1972 Pontiac Firebird TA drag racing 1970 AMC AMX | STOCK DRAG RACE
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- Опубликовано: 29 май 2022
- 1970 AMC AMX drag racing 1972 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Pure stock muscle car drag race. factory stock drag race.
first car is a 1970 AMC AMX with a 390 V8 rated 325 horsepower. The other is a 1972 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with a 455 V8 rated 300 (net) horsepower. Both cars have 4-speed manual transmissions. Rear gearing in the AMC is 3.91, while the Trans Am has 3.73.
Remember, both cars participate in the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series, so please check out their website for the rules of this drag racing class: www.psmcdr.com
Disclaimer: The Cars And Zebras RUclips channel is a news channel bringing results/news of drag racing with added history of automobiles. All footage/pictures used were either captured by the Cars And Zebras channel, or used for critique purposes under Fair Use. 
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Since it is Memorial Day in the United States, please take a moment to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives while serving in the military. Never forget what they have sacrificed.
Many things are outside of our control. Gratitude isn’t. Gratitude is a choice.
Thank you to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom.
Not just today, every day, ask yourself “did our fellow Americans die for this?” Freedom certainly isn’t free, and it’s tough to get back after it’s given away. Don’t give away our freedom and don’t tolerate people trash talking our country.
All gave some.... And some gave all...
Sorry but I’m confused here...are these super stock cars just that? %100 factory stock cars? If not what is done to them and why would they be called stock if there are mods? Don’t get it.....
@@scottjohnson8316 look up the rules genius. Eeeeeevery sport has rules
looks like the Poncho was afflicted with some sort of mechanical problem. First race was killer!
1/100th of a second is as close as it can get - what a run. And a perfect match-up for Memorial Day - Red, White, and Blue. Thank you as always. And a most heartfelt thanks for those who gave all defending our freedom.
Who won or who lost is not important for me, just seeing them run makes my day. Awesome!!!
I concur…
Yep. Just like the good old days. Long live 50s-early 70s 1/4 drags and Rock & Roll.
For those wondering the TA had linkage problems in the second and third runs. Linkage bolt had backed itself out of the trans case
I had a 69 1/2 AMX 500 special. Big Bad Green, 390 with Hurst quick shift.
Rebuilt the engine .40 over. Cam Dynamics roller rockers and stainless steel valves among other items, Edelbrock torquer with Holley 650 cfm dual feed. Headman headers to 4' of straight exhaust to thrush turbo mufflers. Dynoed at little over 400 HP.
My biggest problem was traction off the line
ANC had some competent cars, oiling starvation to rear bank though.
NEver heard of a 500 special. What made it different
@@gordocarbo apparently it was a promotional thing with the dealerships in California
There were brass tags on the raised part of the hood with crossed checkered flags and 500 special embossed on them
Oooohhh maaannn...my dream race! Much love and respect for BOTH of these models. I'll say this, there was a whole lotta snickering when the Rambler boys started showing up. That is untill the competition started to see their taillights. AMC more than held its own. Love those Poncho's too! Long live AMC muscle 💪
Agreed.....I've owned a '69 AMX 390 4 spd 3.91 Twin-Grip since 1982 (my Jr. year of HS) and have street/track raced it 100's of times over the years putting many Big 3 heavyweights at the track on the trailer early....street racing in the late '80's early 90's paid better than a part time job.....nobody wanted to lose to the AMC (Always Mom's Car) AMX with the license plate : NOTBIG3 LOL
Been representing AMC 40 years now....love my true 2 seater War Horse
@@FIRE-WOOD u r da man! Yah...Rambler boys spoiled a lot of Big-3 party's - u r living proof. Thank you sir. And...congratulations on your stewardship of that AMX. 👍👊
AMC was definitely underrated
@@mikeadcock1592 that CAN be fun too!😉
Under promise - over deliver!
@@FIRE-WOOD Grew up on a cul de sac in SFV with a guy that had a bunch of them. 1 was his st racer it was absolutely nasty! Loved to hear him come down the st. Big cam, gears, converter.
TA's are classic and cool....but AMC those are freaking awesome. Sure like seeing the odd cars racing. The few amc's ive seen in the flesh sure are purdy
I love the early 70s Trans ams they have that big 455HO and I think are the best looking compared the the Camaros of this era. And that AMC is so nice too.
The AMX was pretty consistent.
Great matchup! Don't see too many '72 T/A's or '70 AMX's. Don't know a whole lot about the 455HO, but I'm guessing the '71 HO may have been a bit quicker, and with higher compression. The AMCs didn't get a lot of respect back in the day, but the AMX with the 390 was no joke...they could hang with most of the muscle cars back in the day. Nice power/weight ratio.
And both the AMX and the Trans Am were very good handling cars as well...both among the best in the industry.
Amen brother. 🙏
I love them AMX'S!
That AMX is vey consistant and fast for under 400 CID.
Also a 4 speed manual, which makes your point on consistency even more impressive
@@FIRE-WOOD and BOTH cars running gawdawful Polyglass!
@@FIRE-WOOD Both were 4 speed manual cars. T/A was 65 more CID and only 230 pounds heavier.
@@audieconrad8995 Secret to getting traction with Goodyear Polyglas is to overinflate them to 35-38 psi. Ford Drag Team taught me that in 1970. Instead of leaving the line at 1000 rpm with my pure-stock '69 Boss 302 Mustang, I had to leave the line at 4000 rpm. Et's improved by one full second. A few times, it ran high 12's. I still have the car and it runs mid 12's today using drag radial tires.
@@sergeantmasson3669 thanks 4 sharing that - awesome story! Keep'er between the lines!
In 1969 my uncle had an American Motors dealership. He called me to come up there. He had two AMX one red one metallic blue. They had been Hertz rental cars. I think 2800$. I bought the blue because it had brown saddle looking leather.. 343 cu in. Auto. They had the go package, but the car never ran as good as it should. I think but not sure borg Warner transmissions. I had problems with the transmissions. I had the trans rebuilt but when I traded it in the trans was bad again.
The guy could drive that AMX..👍👍👍👍
Ya man - his times were spot-on consistent!
@@audieconrad8995 👍👍👍
@@rodneybrand8521 gotta say as a stick driver myself - it is an art to get off the line and down the track [in different lanes no less] in very quick runs like that. Impressive.
@@audieconrad8995 i rather have the manual myself..👍👍👍
I sure miss my 72 T/A. ThT car was a blast 👍😎✌️
Mine is in the garage now since 1977. I drive it every summer! 4 speed with A/C as well.
@@debi5292 nice. I hope you pull it out of the garage soon and chirp the tires once for me.
Wow...both cars were pretty quick!
Two great car's. I have alway's wanted an AMX, but would love both.
What a great race!! Man!! I had a 69 Javelin with the 390, and T-10.. Loved that car.
Thank you to the men and women who died in defense of our freedoms..
Thank you C&Z!!
Man I hope that Trans Am isn't broken. The '70 to '72 is my favorite T/A, especially in blue. And while I like the Javelin better, '70 is also the best year for it and the AMX with that super cool hood and the improved 390. Both great cars and thanks for calling us dummies! It's good to have the humor back.
The first race was super close. The second and third I think the T/A had a problem. Thumb up.
Wow that was a blast from the past it was awesome keep them coming!.....👍
Both cars are absolutely gorgeous cars, I would be completely fine with owning either one. Great racing starting out, but you can tell the poncho was having issues the last two races. Thanks for sharing the races, keep them coming.
I was pleasantly surprised by the e.t.s of the AMX. I was expecting at most high 13s.
That particular AMX has run 12.76 @112mph in this event
@Your Pappy They run in the F.A.S.T.(Factory Appearing Stock Tire) events, and run within their rules. My '69 AMX 390 came stock with E70x14 redline tires which have 5 1/2" tread width, and with a 4 speed and 425 ft lbs of torque on tap they are useless. So, you are correct in that they ran low 14 second et's, but it's only because it was impossible to get traction....I swapped a set of G60-15 and with 10lbs of air, and a proper burn out, I can run 13.80's all day.....threw on a set of slicks and headers and ran low 13's......at 3,300lbs with my fat ass in it that's not bad for stock....Back in the 90's I ran in the NMCA Top Stock..... with some modifications to the suspension, transmission and rear gearing, fuel delivery (EFI) etc.....I've ran a best of 11.10@119mph (Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga.) all steel full interior, full exhaust NMCA Top Stock E/TS
@Your Pappy I enjoy reading about the specs and the rules of such a fun event, it’s as much fun as watching these muscle cars run the way GM, Ford, AMC, and Chrysler intended them to back then.
Love both cars I've always thought it would be fun having a AMX. On the other hand I'm a Tranz am / Formula Firebird fan.both cars are beautiful and fast. Good video
458 Trans Ams in 1972... 276 Formulas with the 455 HO. I have a 455 HO Formula, Th400, it runs mid 12s with a set of headers and 3.08 gears. Its kinda heavy with power everything. Thinking I should build my 71 Formula 400 into a 455 HO clone since its no AC, Th400 and manual everything else. The round port 455s are no joke.
Cars and Zebras, the 71 455 HO was round port with 197 heads, the 72 had 7F6 heads, not much difference in them really. Then the SD had round ports too. When everyone else was building 16 second slugs, Pontiac was going fast with 87 octane compatible compression.
I think the original "Snorkel Hood" on the Formula is THE COOLest verion of the Firebird / Trans Am ever! I would not DREAM of putting the T/A hood on that car....
@@gt-37guy6 I like the 70-73 front end on the bird the most. The Formula hood is awesome, I have a few of them.
What Pontiac did throughout the '70's especially early on when smoggers took over is to this day - impressive.
@@gt-37guy6 am 101% with you!
@@audieconrad8995 when C&Z goes on about low compression 455s and highway gears, it makes me want to let him drive one of my 455 powered vehicles with highway gears. I really enjoy my high compression 455s running on E85, but I made 8:1 455s run very well in the 1990s on 87 octane.
Like the 4100lb 70 GTO I have with a 2.93 gear, Th400, and a 5C headed 455 with 8.8:1 compression pushing that thing into the mid 12s.... when it could hook. It was lots of fun beating on chevys and mopars with it, the Ford guys never wanted to come play.
The 3.73 gear in that TA is not helping it go faster, the ETs will be about the same as a 3.08 to 3.42 gear, but it will lost 1 to 4 mph. It does make it easier to get the car moving with the 4 speed. It won't spin as long with the 3.73.
Watching this while looking at my neighbors yellow AMC across the street
Oh snap!! At second 13 you know it means business when the beauty rings come off.
Looked like the Poncho was limping after that first run.
Overheated.
@@cammontreuil7509 Or worse? Pontiacs don't like to be beat on...the OEM oil pan and pickup can be an issue hope not here just saying keep an eye on your oil pressure on Pontiacs...upgrade the Oil pan and pickup to Canton / Milodon.
@@gt-37guy6 I agree. I'm a retired engine builder. Had my own shop.
What you said is true.
@@cammontreuil7509 Thanks for confirming, I was burned TWICE - then I did my homework and figured out the issue. Take it EZ there Cam.
@@cammontreuil7509 He missed a gear, Probably having trouble with the shifter.
Them borg warner T transmissions when they were set up right and driven right they were some badass pieces of machinery
Awesome , Thanks C&Z 😊
That's really cool! Firebird did good! Even compared 2days junk on the road the firebird can still compete!
Two excellent cars. I loved the AMX when it first came out. They were very rare to see on the street. Great race. Thanks again.
Damn as soon as I seen that Trans Am I soiled my pleated pants!!!
I love Pontiacs but I had to root for the AMX on this one. Simply because there are so few of them and I always thought they were cool and different. That poncho def had some sort of trans issues going on or the driver shifts like me!! Thanks for the vid always good to see em run. 👍
I figured the AMX based on lighter weight.
Another thing that obscures matters a bit was American Motors back in the day had a catalog of performance parts ...it may have been Group 18 parts for the 390 that really warmed the 390 up along with the 3.91 gear.
In this race both cars were indecently fast for pure stockers.
The 455 HO. Running a 12.96 with 109 terminal speed?
Maybe. I did run into a 455 S.D. coming out of Willow Springs years ago that gave my modified 425 hp Panters a tussle up to around 145 at which point I ran him out of gears.
I only ever ran into one AMX that I considered fast on the street back in the day and he stated that he'd bought quite a few pieces from the dealers catalog that had dropped his e.t. by around 1.5 seconds.
At the time I had a 1967 Corvette with an LS6 short b l ock and the top end was off the 427 435 hp engine.with the 3x2 intake.
That Corvette was running a 3.36 posi hi speed rear end and weould veasily pull to over 155 in 4th at redline. Qtr mile driving off the line and shifting quickly would put the car thru the quarter at 13.04 at 110
The car went thru the lights in 2nd at 6650 rpm a little over redline.
I raced the AMX from a 20 mph roll and beat him by around 2 carlengths . He was on cheater slicks and was according to him running 390 gears.
I doubt that I could have beat him from a standing start.
Point is I was making st least 450 hp and 480 ft lbs of torque with the Corvette .
And I weighed probably around 100 to 150 lbs less.
Which means that that 390 was making WAY more than 325 hp and 430 ft lbs of torque.
We see the same in these 3 races. The AMX tr a p speed stays at 109 mph as the et varies from high 12s to a low 13.
That AMX is making some serious hp.. north of 400 hp... and the torque is probably 20 ft lbs higher than 430 also.
For certain it is not pure Stock as delivered from the dealer back in the day.
Interestingly enough there's an older gentleman where I live in Nebraska who owns a dark green AMX in VERY nice condition. I observed him bolting on an aluminium high rise intake and a set of headers one day last year.
He claimed he had collected some genuine AMC parts from the Group 18 ....or some number around there...
Catalog with AMC part numbers.
Among other things he had shaved the heads a bit was running thin head gaskets had a hotter hydraulic cam with different springs and rockers the intake the headers a distributer with some kind of electronic box for hotter spark.
He had a 3.9 gear and a 4 speed.
He claimed the changes boosted the hp to a bit over 400 hp.
He also stated that he had to use 100 octane gasoline.
He had noticed my 64 Fairlane 500 daily driver which runs 289 hi performance badges on the front fenders which the car had when it left the factory.
He wanted to know if I'd race him when he had his car back together.
I told him sure but from a 20 mph roll and for half a mile.
The Fairlane has a 331 ci motor making 420 hp and 385 ft lbs of torque. It runs 10 to 1 comp has AFR heads a full roller valve train with a Comp hydraulic roller cam long tube headers Edelbrock air gap Performer Rpm manifold with a 3310 holley carb.
Out back is a Tremec 5 spd w .68 od and an 8 inch locker with 3.5 gears.
The car has uprated springs Bilstein Sport shocks an export brace and a Monte Carlo bar tied into the shock towers.
It runs T/A radials on 15 inch Americ a n Racing wheels 7 in. In front and 8 in in back.
Tires are 215 50s in front and 235 50s in rear.
Anyway he got his car together and we met for the agreed upon race.
For the first time he noticed the shift pattern on the shift know which showed it was a 5 speed not a 4 speed.
We both pretty well understood what going to happen and it did.
From the low speed roll the AMX grabbed about a car length which got whittled down to around half a carlength at the quarter mile mark. After that the Fairlane walked away as he ran out of gears.
The AMx would have beaten me considerably in a standing start quarter mile.
With the aluminium heads sluminium radiator aluminium intake aluminium water pump I had to weigh at least 200 lbs less than the AMX.
All of which tells me that with the right parts the AMC 390 could produce in excess of 400 hp as we see it doing in these 3 races.
As I recall the 390 AMC did quite well in their designated stock class back in the dsyvwhen they were new.
I've had 69 amx 343, Machine, 2 Javelins 390. Most folks don't know what they are, lol. Especially the Machine. Under rated bigtime. Long live AMC !! 😍
I would happily own either of these beauties,
or both!
I like the name Firebird more than Camaro. Eventhough GM axed Pontiac in favor of Buick (because China), I wish they would have kept the Firebird brand.
My dad had a 1969 AMC AMX. He ordered it without the stripes and with a metallic dark blue paint job 😎 I so wish that I had that car now
Wow, that first race showed how equal these 2 cars were. It was a drivers race and looks like the TA was having trouble shifting otherwise they were both equal.
My thought shifting issues in race 2 and 3
Goodday C & Z,
Finally a AMC & nothing but the best a 1970 AMX with the Go Pack.
Delicious Trans Am as well.
Nice close race the first 1.
Have you bought a replacement for the Chevelle?
Your number 1 Fan in Australia
Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤
Something happened to Trans Am when he shifted in to 3rd ? The AMX ran good for a smaller motor .
Either the driver blew the last two races or the Trans Am developed an issue.
@@thebigpicture2032 The TA in first and second was pulling the AMX but then ? Clutch slip ?
Looked like partway thru the 2nd run I saw a couple chuffs of black smoke near the top end there, something was up to lose 1 second over the previous run.
@@MrTheHillfolk Ill watch it again ? Yeah out of the left pipe !
I’ve always liked the underdog the AMC AMX, one because you hardly ever see them on the road and two because I used to live next door to a guy who had two Javelins in his backyard. Both vehicles being about the same car, one without a backseat and shorter wheel base.
That AMX & driver was consistent, (12.9, 12.9, 13.0) and that's the key to bracket racing.
I had a 72 H.O. 4 speed T/A. Crazy Torque! I still own a 70 T/A auto w/air
Great job once again, keep them coming.
My best friend had a Lucie Blue '72 T/A, 455 H.O. 4 Speed his father handed down. It had the Honey Comb's. His father, Hank was a designer for Pontiac. I got to go for a ride in the 1974 Pontiac Banshee III Prototype. 455 SD Auto. Talk about turning heads. I have a few pictures. Ahh the '70's.
A tight race on the first round. Those are beautiful cars but I have to say the American motors cars were always my favorite 👍
72 lowest production year for TA. The heads are same as 71 455 HO as far as I know. A 72 4spd would def be something to have. I love the Lucerne Blue/White 👌🏼
I think it's safe to say that the Trans Am was experiencing some sort of mechanical issue in the last two rounds. Possibly clutch. 🤷🏿♂️
Or maybe, the driver 😂
The linkage bolt backed itself out of the trans
My guess is the Trans Am missed 3rd gear. It happens to the best of us. Both cars are very strong. They are nearly tied with each other. Awesome
Man, that AMX style blows away any other US muscle car. Some muscle cars are so fugly, like the Superbird.
2 of my top 5 muscle/pony cars. Awesome beauties. Great race. Hope the T/A isn't hurt too bad. Actually didn't know these two were that rare. I knew they weren't a dime a dozen but woe.
Trans Am guy was like.. ahh. One is good enough. I'm gonna cruise the next two
Those 390’s and 401’s were great little small block powerhouses.
Amc go package !
Both cars are iconic. Thanks for the vid!
Love the narration, man. Well done
Lets go 1972 Pontiac Trans Am!!...
🐦🐦🐦🐦🔥🔥
Outrageous racing. Super tight
Don’t remember what year but the Alabama State Patrol used the AMX Javelin for their patrol car.
Always a good match here, great content
Great cars!
It's the AMX for me
There's a lot of cars on this channel but I want to see some zebras too.
The guy with the AMX has been at the track a few times before!😀
Hey hey
Funny how different these two cars were performance wise when new and now they now match up so closely...
GOTTA ADMIT THAT AMX IS SURPRISINGLY FAST AND 43O TORQUE WOW ...
BUT I'LD STILL RATHER HAVE THAT BEAUTIFUL TRANS AM !!!!!!!
Detroit Muscle! Raise the compression ratio on the Pontiac. AMX yeah!
Me and my dad are currently in the process of building a 1979 trans am. It's got the shaker hood and a 400 from a 1968 Pontiac GTO with the number 16 heads Long tube headers mid-cam 3-in X-Pipe exhaust system with the violator mufflers. Next I definitely want to put 410 rear and gears in it I really don't care to take it on the highway I just wanted to get out of the hole like there's no tomorrow. Yes it's got the 400 turbo automatic 😢 sorry I don't have a manual. Considering that but people have told me it doesn't matter all that much not to get hung up on it.
Awesome the 390 AMC engine....!! Able to beat a big block
1st run about as close as you can hope for....the 'max was running him down.
Wouldnt complain to have either in my garage!
Newbie subscriber: Luv your vids #oldschool #musclecars
So taken with Camaros when I was young I just didnt notice TAs enough. They were hands down way better looking cars inside/out
Love the Javs and AMX just as much would give an eyetooth to own either as a retirement driver. Even with a 6 banger they are just too cool
Both cars are sweet. I'll take the AMX tho, just a little more character. Very consistent too, especially with a stick. Nice driving
Both nice cars I'd rather have the AMC
The TA the HP was under rated by over 100 HP
Love the AMX, I would like to have the 4x4 AMC Gremlin, or, whatever the 4x4 model is, I forget.
Eagle. Cool cars actually.
Oh yeah 👍
Love the comments. The AMX gave up 65 CID. A.M. should have put in the 401. That would be A Vet/stag killer.
Please do more videos…..
I knew it was going to come down to the clutch. HaHa
Looks like Trans Am collapsed in the heat of the moment!!...🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
what do those pistons look like to get 8.4 out of a 115cc chamber?
You could get the round port heads and Is the aluminum intake manifold in 71 and 72
AMC all day baby.
I'm very curious what happened n last 2 races to TransAm. Reminds me of a throwout bearing go bad.
Yes he had trouble shifting.
T/A missed the shift in the second and third race.
Awesome cars, but I believe there was either driver error or issues with the T/A
Still no 72 to 74 cuda?
Pontiac driver definitely had problems shifting in 2 and 3.
The TA better win!
Lololololol “well you’re a dumb dumb”
👍🇨🇦
The TA needs a driver mod.
Pretty quiet here...
go go go Joe