Two iconic muscle cars face off in a drag race, showcasing 1970s American performance in a thrilling three-round duel.
A newly released video pits two legends of 1970s Detroit muscle against each other in a nostalgic three-round drag race: the 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty 455 and the 1970 Ford Torino Super Cobra Jet. The classic American showdown, captured by the Cars and Zebras YouTube channel, brings raw horsepower and vintage rivalry to the forefront once more.
The video, filmed at a regional drag strip, begins with a breakdown of each vehicle’s specs before diving into side-by-side racing action. While both cars hail from the golden era of American muscle, they represent different philosophies in performance.
Ford’s contender, the 1970 Torino Super Cobra Jet, was the result of an intricate option build process. Starting with a Torino Cobra, buyers would opt for the Cobra Jet engine, then add a Drag Pack to upgrade to the Super Cobra Jet package. The 429-cubic-inch V8 under the hood of this heavyweight delivered a factory-rated 375 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque—though enthusiasts widely consider that figure underrated. Forged pistons, a Holley 780 carburetor, and a solid lifter cam rounded out the aggressive setup.
Facing off against the Ford is the 1974 Pontiac Trans Am, powered by the revered Super Duty 455. Though listed at just 290 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque due to tighter emissions regulations and lower compression, the SD-455 engine remains one of the most respected powerplants of its time. With a four-speed manual gearbox and 3.42 rear gears, the 3,940-pound Trans Am brought its own fire to the track.
The matchup unfolded over three rounds, with the lighter Pontiac showing an edge in acceleration despite a lower horsepower rating. The Torino put up a strong fight, flexing its torque-heavy V8 and high-revving character.
In the end, it was a classic display of engineering and muscle car heritage—a reminder of when horsepower was king and quarter-mile bragging rights were everything.
