Why Aren't You Terrorizing a High School Somewhere? 1973 Plymouth Duster

Like the Chevy Nova from the same era, the Duster was a favorite for swapping in a big, smoky V8 and loudly announcing one's obnoxious presence to one's public school classmates.

Here's an unmodified Duster from the same year.

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1962 GMC Pickup Truck

 In the early 1950s, Chevy and GMC pickups were different in name only. GMCs were Chevy pickups sold in towns without a Chevy dealer. In the 60s, GMC was still the same basic truck as Chevy, but with a significantly more powerful standard engine. The base engine in the Chevy was a 235 c.i. straight six good for 135 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque. The GMC however came standard with a V6 of 305 c.i. (bigger than many V8s) producing 150 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.

 

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1984 Chrysler LeBaron convertible

In 1981, you couldn't buy an American convertible. Chrysler brought back the ragtop in 1982, and GM and Ford quickly followed. These cars were unfortunately not designed and built as convertibles. They were instead finished coupes that were then sent to third-party companies who cut the tops off and added a few pieces of metal to strengthen the frames. So cars like the LeBaron pictured here as well as the Ford Mustang and Buick Rivera convertibles were quite expensive and not very durable. To Chrysler's credit, the next generation LeBaron introduced in 1987 was factory-built as a convertible. 

I've certainly never before seen one of these with an aftermarket "continental kit" on the tail.

 

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1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396

1970 was the high-point of the muscle car era. That year, GM introduced the LS5 and LS6 454 V8 engines. The L6 had 450 hp and 500 foot-pounds of torque. Only a year later, GM was already de-tuning its performance engines. In 1974, you could still get a 454 in a Chevelle, but rated at a pitiful 235 horsepower. (Heck, today's Toyota 4-cylinder engines are rated at 206 horsepower!)

This El Camino has the 396 rated at 350 horsepower, just one step down from the legendary 454. Note the "cowl induction" feature on the back of the hood. Cowl induction hoods use a backward-facing scoop to draw in some of the cool, high-pressure air that collects on the windshield at speed.

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