Witnessing high-performance supercars tearing down the quarter-mile is thrilling, but my heart lies with the classic muscle cars battling for drag-strip supremacy. Welcome to another installment of the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race (PSMCDR) series.
This race, however, stands out from the usual showdowns. Unlike the typical clash of golden-era muscle cars, this event pits two vastly different contenders against each other.
In one lane, we have a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette—a sports car powerhouse, not traditionally categorized as a muscle car. On the opposite side, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino, technically a muscle car but hailing from the early days of the Malaise Era, making it less formidable than its predecessors.
Chevrolet Corvette (1962)
The Corvette packs a 327-cubic-inch (5.4-liter) small-block V8, delivering 250 horsepower in its base form. Despite being eligible for modifications, this Chevy remains entirely stock, retaining its original V8 without any rebuild. The power is channeled through a two-speed Powerglide, not the ideal choice for drag racing.
Ford Gran Torino (1972)
Under the Gran Torino’s hood lies a 351-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland V8, originally rated at 300 horsepower but reduced to 248 due to Ford’s shift from gross to net ratings. Unlike the Corvette, the Gran Torino boasts a four-speed manual transmission.
The Gran Torino holds advantages with its manual gearbox and higher horsepower (nearly 290 gross). On the flip side, the Corvette enjoys a weight advantage, being approximately 1,000 pounds (454 kg) lighter.
These classics prove to be evenly matched, but the Gran Torino edges out victory. In the first race, the heavy muscle car crosses the finish line in 15.8 seconds, with the Corvette trailing by 0.3 seconds. The second race shows both cars slowing down, yet the Gran Torino maintains its lead with a 15.9-second sprint compared to the Corvette’s 16.4 seconds. The third race widens the gap slightly, with the Gran Torino finishing in 15.6 seconds and the Corvette in 16.3 seconds. Both vehicles reach speeds between 83 to 89 mph (134 to 143 kph), in line with stock vehicles from their respective eras.
# FAQs
**Q1: Was the Chevrolet Corvette modified for the drag race?**
A1: No, the Corvette remained entirely stock, with its original V8 engine and a two-speed Powerglide transmission.
**Q2: What advantages did the Ford Gran Torino have over the Corvette?**
A2: The Gran Torino held advantages with a manual gearbox and higher horsepower (nearly 290 gross). However, the Corvette was lighter by approximately 1,000 pounds.
**Q3: How did the races unfold?**
A3: The Gran Torino emerged victorious in all three races. The first race saw a 15.8-second finish, followed by 15.9 seconds in the second race, and a slightly wider gap in the third race with a 15.6-second sprint.
**Q4: What were the speeds achieved by both cars?**
A4: Both vehicles reached speeds between 83 to 89 mph (134 to 143 kph) during the races, consistent with stock vehicles from their respective eras.
