1970 Buick GSX Drag Races 1971 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, Someone Gets Walked
If you haven't attended Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series events, you definitely should. Especially if you're a fan of golden-era muscle cars because that's what this series is all about. Yup, you guessed it, it's time for another retro-style drag race.
This quarter-mile duel brings together two of the most iconic rigs from the era. Coincidentally, both vehicles are of the sleeper variety, looking mundane on the outside while hiding potent V8 mills under the hood.
In one lane, we have a 1970 Buick GSX. The company introduced the Gran Sport in 1965, but the GSX bundle didn't become available until 1970. More of an appearance and handling package, the GSX was also available with the Stage 1 engine upgrade, which gave the 455-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) V8 a rating of 360 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.
The GSX was available through 1972, but its pricey sticker translated into slow sales. In 1970, for instance, only 678 units were ordered with this option. Of these, only 400 got the optional Stage 1 upgrade. This GSX is one of only 280 units finished in white, but this figure also includes non-Stage 1 rigs.
If we also factor in the engine and the three-speed automatic gearbox, we're looking at one of fewer than 150 examples made. All told, it's one of the rarest Buicks from the golden era.
In the other lane, we have an even rarer vehicle. Sure, Ford sold no fewer than 151,484 Mustangs in 1971, and more than 65,000 of them were coupes, but this isn't a run-of-the-mill pony. This silver Mustang hides a 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet Ram Air mill under the hood.
One of the most potent units offered in the first-gen Mustang, the 1971 Cobra Jet came with 370 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque on tap. This engine found its way into only... wait for it... 14 coupes that were also equipped with automatic gearboxes. It's pretty much a unicorn.
On paper, the two cars look pretty even. While the Mustang packs more horsepower, the GSX wins the torque battle. It's also worth noting that the Mustang is nearly 200 pounds lighter than the Buick. However, these numbers may not mean all that much because the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series allows certain modifications to the drivetrain.
The first race sees the Buick winning with a comfortable lead. The GSX gets in front as soon as the lights go green and crosses the finish line a half-second quicker. The GSX stops the clock at 13.4 seconds, while the Mustang covers the distance in 13.9 clicks.
Both cars run notably quicker in the second race, and the Mustang scores a better launch, but the GSX wins again with a 13-second sprint. The Mustang hits the line in 13.25 clicks and posts the best trap speed at 104.6 mph (168.3 kph). Per PSMCDR rules, the Buick advances to the next round with two out of three wins.
This quarter-mile duel brings together two of the most iconic rigs from the era. Coincidentally, both vehicles are of the sleeper variety, looking mundane on the outside while hiding potent V8 mills under the hood.
In one lane, we have a 1970 Buick GSX. The company introduced the Gran Sport in 1965, but the GSX bundle didn't become available until 1970. More of an appearance and handling package, the GSX was also available with the Stage 1 engine upgrade, which gave the 455-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) V8 a rating of 360 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.
The GSX was available through 1972, but its pricey sticker translated into slow sales. In 1970, for instance, only 678 units were ordered with this option. Of these, only 400 got the optional Stage 1 upgrade. This GSX is one of only 280 units finished in white, but this figure also includes non-Stage 1 rigs.
If we also factor in the engine and the three-speed automatic gearbox, we're looking at one of fewer than 150 examples made. All told, it's one of the rarest Buicks from the golden era.
In the other lane, we have an even rarer vehicle. Sure, Ford sold no fewer than 151,484 Mustangs in 1971, and more than 65,000 of them were coupes, but this isn't a run-of-the-mill pony. This silver Mustang hides a 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet Ram Air mill under the hood.
One of the most potent units offered in the first-gen Mustang, the 1971 Cobra Jet came with 370 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque on tap. This engine found its way into only... wait for it... 14 coupes that were also equipped with automatic gearboxes. It's pretty much a unicorn.
On paper, the two cars look pretty even. While the Mustang packs more horsepower, the GSX wins the torque battle. It's also worth noting that the Mustang is nearly 200 pounds lighter than the Buick. However, these numbers may not mean all that much because the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series allows certain modifications to the drivetrain.
The first race sees the Buick winning with a comfortable lead. The GSX gets in front as soon as the lights go green and crosses the finish line a half-second quicker. The GSX stops the clock at 13.4 seconds, while the Mustang covers the distance in 13.9 clicks.
Both cars run notably quicker in the second race, and the Mustang scores a better launch, but the GSX wins again with a 13-second sprint. The Mustang hits the line in 13.25 clicks and posts the best trap speed at 104.6 mph (168.3 kph). Per PSMCDR rules, the Buick advances to the next round with two out of three wins.