The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as “any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving.”
Although opinions vary, the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 is often cited as the first muscle car ever created. It was designed with speed and power in mind, using a powerful engine with a lightweight body.
In the mid-1970s, part of this market converged on personal luxury performance cars, thus beginning an era in which personal luxury trumped lightweight speed.
Performance cars began to return to the United States during the 1980s, however, with new regulations governing safety and pollution combined with higher production costs, these new vehicles were not designed according to the formula of the inexpensive traditional muscle cars. The introduction of electronic fuel injection and overdrive transmission to muscle car survivors like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Pontiac Firebird helped them maintain market share alongside personal luxury coupes with performance packages. .
Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of the online car review aggregator “Total Car Score,” describes himself as a fanatic who characterizes muscle cars as his “primary passion.” He compiled a list of what he considers 10 classic American muscle cars and said, “Vintage car collectors consider these to be must-haves!”
Karl Brauer’s list:
• 1970 Oldsmobile 442W-30
• 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am SD455
• 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1
• 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
• 1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air IV Judge
• 1968 Ford Mustang GT500KR
• 1969 Ford Boss 429 Mustang
• 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi
• 1971 Plymouth Hemi’Cuda
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Car buffs sometimes refer to classic muscle cars as “tame iron beasts” because these cars were built to deliver and beat and take one too. They often burned rubber and were anything but agile. Big, heavy, loud and tough, they embodied everything that was great about the American auto industry of the ’60s and ’70s.
American automaker Chevrolet offered many different types, beginning with the Corvette in 1953, adding the Impala, Chevelle, El Camino, and Nova to its ranks over the years.
Dodge threw its hat in the ring starting with the 1966 Charger, adding the Challenger and Super Bee thereafter.
Other offerings from American automakers include:
• AMC AMX and Javelin
• Buick Grand National
• Ford Mustang and Thunderbird
• Mercury Cougar
• Old 442 from Oldsmobile
• Plymouth Barracuda and GTX
• Pontiac Firebird and GTO
Restoration
When restoring muscle cars, people have differing views on whether staying true to the original factory work is the best way to go, or whether it’s best to improve as much as you can. One thing to keep in mind is that a well-documented restoration done by a reputable workshop will always have more value than one that is undocumented or done by an unknown workshop or people.
personalization
Muscle cars are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, however, finding one in mint condition is next to impossible. Finding one that needs to be restored and/or customized is a different story. Many different things about these cars can be customized, it is best to research what features you would like to customize before getting an offer from someone.
Most likely, people who own custom car shops are huge car fans who have learned the skills to do something they really love to do. Ask to see some of their work before you go to a custom car shop, and remember that it’s okay to trade in when requesting custom work for your muscle car.
