![1971 Plymouth Barracuda, Fastest Cars of 1971](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Cuda-1024x633.png)
Statisticians refer to groups of similar-value data points as clusters. In fact, there is a field of study known as cluster analysis, which looks to identify common threads linking cluster elements to each other.
While we at Consumer Guide are not statisticians, we know a cluster when we see one. And one of the strangest data clusters we’ve ever come across has to do with the 0-60 mph test results recorded by our test staff way back in 1971.
Looking at the ten fastest vehicles tested that year; all reached 60 mph in between 11.3 seconds and 11.7. Stranger still, all but one vehicle did the run in either 11.5 seconds, or 11.7. That’s kind of strange, right?
Check out the numbers below and tell us what you think. All 0-60 mph times shared here are as originally reported in Consumer Guide Auto Test ’71. (We’d wager CG’s test drivers back in 1971 were a bit feather-footed–particularly the driver of the 1971 Dodge Challenger.) The asterisk above is there to remind you that this ten-best list is comprised only of vehicles tested by Consumer Guide. We know that there were plenty of faster rides available in 1971; we just didn’t have the opportunity to test them.
Lincoln Continental Mark III: 11.3 Seconds
![1971 Lincoln Mark III](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Mark-III.png)
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 4856 pounds
Engine: 365-horsepower 460-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.80:1
Chrysler New Yorker: 11.5 Seconds
![1971 Chrysler New Yorker](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/New-Yorker--1024x516.png)
Body Style Tested: Sedan
Curb Weight: 4260 pounds
Engine: 300-horsepower 383-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.76:1
Mercury Comet: 11.5 Seconds
![1971 Mercury Comet](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Comet.png)
Body Style Tested: Sedan
Curb Weight: 2689 pounds
Engine: 220-horsepower 302-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.79:1
Dodge Challenger: 11.5 Seconds
![1971 Dodge Challenger](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Challenger.png)
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 3210 pounds
Engine: 300-horsepower 383-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.23:1
Ford Thunderbird: 11.5 Seconds
![1971 Ford Thunderbird](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Thunderbird-.png)
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 4601 pounds
Engine: 360-horsepower 429-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.00:1
Plymouth Barracuda: 11.5 Seconds
![1971 Plymouth Barracuda](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Cuda-2-1024x557.png)
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 3165 pounds
Engine: 275-horsepower 340-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.23:1
Chevrolet Monte Carlo: 11.7 Seconds
![1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/MC.png)
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 3496 pounds
Engine: 300-horsepower 402-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.73:1
Chrysler Newport: 11.7 Seconds
![1971 Chrysler Newport](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Newport-1024x610.png)
Body Style Tested: Sedan
Curb Weight: 4260 pounds
Engine: 300-horsepower 383-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.76:1
Dodge Polara: 11.7 Seconds
![1971 Dodge Polara](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Polara.png)
Body Style Tested: Sedan
Curb Weight: 4155 pounds
Engine: 275-horsepower 383-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.76:1
Mercury Cougar: 11.7 Seconds
![1971 Mercury Cougar](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/Cougar.png)
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 3507 pounds
Engine: 300-horsepower 351-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.00:1