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Chevy Camaro and Plymouth GTX Relive The ’70s With Drag Race: Video

We’re taking it back to the era of disco and bell-bottoms, but leaving the fashion and music behind in favor of some drag racing action between a 1978 Chevy Camaro and 1970 Plymouth GTX.

Coming to us from the Cars And Zebras YouTube channel, the video is just under 5-and-a-half minutes long, and provides an up-close inspection and specs for both vehicles, as well as heads-up racing action at the end. However, unlike the typical Cars And Zebras format, this particular video doesn’t include any commentary, but keeps it low-key with the raw sounds from the racetrack. For those viewers who prefer the comedy and quick meme cuts, there’s a link to a version of the video with exactly that in the comments.

Getting back to the cars, let’s start with the GM product. What we have here is a 1978 Chevy Camaro Z28, which is showing up to the party with characteristic late third-gen style and racing stripes on the hood. Hailing from the much-maligned Malaise Era of U.S. auto manufacturing, the 350 V8 under the hood was rated at 185 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm from the factory, with a compression ratio of 8.2:1. This particular Chevy Camaro is fitted with a three-speed automatic transmission, which feeds a set of 3.42 rear gears. Curb weight comes in at 3,549 pounds.

In the other lane is a 1970 Plymouth GTX, which has a 440 V8 topped by a four-barrel carburetor. Output from the factory was rated at 375 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 480 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm, with a compression ratio of 9.7:1. Sending the power rearwards is a four-speed manual transmission, feeding a set of 3.54 rear gears. Curb weight is set at 3,783 pounds.

Despite the Chevy Camaro’s weight advantage, the Plymouth GTX has a considerable power advantage – or at least it would, if both vehicles were completely stock. However, these two machines compete in the Factory Stock class, which does allow for some limited modifications, which means it is a bit of a toss-up as to which racer will come out on top. Hot play to see the results:

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Wow, a “smogged” Camaro get the jump like that is impressive.

    Reply
  2. No way a stock 78, Camaro wins this, talk about no power. Luckily for the sake of writing, some mods are allowed in this class.

    Reply
  3. Notice no one mentioned the gtx is a 3,800 lb fullsize all original without the track pack. The Camaro is modified, 2980 lbs , with the suspension package and a couple other goodies that it didnt come with. Nice try. Maybe next time get a 70 dart 340 car and that same Camaro. 1000 lbs matters more than 100 cid

    Reply
  4. Had a Camaro with a 305 and I was lucky enough to keep up with a Mazda Rx7. The driver of the Plymouth don’t know how to shift each race should have been a close tie going both ways

    Reply
  5. Apples to oranges from GM Authority again, automatic against four speed.

    Reply
  6. Hey you seen it, heck a ls6 chevelle could over power a hemi A GTO could over power a hemi
    Hemi overrated a 69 Camaro 302 could jump a hemi sheeeeeeeet.

    Reply
  7. No way that Camaro is stock.

    Reply

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