Posts Tagged: 340
Rev up your engines and take a nostalgic cruise back to 1962, where the Ford Thunderbird ruled the roads with its roaring 390 engine, pushing a powerful 300 horses. This slick ride was not just JFK’s chariot to his inauguration but also the official pace car of the Indy race. With Kelsey-Hayes spoke wheels and a cool tonneau cover, it flaunted a retro roadster vibe. For those craving more vroom, the rare “M” code version upped the ante to a whopping 340 hp with triple carburetors. A classic that’s truly a rare bird!
The Buick Grand Sport of 1965-1970 was a true muscle car marvel, sneaking a 401-cubic-inch V8 under the hood despite a 400-inch limit—talk about bending the rules! By 1967, the Grand Sport brought along its siblings, the GS 340 and GS California, all dressed to impress with fancy badges. Fast forward to 1970, the GS 455 flexed its 455-cubic-inch muscles, offering a Stage 1 that could make even the Chrysler Hemis sweat. And let’s not forget the GSX Stage 1 in Saturn yellow—it was the fashion icon of the muscle car world!
The internet is buzzing with speculation: could the iconic Dodge Challenger and Charger be ditching their beloved V8 engines for a twin turbocharged V6? While purists might be clutching their pearls, rest assured, the roar of the V8 isn’t bowing out just yet. Dodge’s next-gen muscle cars are expected to keep the V8 option alive, ensuring that your morning commute can still sound like an action movie. In the world of muscle cars, some traditions—like the V8’s roar—are just too good to give up.
The 1973 Plymouth Barracuda rolled in with energy-absorbing bumpers to survive the urban jungle’s 5 mph love taps. Under the hood, the Barracuda offered the 318 and 340 engines initially, with a spicy 360 joining later, all adjusted to sip unleaded fuel and keep the EPA smiling. For those keen on doing the gear dance, a four-speed manual with a Hurst shifter was available for the 240 and 360, and, in a plot twist worthy of a detective novel, a few 318s snuck in with the same setup. Thanks to Gateway Classic Cars for the eye candy!
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 is a muscle car marvel, boasting a revamped design and the most powerful engine of its era—the LS6 big block. With a whopping 450 hp, this beast could outpace your neighbor’s lawnmower with ease. Only 137 are officially registered today, making them rarer than a unicorn at a car show. If you’re lucky enough to find one, you’d better have a spare pair of pants for when you hit those exhilarating 500 bhp speeds!
The Lotus Elise Series 1, a featherweight British roadster produced from 1996 to 2000, is the ultimate gym buddy—it trims every ounce for performance gains. With a curb weight of just 725 kg, it’s the sports car equivalent of a sprinter on a diet. Featuring a mid-mounted 1.8-liter engine and a five-speed manual transmission, it zips from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. With models like the roofless 340R and Exige, the Elise is proof that sometimes less really is more—especially when it comes to weight and fuel consumption!
In the roaring era of 1993-1997, the Pontiac Firebird strutted its stuff with the swagger of a Banshee prototype. Sporting hidden headlights and sleek aerodynamics, it was the muscle car equivalent of a superhero in shades. From its humble 160 hp V6 beginnings to the muscle-bound 330 hp Firehawk, this car was built for speed demons. The 1994 Trans Am celebrated its silver anniversary by dressing all in white with a snazzy blue stripe, making it the car version of a tuxedo T-shirt—formal yet ready to party!
Feast your eyes on the 1967 Plymouth Belvedere, the car that made the Los Angeles Police Department cooler than a polar bear in sunglasses. This “B” body beauty comes in more flavors than an ice cream truck: two-door sedans, convertibles, and even a four-door station wagon for those who like to roll deep. Under the hood, you’ve got six V8 engines to choose from, including the mighty 427 cu in Hemi. It’s the kind of car that makes even the speed limit look slow. Thanks to Gateway Classic Cars for the eye candy!
Ford’s “Y” block engine, debuting in 1954, was named for its distinctive Y-shaped block design. Though it replaced the flathead, it had its quirks—like oil flow hiccups that could make it as temperamental as a teenager. An aftermarket oilier kit, originally for Ford’s racing cars, was a saving grace. Despite its foibles, this engine had its glory days, outmuscling Chevy in the mid-’50s. By the ’60s, it was overshadowed by bigger blocks, but nostalgia keeps the “Y” block revving in hearts.
Chevrolet’s first big-block V8, the “W” series, roared to life in 1958, stepping in like a heavyweight champ to lift increasingly hefty cars. With its unique scalloped rocker covers and offset valves, this wasn’t your grandma’s engine—unless she liked her Sunday drives with a side of 350 hp thrills. The “W” series went from a modest 348 cubic inches to a hulking 427, proving that in the engine world, size does matter. It’s like the Hulk of engines, but with less smashing and more horsepower.
