Muscle car

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Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high performance automobiles. The term principally refers to American, Australian and to a lesser extent South African models from the late 1960s and early 1970s and generally describes a 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size car with a large, powerful V8 engine and special trim, intended for maximum torque on the street or in drag racing competition. It is distinguished from sports cars, which were customarily considered smaller, two-seat cars, or GTs, two-seat or 2+2 cars intended for high-speed touring and possibly road racing. High-performance full-size or compact cars are arguably excluded from this category, as are the breed of compact sports coupes inspired by the Ford Mustang. Other factors used in defining classic muscle cars are their age and country of origin. The term "muscle car" did not enter common usage until after production of the cars had essentially ended. It is generally accepted that popular, widespread usage of the term took hold by the early to mid-1980s. During their heyday, print media usually referred to this class of vehicle as "supercars".^[1]

Contents 1 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 2 Development 2.1 Growth of the trend 2.2 Turn-key drag racers 2.3 Youth market and "budget muscle" 2.4 Related pickup trucks 3 Politics 4 Australia 5 United Kingdom 6 South Africa 7 Modern muscle cars 8 Models 8.1 United States 8.2 Australia 9 References 10 See also 11 External link

[edit] Oldsmobile Rocket 88

Opinions on the origin of the muscle car vary, but the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, created in response to growing public interest in speed and power, is often cited as the first of the breed. It featured an innovative and powerful new engine—America's first high- compression overhead-valve V-8—in the lighter Oldsmobile body.^[2]

Musclecars magazine wrote: "[t]he idea of putting a full-size V8 under the hood of an intermediate body and making it run like Jesse Owens in Berlin belongs to none other than Oldsmobile... [The] all-new ohv V8...Rocket engine quickly found its way into the lighter 76 series body, and in February 1949, the new 88 series was born."^[3]

The article continued: "Walt Woron of Motor Trend enjoyed the 'quick-flowing power...that pins you to your seat and keeps you there until you release your foot from the throttle [...] Olds dominated the performance landscape in 1950, including wins in the NASCAR Grand National division, Daytona Speed Weeks, and the 2100-plus-mile Carrera Panamericana. In France, an 88 won a production car race at Spa-Francorchamps... A husky V8 in a cleanly styled, lightweight coupe body, the original musclecar truly was the '49 Olds 88." ^[3]

Writing in Driving Today, Jack Nerad wrote: "the Rocket V-8 set the standard for every American V-8 engine that would follow it for at least three decades [...] With a displacement of 303 cubic inches and topped by a two-barrel carburetor, the first Rocket V-8 churned out 135 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 263 pound-feet of torque at a lazy 1800 rpm [and] no mid-range car in the world, save the Hudson Hornet, came close to the Rocket Olds performance potential... [The Rocket 88] was the hit of NASCAR’s 1950 season, winning eight of the 10 races. Given its lightning-like success, one could clearly make the case that the Olds 88 with its 135-horsepower V-8 was the first 'musclecar'..."^[4]

Steve Dulcich, writing in Popular Hot Rodding, also cites Oldsmobile, concurrently with Cadillac, as having "launched the modern era of the high-performance V-8 with the introduction of the "Rocket 88" overhead-valve V-8 in 1949."^[5]

[edit] Development

[edit] Growth of the trend

Other manufacturers "showcased performance hardware in flashy limited-edition models. Chrysler led the way with its 1955 C-300, an inspired blend of Hemi power and luxury-car trappings that fast became the new star of NASCAR. With 300 horsepower, it was rightly advertised as 'America's Most Powerful Car.' "^[2]

Capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds and reaching 130 mph, the 1955 300 is also recognized as one of the best-handling cars of its era.^[6]

Two years later the Rambler Rebel was the fastest stock American sedan, according to Motor Trend.^[7]

The popularity and performance of muscle cars grew in the early 1960s, while Mopar (Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler) and Ford battled for supremacy in drag racing—the 1962 Dodge Dart 413 CID (6.8 L) Max Wedge, for example, could run a 13-second 1/4-mile at over 100 mph. These were the muscle cars that ruled the road and the strip. By 1964, there were Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and Pontiac muscle cars in GM's lineup, and Buick joined them a year later. For 1964 and 1965, Ford had its 427 CID (7 L) Thunderbolts, and Mopar unveiled the 426 CID (7 L) Hemi engine. The Pontiac GTO was an option package that included Pontiac's 389 CID (6.4 L) V8 engine, floor-shifted transmission with Hurst shift linkage, and special trim. In 1966 the GTO became a model in its own right. The project, spearheaded by Pontiac division president John De Lorean, technically violated GM's policy limiting its smaller cars to 330 CID (5.4 L) displacement, but the new model proved far more popular than expected and inspired GM and its competitors to produce numerous imitators. The GTO itself was a response to the Dodge Polara 500 and the Plymouth Sport Fury, which in 1962 had been shrunk to intermediates—at a time when bigger was considered better.

AMC, though late entering the muscle car market, produced "an impressive array of performance cars in a relatively short time," said Motor Trend. "The first stirrings of AMC performance came in 1965, when the dramatic if ungainly Rambler Marlin fastback was introduced to battle the Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda."^[8] Although the Marlin was a flop in terms of sales and initial performance, AMC did gain some muscle-car credibility in 1967, when it made both the Marlin and the more pedestrian Rebel available with its new 280-horsepower, 343-cid Typhoon V8. And in 1968 the company offered two legitimate muscle car contenders: the Javelin and its truncated variant, the AMX.^[8]

Although the sales of true muscle cars were relatively modest by total Detroit production standards, they had considerable value in publicity and bragging rights. Fierce competition between the various manufacturers meant that buyers had the choice of ever-more powerful engines—a horsepower war that peaked in 1970, with some models offering as much as 450 hp (336 kW) (with this and others likely producing as much or more actual power, whatever their rating).

[edit] Turn-key drag racers

Muscle cars attracted young customers (and their parents) into showrooms, and they bought the standard editions of these mid-size cars. To enhance the "halo" effect of these models, the manufacturers modified some of them into turn-key drag racers.

For example, Ford built 200 lightweight Ford Galaxies for drag racing in 1963. All non-essential equipment was omitted. Modifications included fiberglass panels, aluminum bumpers, traction bars, and a competition-specification 427 CID (7 L) engine factory-rated at a conservative 425 bhp (317 kW). This full-size car could run the quarter mile in a little over 12 seconds.^[9] Also built in 1963 were 5,000 road-legal versions that could be used every day. (Ford claimed 0-60 in less than 6 seconds for the similarly-powered 1966 Galaxie 500XL 427.) ^[10]

Another Ford lightweight was the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt that utilized the mid-size Fairlane body. A stock Thunderbolt could run a quarter-mile (402 m) at a drag strip in 11.76 seconds at 122.7 mph (197.5 km/h),^[11] and Gas Ronda dominated the NHRA World Championship with a best time of 11.6 seconds at 124 mph (200 km/h).^[10] The Thunderbolt included competition-specification 427 CID (7 L) engine and special exhausts (though technically legal for street use, the car was too raucous for the public roads—"not suitable", according to a Hot Rod magazine quote, "for driving to and from the strip, let alone on the street in everyday use";^[11] also massive traction bars, asymmetrical rear springs, and a trunk-mounted 95-pound (43 kg) bus battery to maximize traction from what was realistically 500 bhp (373 kW).^[11] Sun visors, exterior mirror, sound-deadener, armrests, jack, and lug wrench were omitted to save weight. The car was given lightweight Plexiglass windows, and early versions had fiberglass front body panels and bumpers, later changed to aluminum to meet NHRA regulations.^[12] Base price was US$3,780.^[11] 111 Thunderbolts were built, and Ford contracted Dearborn Steel Tubing to help with assembly. Factory records show that the first 11 cars were maroon and the subsequent 100 were white.^[13]

The 1964 Dodge 426 Hemi Lightweight produced over 500 bhp. This "top drag racer" had an aluminium hood, lightweight front bumpers, fenders, doors and lower valance, magnesium front wheels, lightweight Dodge van seat, Lexan side windows, one windshield wiper and no sun visors or sound deadening. Like other lightweights of the era it came with a factory disclaimer: Designed for supervised acceleration trials. Not recommended for general everyday driving because of the compromises in the all-round characteristics which must be made for this type of vehicle.^[12]

Also too high-strung for the street was Chrysler’s small-production 1965 drag racer, the 550 bhp (410 kW) Plymouth Satellite 426 Hemi. Although the detuned 1966 version (the factory rating underestimated it at 425 bhp (317 kW) ) has been criticized for poor brakes and cornering, Car and Driver described it as "the best combination of brute performance and tractable street manners we've ever driven." The car's understated appearance belied its "ultra-supercar" performance: it could run a 13.8-second quarter mile at 104 mph (167 km/h). Base price was $3,850.^[14]

Chevrolet likewise eschewed flamboyant stripes and badges for their 1969 Chevelle COPO 427 and kept its appearance low-key. The car could run a 13.3 sec. quarter-mile at 108 mph (174 km/h). Chevrolet rated the engine at 425 hp (317 kW), but the NHRA claimed a truer 450 hp.^[15] It has been said that the 1969 COPO Chevelles were "among the most feared muscle cars of any day. And they didn't need any badges."^[15] Base price was US$3,800.^[15]

For 1970 Chevrolet offered the Chevelle SS 454, also at a base price of US$3,800. The "muscle car summit", its 454 CID (7.4 L) engine was rated at 450 hp (336 kW), the highest-ever factory rating at that time. Car Life magazine wrote: "It's fair to say that the Supercar as we know it may have gone as far as it's going."^[16]

[edit] Youth market and "budget muscle"

The general trend towards high performance in factory-stock cars reflected the importance of the youth market. A key appeal of muscle cars was that they offered the burgeoning American car culture an array of relatively affordable vehicles with strong street performance that could also be used for racing. However, affordability was soon compromised by increases in size, optional equipment, and plushness, forcing the addition of more powerful engines to maintain performance levels.

A backlash against rising cost and weight led in 1967 and 1968 to a secondary trend of more basic "budget" muscle cars such as the "original budget Supercar"^[17] Plymouth Road Runner, the Dodge Super Bee and other variants. Automakers also offered bigger engines in their compact models, sometimes making them lighter, roomier, and faster than their own pony car lines.

The 340 CID (5.6 L)-powered 1970 Plymouth Duster was one of these smaller, more affordable cars. Based on the compact-sized Plymouth Valiant and priced at US$2,547, the 340 Duster posted a 6.0-second 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time and ran the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 94.3 mph (151.8 km/h).^[18] This "reasonably fast" compact muscle car had a stiff, slightly lowered suspension which, in the view of Hot Rod magazine at the time, let the car "ride in an acceptable fashion".^[19] Consumer Guide recalls "a punishing ride" and trim that was "obviously low-budget."^[18] The 1970 model came with front disc brakes and without hood scoops. The only high-performance cues were dual exhausts and modest decals.^[18] Tom Gale, former Chrysler vice president of design, describes the car as "a phenomenal success. It had a bulletproof chassis, was relatively lightweight, and had a good power train. These were 200,000 mile cars."^[20] Hot Rod magazine rated the Duster "one of the best, if not the best, dollar buy in a performance car" in 1970.^[19]

American Motors' mid-sized 1970 Rebel Machine, developed in consultation with Hurst Performance, was also built for normal street use. It had a 390 CID (6.4 L) engine developing 340 hp (254 kW) — a "moderate performer"^[21] that gave a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.8 seconds and a quarter mile in 14.4 seconds at 99 mph (159 km/h)^[22]. Early examples came in "patriotic" red, white and blue.^[23] "By far the most stunning feature," according to Mopar Muscle magazine, was the advertised price for a car with The Machine's level of performance and equipment: US$3,475.^[24]

For comparison, the "plain wrapper"^[25] 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, Motor Trend magazine's Car if the Year, ran a 14.7 quarter at 100.6 mph (161.9 km/h) with the standard 383 CID (6.3 L) engine after the addition of a high-performance factory camshaft plus non-standard, high-performance induction and exhaust manifolds, carburetor and slick tires. In this form the car cost US$3,893.^[17] In 1968 Dodge's US$3,027 Super Bee ran a 15-second quarter at 100 mph (160 km/h) on street tires with the same engine, only stock.^[26]

[edit] Related pickup trucks

Another related type of vehicle is the car-based pickup (known colloquially in Australia as a "ute" (short for "utility"). Holden makes such a vehicle under the model name "Ute""). Examples of these are the Ford Ranchero, GMC Sprint, GMC Caballero, and one of the most famous examples, the Chevrolet El Camino.

[edit] Politics

The muscle cars' performance soon became a liability during this period. The automotive safety lobby, which had been spearheaded by Ralph Nader, decried the irresponsibility of offering such powerful cars for public sale, particularly targeted to young buyers. The high power of the muscle cars also underlined the marginal handling and braking capacity of many contemporary cars, as well as the severe limitations of their tires. In response, the automobile insurance industry began levying punitive surcharges on all high-powered models, soon pushing many muscle cars out of the price range of their intended buyers. Simultaneously, efforts to combat air pollution led to a shift in Detroit's attention from power to emissions control, a problem that grew more complicated in 1973 when the OPEC oil embargo led to price controls and gasoline rationing.

With all these forces against it, the market for muscle cars rapidly evaporated. Power began to drop in 1971 as engine compression ratios were reduced, high-performance engines like Chrysler's 426 Hemi were discontinued, and all but a handful of performance models were discontinued or transformed into soft personal luxury cars. One of the last hold-outs, which Car and Driver dubbed "The Last of the Fast Ones", was Pontiac's Trans Am SD455 model of 1973–1974, which had performance to rival most any other muscle car of the era. The Trans Am remained in production through 2002, but after 1974 its performance, like those of its predecessors and rivals, was restrained.

While performance cars began to make a return in the 1980s, but spiraling costs and complexity to meet pollution and safety regulations seem to have made the low-cost traditional muscle car a thing of the past. The original "tire-burning" cars, such as the small and powerful AMX from tiny American Motors, have become collector's items for classic car lovers.^[27] Surviving muscle models are now prized with some carrying prices to rival some of the exotic European sports cars.

[edit] Australia

Australia developed its own muscle car tradition around the same period, with the big three manufacturers Ford Australia, Holden or Holden Dealer Team (by then part of General Motors), and Chrysler Australia. The cars were specifically developed to run in the the Armstrong 500 (miles) race and later the Hardie Ferodo 500 (the race's current 1,000 kilometre format was adopted in 1973). The demise of these cars was brought about by a change in racing rules requiring that 200 examples had to be sold to the general public before the car could qualify (homologation). In 1972, the government stepped in to ban supercars from the streets after two notable cases. The first instance was a Wheels magazine journalist driving at 150 mph in a 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III XY 351.^[28] Whilst the car was getting exposure in the press, the second incident occurred in George Street, Sydney, when a young male was caught driving at an estimated 150 mph through the busy street, in a 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, drag racing a Holden Monaro GTS 350. This was known in Australia as "The Supercar Scare".^{[citation needed]}

Ford produced what is considered to be the first Australian muscle car in 1967, the 287 CID (4.7 L) Windsor–powered XR Falcon. Ford continued to release faster models, culminating in the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III of 1971, which was powered by a factory modified 351 Cleveland. Along with its GT and GTHO models, Ford, staring with the XW model in 1969, introduced a 'sporty' GS model, available across the Falcon range. The basic GS only came with a 250 CID (4.1 L) six cylinder engine, but the 302 CID (4.9 L) and 351 CID (5.8 L) Windsor (replaced by the Cleveland engines for the XY), were optional. Ford's larger, more luxurious Fairlane was also available with these engines and could also be optioned with the 300 bhp (224 kW) 351 CID (6 L) "Cleveland" engine.

Holden produced the famous Holden Monaro with 307 CID (5 L), 327 CID (5.4 L), and 350 CID (5.7 L) Chevrolet smallblocks or 253 CID (4.1 L) and 308 CID (5 L) Holden V8s, followed by the release of four high-performance Toranas, the GTR-XU1 (1970–1973), SL/R 5000 (1974–1977), L34 (1974) and the A9X (1977).

The XU1 Torana was originally fitted with a 186 CID (3 L) triple carbureted 6-cylinder engine, later increased to 202 CID (3.3 L), as opposed to the 308 CID (5 L) single quad-barrel carbureted V8 in the SL/R 5000, L34, and A9X.

Chrysler produced the R/T Valiant Charger from 1971 to 1973 when the R/Ts were discontinued; the dominant R/T models were the E38 and E49 with high performance 265 CID (4.3 L) Hemi engines featuring triple Weber carburetors.

Chrysler apparently considered a high-performance V8 program importing 338 340 CID (5.6 L) V8 engines from the U.S.

That high-performance project never went ahead, and the engines were subsequently fitted to the upmarket 770 model Charger. Initially this model was designated "SE" E55 340 (V8) and only available with automatic transmission; with a model change to the VJ in 1973 the engine became an option, and the performance was lessened.

All Chrysler performance Chargers were discontinued in 1974 with the exhausting of high performance 265ci Hemi and 340 V8s.

The Australian muscle car era is considered to have ended with the release of the Australian Design Rule regarding emissions in ADR27a in 1976. An exception to this rule was the small number of factory-built Bathurst 1000 homologation specials that were constructed after 1976: they are considered to be musclecars. Examples of these homologation specials include the Torana A9X and the Bathurst Cobras.

Later homologation cars were built outside of the factory, many by the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) for track and road use. Although not regarded as true muscle cars, they quickly gained an enthusiastic following. The HDT program was under Peter Brock's direction and had approval from Holden.

Several highly modified high-performance road-going Commodores were produced through the early and mid 1980s. These "homologation specials" were produced to meet the Group A racing regulations. Models included the VC Group C, the VH SS Group III with a 0-100 km/h of 6.7 seconds^[29], the Blue VK SS Group A and the burgundy VL SS Group A. These vehicles are all individually numbered with only 4246 Brock HDT's made and are considered to be collectors' items.

The HDT Commodores are highly collectible muscle cars. Holden Dealer Team vehicles' became more collectible than ever in the wake of Brock's 2006 death.

Showroom-condition HDT cars are generating prices as high as $200,000 AU.^[30]

[edit] United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the muscle car never gained a significant market, but it certainly influenced British manufacturers, with models such as the Ford Capri and Vauxhall Firenza directly inspired by American designs.^{[citation needed]} Later, both Ford and Vauxhall continued the tradition of producing high performance variants of its family cars, though often these had more subtle styling than the traditional muscle car, but with some notable exceptions. The more European influenced hot hatch has largely occupied this segment of the market since the early 1980s.

[edit] South Africa

In South Africa, Chevrolet placed the Z28 302 Chevrolet smallblock into a Vauxhall Viva coupe bodyshell and called it the Firenza CanAm. Basil Green produced the 302 Windsor–powered Capri Perana. In addition Australian HT and HG GTS Monaros (1969-71) were exported in CKD form and were given a new fascia and rebadged as a Chevrolet SS, which were sold until about 1973. Falcon GTs were also exported to South Africa and rebadged as Fairmont GTs. The Australian XW Falcon GT was called the 1970 Fairmont GT, and the XY Falcon GT was called the Fairmont GT. The Falcons were re-badged as Fairmonts because of to the bad reputation of the American Falcons at the time. The Fairmonts were almost the same as their Australian cousins apart from a few cosmetic differences.

[edit] Modern muscle cars

In the U.S., the full-size, 4-door Chevrolet Impala SS had a short but popular production run from 1994–1996 as a high-performance limited-edition version of the Caprice equipped with a Corvette-derived 5.7 L V8 LT1 engine and other specific performance features and body styling. The Impala SS nameplate was resurrected again in 2003 as a high-performance version of the standard Impala with larger and/or supercharged engines (whether the 21st century Impalas, which are front-wheel drive and have had variously V6s and V8s, can be considered muscle cars in the same vein as their earlier namesakes is debatable). General Motors discontinued its F-body pony-car models, the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird after 2002 but brought back the GTO in 2004 as a rebadged Holden Monaro imported from Australia. The new GTO only lasted three years, making 2006 the last model year for the current GTO. GM is hoping to capture some of the magic of the 1994 Impala SS with the launch of the Pontiac G8, a captive import made in Australia and a rebadged as the Pontiac G8 when imported and in Australia know as the Holden Commodore, which will also form the basis of the next-generation GM Zeta platform that will form the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro and 2010 Chevrolet Impala, built in Canada.

For 2003 and 2004, Mercury revived its old Marauder nameplate, as a modified 300hp Mercury Grand Marquis. In 2005, a "retro-inspired" version of the pony car Ford Mustang went on sale, which drew various design cues from Mustangs of the mid to late 1960s and early-1970s. In 2007 Ford and Shelby also re-released a new and modern version of the G.T. 500, with Super Snake and King of the Road editions following closely behind in 2008. Saleen has introduced a special edition based on the classic BOSS Mustangs of 1970 called the "PJ" after a famous Trans-Am series driver from the 1960s and 1970s, Parnelli Jones.

In 2004 Chrysler introduced their LX platform, which serves as the base for a new line of rear-wheel drive, V8-powered cars (using the new Hemi engine), including a four-door version of the Dodge Charger. While purists would not consider a station wagon (the Dodge Magnum) or a four-door sedan a muscle car, the performance of the new models is the equal of many of the vintage muscle cars of legend. Dodge has also revived two "classic" model names with the Charger: Daytona and Super Bee. The first was featured in 2006 as a Dodge Charger Daytona R/T and the Super Bee joined in 2007 as the Dodge Charger Super Bee. In addition, Dodge has been developing a new performance vehicle under the Challenger badge, which borrows styling cues from its older namesake, the prototype for which made its debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. Chevrolet has recently unveiled their Camaro concept car as well, with plans to sell new Camaros beginning with the 2009 model year.

This recent revival in popularity of the muscle car has been reflected in their price. The rarest vintage 1965–1972 muscle cars can cost as much as US$500,000 (for certain original models and options) and possibly more depending on availability, demand, and condition of the vehicle. Still, in recent years criticisms commonly brought against SUVs with large engine displacement have also been brought against modern muscle cars, as well. Ironically, the original muscle cars of the 1960s were subject to the same arguments that criticize the SUV today. The point in question is the fuel consumption of passenger cars during a time of rising petroleum prices. The lighter weight of modern muscle cars compared to most SUVs (4200 lb (1905 kg) or less vs. 4,000-7,200 lbs), as well as innovations such as variable displacement in some models, may moderate some of these critiques and allow the muscle cars to gain a following as the market for SUVs continues to recede.

Australian Ford and Holden are currently producing high performance vehicles. For instance, Holden has its SS and SSV Commodores and Utilities, and HSV has more powerful Holden based versions, which will soon be joined by an as-yet unnamed 7.0 litre Commodore. Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) turns out similarly uprated special versions of the Ford Falcon Sedan, the major difference being Ford offer a 350 hp turbocharged 4.0 litre I6 as well as their V8s. FPV are producing the GT 4-door Falcons—both Boss V8 and turbocharged sixes; the premier Fords are currently the BOSS V8 and Typhoon turbocharged inline 6.

Holden Special Vehicles currently produces high-performance versions of various rear-drive Holden Utes, Commodore sedans and, ceasing production in 2006, the Monaro coupes including one model with all-wheel drive, fitted with high performance (400 hp) V8 engines, and are perhaps one of the closest contemporary equivalents to the classic American muscle car (excluding the AWD of course)—-fast, exciting, but relatively crude automobiles (though with far more attention to handling, suspension, safety and exceptional brakes compared with the stock models).

[edit] Models

[edit] United States

Motor Trend identified the following models as "musclecars" in 1965:

• 1962–1965 Dodge Dart 413/426 Max Wedge/426 Hemi/Plymouth Fury 413/426 Max Wedge/426 Hemi
• 1964–1965 Ford Thunderbolt 427
• 1965–1969 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
• 1965–1970 Dodge Coronet/Plymouth Belvedere 426-S
• 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
• 1965–1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442

Road & Track identified the following models as "musclecars" in 1965:

• 1964–1965 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans/GTO
• 1965–1975 Buick Riviera Gran Sport
• 1965–1969 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
• 1965–1970 Dodge Coronet/Plymouth Belvedere 426-S
• 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
• 1965–1967 [Oldsmobile 442|Oldsmobile Cutlass 442]

Car and Driver also created a list of the 10 Best muscle cars for its January 1990 issue. The magazine focused on the engines and included:

• 1966–1967 Plymouth/Dodge intermediates with 426 Hemi
• 1968–1969 Plymouth/Dodge intermediates with 426 Hemi
• 1970–1971 Plymouth/Dodge intermediates with 426 Hemi
• 1966–1967 Chevy II SS327
• 1966–1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396
• 1968–1969 Chevy II Nova SS396
• 1969 Ford Torino Cobra 428
• 1969 Plymouth Road Runner/Dodge Super Bee 440 Six Pack
• 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454
• 1969 Pontiac GTO

Other muscle cars include the following:

Mid-size muscle models 1970–1971 AMC Rebel and Matador The Machine 1970–1974 Buick GSX 1965–1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 1966–1974 Dodge Charger 1968–1971 Dodge Super Bee 1969–1970 Dodge Charger Daytona with nose and goalpost wing 1966–1969 Ford Fairlane GT, GTA, and Cobra 1968–1974 Ford Torino (GT, Cobra, and Talladega) 1966-1972 Mercury Cyclone 1970-1971 Mercury Montego 1968–1971 Oldsmobile 442 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass "Ram-Rod" 350 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31 1967–1971 Plymouth GTX 1968–1974 Plymouth Road Runner 1970 Plymouth Superbird with nose and goalpost wing 1964–1974 Pontiac GTO

Compact muscle models 1969 AMC SC/Rambler 1971 AMC Hornet SC 360 1963–1974 Chevrolet Nova SS 1968–1976 Dodge Dart GT, GTS, Swinger, and Demon 1970–1976 Plymouth Duster

Pony car muscle models 1968–1970 AMC AMX 1968-1974 AMC Javelin and AMX 1967-1974 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Z-28 1970–1974 Dodge Challenger 1964-1973 Ford Mustang 1964-1968 Shelby Mustang 1967-1968 Mustang Cobra Jet 1969-1973 Mustang Mach 1 1969-1970 Boss 302 Mustang 1971 Mustang Boss 351 1969-1970 Mustang Boss 429 1967–1973 Mercury Cougar 1969-1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator 1964–1974 Plymouth Barracuda aka 'Cuda 1969-1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

[edit] Australia

Chrysler

VH model

• 1971-1972 Charger R/T E37 (101 built)
• 1971-1972 Charger R/T E38 - 280 BHP - 3 Speed Gearbox (Track pack and Big tank were options and a fully blueprinted engine) (316 built)
• 1972-1973 Charger R/T E48 (2 built)
• 1972-1973 Charger R/T E49 - 302 BHP - 4 Speed Gearbox (Track pack and Big tank were options and a fully blueprinted engine) (149 built)
• 1972-1973 Charger S/E E55 - 275 BHP - 727 Torqueflite Auto (340 cubic inch Chrysler LA engine) (124 built)
• 1969-1971 Valiant Hardtop (318 or 360ci V8s)

VJ model (R/T nomenclature dropped) were:

• 1973-1974 Charger E48 (169 built)
• 1973 Charger E49 (4 built)
• 1973-1974 Charger 770 E55 (212 built)

Ford

• 1967 XR Falcon GT (289)
• 1968 XT Falcon GT (302)
• 1969–1970 XW Falcon GT (351)
• 1969–1970 XW Falcon/Fairmont GS 302 and 351
• 1969 XW Falcon GTHO Phase I (351W)
• 1970 XW Falcon GTHO Phase II (351C)
• 1970-1971 XY Falcon/Fairmont GS 302 and 351
• 1970-1971 XY Falcon GT (351)
• 1971 XY Falcon Phase III GTHO (351)
• 1972 XA Falcon Phase IV GTHO 4 door (only four made: three prototypes, one production) (351)
• 1972–1973 XA Falcon GT hardtop coupe/4 Door Sedan (351)
• 1972–1973 XA Falcon GS Hardtop/Sedan/Ute (302, 351)
• 1973 XA Falcon Superbird (302)
• 1973–1976 XB Falcon GT hardtop coupe/4 Door Sedan (351)
• 1973–1976 XB Falcon/Fairmont GS Hardtop/Sedan/Ute (302, 351)
• 1974–1975 XB Falcon John Goss Special (302)
• 1978 XC Falcon Cobra 5.8, Bathurst Homologation

Holden

• 1968–1969 HK Monaro GTS (327)
• 1969–1970 HT Monaro GTS (350)
• 1970–1971 HG Monaro GTS (350)
• 1971–1974 HQ Monaro GTS (350)
• 1974–1976 HJ Monaro GTS (308)

• 1970–1971 LC Torana GTR XU-1 (186)
• 1972–1973 LJ Torana GTR XU-1 (202)
• 1974–1976 LH Torana SL/R 5000 (308)
• 1974 LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 (308)
• 1976–1978 LX Torana SL/R 5000 (308)
• 1976–1978 LX Torana SS (308)
• 1977 LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X (308)
• 1977 LX Torana SS A9X (308)

Leyland

• P76 "Force Seven". This was a coupe version of the Leyland P76, and the company's answer to the Holden Monaro GTS, Ford Falcon GT and Chrysler Valiant Charger. The company ran into financial difficulties and ceased Australian production before the Force Seven could be released. The eight completed examples were sold at auction.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Pony car
• Personal luxury car

[edit] External link

Muscle Cars at the Open Directory Project