Discover the ten fastest muscle cars of 1972 and find out which one claimed the title of the fastest of them all.
This article provides all the details, including the make, model, cubic inches, torque, quarter-mile times, and quarter-mile speed of each muscle car on the list.
The ranking was determined using historical data from reputable car magazines such as Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Hi-Performance Cars.
So, what were the fastest muscle cars in 1972?
Table of Contents
Discovering the Fastest 1972 Muscle Cars
Let’s face it:
The 1972 muscle cars did not match the speed of their predecessors in the muscle car era.
On paper, critical engine specifications, such as compression ratio, horsepower, and torque, all experienced significant drops, hinting at the end of the high-performance ride.
Several factors led to the decline in performance. The new federal emission standards mandated using unleaded gas, resulting in lower compression levels. Additionally, muscle car insurance premiums skyrocketed, and the switch from gross to net horsepower ratings also played a role.
Despite the challenges, Detroit automakers still did their best to make the most of what they had, resulting in some muscle cars with respectable quarter-mile times and trap speeds.
Let’s take a look at the ten fastest muscle cars of 1972 in rank order, shall we?
1972 Buick GS 455 Stage 1
In 1972, the Buick GS with a Stage 1 455 was the fastest muscle car, boasting an 8.5:1 compression ratio, 270 horsepower, and 390 lb-ft of torque.
While a 1972 Buick GSX was available, it wasn’t road-tested this year. However, they had the same engines, transmission, and rear gears—making them equally as fast as their GS counterparts.
In the June 1972 issue of Motor Trend magazine, a GS 455 ran a 14.10-second quarter-mile, traveling 97 miles per hour.
Buick produced 8,575 GS units, including 728 Stage 1 hardtops and 81 Stage 1 convertibles. All other GS models either came with 350 or 455 CID V8 engines.
Key Specs
| Engine | 455 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 270 |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft |
| ET | 14.10 Seconds |
| MPH | 97 |
| Source | 6/72, MT |
1972 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 455
Claiming the second spot was the 1972 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30, which boasted an 8.5:1 compression ratio, 300 horsepower, and 410 lb-ft of torque.
In the August 1972 issue of Hi-Performance Cars magazine, a 4-4-2 W-30 completed a quarter-mile in just 14.37 seconds while reaching a top speed of 98 miles per hour.
General Motors’ paperwork shows that Oldsmobile manufactured 9,843 4-4-2 units, out of which only 770 were W-30s.
Key Specs
| Engine | 455 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 300 |
| Torque | 410 lb-ft |
| ET | 14.37 Seconds |
| MPH | 98 |
| Source | 8/72, HPC |
1972 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 350
Securing the third position was the 1972 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, equipped with a 9.0:1 compression ratio, 255 horsepower, and 280 lb-ft of torque.
According to the October 1971 edition of Motor Trend magazine, a Z/28 completed a quarter-mile run in just 14.5 seconds while reaching a speed of 93 miles per hour.
Chevrolet produced 2,575 Z28s in 1972, all being hardtop models.
Key Specs
| Engine | 350 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 255 |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft |
| ET | 14.5 Seconds |
| MPH | 93 |
| Source | 10/72, MT |
1972 Pontiac GTO 455HO
In fourth place was the 72 Pontiac GTO powered by a 455HO CID V8 with 8.4:1 compression, 300 horsepower, and 415 lb-ft torque.
In the October 1971 issue of Motor Trend magazine, a GTO 455HO ran a 14.6-second quarter-mile, traveling 95.2 miles per hour.
Pontiac produced 5,807 GTOs with 10 455 HO coupes and 635 455 HO hardtops. Pontiac discontinued convertibles this year.
Key Specs
| Engine | 455 HO CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 300 |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft |
| ET | 14.6 Seconds |
| MPH | 95.2 |
| Source | 10/72, MT |
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
Fifth place goes to the 72 Chevelle SS powered by a 454 CID V8 with 8.5:1 compression, 270 horsepower, and 390 lb-ft torque.
In the June 1972 Super Stock & Drag Illustrated issue, a Chevelle SS ran a best of 14.76-second quarter-mile, traveling 97.6 miles per hour.
Chevrolet produced 24,946 Chevelle SS and SS 454s. RPO Z15 for Malibu, hardtop, convertible, and El Camino.
Key Specs
| Engine | 454 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 270 |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft |
| ET | 14.76 Seconds |
| MPH | 97.6 |
| Source | 6/72, SSDI |
1972 Ford Mustang 351 HO
In sixth place was the 72 Ford Mustang powered by a 351 HO CID V8 with 8.8:1 compression, 275 horsepower, and 286 lb-ft torque.
The high output R-code 351 HO in 1972 was a detuned Boss 351 from the factory with lower compression.
In the March 1972 issue of Car and Driver magazine, a 351 HO Mustang ran a best of 15.1-second quarter-mile, traveling 95.6 miles per hour.
Ford produced 398 Mustangs with a 351 HO engine this year. All were 4-speed models without air conditioning.
Key Specs
| Engine | 351 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 275 |
| Torque | 286 lb-ft |
| ET | 15.1 Seconds |
| MPH | 95.6 |
| Source | 3/72, MT |
1972 Dodge Demon 340
Seventh place goes to the 72 Demon powered by a 340 CID V8 with 8.5:1 compression, 240 horsepower, and 290 lb-ft torque.
In the June 1972 issue of Super Stock & Drag Illustrated, a Demon 340 ran a best of 15.18-second quarter-mile, traveling 91.7 miles per hour.
Dodge produced 10,222 Demons this year. All were Sport Coupe models.
Key Specs
| Engine | 340 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 240 |
| Torque | 290 lb-ft |
| ET | 15.18 |
| MPH | 91.7 |
| Source | 6/72, SSDI |
1972 Hurst/Olds 455 HO
Eighth place goes to the 72 Hurst/Olds with a 455 HO with 8.5:1 compression, 300 horsepower, and 410 lb-ft torque.
In the August 1972 issue of Hi-Performance Cars magazine, a Hurst/Olds ran a best of 15.30-second quarter-mile, traveling 93 miles per hour.
Oldsmobile produced 629 Hurst/Olds this year with 499 hardtops and 130 convertibles.
Key Specs
| Engine | 455 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 300 |
| Torque | 410 lb-ft |
| ET | 15.30 Seconds |
| MPH | 93 |
| Source | 8/72, HPC |
1972 Plymouth Barracuda 340
In ninth place is the 72 Barracuda with a 340 CID V8 with 8.5:1 compression, 240 horsepower, and 290 lb-ft torque.
In the January 1972 issue of Car and Driver magazine, a Barracuda 340 ran a best of 15.5-second quarter-mile, traveling at 91.7 miles per hour.
Plymouth produced 7,828 ‘Cudas, with 5,864 of them powered by a 340 CID V8.
Key Specs
| Engine | 340 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 240 |
| Torque | 290 lb-ft |
| ET | 15.5 Seconds |
| MPH | 91.7 |
| Source | 1/72, CD |
1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 455 HO
In final place is the 72 Pontiac Firebird Formula, powered by a 455 CID V8 with 8.4:1 compression, 300 horsepower, and 415 lb-ft torque.
In the October 1971 issue of Motor Trend magazine, a Firebird Formula ran a best of 15.5 seconds, traveling at 89.5 miles per hour.
Pontiac produced 5,249 Firebird Formulas, with only 276 powered by the 455 HO engine. All were hardtops.
Key Specs
| Engine | 455 CID V8 |
| Horsepower | 300 |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft |
| ET | 15.5 Seconds |
| MPH | 89.5 |
| Source | 10/72, MT |
1972 Muscle Cars vs. 1971 Muscle Cars
See how the fastest muscle cars of 1972 stack up against those of 1971.
| 1972 | 1971 |
|---|---|
| Fastest quarter-mile time: 14.1 seconds | Fastest quarter-mile time: 13.30 seconds |
| All entries ran 14-second or higher quarter-miles | All entries ran 13-second quarter-miles |
| 60% of entries were big blocks, 40% were small | 90% of entries were big blocks, 10% were small |
| Net horsepower rating | Gross horsepower rating |
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The muscle car industry faced various challenges in 1972 due to changing emission standards, rising insurance premiums, and switching horsepower rating methods. Nonetheless, Detroit automakers still managed to produce some impressive high-performance cars. The top three fastest muscle cars of 1972 were the Buick GS 455 Stage 1, Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 455, and Chevrolet Camaro Z28 350, each with its unique features and performance specifications. These cars will forever be remembered for their place in the history of muscle cars.
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Well, there you have the top 10 fastest muscle cars of 1972. While not as fast as 1971 muscle cars, 1972 models are easily modified to increase horsepower and lower quarter-mile times to keep up with them.
Ryan Wheaton
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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