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Fastest Muscle Cars of 1970

American muscle from the 1970 model year, compared through published period quarter-mile results and the hardware behind them.

Muscle carsUpdated By Sources & methodology

Classic Chevrolet Chevelle muscle car
Classic Chevrolet Chevelle muscle car. Photo credit

Short answer

The Buick GS 455 Stage 1 recorded a 13.38-second quarter mile in Motor Trend’s period testing. Its big-displacement engine made Buick a serious challenger to Chevrolet and Plymouth at the drag strip.

Data period
1970 model-year cars
Entries
4
Comparison
Period quarter mile
Topic
Muscle cars

Fastest Muscle Cars of 1970 at a Glance

Fastest Muscle Cars of 1970 — 1970 model-year cars
Rank Car Quarter mile Engine Test
01
1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 Coupe (26221136074)
Buick GS 455 Stage 11970 model year		 13.38 seconds 455 cu in V8 Motor Trend period test
02
Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS61970 model year		 13.44 seconds 454 cu in V8 Hot Rod, May 1970
03
1970 Plymouth Hemi "Cuda (31700436961)
Plymouth Hemi Cuda1970 model year		 14.0 seconds 426 cu in V8 Motor Trend, May 1970
04
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 Six Barrel (13540590223)
Plymouth Cuda 440 Six Barrel1970 model year		 14.4 seconds 440 cu in V8 Motor Trend period result

The scale of the difference

Period quarter mile

First 4 entries shown. Bar lengths compare the magnitude of the reported values.

  1. 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 Coupe (26221136074)
    Buick GS 455 Stage 1    13.38 seconds
  2. Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
    Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6    13.44 seconds
  3. 1970 Plymouth Hemi "Cuda (31700436961)
    Plymouth Hemi Cuda    14.0 seconds
  4. 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 Six Barrel (13540590223)
    Plymouth Cuda 440 Six Barrel    14.4 seconds

Fastest Muscle Cars of 1970: Entry Details

1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 Coupe (26221136074)
#1
Model and generation illustration. Year, engine and equipment may differ from the entry. Sicnag / CC BY 2.0

Buick GS 455 Stage 1

1970 model year
13.38 seconds

Big-displacement torque and a well-prepared test car produced the quickest published run in this selection.

Test
Motor Trend period test
Engine
455 cu in V8
Buick logo & history →
1970 Plymouth Hemi "Cuda (31700436961)
#3
Model and generation illustration. Year, engine and equipment may differ from the entry. Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0

Plymouth Hemi Cuda

1970 model year
14.0 seconds

The Hemi-powered coupe paired its large V8 with an automatic transmission in Motor Trend’s May test.

Test
Motor Trend, May 1970
Engine
426 cu in V8
Plymouth logo & history →
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 Six Barrel (13540590223)
#4
Model and generation illustration. Year, engine and equipment may differ from the entry. Mustang Joe / CC0

Plymouth Cuda 440 Six Barrel

1970 model year
14.4 seconds

Three two-barrel carburettors supplied the wedge-head V8, with a manual gearbox adding another demand on the driver.

Test
Motor Trend period result
Engine
440 cu in V8
Plymouth logo & history →

Fastest Muscle Cars of 1970: Analysis

Buick GS Stage 1 Quarter-Mile Test

Buick fitted the Stage 1 with a large-capacity V8 and a performance induction package. The engine could pull strongly without depending on unusually high revs. Hot Rod’s account of the test also describes a carefully prepared car, a useful detail when comparing its launch with another magazine’s road test.

Chevelle LS6 Launch Technique

The Chevelle’s solid-lifter engine and close-ratio manual gearbox rewarded an involved driver. Hot Rod’s original tester worked on launch technique and engine temperature before recording the best run. The short rear gearing helped the car accelerate, while its narrow period tyres made controlling wheelspin part of the job.

Plymouth Hemi Cuda vs 440 Six Barrel

Plymouth’s Hemi Cuda used a different cylinder-head layout from the 440 Six Barrel. Both put substantial power through their rear tyres, so launching cleanly mattered before the engine could deliver its advantage. Their compact bodies make an interesting companion to the larger Chevrolet Chevelle and Buick GS.

Important context

  • The Chevelle LS6 test car used a four-speed manual transmission.
  • Motor Trend’s Hemi Cuda specification lists an automatic gearbox.
  • The 440 Six Barrel name refers to three two-barrel carburettors.

FAQ: Fastest Muscle Cars of 1970

Which car has the quickest quarter mile here?

The Buick GS 455 Stage 1 leads at 13.38 seconds. Hot Rod described the Motor Trend test car as well prepared.

Did Hot Rod test the Chevelle LS6 in 1970?

Yes. The republished May 1970 road test records a best quarter mile of 13.44 seconds. The car used a four-speed manual transmission.

Was the Hemi Cuda test car an automatic?

Yes. Motor Trend’s archived specification identifies a three-speed automatic for the Hemi Cuda.

What does Six Barrel mean on a Plymouth?

The name identifies the 440 engine’s three two-barrel carburettors. Dodge used the Six Pack name for its related arrangement.

Sources & methodology

Selected 1970 models ordered by archived magazine quarter-mile times, shortest first. Tests used different cars and conditions, including a prepared Buick. Original publishers supply the figures, with the Buick result preserved in their retrospective.

Maintained by , a software engineer and BMW 4 Series owner. Editorial policy

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