Video: Are Muscle Cars and Road Courses Compatible?

As much as we love them, old school muscle cars are not known for their handling capabilities. In fact, just thinking about classic cars racing around tracks back in the day is rather scary. Fortunately, with a few suspension upgrades, classic muscle can stand up to the performance of modern muscle. Or can it? That’s exactly what The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah set out to find out in the Tuned video above. Check it out compliments of Autoholics.

While many of us prefer classic muscle cars to anything modern merely because of their looks and raw power, the muscle cars of the modern world have a much bigger advantage in one critical area, and that’s handling. However, pro-touring enthusiasts have found a way to change that by upgrading their vintage rides with new performance suspension systems from a variety of companies, including Hotchkis.

So to test out the difference that a performance suspension could make on a classic muscle car, Farah borrowed the Hotchkis ‘70 Challenger T/A and took it out to Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California for a little bit of fun.

Equipped with a 340cui V8 Six Pack engine capable of about 400hp, the Challenger was plenty potent enough for the track. As Farah found out, so was the Hotchkis suspension that the car was equipped with. Not only were the turns made easier with less body roll, the scary factor of racing a classic muscle car was lessened by the suspension system.

While the performance suspension upgrades definitely made a world of difference in the handling of the car, it was still a classic muscle car at its roots. Burly, cumbersome and a bit mushy at the brakes, the Challenger definitely had Farah a bit untrusting of it on the track.

So if a performance suspension made a big difference on a classic muscle car, what kind of an improvement would it make on a modern beast? Well, Farah tested that one out as well in a ‘11 RTR Mustang GT.

Equipped with a Magnuson TVS 2300 supercharged 5.0L engine, Hotchkis suspension and Wilwood brakes, and packing a mighty 560rwhp, the Mustang was more than capable of tackling the corners of the Willow Springs track. With better handling right from the factory than the classic Challenger, the Mustang thrived with its performance suspension and big brakes, making the car’s turns more crisp and stops more precise.

During his track test day with the classic Challenger and the modern Mustang, Farah solidified what most of us know- that suspension upgrades are a must on most muscle cars of any generation if you’re serious about their handling. Be sure to check out Farah throwing both old and new school muscle around the track in the video above.

About the author

Lindsey Fisher

Lindsey is a freelance writer and lover of anything with a rumble. Hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles - she's owned and driven it all. When she's not busy writing about them, she's out in her garage wrenching away. Who doesn't love a tech-savy gal that knows her way around a garage?
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