Chandler has a bachelors and masters degree in history as well as a passion for classics and muscle cars. His education and historical knowledge makes him skilled at crafting highly detailed articles about America’s muscle cars and automotive history. His love of muscle cars is undeniable, with him seeking them out at every opportunity during his visits to auto shows and car meets. Chandler’s knowledge and enthusiasm towards automotive history make him a great asset to the Muscle Car Club community.
Long known as one of the top muscle engines of all time, the Buick 455 V8 is still very popular in the 2020s. From the factory, the big-block V8 produced as much as 370 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, and it was one of the fiercest competitors of the 1970s. Today, many enthusiasts still…
For those looking at the top Ford 302 performance upgrades, it’s hard to beat adding a cold air intake, long-tube headers, MSD ignition, and a larger carburetor. Ford produced the 302 V8 from 1968 all the way until 2001, and it powered all kinds of different vehicles. They have proven extremely popular over the years…
For collectors today, five of the best classic cheap muscle cars are the 1970 Ford Torino 429, 1968 Ford Thunderbird 429, 1971 Pontiac LeMans 455 HO, 1968 Mercury Cyclone 390, and 1968 Buick GS 350. These represent the ultimate of the muscle car era. They have long hoods, short decks, big-block V8 engines (except the…
Dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, muscle cars have long been an integral part of Americana culture. Ever since the first Pontiac GTO (or Chrysler 300) rolled off the assembly line, Americans have been asking themselves: How can I make this car go faster and faster? While in the old days, usually that meant…
Known by many as the “Giant Killer,” the Chrysler 340 V8 engine is one of the most iconic and legendary muscle car engines ever. Even though it was a small-block only displacing 340 cid, it would take down 400+ cubic inch big-blocks with ease. This was especially true for the 1970 “Six-Pack” 340 inside the…
Even though its glory days may have been relatively short lived, the Pontiac 455 is one of the most iconic V8 engines of the muscle car era. Pontiac built the engine for the 1970–1976 model years, where it produced a maximum of 370 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. It was the biggest engine that…
The 1970 AMC Rebel Machine has long been one of the most underrated muscle cars. The Machine featured a 390 cid V8 engine that produced 340 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and it was a fantastic budget muscle car which screamed patriotism with its red, white, and blue paint theme. Sadly, the Machine was…
For more than two-decades, the AMC 360 V8 was one of the top engines in the AMC lineup. It lasted from 1970–1991, and has the longest production span of any AMC V8 engine. Primarily used in 1970s AMC cars and 1970s–1980s Jeep trucks and SUVs, it was a dependable performer that produced as much as…
From 1961–1971, the Ford 390 FE V8 engine was one of the motor company’s top offerings. Boasting up to 401 horsepower in 1962 with a Tri-Power carburetor, the Ford 390 engine quickly established itself as one of the top performance engines on the market. Throughout its 11-year production span, Ford put the 390 in just…
From 2015–2023, the S550 Ford Mustang was the consummate modern pony car. Featuring either a turbocharged 2.3 liter “EcoBoost” inline-four or a naturally aspirated 5.0 liter “Coyote” V8, the S550 Mustang was one of the top power plants for the American market for many years. Still, even with the 310+ horsepower from the EcoBoost and…
It may have been short lived, but the Ford Falcon was one of the top cars of the 1960s. Most people know it as the basis for the Ford Mustang, but it was a solid offering on its own. The Falcon started life as a compact and economy car, but by the late-1960s was verging…
For nearly 60 years, the Ford Mustang has staked its claim as America’s favorite pony car. Ford first introduced the Mustang in 1964, as a sporty new two-door coupe meant to attract the youth, and it has stayed immensely popular ever since. From the beginning, Ford made performance a priority in the Mustang, which is…
