Last great year of the classic cars? (muscle car, luxury, engines)

[Mopac1980]

What would you say was the last great year of the classic car era?

Me I would say 1972 cause starting in 1973 was the energy absorbing bumpers and the pollution control devices on the engines and the cars were getting less powerful and heavier during that time.

[Fleet]

Without looking at your answer first, I thought of 1971; maybe 1972. As you said, the big bumpers started appearing and the loss of power. Also, plastic really started to increase, especially 1974 and later.

[Deez Nuttz]

I am also going to say 1972. Specific for GM because the next year is when the Chevelle, Monte Carlo and Nova received a face lift for the up coming big bumpers. Although some models such as the Camaro didn't get the big bumper treatment until 1974.

And yes those darned emission controls, while they had actually started in 1970, it wasn't it seems until 1973-74 when they were heading into full swing.

But then again that doesn't stop some guy that just bought a 1977 Nova with a 305 sitting on a set of rallys from proclaiming "look what I got a muscle car!"

[Georgepl]

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z35/Georgpl/013-1.jpg (broken link)

[bhcompy]

72 for GM. didnt dodge extend their muscle cars a bit further into the 70s?

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

72 for GM. didnt dodge extend their muscle cars a bit further into the 70s?

Not really. They all had low-compression from '72 on and the last year of the 426-Hemi and 440-6 bbl was 1971.

I've seen road tests of a '72 or '73 Dodge Charger with a 440 run low-15s/high-14s 1/4 miles, which isn't too bad for that year. Not quite as fast as the earlier 440 Chargers, which usually ran low-to-mid 14s, and high-13s with 4.10 gears.

[Deez Nuttz]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

72 for GM. didnt dodge extend their muscle cars a bit further into the 70s?

Dodge lost power the same time GM and Ford did. All Dodge did as far as I can remember, was let the Charger, the Cuda and the Challenger run with minimal changes until the end of 1974, after that the Charger was redone on the Chrysler Cordoba line which was a luxury 2 door car with zero muscle appear, similar to a Monte Carlo of the time.

[k350]

I would say 1973, the last year of the real mustang.

[Stripes17]

Originally Posted by k350

I would say 1973, the last year of the real mustang.

That is exactly what I was going to say. The 73 Mustang and the 73 Challenger were the last of an era.

[scottv]

Ha, I was going to say 72 because that's the last of what I consider the "muscle car" Chevelle look.