DeuceCoupe
Member
Hi there, I am revisiting the old 50-Fastest list, trying to sort things out apples to apples. A few of those old road tests seem a little too good to be true.
One of them is the #18 or #22, depending on your version of the list.
Allegedly bone stock 1964 Polara 426/365hp 4spd-3.23, ran
13.70 at 107
https://myclassicgarage.com/social/posts/80592-22-the-list-1964-dodge-polara-426-wedge
I have a pretty good computer program (the Gonkulator) written over the last 40 years, and no way short of a hurricane tailwind I can match that 107mph. I know that seems slow for today, but back then, the fastest HEMI road tests I have for stockers was 105-107mph, with a prototype aero Charger-500 at 109mph.
The idea of a brick-like Polara with that grocery getter 426/365 turning 107mph seems doubtful. I have tons of old magazine road tests but not that one (Hot Cars, Feb 1964) so I don't know the details.
Motor Trend August 1962 tested a 413/410 Dart automatic to 14.40 at 101mph showroom stock, or 13.44 at 109.8mph with open pipes and driver only. Ok no surprise there, but since the muffled 413/410 only turned 101mph in that little Dart, I'd expect the grocery-store 426/365 to be a lot slower than even 101mph, and certainly not 107mph.
Does anybody recall this old road test or can you shed any light on it?
One of them is the #18 or #22, depending on your version of the list.
Allegedly bone stock 1964 Polara 426/365hp 4spd-3.23, ran
13.70 at 107
https://myclassicgarage.com/social/posts/80592-22-the-list-1964-dodge-polara-426-wedge
I have a pretty good computer program (the Gonkulator) written over the last 40 years, and no way short of a hurricane tailwind I can match that 107mph. I know that seems slow for today, but back then, the fastest HEMI road tests I have for stockers was 105-107mph, with a prototype aero Charger-500 at 109mph.
The idea of a brick-like Polara with that grocery getter 426/365 turning 107mph seems doubtful. I have tons of old magazine road tests but not that one (Hot Cars, Feb 1964) so I don't know the details.
Motor Trend August 1962 tested a 413/410 Dart automatic to 14.40 at 101mph showroom stock, or 13.44 at 109.8mph with open pipes and driver only. Ok no surprise there, but since the muffled 413/410 only turned 101mph in that little Dart, I'd expect the grocery-store 426/365 to be a lot slower than even 101mph, and certainly not 107mph.
Does anybody recall this old road test or can you shed any light on it?