1974 Chevy Corvette 350
Don’t try to cry. For the 1974 Chevrolet Corvette was painfully narfed. Its base was rated at 350 cubic-inch V-8 195 horsepower. Fortunately, it has an optional 350 with a 9.0: 1 compression ratio, which is good for 250 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 285 pound-feet (386 Nm) at 4,000 RPM.. On the plus side, there is a four-speed manual transmission with 3.73 gears. For all its fiberglass bodywork, the 1974 Corvette is not as light as before – 3,750 pounds (1,701 kg) with driver.
1976 Pontiac Firebird formula
If Corvette’s performance figures bring tears to your eyes, Pontiac will break you in tears. Fortunately, this particular formula has a 400 cubic-inch V-8, as opposed to the Base 350. However, thanks to the 7.6: 1 compression ratio, it packs just over 20 horsepower. It produces 185 horsepower at 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) at 3,600 RPM and 1,600 RPM, a “scream”. Like the “Vette”, it packs a four-speed manual with 3.42 gears. At 4,065 pounds (1,844 kg), it’s a fair amount heavier than the Corvette.
Drag race
Two more classic American cars are circling around to watch the races. The first victory goes to the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula, which operates a swollen quarter-mile of 17.19 seconds at a speed of 72.52 miles (116.7 km / h). The Corvette, meanwhile, is lagging behind with a quarter-mile time of 18.28 seconds and a trap speed of 78.29 miles per hour (126 km / h).
Another race sequence, and this time, the cars change lanes. This time, Pontiac finished at 83.79 mph (134.84 km / h) in 16.63 seconds vs. Corvette’s 17.26 seconds at 85.13 mph (137 km / h).
While this drag race was certainly slow, compared to what we are accustomed to, it clearly represents an era of American motoring that is best forgotten. Plus, these casted versions of the once great cars make for great projects. There’s plenty of room for an LS engine, which will turn any one of these cars into an 11-second drag slayer.