Burnouts, Big Blocks & Quarter-Mile Glory
There’s nothing more American than a quarter-mile showdown. The smell of burning rubber, the thump of a V8 at full boil, and the tension at the tree just before the lights drop…that’s pure adrenaline. From the early 1960s Super Stock wars to modern factory drag monsters, America has built cars that could humble anything on the strip. Here are 25 of the greatest drag racing cars in American history, each a legend in its own right.
1962 Pontiac Catalina 421 “Swiss Cheese”
Built specifically for NHRA competition, this stripped-down Catalina earned its nickname from the dozens of holes drilled in its frame to save 120 pounds of weight. Powered by a 421 cubic-inch Super Duty V8 producing around 410 horsepower, it could run the quarter-mile in the low 12-second range, which was blistering for the time. Pontiac engineers built it to prove that their full-size cars could hold their own at the drag strip.
1962 Dodge Dart 413 Max Wedge
The Dart Max Wedge was a statement of intent from Dodge. With its 413 cubic-inch 'Ramcharger' V8, dual four-barrel carburetors, and up to 420 horsepower, it was designed for one purpose: to crush the quarter-mile. Many cars ran consistent 12-second passes straight from the showroom, helping solidify Dodge’s image as a drag racing powerhouse.
1962 Dodge Dart | 413 Max Wedge | Review Series | [4K] |, BulletmotorsportsInc
1962 Plymouth Savoy Super Stock 413
The Plymouth Savoy Super Stock took a no-nonsense approach to drag racing. Fitted with a 413 cubic-inch Max Wedge engine rated at 415 horsepower and a lightweight body, it was capable of low 12-second passes. Simple, loud, and brutally effective, it became a favorite among private racers.
1962 Plymouth Savoy 413 Max Wedge Super Stock, CarShow
1962 Ford Galaxie 406
Ford’s 406-powered Galaxie was one of the first big Fords to show up at NHRA events with real purpose. Its triple two-barrel setup produced 405 horsepower, pushing the heavy full-size car into the mid-13s on the quarter-mile. It marked the beginning of Ford’s serious investment in drag performance.
1962 Ford Galaxie 406, 1965Caliente
1963 Chevrolet Impala Z-11
Chevrolet built only 57 Z-11 Impalas for drag racing. They came with a lightweight aluminum front end and a 427 cubic-inch big-block producing 430 horsepower. In the hands of skilled drivers, these cars hit the 12-second mark at over 115 mph. It was a factory-built drag car hiding behind an Impala badge.
1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11s // Mecum Kissimmee 2017, Mecum Auctions
1963 Pontiac Tempest 421 Super Duty
The 1963 Tempest Super Duty was Pontiac’s wildest creation. It used a rear-mounted transaxle and an aluminum front clip to keep weight balanced, with a 421 cubic-inch V8 putting out 405 horsepower. The car could run low-12s, and its innovation forced NHRA to ban it from competition, instantly making it a legend.
1963 Pontiac Tempest, Roadside Guy
1963 Dodge 330 Ramcharger
This stripped-down Dodge 330 sedan packed a 426 Max Wedge with 415 horsepower and minimal luxury. It was built purely for speed, with heavy-duty internals and drag-ready gearing. Quarter-mile times around 11.8 seconds proved that Dodge’s drag racing focus was paying off in a big way.
1963 Plymouth Max Wedge 426
The Plymouth Max Wedge 426 was one of the fiercest early muscle cars ever built. The 426 cubic-inch engine produced 425 horsepower, and the lightweight setup meant it could reach the 11-second range with tuning. It was raw power in its purest form, straight from the factory.
1963 Plymouth Sport Fury 426 Max Wedge Muscle Car Of The Week Video #60, MuscleCarOfTheWeek
1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
The Thunderbolt was Ford’s nuclear option. It featured a 427 cubic-inch big-block making 425 horsepower and a lightweight body with fiberglass fenders, hood, and doors. At just over 3,200 pounds, it could run 11.6 seconds at 120 mph. The Thunderbolt became one of the most feared cars in drag racing history.
1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt-Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode #189:, MuscleCarOfTheWeek
1964 Dodge and Plymouth A-864 Maximum Performance Cars
The A-864 cars represented Chrysler’s 'maximum performance' program. With aluminum body parts and race-prepped 426 Max Wedge engines making 425 horsepower, these cars were purpose-built for the track. They regularly ran 11.5-second quarter miles and were delivered to dealerships ready to race.
1964 Dodge Hemi 426 Lightweight A864 Engine Symphony, BlueChipCar TV
1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z-16
The Chevelle Z-16 introduced Chevrolet’s 396 cubic-inch big-block with 375 horsepower into a midsize package. With a 3,600-pound curb weight and excellent traction, it could hit 14 seconds flat on street tires. Though only about 200 were built, the Z-16 was Chevy’s first serious step into the muscle drag scene.
1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 // Lot F183 // Mecum Kissimmee 2018, Mecum Auctions
1965 Dodge Coronet and Plymouth Belvedere Altered Wheelbase Cars
When Dodge and Plymouth engineers moved the front and rear axles forward for better traction, they accidentally invented the funny car. These altered-wheelbase machines packed 426 Hemis producing more than 425 horsepower, ran 10-second quarters, and introduced the world to the sight of a car popping a wheelie at launch.
1965 Ford Mustang A/FX Holman Moody
The A/FX Mustang, built by Ford’s racing partner Holman Moody, took the Mustang’s lightweight body and added the monstrous 427 cubic-inch V8. Output was near 500 horsepower, good for low-11-second passes. These Mustangs showed that Ford’s pony car could be more than just a street cruiser.
Gas Ronda 1965 A/FX Mustang 427 SOHC at 2015 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Video V8TV, V8TV
1966 Ford Fairlane 427 Lightweight
Ford’s Fairlane Lightweight carried the same 427 V8 as the Thunderbolt, producing around 425 horsepower. The car weighed just over 3,200 pounds and could run 12.0 seconds in the quarter-mile. It was one of Ford’s purest drag racing creations of the 1960s.
1966 Ford Fairlane R-Code 427 Lightweight - Muscle Car Of The Week Video #56:, V8TV
1967 Plymouth Belvedere And Dodge Coronet RO/WO Series
The RO and WO cars were factory-prepared Super Stock drag specials fitted with the 426 Hemi and stripped of creature comforts. They produced 425 horsepower and were capable of 10-second passes. Only a handful were built, and their rarity makes them prized collector items today.
1968 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet
The 428 Cobra Jet Mustang was rated at 335 horsepower, but Ford was being modest. In reality, it made over 400 horsepower and could run the quarter in 13 seconds flat. It was Ford’s answer to the Hemi-powered Mopars, and it put the Mustang name back on the drag racing map.
1968 Dodge Hemi Dart LO23 Super Stock
These Darts were factory-built drag cars, complete with fiberglass panels and no sound insulation. Each one used the 426 Hemi rated at 425 horsepower but actually closer to 470. Weighing just over 3,000 pounds, they could run 10.7 seconds at 130 mph right out of the crate.
Real 1968 Dodge HEMI Dart LO23 Super Stock Drag Car, Hot American Cars
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi
The Barracuda Hemi was built alongside the Dart LO23 and used the same 426 Hemi engine. It could run the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds and reach trap speeds around 130 mph. Short, light, and brutally powerful, it was a handful to drive but devastatingly quick.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda 426 HEMI For Sale Gateway Classic Cars of Orlando #2054, GatewayClassicCars
1969 AMC AMX 390 SS
The AMX 390 SS proved that AMC could play with the big boys. Tuned by Hurst, its 390 cubic-inch engine made 340 horsepower in stock form but much more with minor tuning. Weighing just over 3,000 pounds, it could run low-12s in the quarter-mile, a shocker from America’s 'small' automaker.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1
The ZL-1 Camaro packed an all-aluminum 427 big-block rated at 430 horsepower, though actual output was closer to 500. It could rip off 11.8-second passes at 120 mph. The ZL-1 was essentially a drag car disguised as a street machine, making it one of Chevy’s greatest engineering feats.
1969 Plymouth Barracuda 440
The Barracuda 440 paired a big-block engine with a compact body, creating a torque monster. With 390 horsepower and instant throttle response, it was a beast on the strip. Quarter-mile times in the low 12s made it one of Mopar’s underrated powerhouses.
1969 Plymouth Barracuda 440 For Sale - Walk Around, GR Auto Gallery
1987 Buick GNX
The Buick GNX’s turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 produced 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque, enough for 0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a 13.5-second quarter-mile. It embarrassed Corvettes and Porsches in its day and became a modern symbol of drag racing ingenuity.
The GNX You Didn't Know About | 1987 Buick Grand National, BulletmotorsportsInc
2018 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet
Built to celebrate 50 years of Cobra Jet heritage, the 2018 version featured a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with over 900 horsepower. With proper setup, it runs the quarter in just 8.5 seconds at over 150 mph. It’s an NHRA-legal monster that shows Ford still knows how to build a drag legend.
Only 68 Cobra Jets will be sold at a price of $130,000 each | 2018 Mustang Cobra Jet, Autoblog
2019 Chevrolet Camaro COPO
The modern COPO Camaro is a purpose-built drag car that comes straight from the factory ready to race. With options for a 427 or supercharged 350 producing more than 580 horsepower, these cars can post 8-second quarter-mile runs without breaking a sweat.
2019 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Full Tour | Bring a Trailer, Bring a Trailer Vault
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon (2018)
The Demon took drag racing to the streets. Its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 makes 840 horsepower on race fuel, launching it from 0–60 mph in 2.3 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 9.65 seconds. It’s the first production car ever banned from NHRA competition for being too fast in stock form.
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon | First Drive, Motor1
You May Also Like:
The Fastest Street-Legal Muscle Cars Of All Time
These American-Made Muscle Cars Revolutionized The Industry
Late Model Racing Is The Lifeblood Of NASCAR
Sources: 1
