The early 1970s were a strange turning point for American muscle cars. Just a few years earlier, Detroit was locked in a horsepower war where every brand wanted bragging rights at the drag strip.

The Ranchero has always been overshadowed by its Chevy rival. A bit sad considering that General Motors introduced the Elky after the first example of the Ranchero was delivered to its rightful owner.

The muscle car era reached its epitomical peak in 1970 when everyone threw out whatever they got just to one-up the next guy. In the myriad of high-horsepower slingers running amok that year, two ...