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.
Among 1970s Pontiac motors, the Iron Duke engine (also known as the Pontiac 151 four) has an interesting reputation. While it was considered incredibly durable and went on to power over 30 different GM vehicles, its specs were a little underwhelming. In 1982, Chevrolet decided to put it in their base Camaro, a move that…
Even today, 50 years later, 1970s muscle cars still hold a very special appeal to many. The ‘70s were the age of massive displacement, natural aspiration, and NASCAR level performance all rolled into one. Two-door coupes with ear splitting exhausts ripped down the drag strip, challenging each other for supremacy and bragging rights. It was…
In the 1970s, Plymouth produced some of the most iconic muscle cars of all time. Models like the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, ‘AAR ‘Cuda, and SuperBird, are now some of the most sought out cars in the entire world. 1970s Plymouth cars were powered by Mopar engines, making them comparable with similar era Dodges. However, Plymouth…
The Pontiac Firebird stands out as one of the most iconic pony cars of all time. Pontiac introduced the Firebird in 1967, and kept it around all the way until the new millennium in 2002. The Firebird earned a reputation as one of the most potent pony cars around, and it led the way for…
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…
Introduced in 1960, the Mercury Comet was one of the most consistent performers of the Ford lineup for many years until its demise in 1977. From 1964–1971, Mercury produced the high performance version of the Comet, which they branded the Mercury Cyclone. The Cyclone got larger V8 engines and increased performance, and was a very…
From the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, the Mercury Cougar was one of the top pony car options on the American market. Essentially a luxury version of the Ford Mustang, the Cougar was a top performer for Mercury and a solid ride. Its original run lasted from 1967–1997, before Ford briefly retired it for one model…
It might be hard to imagine today, but for many years, Oldsmobile was one of the most important subsidiaries in the General Motors lineup. GM slotted Oldsmobile between the standard Pontiac and luxury Buick brands, and they dominated the car market for much of the 20th century. Their demise in 2004 notwithstanding, Oldsmobile was a…
Looking back today, the Plymouth Barracuda was one of the ultimate pony cars of the 1960s and 1970s. While the first generation was relatively forgettable, the second and third generations got the Chrysler big-block V8s, and they could seriously turn heads. The 426 HEMI and 440 Super Commando powered Barracudas straddled the line of pony…
From 1970–1976, the Plymouth Duster was a mini muscle car that offered decent performance at bottom-level prices. Plymouth created the Duster to be a performance version of the economy Valiant, and it came with both six and eight cylinder engines. Residing on the Chrysler A-body, the Duster shared a body style with the Plymouth Barracuda…
From 1967–1971, the Plymouth GTX was one of the top muscle cars available in all of America. Featuring only big-block V8 engines with sleek but subtle styling at an affordable price, the GTX stands out as a true icon of the muscle era. The GTX was the first performance vehicle that Plymouth offered, and they…
Originally introduced in 1968, the Plymouth RoadRunner defined the era of muscle. With big-block V8s, basic interiors, and heavily customizable options, the RoadRunner gave you incredible performance and value at affordable prices. The original RoadRunner only lasted until 1975, after which it became an option package for the Plymouth Volaré from 1976–1980. Still, the 1968–1971…
