Top 10 Fastest Muscle Cars of 1971

It may surprise you that the fastest muscle cars of 1971 were almost as quick as those produced in 1970. However, it probably won’t shock you to learn that they all outperformed muscle cars in 1972.

In fact, there was only a 0.20-second gap between the fastest muscle car of 1970 and that of 1971.

The quickest muscle car of 1970, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, completed a quarter-mile run in 13.10 seconds. Meanwhile, the quickest muscle car of 1971, the 1971 Ford Torino Cobra 429 SCJ, did the same in 13.30 seconds.

Despite Federal emission standards tightening and reducing compression ratios, performance muscle cars still thrived, even though their horsepower and torque ratings were somewhat diluted.

While 1971 did mark the beginning of the end of the muscle car era, it wasn’t quite the catastrophic death of high performance that many believe it to be.

Introducing the Fastest Muscle Cars of 1971

Ford, Plymouth, Dodge, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile produced the top ten fastest 1971 muscle cars. They all posted impressive quarter-mile times, as noted by the leading automotive magazines of the time.

Among these muscle cars, the Ford Torino Cobra 429 SCJ, Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 SCJ, and Plymouth Road Runner Hemi continue to enjoy legendary status among car enthusiasts.

To evaluate the performance of each model, we’ll examine their cubic inch displacement, horsepower, torque, quarter-mile time (ET), and miles per hour.

Let’s start by exploring the top ten fastest muscle cars of 1971 in rank order, shall we?

1971 Ford Torino Cobra 429 SCJ

The title of the fastest muscle car of 1971 belongs to the 1971 Ford Torino Cobra, which boasted a mighty 429 Super Cobra Jet engine. Interestingly, this was one of three Ford models that made it onto the top ten list of fastest muscle cars of that year.

Under the hood, the 429 CID V8 engine churned out an impressive 375 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The 1971 Supercar Annual reported that the Torino Cobra blazed down the quarter-mile track in just 13.30 seconds, reaching a speed of 106 miles per hour.

In total, 3,054 Torino Cobras were produced in 1971, adding to the model’s exclusivity and desirability among car collectors and enthusiasts.

Key Specs

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 SCJ

In second place is the Ford Mustang Mach 1, equipped with a powerful 429 Super Cobra Jet engine. Impressively, this marks the second of three Ford models that made it onto the top ten list of fastest muscle cars of that year.

The 429 Super Cobra Jet engine in the Mach 1 produced 375 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, providing a remarkable amount of power. The 1971 Supercar Annual reported that the Mustang Mach 1 completed the quarter-mile in just 13.4 seconds, achieving a speed of 105 miles per hour.

In total, only 531 units of the 1971 Mach 1 429 SCJ were produced,

Key Specs

1971 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi

The 1971 Plymouth Road Runner is in third place, powered by a mighty Hemi engine. Notably, this marks the first of three Plymouth models that made it onto the top ten list of fastest muscle cars of 1971.

The 426 HEMI engine of the Road Runner was a force to be reckoned with, producing a staggering 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The 1971 Supercar Annual, published by Supercar Magazine, recorded the Road Runner’s quarter-mile time at 13.50 seconds, with a top speed of 106.5 miles per hour.

In total, only 55 units of the 1971 Plymouth Road Runner were powered by the legendary 426 Hemi engine. Of the 55 produced, 28 came equipped with a 4-speed transmission, while the remaining 27 were fitted with a 3-speed automatic transmission. This scarcity only adds to the desirability and collectability of this iconic muscle car.

Key Specs

1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351

The 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 takes fourth place, and notably, it marks Ford’s third and final entry into the top ten.

Equipped with a powerful Boss 351 engine, this Mustang generated 330 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, providing an impressive level of power. The 1971 Supercar Annual by Supercar Magazine reported that the Boss 351 completed the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at a speed of 103 miles per hour.

Of the 1,806 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351’s produced, all were SportsRoof models with a 4-speed manual transmission. This makes the Boss 351 a highly sought-after muscle car among collectors and enthusiasts.

Key Specs

1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455HO

In fifth place on the list of fastest muscle cars of 1971 is the 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 High Output, which is the only Pontiac model to make it onto the top ten list.

Powered by a potent 455 CID V8 engine, this car advertised an impressive 335 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. According to the 1971 Supercar Annual, the Trans Am 455 HO completed the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds with a top speed of 104 miles per hour.

In total, 2,166 units of the 1971 Pontiac Trans Am were produced. Of these, 885 were equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, while the remaining 1,281 had an automatic transmission.

Key Specs

1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440+6

The 1971 Plymouth Road Runner with the 440 Six Pack option secures sixth place, and interestingly, this marks the second of three Plymouth models on the list.

Equipped with a 440 CID V8 engine with three 2-barrel carburetors, this car generated 385 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, providing an impressive level of power. In the January 1971 issue of Car Craft Magazine, the 440+6 Road Runner completed the quarter-mile in 13.71 seconds, reaching a speed of 101.2 miles per hour.

In total, only 246 units of the 1971 Plymouth Road Runner were powered by the 440 Six Pack option. Of these, 62 had a 4-speed manual transmission, while the remaining 109 had a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Key Specs

1971 Plymouth Cuda 440+6

Securing seventh place on the list of fastest of 1971 is the Plymouth Cuda, which was powered by the iconic 426 HEMI engine. Notably, this is the third and final Plymouth model to make it onto the top ten list.

Under the hood, the 426 CID V8 engine produced 385 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, providing an impressive level of power. According to the April 1971 issue of Super Stock and Drag Illustrated (SSDI), the Cuda completed the quarter-mile in 13.72 seconds, achieving a speed of 106 miles per hour.

In total, only 17 units of the 1971 Plymouth Cuda were produced, adding to its exclusivity and desirability among collectors and enthusiasts. Of these, five were equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, while the remaining 12 came with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Key Specs

1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee Hemi

The 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee, powered by the legendary 426 Hemi engine, takes the eighth spot on the list. Interestingly, this marks the first of two Dodge models that appear on the list.

The 426 HEMI CID V8 engine with dual 4-barrel carburetors generated an impressive 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. In the December 1971 issue of Motor Trend Magazine, the Charger Super Bee completed the quarter-mile in 13.73 seconds, reaching a top speed of 104 miles per hour.

In total, only 22 units of the 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee were powered by the 426 Hemi engine option, adding to the model’s rarity and exclusivity. Of these, nine were equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, while the remaining 13 came with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Key Specs

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T 440+6

Securing the ninth spot on the list is the 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack, which is the second and final Dodge model to make it onto the top ten list.

Powered by a 440 CID V8 engine, this car advertised 385 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, providing an impressive level of power. According to Supercar Magazine’s 1971 Annual, the Challenger R/T completed the quarter-mile in 13.75 seconds, reaching a top speed of 104 miles per hour.

In total, only 246 units of the 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T were powered by the 440 Six Pack option. Of these, 127 were fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission, while the remaining 119 came with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Key Specs

1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30

The 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 takes the tenth spot on the list of fastest muscle cars of 1971, and notably, this is the only entry from Oldsmobile to make it onto the top ten list.

Under the hood, the 455 CID V8 engine advertised 350 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing a respectable level of power. According to Supercar Magazine, the 442 W30 completed the quarter-mile in 13.90 seconds, reaching a speed of 101 miles per hour.

In total, only 920 units of the 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 were produced, adding to the model’s rarity and exclusivity. Of these, 810 were hardtops, while the remaining 110 were convertible models.

Key Specs

Conclusion

The muscle car era of the 1960s and early 1970s produced some of the most iconic and fastest cars in American history. While 1971 marked the beginning of the end for this era, it was not a sudden death but a gradual decline. As evidenced by the comparable speeds of the fastest muscle cars of 1970 and 1971, performance muscle cars were still alive and well, albeit with somewhat diluted horsepower and torque ratings. Though the era eventually came to a close, it remains a celebrated and beloved period in automotive history, and the legacy of these powerful and iconic cars continues to influence car enthusiasts to this day.

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Ryan

Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.

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