Which one was quickest in 1972

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peterdoherty

peterdoherty

DEMON 340
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Hello

The question I was asked was. "If I walked onto a Chrysler car lot in 1972 and asked the salesman for the fastest (1/4 mile) new car they had what would it be?".

Depending on who you talk to the response varies. Some say the A body 340 was quickest, others say the 440 4V B Body ran the lights with a better time. Some even say the E body 340, which I find difficult to believe given it is a bit heavier than the A body. If the E body still had the big block available in 72 then that's believable but as we all know it was not.

Can anyone shed light on this
 
i remember in 1968 the 340 barracuda was faster than a "B" body 440. i think the 440 3-2 bbl was not out yet. my friend had a new 68 340 barracuda. 4 speed. it was FAST. in that year the 4 speed 340 had ever so much bigger cam than the auto. it all so was the first year for the AVS carb. that had a flat spot off idle. easy to fix. but over all the rear gear is a lot of who is the fastest.
 
I snagged these times from this site: http://roadtests.tripod.com/

Looks like the A-Body is fastest (when running 3:55 gears). Barracuda is faster by .10 but only when it's running 3:91 gears. It is 1 second slower with 3:55 gears (different magazine too).

HPC = HiPerformance Cars
CD = Car & Driver

1972 Dodge Rallye Charger (HPC)
440ci/280hp, 3spd auto, 3.55, 0-60 - 8.1, 1/4 mile - 14.80 @ 91.8mph

1972 Plymouth Road Runner (HPC)
400ci/265hp, 4spd, 3.55, 0-60 - n/a, 1/4 mile - 14.90 @ 88mph

1972 Plymouth Duster (HPC)
340ci/240hp, 3spd auto, 3.55, 0-60 - 8.2, 1/4 mile - 14.45 @ 95mph

1972 Plymouth Barracuda (CD)
340ci/240hp, 4spd, 3.55, 0-60 - 6.9, 1/4 mile - 15.50 @ 91.70mph

1972 Plymouth Barracuda (HPC)
340ci/240hp, 4spd, 3.91, 0-60 - 8.0, 1/4 mile - 14.35 @ 91mph
 
I wonder if the Duster was available with 3.91.
 
Back then, we worked for the Mopar Regional Office {Northeast Region}.

In 1972, it was the Plymouth Road Runner/GTX with the {440/290 HP Engine}, and with the Fresh-Air Package.

* 4-Speed
* Dana Rear
* 3.54 {Standard Gears}
* 4.10 {'Special Order' Optional Gears available thru the Regional Zone Office}

* 290 HP @ 4800 RPMs
* 380 Ft/Lbs. of Torque @ 3200 RPM's

The 1972 '440/290 HP' was 'refactored' to 345 HP by NHRA.


 
Thanks to Demon 408 and 69 Cuda 440.

The 340 A body came with either 3.23 or 3.55 gears and if you begged and pleaded you could get 3.91s. But special orders aside like the 440 GTX with 4.10s it appears the A-body was quickest. The 340 duster with 3.91s would be closer to 14.2 I'm told.

I am surprised at the difference on the baracuda, but given the differing sources I understand.

Just out of curiosity what was the time for the GTX with 3.54 gears?
 
So the GTX is the winner! Thank you to 69 Cuda 440 for that information.

I'd sure like to line up beside it with my stock 340 4 gear DEMON though. The ET's are so close it would be down to reaction time. But numbers speak and those are achieved by professional drivers.

The GTX is king of the MOPAR stable in 1972. By the way love the TB3 colour.
 
I wonder what the variation between similar vehicles could be.
I think there could be a wide variation of compression ratios due to build variance.
 
I found a June 72 Speed and Supercar, where a 72 Duster 340 with 3:55's ran a best of 14.34 @ 96mph. The best 71 Duster 340 test I have seen is a 13.90
 
For those who aren't in the know there was a few documented 440 six paks that
were sold in the 1972 model year.......I believe they were in Roadrunners. Very early
72 production. It is well known they do exist.
 
Not sure if this is real.
 

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Motopsycho said:
The question I was asked was. "If I walked onto a Chrysler car lot in 1972 and asked the salesman for the fastest (1/4 mile) new car they had what would it be?".
Click to expand...

The salesman would steer you to the most expensive car fast or not.. LOL
 
I remember in Mopar Muscle several years ago there was an article about a 72 Road Runner somebody found. Car was too far gone. No drive train. But it had a fender tag that coded to a six pack and 3/8 fuel line. Even GAYlen got in on it and said it could have been the real deal. Nothing more ever came of it that I remember. Interesting to see stuff like that, but until somebody comes up with solid proof.......
 
1972 Plymouth Road Runner/GTX

'U-Code' ... 440/290 HP ~ 4-Speed

Only '219' 4-Speeds built.

Dana Rear w/3.54 Gears was 'standard only'.

But, 4.10's could be installed, providing it was approved by the Regional Office only.

Not any 'Joe Buyer' could get the 4.10's. You had to have connections at the Regional Zone Office,
or the Dealership had to be Performance oriented with a 'well connected' Sales Manager with pull
to get the Code A-34 'Super Track Pak'

The Newark, New Jersey {Northeast Region Zone Office} had about a dozen requests for the Special Order
'4.10' Gear Package.

We tested one with 4.10's for Super Stock & Drag Illustrated at New York National Speedway, and the
Road Runner/GTX ran in the mid 13.80's @ 102 MPH.
 
Don't make me pull out the 72 351C 4V Mustangs. lol
 
RustyRatRod said:
Don't make me pull out the 72 351C 4V Mustangs. lol
Click to expand...

You mean,

The slow long nose tomato.

th


 
They were low 13s right along with the GTX in the same years.
 
Yeah and Mopar never lost a race. Get outta here with that crap.
 
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