Mopar didn’t just build muscle cars—they built legends. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, Dodge and Plymouth were cranking out some of the fastest, meanest machines to ever hit the streets. These weren’t just cars; they were built for speed, domination, and leaving the competition in a cloud of tire smoke.
From NASCAR-banned winged warriors to quarter-mile monsters, Mopar had the recipe for performance figured out. The cars on this list didn’t just turn heads—they turned stoplights into drag strips. Whether you were cruising Woodward Avenue or lining up at the local strip, these machines were built to win. Let’s talk about the Mopars that set the standard for speed in the muscle car era.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Imagine showing up fashionably late but stealing the spotlight—that was the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. Arriving near the end of the muscle car golden age, it wasted no time proving itself.
With a fire-breathing 426 Hemi V-8 under the hood, this beast cranked out 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. It ripped from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds.
The Challenger R/T became an instant classic, especially after its starring role in Vanishing Point. When Dodge revived the Challenger in 2008, they barely touched the design—because they got it right the first time.
1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
If there’s a holy grail of Mopars, the 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda is it. Sharing the E-Body platform with the Challenger, it packed the legendary 426 Hemi, putting down 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. This brute could tear through the quarter-mile in just 13.1 seconds.
Rarity plays a big role in its legend. Convertible models command ridiculous prices at auction, making them unicorns of the muscle car world. With its aggressive styling, wide stance, and massive power, the ‘Cuda remains one of the most sought-after Mopars ever built.
1970 Plymouth Superbird
A car so good it got banned from NASCAR—that’s the 1970 Plymouth Superbird. Designed specifically to lure Richard Petty back to Mopar, this aerodynamic marvel packed the 426 Hemi V-8, delivering 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. It blasted through the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds.
That massive wing and pointed nose weren’t just for looks—they made the Superbird a dominant force on the track. Only around 1,935 were built, and of those, just 135 had the Hemi. Today, if you want one in your garage, be ready to spend seven figures.
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner brought muscle cars back to their roots—big power, no frills, and an affordable price tag. Standard models came with a 383ci Magnum V-8, but the real magic happened when you optioned the 440 Six-Pack or the legendary 426 Hemi.
With the Hemi, the Road Runner could run the quarter-mile in just 13.3 seconds. It was quick, loud, and unapologetic—a muscle car in its purest form. Plymouth made sure it lived up to its name, even getting permission from Warner Bros. to use the famous “beep beep” horn.
1968 Dodge Charger R/T
The 1968 Dodge Charger R/T wasn’t just a muscle car—it was a pop culture icon. Powered by the 426 Hemi V-8, it threw down 425 horsepower and turned heads wherever it went.
On the street, it was fast—hitting 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and running the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds. On-screen, it became legendary in Bullitt, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Fast & Furious. With only 812 Hemi Chargers built from 1968 to 1970, finding one today is like striking gold.
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
Imagine a car so fast, NASCAR had to ban it. That’s the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona for you. Engineered for NASCAR’s high-speed ovals, this car could handle more than just left turns.
With a top speed north of 200 MPH in its race trim and a street-legal quarter-mile time of 13.5 seconds, the Daytona wasn’t just quick—it was groundbreaking. The street version, armed with the same 426 Hemi V-8, delivered 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, proving just as formidable.
Nicknamed the “King Daytona” in honor of street racing legend William “Big Willie” Robinson, this model is a legend in its own right. Only 70 were made with the Hemi engine.
1969 Dodge Coronet R/T
The 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T delivered blue-collar muscle without the unnecessary frills. Packing a 440 Six Pack or the 426 Hemi, it was built for straight-line dominance.
With a quarter-mile time of 13.6 seconds and a top speed of 137 mph, it punched well above its weight class. Only 107 Hemi-equipped models were built that year, making them highly sought after. If you spot one at an auction, expect serious bidding wars—especially for the rare Hemi convertibles and ultra-rare ’66 four-door Hemi models.
1964 Plymouth Fury
The 1964 Plymouth Fury was as fast as it sounded. With a 426ci Max Wedge V-8, it laid down 425 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, making it a straight-line menace.
This Fury could hit 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds and blast through the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds. Even station wagon variants could pack a Max Wedge, making for some seriously unexpected sleepers. It was also the car that inspired Christine, Stephen King’s famous haunted ride—but this one scared competitors on the track, not in the parking lot.
1963 Dodge 440
Despite the name, the 1963 Dodge 440 never actually had a 440ci engine. Instead, this model featured the 426 Max Wedge V-8, good for 425 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
With a 0 to 60 time of 5.5 seconds and a quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds, it had enough punch to outrun even the 1964 Pontiac GTO. One of the first production cars with a functional hood scoop, the Dodge 440 proved that Mopar’s obsession with power was already in full swing.
1966 Plymouth Belvedere Satellite
The 1966 Plymouth Belvedere Satellite doesn’t always get the Mopar spotlight, but it was a serious performer. Powered by the 426 Street Hemi, it cranked out 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque.
Running the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds, the Satellite had a NASCAR pedigree and was favored by Richard Petty. By 1966, it was no longer just a race car—it was a street-legal monster. While other muscle cars hog the attention, the Belvedere Satellite quietly cemented itself as one of the quickest Mopars of the muscle car era.
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