Learn about the history of the muscle car – covering a timeline of all the cars made during the muscle car era along with some unique articles on the best muscle car engines. Dig into the history of each of the prominent manufacturers of the era such as Plymouth, Buick, and more.
Since the 1950s, America and muscle cars have been synonymous. Large displacement V8 engines powering rear-wheel drive two door coupes, have warmed the hearts and souls of generation after generation of Americans. Yet, for many younger generations who didn’t experience the behemoths of the 1950s-1980s first-hand, the question always comes up for those looking to…
Over the years, Ford has produced some incredibly iconic cars and engines. The Model T has long been considered one of the greatest manufacturing feats in modern history, and Ford’s flathead engine transformed V8s for the future. In 1968, Ford released the first versions of their now famed V8 Cobra Jet engines. Ford Cobra Jets…
Undoubtedly, Lee Iacocca’s Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic cars in American history. It debuted as the very first Pony Car back in 1965, and it has seen unprecedented success since then. From the small block V6s and V8s of the first generation, through the turbo-fours in the 1980s and all the way…
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…
There have been a few influential articles written about muscle cars over the years. Here are a few of them. Car and Driver March 1964 Article A Little Background The year was 1963. Pontiac had just released its Pontiac Tempest GTO for the 1964 model year and was looking for a way to promote it….
Introduction: Perhaps the most debated definition in the car community is what exactly is a muscle car. The term wasn’t even used until the late 1970s. In the 1960s they were often called “Super Cars” if called anything at all. Therefore, the actual definition of a muscle car, or which models were muscle cars, is…
Among muscle cars, there always were a few that, for whatever reason were a little more rare than others. This list shows the rarest factory built production muscle cars. These are cars that ANY buyer could walk into ANY dealer and conceivably order. One off cars for company executives, dealer modified cars (Yenkos, Baldwin-Motion, etc.)…
1958 – 1961 MODEL 1958 1959 1960 1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA Introduced as top option on Bel Air line Became own model with new “bat wing” tail end. Design was toned down New SS option introduced with optional 409 cid V8 CHRYSLER 300 D: 392 Hemi engine upgraded E: New 413 Wedge V8 replaces Hemi F:…
All muscle cars are inherently valuable. They reflect a time long ago when sheer performance mattered more than cupholders and reputations were created and destroyed on the drag strip and at streetlights across the nation. There are a few muscle cars that either through reputation, rariety, or popularity have reached values unheard of just a…
On May 26, 1927, Henry Ford watched the fifteen millionth Model T Ford roll off the assembly line at his factory in Highland Park, Michigan. Since his “universal car” was the industrial success story of its age, the ceremony should have been a happy occasion. Yet Ford was probably wistful that day, too, knowing as…
Taking many rodders by surprise is the street rod potential which all early model Buicks have. The 1937 and 1938 Buicks are high on the list of many collectors. In addition, Buicks rightfully possessed the reputation for being the fastest cars on the road during the 1940’s. The overlooked Buicks are also credited with being…
First let us consider the name, “automobile.” Now, a “car” could have been called anything and, sometimes, it is. Oliver Evans applied for a U.S. patent in Philadelphia in 1792 on a steam land carriage, which he called the “oruktor amphibolos!” We could have been strapped with that name forever, if it weren’t for more…
