The Pontiac GTO, which made its debut in 1963, is often recognized as the original American muscle car. Although this claim could be challenged by the Chrysler C-300 that was introduced in 1955, the GTO is widely acknowledged as the vehicle that brought the muscle car category into the mainstream during the 1960s.
Despite varying opinions and titles, there is no denying that the first-generation Pontiac GTO is a stunning classic car that still turns heads at car shows more than six decades later. The excitement increases even more when the iconic vehicle is displayed at a drag strip, especially if you are a fan of burnouts and straight-line racing. In this thrilling showdown, a 1967 Pontiac GTO takes the stage.
The 1967 GTO is considered the best-looking iteration of the first-gen muscle car and is not only a beautiful vehicle but also incredibly fast when equipped with the optional 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) H.O. V8. This particular car has the H.O. engine, which comes with a more aggressive cam and a larger exhaust manifold, producing an output of 360 horsepower and 438 pound-feet (594 Nm) of torque.
Pontiac paired the H.O. with a three-speed automatic transmission and a set of 3.90 rear gears, making it the perfect combination for quick runs at the drag strip. The question is, can the GTO beat a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle?
The 1972 muscle cars weren’t as powerful as their 1971 counterparts due to new emission regulations, but Chevy still had an SS 454 version of the Chevelle in 1972, albeit without the mighty LS6 mill. This particular car features an LS5 engine under the hood, delivering 270 horsepower and 390 pound-feet (529 Nm) of torque with a compression ratio of 8.5:1.
Although the LS5 may seem less powerful than the GTO’s H.O. engine, the figures mentioned above are net values, which were the norm starting in 1972. If we convert them to gross numbers, they are roughly 350 horsepower and 450 pound-feet (610 Nm) of torque, putting the Chevelle on par with the GTO. These vehicles compete in the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series, which permits certain drivetrain modifications. As a result, it is fair to assume that they are no longer completely stock.
Despite this, the race is extremely close, with all three races being decided by a photo finish at the finish line. The Pontiac GTO managed to cross the line first every time, but only by a fraction of a second, thanks to better reaction times at the Christmas tree. You can witness the excitement for yourself in the video below, filmed at the 28th Annual Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race in September 2022.
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