These two 1972 muscle ragtops are painted in the identical Flame Orange hue and have the highest engines of their respective lineups. How do they evaluate?

Nineteen seventy-two was a troublesome mannequin yr for American efficiency however, contemplating Basic Motors lowered compression one yr earlier than the 1972 federal mandate, the general public already knew what to anticipate. The most important affect on GM efficiency was the strategy through which horsepower was measured: the 4-4-2 W30 went from 350 horsepower gross to 300 internet, whereas the GS Stage 1 went from 345 gross to 270 internet. Nonetheless, they each had been capable of pull stable 14-second ETs — not like 1970, however among the many quickest automobiles for the mannequin yr.

They’re nearly equally uncommon too. Oldsmobile produced 113 4-4-2 convertibles with the W30 package deal, whereas Buick produced 81 Stage 1 GS convertibles. Narrowing the Buick down, solely 15 had been constructed with the four-speed transmission. If the W30 was a four-speed, it could be one in every of 33.

Try the AutoHunter Cinema video from Barrett-Jackson’s 2023 public sale in Scottsdale after which inform us which automotive you like in the event you had been available in the market for a strong convertible in 1972.