After reaching its peak in the 1960s, the muscle car era began to decline in the ‘70s. During this decade, the United States government passed the Clean Air Act, and the country experienced one of history’s worst fuel crises as well as rising insurance costs. These factors made muscle cars unaffordable for the average American, but automakers still managed to produce some classic models in the 70s—mostly in the early part of the decade. Here are a few of the best muscle cars of the 1970s.
- 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
The limited-production 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 is one of the most iconic muscle cars of the 1970s. Known for its sleek coke-bottle style, the SS 454 is as stylish as it was powerful for its time.
The 454 in the name comes from the 454 cubic-inch big block engine under the hood, which allowed this version of the Chevelle to hit 540 horsepower with 500 pound-feet of torque. These power features also made the 454 capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, which was a marvel for the 1970s.
The Chevelle SS 454 remains a popular vehicle in the classic car market and usually sells for around $50,000.
- 1970 Buick GSX
The American muscle car may have been in decline by the middle of the 1970s, but major automakers were still fiercely competing at the beginning of the decade. Buick entered the competition with the 1970 Buick GSX, a major departure from the cruisers that were popular among retirees and families.
The GSX was one of the fastest muscle cars of the era. It was powered by a 350 hp 455 engine, hydraulic camshaft, Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor, and 10:1 compression. The GSX also boasted an impressive 510 pound-feet of torque. Shortly after its release, Motor Trend magazine dubbed the GSX “the quickest American production car we’ve ever tested.”
- 1970 Buick Grand Sport 455 Stage 1
The GSX wasn’t Buick’s only muscle car model to be released in 1970. The 1970 GS Stage 1 was an impressive high-performance muscle car in its own right, with even more powerful specs than the GSX. Known as the “Hemi killer,” the 455 Stage 1 came equipped with 360 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It was also one of the last GM models with a high-compression engine, as the industry transitioned to the lower-lead fuel standards of 1972. The 455 had the highest torque engine on the market in 1970 and could cover a quarter-mile in 13.38 seconds at a maximum speed of 105.5 mph.
- 1971 Corvette LS6
The sleek and stylish 1971 Corvette LS is a timeless classic of the muscle car era. It came equipped with the same 454 engine as the Chevrolet Chevelle SS but was less powerful. However, its 425 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque were still impressive for the 1970s. Although it may have had less powerful specs, the lighter frame allowed the LS6 to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.
Due to this combination of aesthetics and performance, the 1971 LS6 is still highly sought-after in the classic car market. An original model in good condition can cost over $100,000. The especially rare Corvette C3 Coupe LS6 can fetch more than $200,000, as only 188 were manufactured.
- 1971 Mustang Boss 351
In 1971 Ford introduced a new look for the Mustang with the Boss 351. This model was only produced in 1971 and is thus relatively rare. Along with the sleek new design, the 351 had an impressive power profile. The 351 cubic-inch high-output engine produced an impressive 330 horsepower at 5,400 rpm, and the Boss could cover a quarter mile in a blazing 14.1 seconds at just over 100 mph.
Although the Boss 351 was not especially popular during its original release, it has recently gained traction in the classic car world. One in good condition can fetch around $80,000.
- 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD455
Many auto enthusiasts consider the 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 to be the last muscle car of the original era. The Super Duty 455 engine was inspired by drag racing cars like the Pontiac Catalina SD. This gem of an engine was hand-assembled and built according to information learned from Firebird’s participation in programs like SCCA Trans-Am racing and the Pontiac 366-ci Ram Air V NASCAR race engine.
Originally, the SD455’s horsepower was rated at 310. However, modifications to the V8 powerplant reduced it to 290 hp. This horsepower was still about 65 hp higher than the regular Firebird with a 400 cubic-inch V8. The SD455 also boasted 395 pound-feet of torque. This model could go from 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds. These specs made the SD455 one of the fastest and most powerful muscle cars of the 70s.