Regarding classic muscle cars, the consensus among enthusiasts is that the golden era spanned from 1964 to 1971. However, it’s important to note that cars produced after 1971 shouldn’t be dismissed as slow and underpowered. In fact, some models remained attractive and powerful until as late as 1974.
The Plymouth Duster is a prime example of a muscle car that defies the assumption that post-1971 models lack power. Although it may not have had the menacing appearance of the Barracuda, nor the option for a big-block engine, the 1974 Duster packed a punch. Equipped with a 360-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) V8 engine – an upgrade from the 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) version – it boasted an impressive 245 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.
It’s worth noting that these numbers are net figures, which make direct comparisons to pre-1972 muscle cars challenging. However, if we were to convert the Duster 360’s rating to gross numbers, it would likely be around 300 horsepower. That’s not too far off from the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle with a 350-horsepower 402-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine.
What sets this Chevrolet apart? Well, you’re in for a treat as you witness a head-to-head drag race between the Chevelle and the Duster. This showdown took place during the 28th Annual Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race in September 2022. Despite the fact that the race footage only recently emerged on “Cars and Zebras” YouTube channel, it’s generating a lot of buzz among car enthusiasts.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Pure Stock series, it’s a competition that features classic muscle cars that have a stock appearance with some modifications under the hood. As a result, the cars often have more power than their factory counterparts. Although there are no official numbers for this specific Chevelle and Duster matchup, the outcome is surprising and not what you might expect based on their performance specifications alone.
The Chevelle and Duster face off in three exhilarating races. In the first race, the Chevy driver takes the win with a time of 14.22 seconds. The second race sees the Duster make a comeback and cross the finish line in just 14.60 seconds, claiming the victory. However, both cars demonstrate significant improvements in the third race, with the Plymouth driver sealing the win with an impressive 13.84-second sprint. To put this into perspective, that’s more than a second faster than a stock Duster 360.
If you’re looking for some thrilling entertainment, be sure to hit the play button below and watch as the drama unfolds.
