# Fast times in the 1960s **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 21, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464 "2026-10-21T16:20:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464/1 "2026-10-21T16:20:32Z")
Well, maybe not. The linked article shows 0 to 60 times and quarter mile times and speeds for 5 of the quickest muscle cars in the late 60s. I’m not impressed. My family sedan does 0 to 60 in the fives, and there are a lot of modern cars that also do it. Better braking and reliability too. Hey, I can even buy a new car that will run rings around the 5 in the article for half the price. > **[How Fast Were The Fastest Muscle Cars, Really? A Look At 5 Top Speeds From...](https://www.jalopnik.com/2234522/fastest-muscle-cars-1960s/)** > > While '60s muscle cars were geared toward aggressive acceleration, models such as Hemi-powered Mopars and tall-geared L78 Chevelles could reach over 130 mph. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464/2 "2026-10-21T16:38:40Z")
+1 Modern technology has yielded cars with better acceleration, coupled with MUCH better gas mileage, much better handling, and much better braking. And then, there is also the passenger protection factor. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464/3 "2026-10-21T17:23:01Z")
Yet there are regulars who claim the cars from the 1980s and 1990s are better in every way 😁 ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464/4 "2026-10-21T18:21:31Z")
I think I’ve shown this before, needs updating: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/9/49273ae010e34c4081185e5f7c0697c161b25574.png) Here are the fastest 0-60 cars on that plot (before EVs, obviously) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/0/10c1ad29953caa1a1d86ef880bf9677270081a7f.png) ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464/5 "2026-10-21T18:37:15Z")
A big block Camaro, Cuda or Mustang had the weight distribution of a front wheel drive car… 60+% on the front wheels. Couple that with very poor traction from the bias ply tires of the day means the 0 to 60 times are not going to be very good nor will the 1/4 mile times. Up to 1972 the engines were tested to gross horsepower… dynoed without accessories, open exhaust and no air cleaner. 72 and later most engine lost about 30% of their former ratings when tested with all accessories and intake and exhaust added. That 375 hp 396 1969 Chevy was really putting out less than 300 hp or the same as the 213 cubic inch (3.5 liter) V6 in my minivan! The old 1 hp per cubic inch displacement marker got blown away by direct injection. 5 liter V8s making 480 and more hp. 2 liter 4s making 170 to well over 200 hp with a turbo! And traction with modern tires is similar to 1960’s era drag slicks. Add them together and even mundane passenger cars and SUVs are cranking out 0-60 times in the 7s while sporty cars are in the 5s and performance cars are in the 3s and 4s. It is a wonderful time to own cars! ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fast-times-in-the-1960s/206464/6 "2026-10-21T18:42:32Z")
But they’re much heavier!