The rivalry between General Motors and Ford has played out on drag strips around the nation for decades, and now, a new video is bringing the heat with two classic muscle cars lining up for some classic side-by-side racing action. Taking up the lanes this time is a 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty 455 and 1970 Ford Torino Super Cobra Jet, with three rounds of racing to determine a winner. So then – which super machine will grab the glory?
Once again coming to us from the Cars And Zebras YouTube channel, the video is a little under 10 minutes long and includes a walkaround and specs on both vehicles, saving the racing for the end. Skip ahead to the seven-minute, 22-second mark if that’s all you’re interested in.
The video kicks off with the Ford Torino, which, per the narrator, required a multi-step upgrade process to actually spec a Super Cobra Jet. Buyers started with the Torino Cobra, equipped with a 429 Thunder Jet V8 making 360 horsepower. Buyers could then opt for the Cobra Jet package, increasing compression to 11.3:1 and boosting output to 370 hp. Adding the Drag Pack with 3.91 or 4.30 gears upgraded the engine to the Super Cobra Jet.
The Super Cobra Jet 429 featured four-bolt mains, forged aluminum pistons, a solid lifter cam, and a Holley 780 carburetor. Ford officially rated the Super Cobra Jet at 375 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, but experts believe this was underrated.
Moving on to the Pontiac Trans Am, GM managed to keep the muscle car spirit alive in 1974 with the Super Duty 455. Despite an 8.4:1 compression ratio, a long list of high-quality components made this engine punch a bit harder, bringing the final rating up to 290 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque.
While not exactly mind-blowing by modern standards, it was enough to propel the Pontiac down the quarter mile in less than 14 seconds, making it one of the quickest muscle cars of its day. This particular model is equipped with a four-speed manual and 3.42 gears, while curb weight is set at 3,940 pounds, giving it a slight advantage over the heavier Ford.
Check out the full video right here:
Comments
I’d still rather have the Torino.
Wish they would bring back Pontiac
Torino is just an ugly body style. Trans am went on to be an icon.
Gotta love the 429 SCJ package.