'60s-'70s car weight

[Fbody3400]

Why does everybody think that older muscle cars weight so much? I guess its b/c their 1/4 times arent too respectable for 375 hp. But I believe the real reasons the times and hp dont match up is because of crappy tires. Heres some muscle cars that weigh in under the 3500 lb. mark:

'68-'71 AMC AMX 390 -- 3097 lbs.
'64-'69 'Vette Stingray-- 2945 lbs.
'66-'71 Chevelle -- 3300 lbs.
'66-'70 Nova (II) -- 2840 lbs.
'67-'71 Camaro -- 3450 lbs.
'67 Dodge Charger -- 3475 lbs.
'71 Hemi Challenger -- 3080 lbs.
Most every Mustang
'70 'Cuda -- 3395 lbs.
'72 Road Runner -- 3495 lbs.
Every GTO up until '70

All weights are on the heaviest model, with the largest available engine for the car.

[97rs4life]

interesting stats, I think technology all around makes a difference with the track times as well. Tires are part of the reason, but a lot of things have been improved throughout the years to make the cars faster

[Nicklz]

I heard horsepower was somehow measured differently then...??? Can't verify that, just think I remember hearing or reading that once.

[3.4 slow to go]

gross hp the engine on a stand, no accessories. then came net hp, w/all accessories on, & tranny attached. It's interesting to see, but in the holy book haynes, 2nd gen Firebird book it lists hp rating from 70.5~81 and you can see when exactly that change was affected.

[mike h]

Originally posted by Fbody3400:
'64-'69 'Vette Stingray-- 2945 lbs.

[img]graemlins/omg.gif[/img]

they don't look that light!

[Camarorulz]

Those are interesting stats, I would think most of those cars would be heavier. When you're looking at stats on 1/4 times for older cars, the trap speed is definitely more impportant to look at due to the quality of tires. If you see a car that ran 15.5 @ 95 in the 1/4 in 1968, don't think you can beat that car in your V6 Bird or Maro today. :D

[Jerriko]

I guess I am curious about the Novas. The years listed are 66-70. The 71 and 72 models were the same as the 69s and 70s, minus a few cosmetic body lines. Were different engines available from 69-70 and 71-72?

[chas]

strange how unit-body construction is supposed to be lighter and stronger. perhaps cheaper and easier.

[Fbody3400]

Originally posted by Jerriko:
I guess I am curious about the Novas. The years listed are 66-70. The 71 and 72 models were the same as the 69s and 70s, minus a few cosmetic body lines. Were different engines available from 69-70 and 71-72?

Must of been a typo, good point out. Seventy-twos and '71s were under 3500.