40-60 mph: '67 Ferrari VS '64 Cadillac

[Fleet 500]

I was looking through a Car & Driver magazine (July, 1967) at a comparison test between a '67 Mercury Cougar XR-7 and a '67 Jaguar 420. Also in the issue was a road test of a '67 Ferrari 330/GTC and I noticed the 40-60 mph time was 3.5 seconds. I remember a Car Life (July, 1964) test of a '64 Cadillac in which the 40-60 mph was 3.7 seconds. Surprising that the Cadillac had such as close time. As most people know, once the weight is overcome, big and heavy cars can have some good passing times.

Here are the actual specs:

---------------------------- '67 Ferrari--------------- '64 Cadillac
---------------------------- 330/GTC---------------- Sedan de Ville

Engine---------------------- V-12 242-cu-in/3,967 cc- V-8 429-cu-in
Rated horsepower----------- 300 @ 7000 rpm--------- 340 @ 4600
Rated torque---------------- N.A.-------------------- 480 lbs/ft @ 3000
Compression ratio----------- 8.8:1-------------------- 10.5:1
Transmission---------------- 5-speed manual---------- 3-speed auto
Axle ratio------------------- 3.44:1------------------- 3.21:1
Curb weight----------------- 3,160 lbs---------------- 4,900 lbs

Wheelbase/length----------- 94.4"/177.4"------------- 129.5"/223.5"

0-30 mph------------------- 2.2 secs----------------- 3.4 secs
0-60 mph------------------- 6.8---------------------- 8.5
0-80 mph------------------- 11.3--------------------- 14.1
0-100 mph------------------ 16.7--------------------- 23.5

1/4 mile--------------------- 15.1 @ 96 mph----------- 16.4 @ 86 mph

40-60 mph------------------ 3.5 secs------------------ 3.7 secs
50-70 mph------------------ 4.1----------------------- 4.5
30-70 mph------------------ 6.7----------------------- 7.6

Top speed------------------ 153 mph (estimated)------- 121 (observed)

Speed in gears @ rpm (mph)
1st------------------------- 50 @ 7000 rpm------------ 46 @ 4400
2nd------------------------- 72 @ 7000---------------- 77 @ 4400
3rd------------------------- 97 @ 7000---------------- 121 @ 4650
4th------------------------- 122 @ 7000--------------- - - - - -
5th------------------------- 142 @ 6800--------------- - - - - -

[pimento]

With such a vastly bigger engine, the torque surge would be nice at that speed range. Also the Caddy probably didn't have to change gear. Interesting thing - seems the Caddy has a very high compression ratio for the time, or was that pretty normal?

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by pimento

With such a vastly bigger engine, the torque surge would be nice at that speed range.

It would be nice... even when pushing a 4,900-lb car.

Also the Caddy probably didn't have to change gear.

Going by the specs listed, it looks like each car was shifted one time during the 40-60 mph run.

Interesting thing - seems the Caddy has a very high compression ratio for the time, or was that pretty normal?

No, I would say it was normal. Even the big luxury cars (Cadillac, Lincoln, Imperial) had high-compression engines. At least until 1970-'71.

[f6fhellcat13]

Originally Posted by pimento

With such a vastly bigger engine, the torque surge would be nice at that speed range. Also the Caddy probably didn't have to change gear. Interesting thing - seems the Caddy has a very high compression ratio for the time, or was that pretty normal?

Big V8s on leaded gas from that era had some quite impressive compression ratios.

[Ferrer]

So a 7 litre car is more suited to in-gear acceleration than a 4 litre one.

In other news scientists from the MIT say water is wet.

Probably.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

So a 7 litre car is more suited to in-gear acceleration than a 4 litre one.

In other news scientists from the MIT say water is wet.

Probably.

Do you mean a 7 litre car which weighs almost two tons more than a 4 litre one?

No doubt, many people would be surprised at the slight difference in 40-60 mph times. I sure was.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Going by the specs listed, it looks like each car was shifted one time during the 40-60 mph run.

If the Ferrari had stayed in 2nd gear it might have been quicker...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Do you mean a 7 litre car which weighs almost two tons more than a 4 litre one?

No doubt, many people would be surprised at the slight difference in 40-60 mph times. I sure was.

the torque of the Ferrari is 240 lbft at 5000 revs, which is half that of the Caddy....

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

the torque of the Ferrari is 240 lbft at 5000 revs, which is half that of the Caddy....

Thanks for the torque figure.
Yes, the Caddy has a lot more torque but who really expected a '64 Cadillac to almost keep up with a Ferrari in 40-60 and 50-70 mph acceleration?

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

If the Ferrari had stayed in 2nd gear it might have been quicker...

According to the chart, 2nd gear was used up to 72 mph, so it looks like it was in 2nd gear for the 40-60 mph acceleration. Or did you mean 1st gear?

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

According to the chart, 2nd gear was used up to 72 mph, so it looks like it was in 2nd gear for the 40-60 mph acceleration. Or did you mean 1st gear?

I doubt it was using the "appropiate" gears for maximum acceleration, but rather taller gear to see the flexibility of the engine.

Hence my earlier comment.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I doubt it was using the "appropiate" gears for maximum acceleration, but rather taller gear to see the flexibility of the engine.

Hence my earlier comment.

Looks like they were using appropriate gears for maximum acceleration... they were going all the way up to the redline (7,000 rpm) in each gear except for 5th. Not much sense listing acceleration times if they are not trying for maximum acceleration.

[Kitdy]

This could go on for eons.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

This could go on for eons.

Maybe not. The figures speak for themselves.

[Kitdy]

This is yet more proof that what you really need to be a speed freak is a...

2006 Toyota Camry SE V6!

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