forgotten muscle

Thinking outside the square and going beyond familiar cars like the Boss 429s, Super Bees etc. there are probably some hot rides that get overlooked or have been forgotten. Maybe some models from the 50s, or ones from the smog era that could be quick once the pollution controls are dumped? :smokin:

401-XR Gremlin (http://www.gremlinx.com/images/wpe6.gif)

455 HO Grand Prix (http://www.sd455.com/grandprix.htm)

hmmm...
Dodge Lil Red Express Truck, not muscle but just about the quickest vehicle in its time

late sixties pontiac grand prix

buicks of all kinds

I would say the 1974 Camaro Z/28 is a pretty decent car. Not as quick as its predecessors, but still cool. Also the original 1966 385 bhp Toronado is a hot choice for those that like front drivers. :biggrin:

Toronado (http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/oldsmobile-toronado/oldsmobile-toronado-history.shtml)

http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/1974/74camad2.jpg

Studebaker Gran Turismo w/R-4 (supercharged) 289

Pontiac Catalina 421SD

Olds Starfire

Ford 500XL 7 Liter

Pontiac 2+2

Ford Thunderbolt ( Fairlane body, 427)

'70 Riviera Grand Sport

Rambler Rebel Machine (not very fast, but unusual!)

Jensen Interceptor

That funny looking Plymouth Fury (with the white body, gold stripes, wing, etc., late '60s)

Sunbeam Tiger

The list can go on and on...

^^good list^^

Lots of the 60's and early 70's luxury cars had decent engines......and especially when the personal luxury market got rolling, there were some decent performers, especially with a few mods.

They are also MUCH cheaper than real muscle cars.

As mentioned the Grand Prix, Rivieras, T-Birds (429 engine) Monte Carlos, big mopars of all kinds, Mercury Maurader, big block Galaxies, etc.

The best approach is to choose the right chassis, one that's not too heavy. For example the pre-67 and post '71 T-Birds were rediculously heavy, as were many of the big Mercurys.
Also make sure you get the biggest engine. For example, the big Buicks and Ford engines may not be too popular with performance engine builders, but all could be made to really perform.

Alternatly, really strange lighter cars could really go. There were a lots of 304 powered AMC Gremlins and Hornets. Sure its a bit of a waste to build a 304, but a 390/401 drops in easily. A few rare Hornet SC 360's were made. Those things would turn 13 flat in the quarter with headers, a decent tune up and proper tires.

Finally, I like the small block Chevy Monza......it looks like a Camaro that shrunk in the wash....but has huge potential and is cheap.

Replacing the 304 with the 401 is a common swap, that engine had great torque. In a small car you wouldn't miss the horsepower shortfall. The GM H body (Monza) is most likely the smallest car to come with the Chevy sb.

74' AMX 401 (http://www.amxfiles.com/amcpix/javamx_74.jpg)

SD 455 T/A (http://www.sd455.com/transam.htm)

what about the Vega? it could be made to perform with an engine swap i mean comon isnt that sick?http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/348572. There were a couple Road Runner models like the 73/74 and 76-80 volare version whihc had potential. Another Mopar that i havent really seen much of is the Furys which alos had some balls. ill look more later

Yeah, V8 Vega conversion kits were popular back in the day. Vega was a good looking car so it was cool that it got the power to match the Camaro style looks.
You could drop a worked 360 or 400 into those 76-80 Volare Road Runners, Aspen R/Ts and have a hot ride for sure. Plus the small size made for easy parking. :rofl:

http://forums.skylinesdownunder.co.nz/attachment.php?s=&postid=342894

what about the AMC Hurst SC/rambler ! ! ! this was the fastest AMC car ever made. low 14s from factory and with a few simple bolt ons they would run low 12s ! ! !
http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/MyGarage2004/MattScrambler/ScramblerHome.htm
click here also to see painting,

http://www.dannywhitfield.com/scrambler.html

thanks,matt

FREEDOM=AMC

Matt,
You're right! I have no idea how I could have forgotten the Scrambler. Got suckered by one one night while out "playin'". It was extensively modified (much faster than stock), and had a primer grey paint job. I didn't see the headrests until the race was over (red, white and blue...). He got me by a couple lengths through third. Hate it when that happened...

Jim

Matt,
You're right! I have no idea how I could have forgotten the Scrambler. Got suckered by one one night while out "playin'". It was extensively modified (much faster than stock), and had a primer grey paint job. I didn't see the headrests until the race was over (red, white and blue...). He got me by a couple lengths through third. Hate it when that happened...

Jim

Jim,
what were you driving ?
those SC/ramblers hurt alot of feelings.
i am glad my post made you remember , that is the fun to me to get the car out in front of people so they can see that the little dog could take a bite out of the big dog every now and then.
thanks,
matt

In 1984 I had a 1970 Gremlin X with a 5.0 Liter V8. 3 Speed on the floor with a 3.90 posi rear end. All factory stock. king of ugly, but a fun car.

what about the AMC Hurst SC/rambler ! ! ! this was the fastest AMC car ever made. low 14s from factory and with a few simple bolt ons they would run low 12s ! ! !
http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/MyGarage2004/MattScrambler/ScramblerHome.htm
click here also to see painting,

http://www.dannywhitfield.com/scrambler.html

thanks,matt

FREEDOM=AMC


Thats not entirely true, they had a gremlin with a factory 401 that ran 13s. It was a factory order option, even came with wheelie bars. Not many were made though.

I forgot......some of the Chevy Monza sister cars from the 70's, Olds Firenza, Buick Skylark and Pontiac.....something...........could be had with a small block Chevy.
The Buicks often came with 3.8 v6's.......... a Regal T-Type/ Grand National turbo engine might just drop in.
You could certainly win a few races with that combination.
Finally, I seem to recall a build-up Hot Rod magazine did a few years ago involving a Chevette and a 500 cid Caddy motor. It was rediculous,ugly and lethally fast, but probably some fun though.

Also the AMC S/C 360 Hornet, that was a neat little car. :grinyes: A rare H nody was the 1977 Chevy Monza Mirage, only 4097 made.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/731000-731999/731985_2_full.jpg

Thats not entirely true, they had a gremlin with a factory 401 that ran 13s. It was a factory order option, even came with wheelie bars. Not many were made though.



i was not aware of the 401 Gremlin as a street car. i thought it was like the SS/AMX, for dragstrip only. i knew they put the 304 in the Gremlin for us regular people.
i would like to know more about it.
thanks,
matt

FREEDOM=AMC

I'll have to find the rest of the info I have on it, It was only available one year and had to be special ordered. It was essectially a drag car that was for sale to the public.

I wouldnt mind dropping a 401 in my gremlin, but I think the twin turbo 258 will be suficient.

I'll have to find the rest of the info I have on it, It was only available one year and had to be special ordered. It was essectially a drag car that was for sale to the public.

I wouldnt mind dropping a 401 in my gremlin, but I think the twin turbo 258 will be suficient.

i found the 401 Gremlin info.
it was not built in the AMC plant like the Hurst SC/rambler was. Randall Rambler of Mesa,Arizona was taking out the 304 and putting in the 401 at the dealership. he would put on anything you wanted and they were very fast with a stock 401. i see a time here of 13.22 at 105.76 mph ! ! ! (i would like to have one). there was only a hand full built.
the Hurst SC/rambler was (built in house,at AMC) and Hurst really did nomore then put in the shifter and put their name on the car. everything else was stock AMC stuff.

i think your twin turbo 258 will be more then enough.

thanks,
matt

Could have swore they built at the factory, I have a bad memory though.

There was a picture of Mr Randell standing next to 30 401 crate motors that AMC sent him to create the 401-XR Gremlin. The project received semi official blessing from AMC, 20 401-XRs were completed in 1972-74 period.
I would say the very early Firebirds also don't get the attention they deserve. The 67s/68s get overlooked with all the attention given to the Camaro and Chevelle. Also emphasis is placed on the Trans Am, but the plainer Ram Air 400s were pretty good. Not the most horsepower, but a goodly amount of torque.

67' Firebird 326 (http://www.er3.com/firebird/)

67' Firebird 400 (http://www.frankspontiacparts.com/id35.htm)

I noticed that Studebakers are a little neglected around here :p. All '63 and '64 Lark, Avanti and Hawk models were available with Paxton superchargers. A few Avanti's even left the plant with R/3 engines. 335 HP (fudged).