Just what is a muscle car?

Just what is a muscle car?  Sure, it is generally accepted that the 1964 GTO was the first muscle car.  What I view as a muscle car is more of an image and style than a technical definition.

Just what is a muscle car?

The 1964 GTO
Image courtesy of Hugo90 on Flickr

Many enthusiasts also consider the 1974 Trans Am 455 Super Duty the last of the muscle cars.  I can see the case for it being the last of the original muscle cars, but I don’t think that was the end of the muscle cars, just the muscle car era.

Just what is a muscle car?

The SD-455 Trans Am, the last of the original generation of muscle cars.

 

After that, performance got less and less as ever tightening emissions standards, fuel economy problems due to a second oil crisis and a general image and attitude shift of the general public pushed the muscle car out of public’s eye for a while.  They were asleep, but not dead.

In 1983, the Mustang got an upgraded engine with 175 horsepower, and while not to the level of muscle cars of old, it was a good start. The smaller size and lighter weight helped it get to 60 in less than 7 seconds.  I am sure the better tires than what was available in the 60’s helped it run a stronger time than the equivalent car in the 60’s would have.

Just what is a muscle car?

The 1983 Mustang GT, the muscle car comes back to life
Image courtesy of Dave_7 on Flickr

The 80’s also saw some cars that would not meet the traditional definitions of a muscle car.  There were turbo charged V-6 Buicks, which ended with the most powerful example, the GNX.  It is hard to argue with 276 horsepower and 13 second quarter mile times.  This is a case of using technology instead of raw cubic inches to make power and performance.

Just what is a muscle car?

The 1987 GNX, definitely a muscle car
Image courtesy of jeremy! on Flickr

There were cars in the 80’s that can be considered muscle cars, even though they weren’t even rear wheel drive, to say nothing of having a 4 cylinder engine.  One just has to look at the the 1986 Dodge Omni GLH-S.  You have to respect a car that Carroll Shelby was involved with.  The original GLH version (with no turbo) stood for Goes Like Hell, and depending on who you believe, the GLH-S stood for Goes Like Hell – Shelby, or Goes Like Hell S’more.  14 second quarter mile times were reported for the little econo car with a more powerful engine stuffed into it.

Just what is a muscle car?

The Omni GLH-S
Image courtesy of Kompressed on Flickr

At some point, the magic was lost.  If you look at the 2004-2006 GTO, while it had the performance of a muscle car, the image, the attitude was just not there.  It takes more than just the ability to go fast to make a muscle car.

Just what is a muscle car?

The 2004 GTO
Image courtesy of unnerv on Flickr

Other cars that have the performance credentials would be the new Dodge Charger, Magnum and the Chrysler 300C.  While they have the style, even if they are a 4 door, the fact that they can not be gotten with a manual means they are lacking something to me.  And even more, they have electronic traction control nannies that can’t be turned off.  Even if you turn them off, it just raises the threshold that they kick in.  Even in the SRT-8 models, there are always electronic nannies that are ready to rush in and save you, which is good, but what if you don’t need saving, and are just trying to have fun?

Just what is a muscle car?

Charger SRT-8, almost a muscle car
Image courtesy of alexsmolik on Flickr

Maybe the muscle car is gone now in our perhaps overly safety conscious society.  Or maybe it is just waiting again for the time to be right to come back in full force.  At least now unlike the late 70’s we have cars that have the performance of a muscle car, even if the attitude isn’t quite there.

If the muscle car comes back in full force or not, we still have the classic ones to enjoy, and even the 80’s non-traditional ones.  And if we need a car we can drive every day to work while we work on our classics, there are modern cars that can give us that adrenaline rush when we punch the gas.  It is a good time to be a car enthusiast, especially a muscle car enthusiast.

 


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