From page 3 of Consumer Guide: Auto Test ’72:
The general auto-buying public is still intent on knowing “how does it run?” And that is what this 1972 Road Test issue of CONSUMER GUIDE is all about. So if you are in the market for a brand new 1972 model, and you want to know how it handles on the highways, how it rates for fuel economy, roominess, quietness, ride or brakes, you have come to the right place.
Oddly, what was not mentioned in the forward to this early example of Consumer Guide in print was acceleration–this despite the inclusion in the magazine of 0-60 mph times for each vehicle evaluated. Below, we have ranked the fastest nine vehicles tested based on those observed 0-60 performances. We would have gone to 10 cars, but a tie for 10th place would have taken the list to 11, and that’s just something we can’t abide.
The * asterisk serves to remind readers that Consumer Guide did not evaluate every popularly priced vehicle available for 1972, nor were any exotic or many European vehicles included.
If you remember spending time with any of the vehicles on this list, please tell us about it. We’d love to hear about your time smoking bias-ply tires while listening to the Elton John on 8-Track.
Dodge Coronet: 11.4 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 4-door sedan
Curb Weight: 3580
Engine: 255-horsepower 400-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.23:1
Pontiac LeMans: 11.5 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 4-door hardtop
Curb Weight: 3555
Engine: 200-horsepower 400-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.78:1
Ford Thunderbird: 11.8 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 2-door coupe
Curb Weight: 4601
Engine: 212-horsepower 429-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.75:1
Mercury Montego: 11.9 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 4-door sedan
Curb Weight: 3695
Engine: 168-horsepower 400-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.75:1
Ford Galaxie 500: 12.0 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 4-door hardtop
Curb Weight: 3890
Engine: 172-horsepower 400-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 2.75:1
Imperial LeBaron: 12.0 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 4-door sedan
Curb Weight: 5085
Engine: 225-horsepower 440-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.23:1
Mercury Comet: 12.0 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 4-door sedan
Curb Weight: 2786
Engine: 143-horsepower 302-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.23:1
Pontiac Firebird: 12.0 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 2-door coupe
Curb Weight: 3560
Engine: 175-horsepower 400-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Axle Ratio: 3.42:1
Pontiac Grand Prix: 12.0 Seconds
Body Type Tested: 2-door coupe
Curb Weight: 4330
Engine: 220-horsepower 455-cubic-inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.08:1
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