years ago. Antilock braking, fade-resistant brake pads, and an improved pedal feel from improved braided steel lines instead of rubber brake hoses are available in upgrade kits for vintage cars. Critical upgrades include antilock brakes with the ability to maintain steering control under panic-braking situations and kits that allow older-style drum brakes to be replaced with disc brakes for the front wheels, where most of the effective braking takes place as the weight balance transfers forward.
In this book, we will cover the theory and history of braking systems as they apply to muscle cars, discuss the parts and functions of those components, and show three different upgrades in a trio of different muscle car platforms from the Big Three American car manufacturers. These muscle cars were chosen because they are representative of the manufacturers and other cars in their product line. GM’s Chevrolet Chevelle is similar to GM muscle cars from the Nova all the way to the Olds 442. Chrysler’s Dodge Dart fills in for the Plymouth Barracuda and Road Runner and the Dodge Polara, Satellite, Coronet, Challenger, Charger, and Super Bee. Finally, the Ford Fairlane captures the essence of the Galaxie, Torino, Talladega, and Mercury Cyclone. We conclude the book with a chapter that helps the enthusiast determine his or her needs and develop a plan to execute the build strategy.
While we have attempted to cover most of the common aspects that will be encountered with a brake system upgrade, attention should be paid to aftermarket wheels and trends with larger wheels. Larger discs require extra room, and many times the spacing on aftermarket wheels can make things difficult. Checking with the wheel manufacturer is critical when upgrading to larger aftermarket brake systems.
CHAPTER 1
THE EVOLUTION OF MUSCLE CARS AND BRAKES
Vehicles are a collection of several systems; some are more glamorous or more complicated than others. An incredible amount of attention is paid to the engine, which includes the lubrication and cooling subsystems. The ignition system and the electrical system offer very complicated components and schemes. The all-important drivetrain can include iconic names, such as rock-crusher, floater, or posi-traction. Even the more basic systems, such as suspension, steering, and exhaust, have garnered more consideration by enthusiasts than brakes. Yet, braking systems have seen equally impressive technological gains in the past 50 years. Individual system scrutiny aside, no other genre of automobile has benefitted from improved braking more than American muscle cars.
While factory brakes have improved over the years, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. There is an entire aftermarket auto industry built up around automotive brakes. Each manufacturer has several different lines, all tailored to a specific purpose and application.
Muscle cars started to show more power in the early 1960s, but this 1963 Chevy Biscayne represented the last year that Chevrolet officially supported racing. In 1964, General Motors ceased involvement in racing along with Chrysler and Ford. That did not stop some of the designers from building cars for the street with some muscle that was not overly promoted in advertising. Acceleration was improving, but stopping was developing proportionately in some of the high-performance models.
American Motors Muscle Cars Front Disc Brake Offerings
AMC AMX 1968–1970: The “Go Package” option included front disc brakes starting in 1968.
AMC Javelin 1967–1974: The “Go Package” option included front disc brakes starting in 1968.
AMC Matador 1970–1975: The “Go Package” option included front disc brakes starting in 1970.
Rambler Rebel 1957–1960/1966–1967: Drum brakes were standard in all years. ■
A 1974 AMC Javelin is shown here. The AMC Javelin was manufactured and marketed by AMC across two different generations in the peak of the muscle car era: 1968–1970 and 1971–1974. The Javelin was popular in drag racing and SCCA Trans Am series. (Photo Courtesy Power AutoMedia)
A Brief History of Muscle Cars
Merriam-Webster defines a muscle car as “any of a group of American-made two-door sports cars with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving.” For our purposes, a muscle car is an American-made, two-door midsize or full-size car with a V-8 engine that is built for four or more passengers, was originally designed for street use, and was sold at an affordable price for younger buyers.
Almost every serious automotive historian considers the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 the first true muscle car. Using its new overhead valve V-8 in a lighter body that was designed for a 6-cylinder, Oldsmobile broke new ground in automotive design.
The fledgling NASCAR series was becoming the testing ground for midsize and full-size late-model cars. In the second year of the Grand National Series, the 1949/1950 Olds Rocket 88 won 10 times out of the 19 races held. A 1949 Lincoln won the first two races, a 1950 Mercury won twice, a new Ford won once, and Plymouth won four races. It didn’t take long for the car companies to realize that car sales for a model went up after winning an event. “Win on Sunday and sell on Monday” became the mantra. The new Oldsmobile even won the inaugural Carrera Panamericana.
Other manufacturers scrambled to duplicate Oldsmobile’s success, using the same game plan: a powerful engine in a light body. Most carmakers brought out limited- and special-edition cars to demonstrate their capabilities on the track. Oldsmobile maintained its dominance in 1951 before giving way to the Hudson Hornet in 1952. It wasn’t until 1955, when Chrysler brought out its C-300, that a true purpose-built muscle car hit the market. Chrysler was not shy about advertising its Hemi-powered family car as “America’s Most Powerful Car.”
Rambler, in an effort to battle with the Big Three, debuted its popular Rebel sedan. The Rebel was lightning quick for its time; when it was equipped with the optional Bendix electronic fuel injection (EFI), the Rebel sedan was recorded faster from a standing start than the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette with its mechanical fuel injection. Up to the early 1960s, the powerful muscle cars from Detroit had not developed enough power that the conventional drum braking systems were overwhelmed yet. That was soon to change.
Vintage drum brake systems and reproduction drum brake systems are still very popular with hot rodders and street rodders. These groups seldom drive their vehicles and certainly don’t risk their safety with modern highway speeds in crowded traffic.
General Motors Muscle Cars Front Disc Brake Offerings
Here is a 1970 Pontiac GTO 455. The Pontiac GTO was the third best-selling intermediate muscle car for the year and the era. There were only six GTOs ordered with the 1970-only D-Port 455 HO 360-hp package.
Buick Skylark 1961–1972: Power brakes were offered in 1953.
Chevrolet Camaro 1967–1975: Front disc brakes were optional starting in 1967. Front disc brakes were standard on SS models from 1968.
Chevrolet
