Thread: Fastest 4 seater in 1975 America?

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

I had a Pantera back then with the black extended bumpers (was it a 74?) any way pretty worked over to about what was 351 boss specs-high coression, solids, holley 4 barrel(had several that I was constantly switching-------------


I don't seem to remember that it was hard to work on---the trunk floor lifted right out giving easy access to that area plus panel came out between/behind the seats gave EASY ACCESS TI FRONT OF ENGINE sorry about caps lock------


you did need 3 lanes of interstate to go above 170 as it got pretty light and loose----didn't have them body work kits then----

I seem to remember that it was a 1973-----and I drove it to the court house to get married---but in wasn't a 4 passenger so it don't count????????
and it was RED also--------

I believe 1974 was the last year for Pantera in America, which explains the extended bumpers. It had the 351 in common with Torino and other Fords, but it depends which state of tune 351 you have. In Europe with no pollution controls the Pantera was still on sale in the mid '80s doing 160 mph. But yeah, only full 4 seaters apply here.

Sub 9 seconds was impressive when you consider some 350 diesel Caddies (and to think folks payed extra for that Olds 350 diesel) from just a few years later had trouble doing 0-60 in under 20 seconds! The reason why today's cars are so much faster is because of fuel injection and a 3 way catalytic converter. Early emission controls really choked motors.



As this info shows the 220 horse Dodge Dart even outshone the Corvette of the day!

From 2gta.com: the April 1976 issue of Car & Driver discovered accelerating from 0-60 took 7.0 seconds, while an additional 8.6 seconds were needed to produce a speed of 90.3 mph in completing the quarter mile. Winding the big inch engine to 4850 rpm, 350 rpm beyond the maximum recommended engine speed, gear produced a top speed of 118 mph in fourth gear. In 1976 these were big numbers, however, our beloved bird did not fare so well. The Corvette was .3 seconds quicker in the 1/4-mile time and went 6.5 mph faster on the top end, benefiting from less frontal area. The worst news of the article was a bias-ply tired 360 cubic inch Dodge Dart didn't quit going any faster until it's 220 horsepower propelled it to nearly 122 mph.

Originally Posted by MattC

I believe 1974 was the last year for Pantera in America, which explains the extended bumpers. It had the 351 in common with Torino and other Fords, but it depends which state of tune 351 you have. In Europe with no pollution controls the Pantera was still on sale in the mid '80s doing 160 mph. But yeah, only full 4 seaters apply here.

Actually 1975 was the last year of official import and sale through Lincoln Mercury dealers, but you could still legally import them all the way through 1992.......


Bill S.