A 1968 Olds Cutlass W31 and 1972 Pontiac GTO 455 H.O. go head-to-head in a nostalgic three-round drag race.
A pair of rare GM muscle cars roared back to life at the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series, where a 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass W31 and a 1972 Pontiac GTO 455 H.O. lined up for a nostalgic showdown that was as much about history as horsepower.
On paper, it was a close matchup: the Oldsmobile, a lightweight contender with its high-revving 350-cubic-inch W31 small block, faced off against the brute force of the GTO’s big-block 455 H.O., known for its torque-heavy delivery. Despite the W31’s higher-compression 325 hp rating, its figures were based on the pre-1971 gross measurement. The GTO’s 300 hp was net-rated, but its torque advantage—415 lb-ft versus 390—made up for any perceived deficit.
With both cars equipped with four-speed manuals and extremely limited production numbers—742 W31s in 1968 and just 310 GTOs in this spec in 1972—the matchup was a rare sight on the strip.
The opening race saw both cars cross the line at nearly identical speeds—97 mph—with the Olds eking out a win after the GTO jumped the start. But in the second heat, traction issues for the W31 gave the Pontiac a clear edge, allowing it to clock a 14.25-second pass to the Oldsmobile’s slower response.
With the rubber cooling and the score tied, the final run crowned the GTO the victor, pulling ahead by over half a second. It was a fitting win for the heavyweight, even if the Olds had put up a surprisingly strong fight.
Both cars may have been slightly upgraded within Pure Stock rules, but the spirit of Detroit’s golden muscle car era was unmistakable—brutal launches, close quarters, and the unforgettable wail of uncorked V8s battling for dominance.
