Across the Pond
Our man in North America climbs into his time machine to check out his top four American cars from 50 years ago ...
When we look back at the history of classic American cars, the year 1970 stands out. It represented the last time that Detroit iron was largely unencumbered by emissions, fuel economy and safety regulations. I'm sure many of us would have given our right arm to be in the market for a new car stateside back then. With that in mind, let's say you were. Given the range of choices available, what would you pick? Here's my top four.
1970 Buick Estate Wagon
The first one I came up with isn't your archetypal muscle car but rather the 1970 Buick Estate Wagon. This car was sort of a one-year anomaly. It marked the first time Buick Motor Division had offered a full-size wagon since 1964 and the 1970 EstateWagon, despite sharing the B-body Le Sabre and Wildcat's body, 124-inch wheelbase and underpinnings, was a separate model. Its piece de resistance was a standard 455cu in big-block V8 under the hood. With a four-barrel Rochester Quadrajet, it pumped out 370hp and 51 Oft-lb of torque. Yes, the mid-size Skylark-based GS 455 was sportier and faster, but the 4762Ib Estate Wagon could still hold its own - able to dash from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds. Plus, where else could you get that kind of performance and have seating for all the family, the dog and be able to tow your boat to the lake? Exactly.
1970 Dodge Charger 440 R/T SE
I've always been a fan of the 1968-70 Dodge Chargers and if I was in the market for a new car in 1970, a Charger R/T would be at the top of the list. Since I've got a bit of a thing for muscle and luxury, the R/T SE (Road & Track Special Edition) perfectly fits the bill. The SEwas a trim package consisting of leather and vinyl bucket seats, along with a wood grain steering wheel, fancy foot pedals, special lighting with directional indicators in the hood and unique SEappliques. The R/T also included the standard 440cu in Magnum V8, four-barrel carburettor and dual exhausts. I'd have ordered mine with regular 440 375hp Magnum (you couldn't get air conditioning with the Six-Pack or Hemi), a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic and new Rallye wheels and the tail-encircling bumblebee stripe. With 480ft-lb of torque on tap, the 1970 R/T SEwas a fast bruiser/cruiser
that was docile enough to drive every day but still had the performance on tap when you needed it. When it comes to style and grunt, the 1970 Charger R/T has it in spades.
1970 Ford Torino Cobra
I'm a big Mustang fan, but, if I was going to pick a top choice from the Ford camp on the 1970 wish list, it would have to be the Torino Cobra. The Torino got an all-new body for 1970, which was sleek and purposeful. In fact, Motor Trend magazine thought enough of the new Torino, that it named it the magazine's Car of the Year for 1970. The Cobra was the hardcore performance version and came standard with a 429cu in big block. I'd have ordered mine in Grabber Yellow with the optional Magnum 500 wheels and Goodyear Polyglas tyres, specced for the 375hp 429 Super Cobra Jet engine with its 11.3:1 compression ratio, oil cooler and solid lifter camshaft. I'd have ordered it with the optional Ram Air hood too, along with the standard fourspeed manual gearbox and that marvellous Hurst T-handle shifter. I'd also have specced the 3.9:1 Traction-Lok rear differential as part of the Drag-Pack option with the sq engine (the low ratio Detroit Lockers are a bit much for street driving). Although there were faster outright muscle cars on the street and the track, the 1970 Torino Cobra somehow just seems to combine the right elements of style and performance in a package that's strong without being temperamental.
1970 Pontiac Grand Prix SSJ 455
When looking at Tin Indians from 1970, the Bullnose Firebird Formula or Trans Am might seem like the obvious choice, but I like a bit of luxury mixed in with performance and the 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix SSJhas plenty of both. I like this car's driver-oriented cockpit, the 6ft-long hood and of course the ability to order a massive V8 under the hood. The 455cu in engine was new in the Pontiac lineup for 1970 and in the Grand Prix, dished up 370 horsepower on a 10.25:1 compression ratio. Classic Pontiac engines are known for their torque and the 455 delivered a walloping 500ft-lb at just 2700rpm. Combined with GM's stout, yet smooth TH400 Turbo-Hydramatic Slushbox, a 455-equipped Grand Prix delivers a turbine-like level of thrust while at the same time, coddling its occupants from the outside world. What's not to like?