disc brakes were optional starting in 1967. Front disc brakes were standard in 1973.
Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova 1961–1975: Power brakes were offered in 1968. Front disc brakes were optional on the 1968 Nova SS and standard in 1969. All Novas had standard front disc brakes in 1975.
Chevrolet El Camino 1964–1975: Front disc brakes were optional starting in 1967 and standard in 1973.
Chevrolet Impala 1957–1975: Power brakes were offered in 1961. Optional front disc brakes started in 1969.
Chevrolet Malibu 1964–1975: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967.
Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1970–1975: Front disc brakes were standard from 1970.
Oldsmobile 88 1949–1975: Power brakes were offered in 1953. Front disc brakes were optional in 1967 and standard in 1971.
Oldsmobile 442 1964–1975: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967.
Oldsmobile Cutlass 1961–1975: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967 and were standard in 1973.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1965–1975: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967 and were standard in 1973.
Pontiac Bonneville 1958–1972: Front disc brakes became standard in 1971.
Pontiac Grand Prix 1962–1972: Power brakes were offered in 1963. Optional front disc brakes started in 1967 and were standard in 1971.
Pontiac GTO 1964–1974: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967.
Pontiac LeMans 1964–1974: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967.
Pontiac Tempest 1961–1970: Optional front disc brakes started in 1967. ■
The Golden Era of Muscle Cars
As performance in automobiles grew, so did the popularity. While General Motors attempted to remain true to the racing ban, Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, and Ford began to battle it out on tracks across the land. However, things were about to change, as Chevrolet introduced the Super Sport (SS) option on the 1961 Impala. Along with the monstrous 409-ci engine, the package included tires, suspension, upgraded power brakes, and metallic brake linings.
The turning point came in 1964 when the GM floodgates opened. Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac entered their own purpose-built muscle cars, sliding them past GM’s brass by labeling the upgrades as heavy-duty and not high-performance. The self-imposed ban was on racing, not street performance, so the new (and younger) designers and managers in the GM automotive divisions took advantage of street enthusiasts’ passion and built cars for them. GM’s standing rule of limiting economy and midsize cars to 330 ci was dramatically pushed beyond the line by John DeLorean, then president of the Pontiac division, with the Pontiac GTO.
John DeLorean’s Pontiac GTO was a game changer in the muscle car era. The original options on the GTO included metallic brake drum linings. Even DeLorean realized that more horsepower required better braking options.
The Pontiac GTO began as an option package for the Pontiac Tempest and was a project led directly by DeLorean. It was powered by Pontiac’s 389-ci V-8 engine that was so successful in racing that it was dubbed the “Trophy V8.” The package also included a floor-shifted 3-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter and linkage and optional tri-power carburetion. Among the many upgrades listed were metallic brake drum linings, showing that engineers were starting to take speed and traffic safety into consideration. Original production was limited to just 5,000 units.
The car was much more popular than even DeLorean expected, and General Motors was inspired to produce more cars for power-hungry street performance car devotees. Along with GM’s confidence, other carmakers were prompted to imitate Pontiac’s best seller. It was this keeping up with the Joneses mentality that slowed down the evolution of brakes in muscle cars during the 1960s. The public wanted more powerful cars at budget prices, and Detroit automakers gave it to them.
Early Chevelle two-door coupes have been one of the most popular muscle cars to restore and modify, such as this 1965 Chevelle. Once enthusiasts add more muscle to these midsize muscle cars, disc brake upgrades should be seriously considered.
Ford Motor Company Muscle Cars Front Disc Brake Offerings
Ford Custom (500) 1964–1974: Front and rear drum brakes were offered, except the Custom 500 that had front disc brakes from 1972.
Ford Fairlane 1955–1970: Power disc brakes were an option starting in 1969.
Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt 1964: Front and rear drum brakes only were offered.
Ford Falcon 1960–1970: Power brakes were offered starting in 1964. Front and rear drum brakes only were offered.
Ford Galaxie 1958–1974: Power front disc brakes were optional in 1967 and standard starting in 1974.
Ford Mustang 1965–1973: The 1965 GT version was offered with front disc brakes. Optional power front disc brakes were offered for all models in 1967 and standard on the GT.
Ford Ranchero 1966–1975: Power front disc brakes were optional in 1968.
Ford Starliner 1960–1961: Front and rear drum brakes only were offered.
Ford Thunderbird 1955–1975: Power front disc brakes were optional in 1965.
Ford Torino 1968–1975: Front disc brakes and power assist were options in 1967. Power front disc brakes became standard on the Torino Squire Wagon in 1970 and all Torino models in 1972.
Mercury Comet 1960–1975: The GT package came with front disc brakes in 1966.
Mercury Cougar 1967–1975: Power front disc brakes were optional in some special models as early as 1969 but became standard in 1973.
Mercury Cyclone 1964–1971: The GT package came with front disc brakes in 1966. ■
A 1963 Falcon Sprint is shown here. Ford general manager Robert S. McNamara commissioned a team to create a car that was small by American standards but would be considered midsize elsewhere in the world. The Falcon became a favorite budget car for hot rodders to soup up.
The Dodge Dart, Ford Fairlane, and Chevrolet Chevelle are great examples of muscle cars from the golden era of American muscle cars. Because they are a great representation of the genre, these cars were selected to represent each of the Big Three manufacturers with the upgrades shown in this book.
Drum Brakes
A
