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The 9 Fastest Cars of 1972*

1972 Pontiac LeMans

1972 Pontiac LeMans

1972 Pontiac LeMans, Fastest Cars of 1972
1972 Pontiac LeMans

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.

The 12 Fastest Cars of 1983*

 

Dodge Coronet: 11.4 Seconds

1972 Dodge Coronet

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

1972 Pontiac Luxury LeMans

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

1972 Ford Thunderbird

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

The 10 Fastest Cars of 1981*

 

Mercury Montego: 11.9 Seconds

1972 Mercury Montego

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

1972 Ford Galaxie 500

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 

1972 Imperial LeBaron

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

The 12 Slowest Cars of 1983*

 

Mercury Comet: 12.0 Seconds

1972 Mercury Comet

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

1972 Pontiac Firebird

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 

1972 Pontiac Grand Prix

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

The 10 Slowest Cars of 1981*

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