Neutered American performance icons.

[GoCougs]

Inspired by Madman's "neutered" thread but with a slightly different theme. Choose the the best of the last - the swan song for performance models that began life in the '60s through MY 1970 and retained sheet metal through MY1974. I chose 1974 as IMO it is the very very very last vestiges of the '60s - early '70s American performance era.

1974 Chevy Camaro Z-28, 350 V8, 245 hp:



1974 Chevy Corvette Stingray: 454 V8, 270 hp:



1974 Pontiac Trans Am SD455, 455 V8, 290 hp:



1974 Plymouth 'Cuda, 360 V8, 245 hp:



1974 Dodge Challenger R/T, 360 V8, 245 hp:



1974 Ford Maverick Grabber, 302 V8, 140 hp:

[GoCougs]

I went with the Trans Am. It's the quickest of the bunch, handles near the best, and IMO looks the best especially WRT the new-for-'74 bumper requirements (much better than the Camaro). The Camaro is 2nd for me despite the front after-thought bumper. IMO it also has the most attractive interior, esp. the dash.

[SVT666]

Challenger,  then Cuda.

[hotrodalex]

Wonder if it would be possible to replace the front end (grill/headlights/bumper) on the Trans Am parts from a '71-72.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'll take the big block Vette....

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

IIRC I read that those Vettes were more aerodynamic IN REVERSE!

[280Z Turbo]

IIRC I read that those Vettes were more aerodynamic IN REVERSE!

False

[Soup DeVille]

IIRC I read that those Vettes were more aerodynamic IN REVERSE!

I remember hearing that about the Porsche 928, but I don't believe either of them.

[SVT666]

I remember hearing that about the Porsche 928, but I don't believe either of them.

The teardrop shape is very aerodynamic, so I can see that.

[Rupert]

There was a Mythbusters specifically on the 928, and IIRC, the myth was busted.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

There was a Mythbusters specifically on the 928, and IIRC, the myth was busted.

Yep they actually turned the body around on the frame. I can't find any info on the Vette.

[Rupert]

Yep. It was great.

Not super scientific, but not even too bad on that front. Just needed some more repetitions of the experiment, IIRC.

[Rupert]

It was Challenger vs. T/A for me, and the Challenger won out because the T/A is too redneck anymore. The Stingray was too ugly by this time.

[68_427]

Trans Am because the SD 455 was still a viable muscle car engine.

[cawimmer430]

Dodge Challenger.

[Payman]

'Cuda, but without vinyl roof.

[Madman]

The big difference between these cars and the ones in my thread is that these cars still looked cool.  The ones in my thread, however, were complete betrayals of the names that were attached to them.  These cars may be cooler, but my thread is funnier! 

[GoCougs]

I'm surprised at the popularity of both the Corvette and Challenger. I rank 'em as:

1.) Trans Am
2.) Z28
3.) 'Cuda
4.) Challenger
5.) Corvette
6.) Maverick

There were other decent cars at the time but didn't include due to redundancy:

1974 Dodge Dart Sport 360 (and Plymouth Duster 360 looked basically the same), 360 V8, 245 hp:



I had this in the '90s, a '72 Dodge Demon w/mild 360:



1974 Chevrolet Nova SS, 350 V8, 245 hp:

[280Z Turbo]

The Corvette is the best handling car on the list and has a 454. Makes sense to me.

[CJ]

I chose the Cuda because it looks neat.

[S204STi]

I prefer the looks of the Stringray.  In this group that's about all you can look for...

[hotrodalex]

I went with the Challenger. Still looks really good and I can always bump up the power. Getting rid of the smog crap would be step 1.

I would get the Corvette if it still had chrome bumpers.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The Corvette is the best handling car on the list and has a 454. Makes sense to me.

I never cared for those ugly plastic bumpers tho.......... I think the later ones with the duck tail rear look a lil better!

[Payman]

I never cared for those ugly plastic bumpers tho.......... I think the later ones with the duck tail rear look a lil better!

Don't you mean the earlier ones? The C3 had chrome bumpers from '68-'72, went to plastic front in '73, and plastic front and rear in '74.

[Payman]

I think the Barracuda had nicer body lines than the Challenger, and was in fact a little smaller.

[Northlands]

Trans Am. I used to love it as a kid seeing that era Firebirds on tv.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Don't you mean the earlier ones? The C3 had chrome bumpers from '68-'72, went to plastic front in '73, and plastic front and rear in '74.

I like the metal bumper 100 times better than any plastic bumper C3. I was saying I like the ducktail C3 (when comparing plastic bumper C3s) better than the one pictured.

[cawimmer430]

Where's the Buick Apollo? We need a scapegoat here! 

[giant_mtb]

Corvette.

[Payman]

I like the metal bumper 100 times better than any plastic bumper C3. I was saying I like the ducktail C3 (when comparing plastic bumper C3s) better than the one pictured.

Oh I know and I agree.