The 5 Best Muscle Cars in 1970s

Best Muscle Cars in 1970s

Though muscle cars had been in existence since the 1940s, the cars began gaining popularity in the 1960s. Muscle cars are intended for high road and drag racing performance. In the 1960s, muscle cars gained the attention of enthusiasts and were considered superior to other models.

However, in the 1970s, muscle cars witnessed great improvement in horsepower, as this was the decade when car manufacturers started releasing products with higher horsepower.

This article looks into the best 5 muscle cars in the 1970s.

1. 1974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback
2. 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird
3. 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible
4. 1978 Dodge Lil’ Red Express
5. 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455

51974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455

The 5 Best Muscle Cars in 1970s: 1974 Pontiac

During this time, emission regulations rocked the automotive industry due to the oil crisis in North America. This affected cars produced during this time and the 1974 Pontiac Firebird was not left out. The emission regulation led the muscle car to produce just 290 horsepower. Though this might not be an outstanding figure, it was one of the best at that time.

The car, which was well-known for its incredible design, came with a 455 cubic inch V8 engine that outperformed its competitors on the market. It is noteworthy that this was one of the last big muscle cars produced in its era.

41978 Dodge Lil’ Red Express

The 5 Best Muscle Cars in 1970s: 1978 Dodge

Before the Dodge release, trucks were known as work vehicles, but the game changed when the Dodge was introduced. The 1978 Dodge Lil’ Express was the first truck ever created for cruising the streets. The muscle car could deliver 255 horsepower through a 360 cubic inch V8 engine mated with a rear-wheel-drive.

Since this was a truck, it was not held for the same emission regulations, and this helped it achieve its 225 horsepower output, which was marginally above the 200 horsepower mark for most cars at the time.

31971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible

The 5 Best Muscle Cars in 1970s: 1971 Plymouth

Unlike other muscle cars on the list, the 1970 Plymouth was released as a limited model. Only 11 units of the car were produced, and each was sold for $3.8 million at an auction, courtesy of its rarity.

The car boasted a 426 Hemi engine that was well known for speed, and this was the last year the engine would be featured.

21970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

The 5 Best Muscle Cars in 1970s: 1970 Plymouth

The Plymouth Superbird didn’t have a long stay on the market and was produced as an alternative to the Plymouth Road Runner. The new Plymouth was equipped with a 7.0-liter engine capable of producing 425 horsepower. The engine could also reach 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.

Despite this, the Plymouth Hemi Superbird had something more to be remembered for: it had one of the best designs among its mates.

11974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback

The 5 Best Muscle Cars in 1970s: 1974 AMC

Though the 1974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback wasn’t the only muscle car produced this year, it was one of the most affordable muscle cars manufactured that year. While it carried a low price tag, it was a great choice in terms of power, speed, and performance. The muscle car was powered by a 360 cubic inch V8 engine that delivered 245 horsepower and could reach 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. These were great figures in the automotive industry back then.

FAQs

What was the most popular muscle car in the 1970s?

The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was one of the most popular muscle cars in the 1970s. The muscle car was powered by a large size engine that offered all Plymouth engine options.

What was the fastest muscle car in the 1970s?

Though it is rare, the Hemi Cuda was regarded as the fastest car in the 1970s. The muscle car boasted a powerful 426 Hemi V8 engine mated with automatic transmission to produce 425 horsepower.