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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Body Style Tested: Coupe
Curb Weight: 3507 pounds
Engine: 300-horsepower 351-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.00:1
