Which vintage automobile from the 1970s prevails in the race?
Even if the oil crisis and government restrictions of the 1970s marked the beginning of the end for muscle cars, we were still lucky enough to own two iconic vehicles: the Dodge Challenger and the Pontiac GTO.
Currently, there are a lot of arguments over who was superior when they were at their strongest. Both have ardent supporters and detractors who would vigorously defend their stances, but which is superior? Learn more about it here.
The Pontiac GTO Judge from 1971
Due to its powerful V8 engine and stylish characteristics, the Pontiac GTO—one of the most famous muscle cars ever—was regarded as a trendsetter at its peak in the 1960s. It was a popular option among many people. According to the study, it continues to generate revenues as high as $1 million even now.
The Judge of 1971 was not an improvement over its predecessors. The second-generation Pontiac GTOs were the inspiration for this vehicle, which had some cosmetic changes and other changes as well. First, it was extended to a length of 203.3 inches, the bonnet was fitted with two sizable air intakes, and the headlamps were repositioned with additional reinforcing. The basic engine for the second generation was the 400 cu in V8, which was enhanced further by a larger 455 cu in V8, and the body was given a more contemporary design. Although its numbers declined again that year, it failed in its attempt to boost the car industry’s declining sales.
The Dodge Challenger of 1971
The 1971 Dodge Challenger, on the other hand, was mostly unchanged from the prior generation. Often referred to as the “Deputy,” the car was reported to have an athletic appearance with a “coke-bottle” body. On several variants, it had a split grille design and some backup lights located at the taillights. It had a number of engine choices, including a 225-cu. slant-6, five different V8s, and a Challenger R/T with a 383-cu. in. Magnum V. The selections ended with a 440 Magnum or 426 Hemi. However, it was the last time it had variation since the engines later fell short of the newly implemented pollution regulations.
The hardtop base price of the Deputy was lowered, and it was promoted as a less expensive option to the Challenger. This did not, however, result in an increase in sales, which started to decline that year and persisted well into 1972.
Who Takes First?
A few significant design improvements were made for the Pontiac GTO, but they were unable to stop the car’s falling sales even though they had no effect on its dependable performance. On the other hand, the Challenger saw very little alterations to its model—the majority of its characteristics remained from the 1970 iteration. The car had poor sales as well.
The two cars are different in terms of style and design, yet they both perform very well. The greatest tribute to both, perhaps, is that they are excellent automobiles that arrived at the wrong moment, despite ardent supporters who think that the timing was ideal.
