There were plenty of fastPlymouthsbefore 1967, but none had the unified performance image pioneered by thePontiac GTO. Plymouth finally addressed this with an executive-class肌肉车that leaned a little on the Poncho for its name: the 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX.
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基于好看望楼的双门哈特op andconvertible, the GTX dressed up with a special grille and tail panel, simulated hood scoops, and chromegascap. Twin racing stripes were optional. The cabin was top-of-the-line, with bucket seats, embossed vinyl, and lots of brightwork.
Going fast without fuss was the GTX's mission, so it got a standard powertrain capable of enormous power with minimal effort: Mopar's newly fortified 375-bhp 440-cid V-8. Plymouth called it the Super Commando 440. This was Chrysler's big-carengineimproved for high-rpm performance with a revisedcamshaftand valve train, and free-flowing intake andexhaustsystems.
Mopar's unassailable three-speed TorqueFliteautomaticwas standard. Afour-speed manualwas optional and came with some serious stuff, including a larger ringgear, double-breaker distributor, free-wheeling fan, even an oil-pan windage tray.
Six-leaf rear springs, plus heavy-duty shocks, torsion bars, and ball joints had critics praising the GTX's handling, though most found the optional powersteeringgrossly overassisted.Disc brakeswere optional but surprisingly didn't seem to provide a great advantage over the standard heavy-duty drums.
Some 720 buyers forked over an additional $546 for the GTX's sole engine option, the 425-bhp 426 Street Hemi. It used the standard GTX running gear and could turn the quarter in the low-13s, but the 440/TorqueFlite was its equal in most street tussles. Plymouth finally had its imagecar, and it made no apologies to its inspiration. "GTO owners had better look to their defenses," counseled Car and Driver.
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- Plymouth muscle carsspanned the spectrum from fanciful to fearsome -- and sometimes displayed both qualities in a single model. See profiles, photos, and specifications of Plymouth muscle cars.
- Muscle cars came in many shapes and sizes. Here are features on more than 100肌肉车s, including photos and specifications for each model.
- Muscle cars created their own culture. To learn about it, readHow Muscle Cars Work.
These muscle car profiles include photos and specifications for each model:
- Cougar pulled out of Mustang's shadow with the striped and spoilered 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator.
- Beep, beep! Make way for one of the baddest muscle cars of all time, the1970 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi.
- The1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Amcombined sports-car handling and muscle car power.
- An all-aluminum, race-proven V-8 defined the rare and wicked1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
For related car information, go to these articles:
- The engine is what gives a muscle car its flamboyant personality. To learn everything you need to know about car engines, seeHow Car Engines Work.
- Muscle cars wouldn't have much muscle without horsepower -- but what exactly is horsepower?How Horsepower Worksanswers that question.
- NASCAR race cars embody the muscle car philosophy of power. ReadHow NASCAR Race Cars Workto find out what makes these charged-up racers go.
- Are you thinking of buying a 2007 muscle car, or any other car? See Consumer Guide Automotive's New-Car Reviews, Prices, and Information.
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