Supercars Annual '71

[Fleet 500]

After finding and buying the "Supercars Annual '69" magazine from eBay, I was hoping another year would show up. And one did! This time the '71 edition.

Some cars lost power for '71 due to the lower compression ratio and even more strict emissions equipment but some did quite well.

First, a photo of the cover. The second image is of the fastest test car, a Phase III SS-454 Camaro. With the 4-speed manual transmission and deep 4.88 gears, it runs 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and an impressive 11.60 @ 117 mph 1/4 mile. This car had available overdrive with reduced the 4.88 gears to 3.42.

I'll make some scans later, but here are some specs for now. I also have a Supercars Annual '72 and as mentioned above, some cars really dropped in performance.

For example, the 454 Chevelle...

----------------------------- '71 Chevelle SS454----- '72 Chevelle SS454
Engine/hp-------------------- 454/425 (gross)-------- 454/270 (net)
Torque----------------------- 475 (gross)------------ N.A.
Transmission------------------ Automatic------------- Automatic
Axle ratio--------------------- 4.10:1---------------- 3.31:1
Weight----------------------- 3,680 lbs-------------- 3,680 lbs

0-60 mph--------------------- 6.8 secs-------------- 8.0 secs
1/4 mile----------------------- 13.65 @ 102 mph----- 15.70 @ 93
Fuel mileage------------------- 7-13 mpg------------- 9-14 mpg

How the mighty have fallen! Of course the '71 has much lower gearing, but still, look at the huge difference in the 1/4 mile.

Some of the Fords ran very impressive times.

Like these:

----------------------- Mustang 351--- Mustang 429--- Torino 429
Horsepower------------ 330------------ 370------------ 375
Torque----------------- 370------------ 450----------- 450
Transmission------------ Manual--------- Auto--------- Manual
Axle ratio--------------- 3.91:1--------- 4.11:1-------- 4.30:1
Weight----------------- 3,300 lbs------- 3,440--------- 3,745

0-60 mph--------------- 5.4 secs------- 5.4----------- 5.8
1/4 mile---------------- 13.5 @ 103---- 13.4 @ 105---- 13.3 @ 106
Fuel mileage------------ 6-11 mpg------ 5-10---------- 5-10

All three would almost certainly run high-12s with some sticky, wider tires. A very good showing for Ford.

Not to leave out Mopar, a '71 Plymouth Road Runner with 426-Hemi engine, 4.10 gears, automatic transmission and weighing 3,795 lbs ran 13.5 @ 106.5 mph 1/4 mile.

If a Supercars Annual '70 shows up, I will certainly bid on it!