Most Impressive Stock Muscle Car

[TMagda]

Anders,

Not sure where the COPO came from - it may have even been repainted. Back then it had the same value as any other used Camaro. The only thing anyone knew about it that made is special was the 427. It was owned by a guy named Burley Mears who owned the local pool hall (called Lad's and Lasses). I remember the cowl and the back panel were painted orange with the lace and pinstripe stencil detail that was so popular back then. Wallingford is about an hour from Norwalk. Burley may have picked it up used - this was around 1975. I know for sure the Yenko came from W.R. Austin Chevrolet in Norwalk because I sat in it when it was in the showroom. I went with my Dad to get a new car and I was sitting in the Deuce pretending I was driving it (I was about 10) while my Dad was doing the paperwork with the salesman. Another salesman yelled at me for shifting the gears - he said it would damage the trans.

[COPO_Anders]

Tom,
I like the story about the Deuce in the showroom. And your member# is a good one !

[TMagda]

I actually came across the Deuce again several years later. I friend of mine was converting his Impala from auto to 4 speed and we went to buy a transmission from an ad in the local paper. You guessed it, we pull up to the house and there is the same Deuce in the driveway (looking bad!), no motor, trans in the trunk. Trans ended up in a '65 Impala. Probably in 1976 or so. Cannot remember where the house was other than Norwalk.

[Drew Papsun]

[ QUOTE ]
What Vintage stock muscle car do you remember driving that impressed you the most with respect to brute horsepower.
Forget the fact how it took the bumps, handled or stopped.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello Joe,
I had a 1969 Corvette coupe with a L-71 427-435 hp. M21 four speed muncie with a 3.70 posi rear axle.
I had owned that one for 5 years. It was a GREAT ride.
Regards,
Drew Papsun

[Drew Papsun]

[ QUOTE ]
I actually came across the Deuce again several years later. I friend of mine was converting his Impala from auto to 4 speed and we went to buy a transmission from an ad in the local paper. You guessed it, we pull up to the house and there is the same Deuce in the driveway (looking bad!), no motor, trans in the trunk. Trans ended up in a '65 Impala. Probably in 1976 or so. Cannot remember where the house was other than Norwalk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello Tom,
I grew up in Darien, CT. married and moved to Norwalk, CT.
Last month the the old chevy dealership building was leveled for a new office park.
What color was the Yenko deuce in the showroon at W.R. Austin Chevrolet? What color was the one that your friend bought the 4-spedd trans from?
Regards,
Drew Papsun

[TMagda]

Hi Drew,

Small world. It was dark blue - like dusk blue, maybe fathom blue. The car we bought the trans from was the same one that I saw in the showroom 6-7 years earlier. It had the WR Austin emblem on the back and we were speaking to the original owner. The car was located in a development somewhere around Eagle Road. I cannot for the life of me remember which house it was.

[69SSZL1]

[ QUOTE ]
What is a ZL-1 like to drive??? Say compared to a l-72 in a 69 camaro or a ls-6 chevelle

[/ QUOTE ]
Hands down the ZL-1 is the nastiest beast for a stock motor.The L-72, LS-6 and Hemis are street motors and not in the same league for comparison.

[3macs1]

I've driven Ls-6, l-72 and a l-88 vette and hate to say it but the r series 427 Ford would eat them if you could get it to hook up. How would the zl-1 hold up to the 67 427 R Ford. That would be in the league of a Zl-1 would it not.Only 50 of those produced and this thing was no street motor.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
I've driven Ls-6, l-72 and a l-88 vette and hate to say it but the r series 427 Ford would eat them if you could get it to hook up. How would the zl-1 hold up to the 67 427 R Ford. That would be in the league of a Zl-1 would it not.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, an FoMoCo 427 is spec for spec pretty close to an L72...other than the 2-4 setup and the better exhaust manifolds on the FoMoCo, the technical specs are *very* similar. Brian Stefina and I have compared our 427s (he has a '63 425hp Galaxy) and it's almost like they came off the same drawing board, also performed *very* simliarly on the dyno...

[MosportGreen66]

There are two cars that strike my memory with lasting impressions. The oldest memory I have of my Corvette (1966 L72 Coupe, M21, 4.11) was banging gears in Rockland County bringing it home. Side pipes, a notable whine to the rear, bias plys chugging along. While not a "muscle car," it is one hell of a beast. It was a thrill to get back into the hobby and I credit that car for bringing us back.

The second memory I have that typifies the definition of a muscle car was when a close friend took me for a ride in his '72 Hemi Road Runner. I know what you're thinking, the Hemi was discontinued after 1971. The car started life as a 340, 4 speed and in 1974 had a dealer exchange Hemi transplant. Its a street car that runs low 11's. Dana 60 4.56 rear, 4 speed, Hoosier drag tires in the rear, T-handle, line-lock, original paint and interior. I'll leave you with this thought. In broad summer day light, Friday afternoon at 4pm (roughly) I was pinned in my seat while my friend was power shifting redlines going down Jericho Turnpike in LI. 2.5 inch exhaust coming from a Hemi with Hooker Supe Comp Headers. Music to my ears. He was making U-turns over double yellow lines to avoid red lights and beat traffic just to push it a little harder. I got out of the car with a smile plastered on my face and laughed the whole afternoon well into the night. I will never forget the feel, the smell, rush, sounds or the beast like nature of that muscle car.

... It left a permanent mark...