When people think about 1960s muscle cars, the images that come to mind are usually of tire shredding Hemi ’Cudas, Boss Mustangs, and Chevelle SS 454s rocketing down the strip in 13 seconds flat. But not every car wearing stripes, scoops, and badges in that decade lived up to the legend. Automakers often offered base versions with smaller engines to keep insurance costs low and attract buyers who wanted the look without the performance. These cars sold in surprising numbers but were often embarrassingly slow compared to their high powered siblings. Here are twelve of the slowest “muscle cars” of the 1960s, ranked by their uninspiring quarter mile times.
1968 AMC AMX 290
The AMC AMX was designed to be a legitimate competitor to the Mustang and Camaro, but the base 290 cubic inch V8 left it short on muscle. With 225 horsepower, it struggled to deliver more than mid 16 second quarter mile times. The car looked like a thoroughbred, but without the optional 390, it was outclassed at nearly every stoplight drag. AMC built it this way to keep the starting price competitive, but performance minded buyers quickly learned that ticking the bigger engine box was essential.
1967 Mercury Cougar 289
The Mercury Cougar was pitched as the Mustang’s more refined cousin, and its styling made it one of the better looking pony cars of the decade. Unfortunately, the base 289 cubic inch V8 was tuned for smoothness, not speed. Quarter mile runs hovered around 16.5 seconds, leaving owners stuck in the middle ground between sporty styling and lackluster performance. Many Cougars ended up being bought by families looking for a stylish commuter, which explains why the hotter 390 and 428 versions remain far more collectible today.
1968 Dodge Charger 318
The Dodge Charger is remembered for its menacing looks and legendary Hemi engines, but the reality is that most buyers drove away with a base 318 V8 under the hood. Making about 230 horsepower, it simply wasn’t enough to move the Charger’s hefty body with authority. Quarter mile times in the 17 second range made it a poser compared to its fire breathing 426 Hemi sibling. Still, the 318 models sold well because they delivered the Charger’s aggressive styling at a price ordinary buyers could afford.
1967 Pontiac Firebird 326
The first generation Firebird gave Pontiac an entry into the pony car wars, but the base 326 cubic inch V8 was a weak link. Rated around 250 horsepower, it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Mustang GTs and Camaros fitted with larger engines. Quarter mile times in the mid to high 16 second range made the Firebird 326 more of a cruiser than a bruiser. It sold in decent numbers though, as many buyers wanted Firebird looks without paying for the 400 V8 option.
1969 Ford Mustang Grande 302
Ford offered the Mustang Grande as a luxury trim level, pairing plush interiors with mild performance. With the 302 cubic inch V8, it put down respectable numbers for a daily driver, but at the drag strip it was an embarrassment to the Mustang name. Quarter mile times of 16.8 seconds showed that the Grande was meant for comfort, not competition. Buyers often wanted the Mustang image without the insurance premiums attached to big block models, and the Grande fit that bill, even if it wasn’t very quick.
1968 Chevrolet Camaro 250 Inline Six
The Camaro is remembered as one of the quintessential muscle cars, but Chevrolet sold plenty of them with six cylinder engines to keep costs down. The 250 cubic inch inline six made just 155 horsepower, and in a car built for V8 swagger, it fell flat. Quarter mile times stretched to 18 seconds or more, making it slower than some full size sedans. Chevrolet sold thousands of six cylinder Camaros, though, because they offered style on a budget—even if performance was nonexistent.
1969 Plymouth Barracuda 273
Before the ’Cuda name became synonymous with tire melting performance, Plymouth offered its compact Barracuda with a mild 273 cubic inch V8. With just 180 horsepower, it was easily outrun by base Mustangs and Camaros, clocking quarter miles in the 17 second bracket. Buyers who wanted the fastback styling but didn’t care about raw speed snapped them up, while serious muscle car fans waited for the 340, 383, or eventually the legendary 426 Hemi versions.
1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 330
The Cutlass Supreme was one of Oldsmobile’s most stylish offerings, but its 330 cubic inch V8 was tuned more for smoothness than speed. With 250 horsepower, it delivered decent highway performance but couldn’t match the quarter mile times of its 442 sibling. Mid to high 16 second passes were common. For families who wanted something comfortable with a touch of flair, it worked fine, but enthusiasts found it lacking in muscle.
1969 Dodge Super Bee 383 Two Barrel
The Dodge Super Bee was marketed as a budget muscle car, but with the 383 two barrel carburetor, it was anything but fast. Quarter mile times in the mid 16s made it one of the least exciting muscle cars of the era. The four barrel and Hemi options transformed the Super Bee into a serious street fighter, but the base model proved that sometimes the “muscle” name was more about image than actual speed.
1968 Ford Torino GT 302
The Torino GT looked the part with stripes and sporty lines, but when equipped with the 302 cubic inch V8, it struggled badly. With 210 horsepower, it was barely quicker than a family wagon, turning in 17 second quarter mile times. Buyers who wanted something stylish without burning through fuel bills chose the Torino GT 302, but those who expected performance had to climb the ladder to the 390 or 428 options.
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu 283
The Chevelle is remembered for the mighty SS 396, but the Malibu trim with a 283 cubic inch V8 was far less intimidating. With 195 horsepower, it turned in quarter mile times in the high 17s, slower than many base sedans. Chevrolet sold thousands of these because they looked like Chevelles but were priced and insured like everyday family cars. Enthusiasts, however, knew the 283 Malibu wasn’t fooling anyone on the strip.
1969 Pontiac Tempest 250 Inline Six
The Tempest shared its body with the GTO, but with the 250 cubic inch inline six, it was muscle in styling only. With 175 horsepower and sluggish performance, quarter mile times pushed into the 19 second range, making it one of the slowest so called muscle cars of the decade. Still, Pontiac sold plenty of them, since buyers wanted the look of a GTO without the cost or the insurance hit of a big V8.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
