Main-street cruise nights and open highways made the 1970s a distinctive chapter in American car culture, where design cues and V8 rumble mattered as much as speed. Even as rules and market forces shifted the scene, these cars kept a devoted following and remain staples at shows and on the road.
There are 27 1970s American Muscle Cars, ranging from the AMC AMX to the Pontiac GTO; for each model you’ll find the Years produced (1970s), Engine (L), and Horsepower (hp) organized for easy comparison, which you’ll find below.
How did emissions rules and rising insurance costs change 1970s muscle car performance?
Stricter emissions standards and higher insurance in the early 1970s forced manufacturers to detune engines, add emissions equipment, and offer smaller-displacement options, so peak horsepower dropped compared with the late 1960s; nonetheless, many models retained strong midrange torque and distinct character despite lower advertised numbers.
Which cars on the list are easiest to keep running today?
Models built on common platforms with widely available small-block V8s (and large enthusiast communities) are simplest to maintain—parts for many Chevrolet- and Ford-based muscle cars are plentiful, while rarer makes like AMC or certain Pontiacs may require more searching but still have active clubs and aftermarket support.
1970s American Muscle Cars
| Model | Years produced (1970s) | Engine (L) | Horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Chevelle SS | 1970–1972 | 7.4 | 450 |
| Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda | 1970–1971 | 7.0 | 425 |
| Dodge Challenger | 1970–1974 | 7.0,7.2 | 425 |
| Dodge Charger | 1970–1974 | 7.0,7.2 | 425 |
| Plymouth Road Runner | 1970–1974 | 7.0,7.2 | 425 |
| Plymouth Superbird | 1970 | 7.0 | 425 |
| Dodge Super Bee | 1970–1971 | 7.0,7.2 | 425 |
| Plymouth GTX | 1970–1972 | 7.0,7.2 | 425 |
| Ford Mustang Boss 302 | 1970 | 5.0 | 290 |
| Ford Mustang Boss 429 | 1970 | 7.0 | 375 |
| Ford Mustang Mach 1 | 1970–1973 | 5.8,7.0 | 375 |
| Ford Torino Cobra | 1970 | 7.0 | 370 |
| Mercury Cougar | 1970–1973 | 7.0 | 335 |
| Pontiac GTO | 1970–1974 | 6.6 | 370 |
| Pontiac Firebird Trans Am | 1970–1974 | 6.6 | 370 |
| Oldsmobile 442 | 1970–1972 | 7.5 | 365 |
| Buick GS/GSX | 1970–1971 | 7.5 | 360 |
| Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 | 1970–1973 | 4.9 | 290 |
| Chevrolet Camaro SS | 1970–1973 | 6.5 | 375 |
| Chevrolet Nova SS | 1970–1972 | 5.7,6.5 | 375 |
| AMC Javelin AMX | 1970–1974 | 6.4,6.6 | 340 |
| AMC AMX | 1970 | 6.4 | 340 |
| Mercury Cyclone/Talbot Spoiler | 1970 | 7.0 | 335 |
| Plymouth Duster 340 | 1970–1976 | 5.6 | 275 |
| Dodge Dart Swinger/Rallye | 1970–1976 | 5.2,5.6 | 275 |
| Ford Elite/Gran Torino Sport | 1970–1974 | 5.8,7.0 | 335 |
| Dodge Coronet R/T | 1970–1971 | 7.2 | 390 |
Images and Descriptions
Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Mid-size muscle icon highlighted by the 1970 LS6 454 V8 rated at 450 hp. Known for straight-line dominance, collectible big-block examples are prized for their performance pedigree and rarity; SS 396/454 are the standout variants.
Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
The topline Barracuda coupe with Chrysler’s 426 Hemi V8 (425 hp). Short production run and legendary performance make Hemi ‘Cudas extremely collectible; notable for factory drag-ready options and distinctive hood and trim packages.
Dodge Challenger
Pony/intermediate offered from basic to high-performance Hemi and 440 Six-Pack variants. 1970–71 Hemi models (425 hp) and 440 Six-Pack (≈390 hp) are the most sought-after, with R/T trim and T/A packages especially collectible.
Dodge Charger
Full-size coupe that housed Chrysler’s big V8s; 426 Hemi (425 hp) and 440 Six-Pack are headline engines. The Charger R/T and special editions (e.g., 1970 styling) remain highly desirable among collectors and film fans.
Plymouth Road Runner
Muscle-minded mid-size built for value-performance balance; available with 426 Hemi (425 hp) or 440 Six-Pack. Known for simple, robust performance and iconic graphics, early ’70s examples are popular restorations.
Plymouth Superbird
Aerodynamic, NASCAR-inspired Road Runner variant produced for homologation in 1970. Hemi-powered cars (425 hp) and their outrageous aero bodywork are highly collectible and instantly recognizable at shows and auctions.
Dodge Super Bee
Performance-focused Coronet sibling offering big-block power like the 440 Six-Pack and optional 426 Hemi. Affordable performance in period, with 1970–71 Hemi and Six-Pack cars now valued for rarity and straight-line performance.
Plymouth GTX
Gentleman’s muscle full-size with luxury trim and big-block engines; offered with 440 and optional 426 Hemi. GTX blends comfort with serious power, making early ’70s examples collectible for their dual-purpose appeal.
Ford Mustang Boss 302
Short-lived homologation performer focused on handling and high-revving small-block power. The Boss 302 is notable for its road-racing pedigree, distinctive graphics, and strong collector demand despite modest peak horsepower by era standards.
Ford Mustang Boss 429
Rare factory-built Mustang fitted with Ford’s 429 semi-hemispherical engine (rated 375 hp). Produced for NASCAR homologation, Boss 429s are prized for their uniqueness, engine packaging, and scarcity.
Ford Mustang Mach 1
Performance-oriented Mustang trim available with 351 Cleveland and big-block 429 options; the Mach 1 combined street presence with strong engines and distinctive styling. High-performance 429-equipped cars are the most collectible.
Ford Torino Cobra
Performance-focused Torino variant that offered big-block options like the 429 Cobra Jet. Built for performance and sometimes NASCAR relevance, early Cobras are sought by collectors who favor Ford’s big V8 muscle.
Mercury Cougar
Ford’s upscale pony car sister to the Mustang, the Cougar offered performance packages like the Eliminator and 429 short-blocks. Collectors prize early ’70s Cougar Eliminators and XR-7 GT models for their blend of style and power.
Pontiac GTO
Iconic muscle car transitioned into the early ’70s with Ram Air engines; the 1970 Ram Air IV 400 V8 (≈370 hp) represented an apex. GTOs from this era remain key collector pieces for Pontiac enthusiasts.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Performance-oriented Firebird spawned the Trans Am in 1969–70; early models with 400 Ram Air engines offered top performance and distinctive graphics. Trans Ams are prized for handling and rarity of high-output engines.
Oldsmobile 442
Originally an option package, the 442 evolved into a proper muscle model; the 1970s 455 V8 W-30 and related high-output engines produced strong torque and horsepower (peak ≈365 hp). Collectible for Olds-specific performance engineering.
Buick GS/GSX
Buick’s Gran Sport and the limited GSX coupe packed the Stage 1 455 engine (≈360 hp) for near-precision muscle-car refinement. GSX is collectible for rarity, performance polish, and bold factory colors/trim.
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
High-revving, road-race–derived Camaro variant originally focused on handling with a small-block V8. The Z/28 retained strong enthusiast following for its balanced performance and recognized racing heritage in the early ’70s.
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Camaro’s big-block SS combined aggressive styling with available 396/402 engines (late-1960s/1970 era peak ≈375 hp). SS models represent the Camaro’s straight-line muscle credentials and are collectible in V8 form.
Chevrolet Nova SS
Compact, lightweight Nova in SS trim offered punchy small-block V8s and optional big-block power, making it a sleeper performer. Early ’70s SS and SS 396/402 cars attract collectors who want performance on a smaller platform.
AMC Javelin AMX
AMC’s pony/intermediate car with AMX and performance packages featured 390 and later 401 V8s; peak 1970–71 performance made it competitive against Big Three rivals. Distinctive styling and lower production numbers boost collectability.
AMC AMX
Two-door Mustang rival in 1970 offering the 390 V8; a focused performance machine with short production run (1970 coupe) and strong enthusiast interest for its rarity and racing-oriented design.
Mercury Cyclone/Talbot Spoiler
Ford’s Mercury-division performance coupes (Cyclone, Spoiler) shared big-block Ford powertrains and competed in NASCAR. These limited-run performance models are collectible for their rarity and close relation to Torino/GT race cars.
Plymouth Duster 340
Affordable sporty compact with the 340 V8 option, offering lightweight performance and strong period acceleration. Duster 340 survives in enthusiast circles as a relatively accessible collectible classic muscle compact.
Dodge Dart Swinger/Rallye
Mid-size/compact platform that boasted performance variants like Dart Swinger/Rallye with 318 and 340 V8s; notable for accessible performance and period popularity among budget-minded enthusiasts and restorers.
Ford Elite/Gran Torino Sport
Ford intermediate coupes and Torinos offered performance trims with 351 and 428/429 engines. Notable for period NASCAR ties and as examples of early-’70s full/intermediate American muscle, sought by Ford collectors.
Dodge Coronet R/T
Full-size Coronet R/T could be ordered with big-block 440 Six-Pack (≈390 hp) or Hemi; represents Chrysler’s larger-platform muscle offerings with a blend of practicality and performance that collectors value.
