It wasn’t all in regards to the torque.
The muscle-car period was very a lot about numbers. Whereas stats are figures various by the dialogue, the large metrics of the period have been engine displacement, horsepower and torque output, and quarter-mile entice occasions. One explicit quantity that didn’t come up usually was revolutions per minute (rpm). As most drag-race prepared muscle-car engines tended to supply most of their torque at comparatively low rpm, that exact stat by no means actually introduced a lot to the dialog. That’s why the advert seen right here is so fascinating.
Extra Favourite Automobile Adverts
Launched for 1968, the Chrysler Company 340-cubic-inch V8 was distinctive among the many maker’s efficiency engines. The 340 was actually the one Chrysler sporty V8 that was not tuned particularly for acceleration, however for efficiency underway.
As seen on this price-special Dodge Dart Swinger 340 advert, the 275-horsepower engine might be had with a reasonably numerically low axle ratio, one thing which would supply a better high pace, and higher efficiency on a observe, however not essentially optimum drag-strip showings.
The 340 was primarily based on the maker’s widespread 318-inch V8, however was handled to a bigger bore, particular cam, distinctive cylinder heads, and boasted a ten.5-to-1 compression ratio, which meant filling up with premium gasoline.
We love this advert as a result of it should be the one muscle-car-era advert to characteristic the engine’s rpm restrict, however not horsepower. Certainly, the 340’s energy output isn’t talked about within the textual content. Whereas the Dart, no matter engine, was not likely a muscle automotive—as a compact automotive it is likely to be thought of a “junior” muscle automotive—it was obtainable with a lot of the identical efficiency tools because the Dodge Challenger and Charger.
The Swinger 340 seen right here appears to have been a midyear addition to the Dart lineup, provided at a particular worth. A GTS mannequin, that includes most of the upgrades listed on this advert, was already obtainable, however listed for a pair hundred {dollars} greater than the Swinger.
This creator laments the truth that he has by no means had the chance to expertise the free-revving 340-inch engine, and would like to drive a automotive geared up with it and a guide transmission.
Regardless, the sporty, high-output small-engine compact proved no match for the first momentum of the muscle-car motion, which leaned closely on enormous V8s and prodigious torque rankings. However for us, this cool advert, boasting rpm and never torque figures, reminds us that the muscle-car period was not as fully one dimensional as we would bear in mind.
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1968 Dart Swinger 340 Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
Favourite Automobile Adverts: 1971 Pontiac GTO
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