The Top 10 Fastest Muscle Cars of the 60s
Car manufacturers in the 1960s earned themselves a reputation for producing some of the fastest muscle cars. Not only were they quick off the mark, but they were also pleasing to the eye with their classic shapes and cool designs.
Here at SGT Auto Transport, we love talking cars and a subject that’s often discussed around the lunch table is the fastest muscle cars of the 60s. We thought we’d have a bit of fun with our latest blog post, so we asked our shipping advisors which 60s muscle cars they loved the most.
The following list includes some of the quickest-accelerating cars from the kickin’ 60s. Take a look and see if you agree with our badass choices.
What was the fastest muscle car of the 60s?
Well, they were all quite fast, but is there one that stands out from the rest? Most people will say that the hands-down winner among the fastest cars of the 60s was the Shelby Cobra. For that particular era, it attained higher performance figures than any other vehicle.
There have been various models, but the one that stands out as the fastest muscle car of the 60s is the 1963 Shelby Cobra 260. It was able to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Time to look at some fastest cars from the 60s, chosen by our fun-loving team here at STG Auto Transport.
Pontiac GTO - 1964
The premise behind the build of this car was to find the largest engine and put it on the lightest body it was possible to build. It was this that made it one of the pioneer muscle cars during the 60s and 70s.
The designers behind this iconic US muscle car were Bill Collins, Russell Gee, and John DeLorean. It came about after they decided to focus on the street performance of the car. This was following a ban on factory-sponsored racing by General Motors.
John DeLorean came up with the “GTO” taking it from the Ferrari 250 GTO. This was one of the most iconic race cars in history. It is an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato.
Considered by so many to be visionaries, these three guys built the GTO using a 389 cubic inch (6.4 liter) V-8 engine. Standard output was 325 horsepower at 4,800 rpm. In addition, there was an optional “Tri-Power” carburetion that was able to increase output to 348 horsepower.
Road tests undertaken at that time recorded the following:
- 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds
- A standing quarter-mile of 14.8 seconds
- A quarter-mile trap speed of 99 mph
Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake - 1967
We’ve already mentioned one Shelby Cobra, but the Super Snake also deserves a place on our list. A limited number of these cars were built which is the reason for it still carrying the title of one of the rarest American muscle cars in history.
One of Carroll Shelby’s goals was to have the fastest and meanest car on the road and he reached that goal when he introduced the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake in 1967.
There were only two units and in essence, the car was a modified race car for use on the street. Even to this day, it’s considered to be one of the most awesome Cobras ever built.
The Super Snake was powered by Cobra’s top-of-the-line 427 cubic inch V-8 Shelby engine. For extra juice, Shelby added a pair of Paxton superchargers which doubled the output of the 426 Cobra to 800 horsepower.
Dodge Charger R/T - 1968
The 1968 Dodge Charger R/T is one of only a few fastest cars from the 60s that have withstood the test of time. More than 40 years after the first models rolled off the production line, the car is just as popular today.
While Vin Diesel’s character in Fast and Furious may have had something to do with its popularity, its star quality and image of fear still manage to pack a punch.
Standout design features include the now famous hidden headlight grille, its curvy body, the refined tail, and the eager use of chrome on the car.
The Charger R/T’s powertrain features a 440 cubic inch four-barrel Magnum V-8 engine. This can produce 375 horsepower, but if that’s not enough there is a 426 Hemi engine option that brings it up to 425 horsepower.
Plymouth Road Runner Hemi - 1968
With a name that’s inspired by the Looney Tunes character, the Plymouth Road Runner Hemi comes with a standard powertrain that features a 383-CID, four-barrel V-8 engine delivering 335 horsepower. If you want more bang for your buck, there is also the more powerful 426-CID Hemi engine that delivers 425 horsepower.
This car was a popular choice at the time because customers could enjoy a back-to-basics package that provided everything people wanted in a muscle car without any frills. Plymouth decided to focus on the car’s performance rather than styling intricacies.
While the car is a simple-as-can-be muscle car, it’s still got plenty of character which is partly due to its name and the “beep-beep horn” that comes as standard.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - 1969
The idea for this 60s muscle car came from drag racer Dick Harrell. It was specifically for drag racing and came with a 427 cubic inch bog-block V-8 engine that was called the ZL1.
This powertrain gave the Camaro ZL1 500 horsepower and was capable of hitting 0-60 moh in a staggering 5.3 seconds.
Only 69 units of this model were ever built, which makes it one of the rarest and most important American muscle cars of the era.
Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet - 1969
Ford Mustang has produced a fair number of great pony cars in the past, but the 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet is the one that draws more attention than all the others put together. It is a more powerful version of the Mustang and was built to take on the might of the big-block Firebirds and Camaros of the time.
The Jet is powered by a 48-CID V-8 engine that had larger valve heads than the standard Mustang. In addition, there was a ram-air induction and functional hood scoop. It had the same intake manifolds as its less powerful brethren, but that didn’t stop it from attaining output close to 410horspower.
Corvette - 1968
Chevrolet’s 1968 was a prominent invention of the company and had a substantial impact on America’s muscle car history. It was also a forerunner of some exciting and practical inventions.
This beautiful two-seater features a removable hardtop and rustless fiberglass body. This model was a road and track king that amazed American racers with its efficiency and lightweight styling.
The Corvette was powered by a 300-horsepower Turbo Fire 327 V8 engine.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 - 1967
Camaro may be known as Chevrolet’s muscle car but before it became Chevy’s go-to-muscle car, the title belonged to the Chevrolet Chevelle SS (SS stands for Super Sport). It was introduced in 1964 and signaled the company’s entry into the muscle car world.
Production continued for a few years not very remarkable, but in 1970, the Chevelle SS finally broke out. This was partly due to the 454 cubic inch big block V-8 engine that delivered 450 horsepower. In addition, there was 500 pound-feet of torque and the car was able to reach 0-62 mph in six seconds.
AMC Javelin - 1968
This is one of the more unusual60s muscle cars. There are two generations of this car, a 1968-1970 version, and then it was restyled for 1971-1974. Many people prefer the first model’s styling.
Richard Teague designed the Javelin and it was built in Wisconsin and a few other countries including Germany, Australia, Venezuela, and Mexico.
It was only available in a two-door form, with engine options ranging from an entry-level straight six. However, most people opted for the 4.8 liter, 290 cubic inch V-8.
The largest engine size was the 390 cubic inch, 6.4-liter with a four-speed manual transmission. It made 315 horsepower and went from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds. Its top speed was 122 mph.
Pontiac Firebird 400 - 1968
The Pontiac Firebird 400 was introduced in 1967 via its cousin Chev Camaro. The coke bottle rear fenders still look totally awesome today.
The 400 cubic inch engine produced 325 horsepower, but there was the option of “ram air” which came with functional air scoops, a different camshaft, and stronger valve springs. These additional features had a price tag of $600 which may have been why few were sold.
Quarter of a mile took 14.7 seconds and 0-60 mph took 6.2 seconds.
What are your options if you ever need to ship your fastest 60s muscle car?
If you’re the proud owner of one of these American 60s muscle cars or have another similar model, there may come a time when you need to ship it. You might need to move your classic vehicle across the country for a show or work from a specialist. You might also plan on selling your vehicle or buying a new one for your collection.
Shipping a classic American muscle car is not as easy as shipping any other kind of car. You’ve invested a lot of time and money in your vehicle, so you need to take special care to ensure your classic car is transported safely and efficiently.
In order to make an informed decision, it helps if you understand the shipping process and your classic auto transport options.
Choose the best auto transport company for the job
Make sure you choose an experienced transport partner. They must have the right equipment to get the job done without damaging your classic car. To secure your vehicle they should use nylon straps and choke, rather than chain or metal.
They should also take extra care when loading and unloading your vehicle, in order to minimize any risk of damage.
Things to consider when hiring a car shipping service
To ensure total peace of mind you should consider the following:
- Experience: To protect your classic muscle car it’s best to choose a car shipping company that’s got a long history and proven track record for transporting classic cars. Keep experience in mind when comparing car shipping quotes, as an experienced enclosed carrier may be costlier than open transport options.
- Communication: Choose an auto transport company you can communicate with easily. Here at SGT Auto Transport, you can speak with our shipping advisors 24/7.
- Protection: Whether you choose open or enclosed car shipping, the company should provide you with proof of cargo insurance. It’s vital that you check what’s included in the insurance coverage and whether there’s anything you have to pay yourself.
- Delivery services: Some car carriers provide express or door-to-door delivery for additional fees. This would be perfect if you need your vintage vehicle delivered on time for an important car show.
- Tracking: A big benefit is to look for a provider that offers GPS tracking. Then you can check on the location of your classic vehicle in real-time.
- Damage control: The chance of damage occurring is minimal, but should it happen, a good auto transport company will have a clear, quick process for filing a claim.
If you’re the proud owner of a classic American muscle car or are soon to be an owner, keep SGT Auto Transport in mind if you ever need to ship it across country. For any questions or to make your booking, call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.
