1972 I was 3 years in the military, just rotated back home, and I bought a 69' Dodge Charger. Yes, with the 440 Hemi. The price was about $2,500 and I couldn't afford it. I ran it - and I couldn't afford it. I ran the hell out of it - and couldn't afford it. I finally sold it in 1974 and have lived those days over and over in my dreams ever since. God, how I loved those cars! My wife and I just bought a brand new Toyota Highlander... and that's what I've become. I am an old man who feeds cats, now. But the memories are beautiful!

[@mr.2cents.846]

Back the these beauties were affordable. Nowadays you pay 30.000 for a four door FWD. 😜

[@rickd1412]

Mine was a 1970 Ford Torino Cobra - 429 with a factory 4 speed Hurst. All it had was power steering. Dark green with the black shaker hood. Amazingly, it would get 20mpg if you kept it under 2,000 rpm.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Rick D, I have a '70 Ford Torino 429 SCJ drag-pack 4 speed car. It has 3:50 Detroit Locker rear gears and it gets very decent mpg as well.

[@mrvlsmrv]

My brother had a 70 Torino GT with 429 cobra and the C6 automatic. I think all he added to it was a Holley carb. He let me drive it every now and then. That car was ridiculous. I was amazed the transmission held up. If you were at a stoplight you either had to put it in neutral or hold the brake with both feet. If you put it in neutral it would majorly chirp the tires when you dropped it in gear. Then chirp on each shift. It sounded like a jet landing when you decelerated. Buried the speedometer once. Once was enough.

[@rubensalcido5606]

Awsome El Camino my favorite muscle car!

[@karlk6860]

These cars are still beautiful and fill my head with memories of days from the past! I have been thinking hard maybe its time to get a late 60 early 70s muscle car and AMX would be my first choice, then a Mercury Cougar 69 then maybe a TA of one form or other a Formula would work also! My biggest worry is I really have to adjust my thinking on this because they USED to be fast but by todays standards there are lots of stock cars that are significantly faster! I just have to get my thinking in the correct area!

[@brianbladykas9967]

I helped my buddy Ira shoehorn a 390 into a 69 cougar. Not bad, but wayyy too front end heavy and inadequate brakes!

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

You get 1 life, don't wait for the right time, just do what you want. 🐕🤗

[@bobdeeguitar]

Always loved the Chevy SS L6. An absolute beast!

[@beddozo]

A friend of mine totalled his 70 cowlinduction elcamino , I just happened to blow up my ring and pinion rear end on my 65 GTO .... And his 4 :11 rear ended bolted right in .... I gave that GTO away in 1982 $200.00 I was and idiot 16 yr old with no money and needed a daily driver to get to school and work ... and I had a dad telling me he was tired of looking at the oil slick in the driveway .

[@patriel1]

That is so sad I sold my 1970 440 Cuda for a 1000 stupidest thing I ever did.

[@StevenDavis-qp7vp]

I own a 70 SS ElCamino. With the LS5. Option I love my car owned it for 31 years now , like too see more on Detroit muscle!

[@doreen0]

WoW do I ever remember how these awesome cars sounded like, I have driven so many of them! I love them all. But Stingray is my #1

[@marshallhosel1247]

Great cars!

[@keithfitterer6899]

It was a great era!! I had a 69 GTX with a 440 and hurst 4 speed. Also owned a 69 Ford Mustang Mach 1. I did nt have the money to store them.

[@steveodell5205]

Loved the ‘69 Top 10. Have you ever seen a ‘68 Firebird HO? Would love to see a video on that if you have one. My high school buddy had one and I used to love to drive it! I cut my teeth on a ‘66 Mustang GT, would love ve to see a video on that one too👍

[@markbrown7103]

I had a friend that had one of those El Camino‘s and I had a 1970 Ford Mustang at one time kick myself in the butt for sale on that one I got my money out of it but man I wish I had it today it was beautiful thanks for the video have a great day 👍🏼👍🏼😁

[@jaya.0069]

I had a 69 Mach 1 with 351 4 speed, it was stupid fast. Wish I had it now!

[@gregoryhagen8801]

@@jaya.0069 I had a 71 Mach. Azure blue & Black. What I liked about the flat back Ford's was the way they handled.

[@hiiya1770]

I had a 1070 SS454 El Camino in the early '70's and still have one. My original one was an LS5 model while the one I have now is an original LS5 with an LS6 engine (Factory Air/power steering/bench seat). It how has a Tremec TSX 5 speed manual instead of the original M22 Muncie that it came with. There were only 702 SS454 El Caminos built and I have owned two of them and still have one.

[@scottsterry8119]

Thanks for not getting “quickest” confused with fastest. The difference in elapsed time versus top speed should be obvious to most car enthusiasts.

[@tonylawrence4161]

there it is 70 ls6 chevelle gives me goose bumps , went to high school with a cat that had one, it was a beast

[@chevy427ify]

Sweet,,love to go back to the 70s

[@elfiero50]

My very first car was a ‘68 GTO ram air IV 4 spd. That car was incredibly quick, but mom told me I couldn’t keep it so I got a nice “ tame”. 271 hp Mustang FB instead.

[@silvershadow013]

I owned several muscle cars: 71 Challenger, 77, 78 and 84 Trans Ams and my favourite, my 86 Buick Grand National.

[@ruralidiot5533]

I remember when my Dad bought a brand new 1969 Pontiac GTO straight off the show room floor. It had a 400 V8 4 speed Hurst shifter 4.11 positive track rear end. G60 tires. It was dark green with dark green interior and lighter green vinyl top. $4,800 bucks man !

[@rickbailey189]

Yeah man, a 6 pack of beer set you back about a buck...give or take a few cents. GAS--about 30 to 35 cents/gallon. We are getting so screwed in 2022. It's pathetic.

[@brianburkhard5209]

I've had a 71 SS Monte Carlo since 89. Believe it or not still matching numbers.

[@kennymraz4337]

I had me a 71 ss also I love that car it had a 454 work,I did all the work myself never was bet in it

[@65bu57]

It will never cease to amaze me how little respect the Buick’s get. My 70 GS was a rusted hulk of a garbage turd. It was built as a “price leader” I am told. It was a 2dr hardtop, GS 455, 3spd manual w/ hurst floor shifter. Bench front and rear seats, no air, power steering or brakes. Open 3.42:1 rearend in forest green and a black vinyl top. The frame was rusted through and repaired by me with 3/8” think channel steel. The trunk was to rusty to put in more than a 1/2 tank of fuel for fear of ripping the trunk floor out. Never made a pass in it. The guy dad sold it to was a collector of old muscle cars. He told my dad it was the quickest midsize GM car he had ever owned. I never heard the fate of that old girl, it was one of 78 ever made. The only variation from being assembly line stock was the oem 71 camshaft we installed when rebuilding the engine. The original Q-jet, trans and rear diff were in the car. The block had been changed at some point before I met the car. Many tried to no avail to outrun my old Buick. All respect.

[@petedavidson1239]

That is amazingly beautiful. The car ain't bad either.