[VIDEO] Racing a 1971 Corvette Against a 1964 Studebaker Challenger

A buddy of mine just sold a cool-looking matte black Studebaker pickup, which I had never heard of. But that unusual ride does provide me with a cheap way to introduce this new Cars and Zebra contest between a 1964 Studebaker Challenger Daytona R4 Hardtop and a 1971 Corvette Stingray coupe.

In case you don’t know, or care, the Cars and Zebras host explains that Studebaker offered five engine options in 1964, including this naturally aspirated R4 with 304.5 / 280 horsepower. They made it about as radical for the times as they could, with big port heads, aggressive cam, free-flowing exhaust manifolds, and 12:1 compression, not to mention two four-barrel carbs.

Hooked to a four-speed manual transmission with 3.73 gearings, the R4 was tested back then by Car Life, and it wound up running 0 to 60 in 7.8 seconds and covering the quarter-mile in 15.8 seconds at 88 mph. It produced an estimated 340 lb-ft of torque.

The only problem was the exorbitant cost of this monster, which topped out at $4,550 at a time when the base Challenger was just $2,443, a tri-power GTO could be had for $3,150, and a Corvette cost just $4,250, so the Studebaker wasn’t very popular in the marketplace, as you can imagine.

The ’71 Corvette, meanwhile, is nothing special – with the stock 350/270 horsepower V8 engine, a four-speed manual and 3.08 gears. Both cars weigh the same, 3,520 lbs., but the ‘Vette does make a little more torque at 360 lb-ft.

On paper, Cars and Zebras was expecting a tight race, and that’s exactly what ended up happening in this drag race at Mid Michigan Motorplex.

The Studebaker takes Round 1, running a 15.09 at 83 mph to a 15.22 at 96.27 mph for the Stingray.

After swapping lanes, the Corvette rebounds in Round 2, running a 15.19 at 95.05 to 16.419 at 71.76 for the Challenger.

So, who takes Round 3 and the overall win? Click on the video to find out, but you might be in for a surprise.

Source:
Cars and Zebras / YouTube

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[VIDEO] 1970 Olds Cutlass Pace Car Takes on a 1974 Corvette in a Pure Stock Drag Race

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