If you’ve ever wondered whether a 1969 Chevy Corvette 427 would beat a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula in a drag race, then the video we have here for you today holds the answer.
The race is a classic case of red versus blue, though not in the sense that expression would be interpreted recently. Here, the red car is the Corvette 427, a white-roof convertible with the 7.0L L36 Chevrolet Big Block V8 under the hood. Gasoline is poured in through a four-barrel Rochester carburetor, and while the power output is the lowest of any Big Block C3 Corvette, it’s still quite respectable. Chevy claimed 390 net horsepower using the measuring system of the time, where the engine was tested with an open exhaust and no ancillaries such as alternators or water pumps attached. In modern terms, that figure likely lands somewhere in the mid 300 horsepower range.
Although it’s only four years younger, the Pontiac Firebird Formula seems a lot more modern. The model here is derived from the second-gen Firebird, which was introduced in 1970. The Pontiac cradles a 7.5L 455 V8, in regular form, so it’s not the super duty variant. Real-world horsepower is likely around 250 net, or just under 300 gross.
With a 50 horsepower disadvantage, things might not be looking all that great for the Pontiac. A higher final drive ratio doesn’t seem promising either, considering this race is all about acceleration. But wait.
With drivers on board, the Firebird Formula is 36 pounds lighter than the Corvette 427. And its smoother transition from roof to tail probably means less disturbed airflow at the rear of the car, so there should be less aerodynamic drag – an important consideration on the second half of the strip.
Both cars are regular competitors in the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race (PSMCDR)series, so we can assume similar amounts of driving talent from each lane. As its name suggests, the PSMCDR series is open to muscle cars built in the U.S. or Canada between 1955 and 1979 and sold with a warranty of at least 12 years/12,000 miles. Only a few modifications are permitted, making for a great way to compare the vehicles in nearly stock form.
So which is faster? Well, the cars raced each other three times, and the Pontiac won twice. However, all races were very, very close.
If nothing else, this video makes us miss the good ol’ days of unhinged GM performance.
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Comments
And both would be left for dead by a new, bone stock Camaro SS. Those 60s-70s muscle cars were romantic but the fastest American iron is on sale today.
Absolutely. Even the 3.6 V6 runs bottom 14’s according to magazine tests. Goes to show how far we’ve come in the world of performance. I used to go to the drags in the late 60’s and early 70’s and the street stock cars seemed so fast then. I guess it’s all relative. Still love the classics for what they are.
As a “kid” growing up in Southern California (The San Fernando Valley to be exact) and having “GM” roots in our family with my father a supervisor at the Van Nuys Assembly Plant from 1948 to 1980 when he retired (I started working there in 1966) I was always aware of the “Street Scene” even back in the mid 1960’s and some of those vehicles that cruised the infamous “Van Nuys Blvd.” were right up the block at the Van Nuys Plant, and back then, the Plant was making some pretty cool stuff like those “sneaky” 1965 Chevelle L79’s (350 hp 327 cid) and yes in 1966, those amazing 427/425 hp big block Chevy’s and they were nothing short of amazing “back in the day”…you’d see these particular Van Nuys built cars at our local drag strips, like San Fernando Raceway (where I was every Sunday morning, but uh, right after church, ahem) and I can remember so many “new” cars running the strip with (dealer) paper plates, Dodge & Plymouths with those 426 Wedge Ramcharger engines, Ford 427 FE engines powering those pretty Galaxie Fastback roof coupes and yes, a 427 Biscayne that was the terror of the track and they all had one thing in common….they were not “that fast” with those skinny street tires and through the mufflers even running 100 plus octane as we know “Fast” today, they had to “strip prepped” first!
But…they were affordable, they were pretty and they sounded amazing, solid lifters rattling and an exhaust rumble that was music to the ears! Of course there were the big block Corvettes too that when properly set up could easily make a believer out of anyone who had one in their possession, and working for GM, I was one of those “lucky guys” that had a chance to own an L72 (425 HP) 427 Corvette convertible with a 4 speed and 3.70 gears with a Posi unit, side exhaust and yes, with those stock 7.75×15 “Gold Line” tires, it was a handful…almost unable to come “out of the hole” in first gear, and of course I raced the daylights out of it and I have “time slips” showing (ready for this) high 13 second ET’s, spinning those tires for an eighth mile but that MPH was impressive, approaching 108 mph….amazing in the day, but by todays standards
sheesh, there is no comparison, these newer “factory race cars” from Ford, Chevy and Dodge, would literally “clean my clock” and leave that beautiful big block ‘Vette in the dust! However, that’s progress, and my original, but sweet, slightly modified but still stock looking 2001 LS-1 C5 Corvette is so much more capable a Corvette than my 1966 ever was.
Crazy thing is too…there are (again) even more modern cars that can literally “kick my C5 to the curb”…a mid 12 second ET now days is a joke, sheesh! Oh well, thank goodness we’ve got these amazing people that are “running the oldies” on the strip today and of course using modern methods of attaining much lower ET’s and high MPH’s than they ever did when they were new…bravo, let’s keep the fun coming, get out there and race those old War Horses! ‘Ya gotta’ love it!
Much more interesting if a 455-ho or a 455 SD was in the running.
I think yes they would have blown the doors off the vet
Big difference!
A kid working at the grocery store could afford payments. Gas, parts,dares, dates,and tickets then!
Good luck today!
URGENT WARNING NOTICE:
SATAN IS A DEMONCRAP!👈
I can think of some other reasons that contradict this. Is it ok to…?
well guys i am the owner of the 69 vette i am 66 years old, and had not raced in 40 years and never on a race track, my engine spun a rod bearing in august ,and had 300 miles on at time of race ,changed gears at 5300 rpm, my qual. et was 13.863 at 104.24 mph . i am sure with more break in and better tuning and better driver it will do better, so don’t rate the 69 vette on this race, there is much better driver,s then me , the nice 23 year old young man driving the formala prove that lol. but i had a ball. so you guys and lady’s bring your cars to michigan in september and have some fun ,i am bringing my 1970 chevelle ss 396/375 l89 this year, it will walk all over my vette. lord willing i will see you there .