Classic Oldsmobile 442 Nearly Outruns Modern Camaro ZL1 in Surprising Drag Strip Duel
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious
A recent drag racing video has ignited the interest of muscle car fans after a classic Oldsmobile 442 nearly beat a modern Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Island Dragway, proving that old-school power can still hold its own against high-tech horsepower.
Captured by ImportRace and shared on YouTube, the footage shows the modern Camaro ZL1, a supercharged V8 beast rated at 650 horsepower, line up against a second-generation Oldsmobile 442, likely a 1970 model. Despite being separated by more than five decades of engineering, the pair delivered an intensely close showdown.
In the race that caught enthusiasts' attention, the Oldsmobile 442 launched with authority, nearly lifting its front tires off the ground in a dramatic takeoff. It blazed through the quarter-mile in just 10.80 seconds at 121.49 mph. The Camaro ZL1 crossed just behind at 11.45 seconds, although it managed a slightly higher trap speed of 123.41 mph.
Though the ZL1 eventually caught up in top-end speed, the Oldsmobile's brutal low-end torque and aggressive launch nearly stole the show—showcasing how well a properly tuned vintage muscle car can compete with today's factory supercars.
In another earlier matchup on the same day, the ZL1 faced off against a classic Camaro, winning convincingly with a time of 11.39 seconds compared to its rival's 13.20-second pass.
Despite the Camaro ZL1's advanced technology and refined suspension, the Oldsmobile 442 reminded spectators that raw power and muscle-era tuning still deserve respect. As GM has officially ended Camaro production, races like this keep the legacy of American performance alive, proving that sometimes, the underdog isn't the one with less horsepower—it's the one with more history.
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