Even with modifications implemented, people can't help but compare and contrast Japanese and American cars, even to the point of racing them against each other to determine which car is really better. Here’s a great match though, a 2009 Nissan GT-R R35 vs a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro.
Various Battles On Different Fronts
Organized by Hoonigan, this drag race between a the GT-R R35 and the Camaro represents battles on different fronts: import vs. domestic; AWD vs. RWD; turbo six vs big block v8; and Powerglide vs. dual clutch. Of course, there's the epic power vs. weight battlefront.
Fastest R35 GT-R Stock Turbo In Quarter Mile
On one side of the strip at the Santa Margarita Ranch in California is a prettier than pink 2009 Nissan GT-R nicknamed Alpha Princess. Owned by Brooke Berini, this 1,200-hp Godzilla holds the R35 GT-R stock turbo quarter-mile world record, posting a time of 8.72 seconds at 157 mph.
It's not just super-fast, but also super-quick. Featuring OEM Nissan Stock Cover Turbos with Garret G Series Internals, the Alpha Princess was the first stock turbo to break into the 8-second territory. It's been featured in various YouTube channels for its feat.
A Lighter 800-HP Big Block Camaro
Hoping to challenge the Alpha Princess is a 1967 Big Block Drag Camaro owned by Darren Parsons, who is also a racer like Brooke. While the Drag Camaro went as quick as 8.60 seconds in the quarter mile, Parsons admitted that it was on a different setup.
It had a more powerful engine but now only had to be contented with a 540-ci big block mill, which is still powerful at 800 hp. Nonetheless, the RWD Camaro is lighter than the AWD GT-R (3,000 lbs vs 3,800 lbs) with a better 2-speed Powerglide transmission.
Best-Of-Three Head Up Race
The race is on, with Brooke and Darren agreeing to hold a best-of-3 heads up race to 1,000 ft. This was a shorter distance than a quarter mile, which means the car with better acceleration from zero would most likely win the contest.
Less powerful yet lighter, Brooke and Alpha Princess had a late start, leaving the lighter Camaro to win the first run. Brooke adjusted in the second run, and easily won the round. The third run had the Alpha Princess jumping too early for the win (Darren complained though).
In the end, all had fun with Darren aching for a revenge match, maybe with a Camaro with better setup.
Source: Hoonigan on YouTube