Can you name all of the movie references? Also, some of the GT-37 literature is for a 1971 model, but I thought it was interesting. And yes, reports are conflicting on if the 4-speed had the Ram Air III. Some say yes, others no....but come on, it makes for good entertainment and a fun conversation 👍
@@CarsAndZebras Thanks for the response! Traction was the biggest issue with that car. Installed ladder bars and put cinder blocks in the trunk as well. Starting off in second gear helped too. Love the videos! The commentary is hilarious! Love drag racing, esp. old muscle cars. Keep up the great work
@@CarsAndZebras That isn't a RA III, it's the standard 400 but with the manual trans it got the RA heads but had the regular exhaust manifolds and the 067 camshaft and not the RA 068.. All had the 4bbl cast iron intake were the same in 1970, even the one on the RA III.
@@1972Ventura455ho I concur! My 70 1/2 GT 37 was ordered with the 4bbl-400 engine 344 option for $210.64 along with the 4spd trans 354 option for $184.80...... the 400 is the L78 rated at 330hp because it has the 067 cam with regular manifolds and #12 heads.
Around 1973 or 1974 I was at the strip with my 1970 Mach 1 and there was a guy there with a 390 AMX 4 speed. He had a few minor mods like a Holley 4bbl, dual point distributor and hotter coil, headers and slicks with traction bars. The guy was running consistently in the mid 12’s which was impressive given the minimal mods. I had never seen an AMX at the track before and was very impressed.
Guy who dated my aunt back then would take me to Terminal Island..watched him run his cars, one a 68 Orange auto AMX, finally sold it a few yrs back STill remember my first ride when he got on it. She had a 68 Javelin
Awesome shootout between two rare musclecars...I'm more of a Pontiac than a AMC fan, but thought the AMX would take it. The AMCs weren't really respected much back in the day, but they could surprise you! Love both these cars. Thanks for posting!
Great Video. Thanks for posting. I remember first reading about the rare 1971 Pontiac T37 455HO owned by Dan Jensen in Musclecar Magazines in the mid to late 1980’s. Such a sweet ‘Insurance Beater’ car and cousin to the ‘Heavy Chevy’ Chevelle, and Oldsmobile Cutlass W31
I remember a guy came into the gas station I worked in back in the 80s with a 69 AMX with a hopped up 343 in a neon line green with a 4 speed, this thing was a screamer!!! he caught rubber in 3 gears before he disappeared in a sweet cloud of rubberized smoke!!! lovely.
Man I love both these cars. That little AMX was hauling when he could get hooked up. I like Poncos but the AMX just looks fast sitting still. Not a fan of that color but hey there aren't many of them around any more so who can complain? Great vid thanks for posting!
LICobra- "smoked?" Really? They both had trap speeds in the low hundreds. Even tho the GT made a bit more power, and had a lower gear, the Rambler had not only a weight advantage, but with a wheelbase almost as short as a Vette, he "should've" had a traction advantage. Unfortunately, the driver didn't know how to compensate for the polyglass tires, and track condition. But they both are evenly matched competitors. Good race, but I'm a bit "biased", over the outcome. :)
@@joequillun7790 I'm not a fan of either car or manufacturer...but on this day the amx was quicker and faster by several mph, and who had the faster time from the right lane With even traction and 4.33 gears the T-37 would have been beaten by an AMC anyway
@@LICobra Yeah, we get it, you're a Ford fan. (No one's perfect). But who had the faster time in the right lane? The AMX went 13.6, and the GT went 13.7. I would hardly call that "smoked". Put a set of slicks on both cars, and it would be a different race. And "theoretically," if the Rambler had the same gears, the car would have an advantage. But I did say, "theoretically". Lots of variable always influence outcomes at the drags.
13.60 fastest time in these races. Owned by the AMX. That GT 37 wasn't very popular at all. I had never heard of it until my wife told me her mom had a GT 37, I had no clue what she was talking about.
I never heard of either of these packages until now, or heard of the name Tempest used except on older models, but I am from Northeast where few cars survived long enough for me to see any of them because of rust. I only saw LeMans models.
I can't believe you finally got to MY CAR....literally! I have a 1970.5 GT37 400 4 speed just like this car....Mine is not as cosmetically nice, or as original, but is a legit documented car and runs like new. Out of that 1419 produced fully 80% of those cars were the 350 automatic cars. Factor in the 4 speed vs. auto on the 400 option, and you have a car that they made perhaps 150 units! I see this car was a hardtop, mine is a PILLAR Coupe car too! Thinking it is maybe 1 of 50 cars with those options, have not seen even another 1970 model on the street EVER (some 71's around in Twin Cities - two I think..). FYI the engine option did include RAM Air III HEADS, but the standard camshaft and intake / exhaust manifolds were used. When I rebuilt I did RA-III cam and repro exhaust manifolds. Figured I would run around a 14 flat with my 3.31 Chev 12 bolt rear end.
Very cool. I wasn't too sure when they mentioned their car had a RAIII. Never heard of this car, (with that motor) and I've been following Pontiac performance history for almost 50 years. I've heard and seen the 71 car, with the 455 HO, but haven't heard much about the 70 GT cars, (that still had compression). The lack of the 744 cam, and big manifolds would be a definite influence on performance. You did good by putting them on yours. Have you ever gotten to run it at the drags, for times? Years ago, I had a 69 Goat, with a 350 HP 400, Muncie, and 3.55s. It had the 48 heads, (RAIII), but not the cam or manifolds either. It was still fun, none the less. I miss those days.
@@joequillun7790 yup, the 1970 GT-37 400 was not Full -on RAIII, but .it was a light car...they scoot! Never went to actual drags with it though. After a ton of Rebuilding, troubleshooting, running out, breaking / repairs/ that goes with buying a non-running car: 6 years later I think I finally have a solid running car that is dependable, and I drive it nearly every nice evening, and twice a day on nice weekend days. I was beating the tar out it with glee like a giddy school kid for the first couple of years, but then the reality of keeping a 50 year old car on the street / and wear that shows up on parts that you never dreamed would fail on you start to kick -in (Clutch forks, driveshafts, axle pinions,) so really driving it allot nicer now. Thanks for the comment back Joe! Love my Pontiacs and BUICKS!
Never heard of a GT37, but a neighbor had a 71 T37, with all the look alike GTO options sans stripes. This was back in the late 80s. Guy said the car was bought NEW in 73, found sitting in a backlot of a local Poncho dealer here in town. That dealer said the car was 'dumped on them' and they couldn't sell it. Greenish gold on white, it had a 350 2bbl, 3 speed manual trans on the floor, console, p/s, power discs, factory a/c, 5 rally wheels with trim rings, am/fm, full gauges with tach, dual outside sport painted mirrors, handling package, posi rear w what he thinks is a 3.25 ratio and oddly enough, power windows. The build sheet was not in the car, and no one knows if it was some sort of demo or if someone at GM just decided to throw a bunch of parts they had laying around at it. The sticker said just about $4500. My neighbor claims he offered them $3300 cash and the dealer owner said "Just take it and go. ( for the 3300) I don't want to ever see that thing again!"
Goodday C & Z, 2 very rare muscle cars, & thanks to you I never knew the Poncho came with the Ram Air III in the GT 37. Basically a budget budget GTO. Great race especially when it comes down to the wire, best of 3. The AMX what a pocket rocket of a machine , got a good mate of mine who is kinda the ambassador ( get it ), for AMC here in Australia. A little known fact for you. AMC had a factory here in Melbourne Australia back in the late 60's & rarly 70's. You can buy a right hand drive, assembled in Australia, Javelin, Rambler not sure if AMX was available. Very few were made, & very few have survived but they are out there. Don't mind a AMX with side pipes. Your number 1 Fan in Australia Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤
@@rosenb37 C&Z is correct. The Ram Air III was paired with the manual trans but obviously no Ram air intake. The small valve 400 was paired with the automatic transmission.
@@louiskats5116 nah, too expensive. Pontiac lost money on the RAIV. The GT-37 was just a throwaway car where Pontiac was using a lot of leftover parts. Most of the four-speed cars came with the regular GTO 400, but there are also many accounts of them having the ram air III cam, but regular exhaust manifolds. I’m guessing Pontiac just wanted to use up the Ram Air III cams as by 1970 1/2 the writing was on the wall for the demise of the musclecar era.
Good job..it is a labor of love....It is ok to just get it running good and make it basic driving car...patina is still bad ass. Mine is very far from mint, but when I stop at gas stations I'm pretty sure only a Ferrari would get more attention...most people have never seen one. People ask when I am going to do a restoration on it, I tell them that I am putting that money in the gas tank! I burn about two tanks a WEEK April through October. Drive the piss out of them while you can, they WILL ban gasoline soon.
@@gt-37guy6 I had sourced a 1974 400,400 Pontiac driveline prior, I also was planning on installing the 69 428 I had. But money issues happen, sold off the Pontiac engines. Got a 2004 LQ9 from the junkyard along with a 4L80E. I know it isn't "correct" but I bought it with out anything. As people say no harm no faul.
Only seen a couple GT37s that was in the 70s, I was just a little kid. Sure was a good deal! Had no idea they were more or less a stripper/sleeper GTO. Coolness Your effects were spot on man love it
Those cars sounded very good. Good info on the 400/4 speed LeMans. Very few people realize that and if you got the automatic 400/4bbl you got the small valve heads and 066 cam that was rated around 290hp I think. The difference in performance must have been striking between the two.
Imagine me sliding my chicken tenders across the table. You eye them closely. “Go ahead,” I say. You take one tender and down the entire thing with ease. “Thank you, daddy,” you reply.
Wow I've always liked that year of AMX they're so cool. I haven't heard of G37 before I started watching this channel its pretty awesome. I still like the AMX. Great video.
i worked in a junkyard in the mid 70`s and remember a T37 coming in and being stripped .. i dont remember anything else about it .. later a T5 ford .. we tore up tons of muscle cars .. i even owned a few for a minute .. a 69 440 six pac super bee and later a r code 69 stang .. they were just gas guzzelers that nobody wanted back then .. gas was not a problem for me .. every wrecked car that came in we siphoned all the gas out and used ..
you know i wished they would run for times in the fast lane. these two were an excellent match. but the lousy traction in the one lane ruined it, oh well thats racing!
All GM guy here, but AMC, although they were late to the muscle car Era, they had some NICE cars ! The 2 seat AMX is one of my favorites. Followed by THE REBEL MACHINE.! Great Looks, and Great Cars.!
Speaking of the GT-37, I remember seeing one of those videos featuring musclecars for $10 grand and under and they featured the GT-37. They are uber rare and no possible way you're getting into a decent one for $10 grand unless you bought it new in 1970. Awesome cars, ALL the power without the unnecessary weight. Thanks for another great video my friend, Semper Fidelis! 👍 👍
@@Thedoug369 No, it's a Tempest and with the GT 37 option for $198, it got hood pins, a 69 Judge stripe, rally wheels, chrome exhaust extensions and GT-37 identification on each front fender and trunk. Also it didn't come with the sound-deadening stuff so you saved another 100+lbs of weight there.
The 400 will turn some RPM with its 3.75" stroke, but will still make plenty of grunt under 3500. With the 72cc big valve heads that came on all the 4 barrel 400s and 428s, they only need a little more cam and some good exhaust to get into the 12s with a 3500lb car and a 3.23 to 3.73 gear. Problem is the 70-72 A body is freakin heavy. My 70 GTO weighs 3900lbs empty and almost out of fuel, its a non AC manual trans car, the 65 GTO I daily all summer is a lot lighter. I'm not sure what my T37 weighs, is been sitting for the last 33 years.
@@SweatyFatGuy I used to have a firebird with RamAir IV with round exhaust ports. I never heard it going through the gears but everyone used to say I shifted at too high an Rpm. It's not small block rpms but pretty impressive. I didn't have the tach hooked up cause I had been going crazy figuring out why car wouldn't rev more than 4200 rpms. Come to find out HOOD TACHS are sensitive to hood slamming. LOL, it drove me crazy back in the day diagnosing that problem. Your 65 goat is not only lighter it's the best looking year. Sold my bird decades ago with over 200k on it. Now I couldn't buy a set of RA IV exhaust manifolds for what I sold the car for. Whatever you do never sell your goat ! You'll regret it !
well matched up cars. AMX driver clearly had take off issues otherwise that could have been closer races. The AMX on the second rade show the car is or can be faster than the pontiac it is lighter!
Oh the hindsight...sadly in the 80's they are considered Old Gas Hogs (good looking gas Hogs...at least). Yup the list of amazing cars friends owned back in the days...my God....Gs455s, Boss Mustang, 442 W30s, Firebirds, many muscle convertibles too. I knew I should have figured out a way to buy a storage building and stash away cars.....Instead I still must drag my ass to work everyday like everyone else...that's life.
There is something about that GT-37, that Quadrajet induction noise is savage. I can only recall seeing one or two T-37s and GT-37s in my entire life. My Grandfather had a 1971 Tempest 350ci TH350 car, I wish my bitch aunt hadn't gotten it and made it disappear. These 68-72 A bodies were some of the finest vehicles for the $ ever conceived. It has been all down hill from here.
My first car back in 1979 was a 1971 T-37 with the 350, my third car a 1972 LeMans also with the 350. I wonder WHY the GTO weighed so much more. Heavier rear axle? Rear sway bar? Air conditioning?
the best part is the lemans is lighter solely from the front nose difference. the endura bumper on the GTO is ridiculously heavy. the rest of the car is the same. put the same engine transmission and rear end in both and the lemans will beat the gto
Gearing carries the day. Actually 4:33 gears are to high MHO. Pontiac motors aren't high winding like Chevy. I wonder if 3:91 would be a better gear??. I bet that thing was topped out by the end of the 1/4 mile. Love the sleeper GT37.
T37 was simply an options list designation, in the same vein as Z28. Just an option code. Though, GT-37 just made natural sense. GT, GTO, GTX.... all muscle car nomenclature.
@@rosenb37 Far as I was told, T37 is the option code for a Tempest 2-door sedan or hardtop with a V8 and a few other specific goodies. If you look at the window sticker, there is a specific option "package" for the T-37 and the code is T37. GT-37 probably has another code I'm not aware of that specifies the performance goodies . The T-37 was NOT the "replacement" for the Tempest as you still could get a Tempest coupe or hardtop that was not a T-37. As it was explained to me, it was the same deal if you looked up the option code for a 302-4-speed Camaro, that package was option Z28. They thought that sounded like a cool name for a car.
Can't say as I like the subtle changes AMC made to the Javelin/AMX, specifically, the rounding off/blunting of the rear deck lid and tail light area. The earlier models were a little crisper around theeges and looked a bit more intimidating or aggressive. I always wondered what the diffierence was between the Ford 390 and the AMC 390 in the Javelin and which would take the win, if raced.
The AMC 390 was lighter, technically a small block, and had a larger bore and shorter stroke than the Ford 390. Under Pure Stock rules, which allow a .060 overbore, the Ford had an advantage, as the AMC could only be safely overbored .020. The cars they put them in were a different story - AMCs and Chryslers were early to adopt unibody construction, and were usually the lightest-weight cars in their classes. AMC was so broke they used the same conservative cam and intake in all their V8s until 1970, while Ford offered options for more HP. In sanctioned stock classes, the Fords would usually win. On the street, however, it took only a few inexpensive bolt-ons to make serious HP with an AMC 390.
Funny you bring this up, cause I just commented to them, to maybe cool it a bit. I liked their jokes in past films, but think this one went a bit overboard. But hey, that's just me.
@@joequillun7790 or you could just get lost like everyone is hoping. I bet you’re a miserable human who complains about every stupid thing. It must really suck to live like that.
