Classic Muscle Cars

Muscle Cars are one of the most beloved vehicles ever to come out of Detroit. Classic muscle cars are usually categorized as mid size vehicles offering plenty of power and performance. The heyday of classic muscle cars occurred between the 1960’s and early 1970’s. These cars offered some of the largest engines ever developed by car manufacturers and had exceptional horsepower and torque. Classic muscle car configurations were rear wheeled drive coupes with either a regular rear seat or 2 + 2 seating. While power was extraordinary, gas mileage was horrendous. Once gas shortages hit in the early 1970’s classic muscle cars were a liability and shunned giving way to much smaller, fuel efficient vehicles. Here are just a few of the best class muscle cars to ever be built.

Classic muscle car manufacturers include Dodge, Chevy, Ford, Plymouth, Chrysler, Pontiac, and AMC. Some of the top rated muscle cars to be built from these manufacturers include:

• Pontiac GTO
• Dodge Super Bee
• Ford Torino Cobra 428
• Chevrolet Chevelle SS454.
• Dodge Dart with 426 Hemi
• Chevy Camaro SS
• 1970 Mustang Boss 429

1969 Pontiac GTO

The 1969 Pontiac GTO is considered one of the ultimate classic muscle cars and the best year for the Pontiac GTO. This car featured a huge 400 cubic inch, 370 hp Ram AIR IV engine which would send this vehicle barreling down the ¼ mile at speeds of 123 mph or about 11.5 seconds. The Pontiac GTO was also incredibly fast off the line and could reach 0-60 in about 5.2 seconds making the GTO an instant classic.

Dodge Super Bee

The Dodge Super Bee is considered another incredible class muscle car. The Super Bee was in production from 1968-1971. One of the most coveted muscle cars of the time, the Dodge Super Bee offered exceptional performance that rivaled the competition. Many classic muscle car enthusiasts rate the enormous 7.0 liter 426 cubic inch Hemi V-8 as the top engine offered. This beast delivered a staggering 425 hp and huge amounts of torque-perfect for anyone looking to street race.

Ford Torino Cobra 428

Another great classic muscle car of the late 60’s is the 1969 Ford Torino Cobra 428. The Ford Torino Cobra 428 came equipped with a monster 428-4V Super Cobra Jet (SCJ) engine that produced 335 hp. The Ford Torino Cobra 428 was known to run the quarter mile in the low 15’s reaching speeds of about 95 mph.

Chevrolet Chevelle SS454

The Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 was considered one of the top classic muscle cars ever created with the huge 454 cubic inch big block engine. The 1970 model is perhaps the shining achievement of the American muscle car era. The Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 was a beast with the optional LS6 engine that delivered 450 hp and 500 ft·lbf of torque. The Chevelle would barrel down the 1/4 mile in low to mid-13 second times at the incredible speeds of 108 mph.

Dodge Dart with 426 Hemi

Another great classic muscle car was the Dodge Dart with the optional 426 Hemi. These cars were on the smaller size and sometimes referred to as “pony’s”, however they offered exceptional performance in a smaller package and at a relatively lower price tag.

Chevy Camaro SS

The Chevy Camaro was a direct response by Chevrolet to compete against the then popular Ford Mustang. The Camaro muscle cars were produced from 1967 to 1974 in two generations. Perhaps the best engine released with the Chevy Camaro was the 396 cu in (6.5 L)V8 engine which delievered blistering speeds and horsepower. In 1970, the second generation Camaro was introduced, however a larger frame and more weight made it a tad less responsive.

1970 Mustang Boss 429

The 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was categorized as a “pony” muscle car. This monster of a machine offers a huge big block engine that delivered 375 hp, lots of torque, 0-60 in about 6.8 seconds and can achieve the ¼ mile in 14 seconds flat with a speed of 103 mph. While not the fastest or the highest regarded muscle car available at the time, for those that loved the Mustang’s lines, this car was the closest one can come to a Shelby Mustang without the expense.