One specific genre of vehicle that has stood the test of time is muscle cars. While the build-up and cool-down from the golden years cover a few decades, it was really the late 1960s and early 1970s which produced the classics. Huge engines, unique designs, and straightforward power meant the average guy and girl could own world-class car performance, with a simple enough design to tinker with on the weekends. So, let’s check out some of the obvious and not-so-obvious standout old muscle cars that have stood the test of time.

Driving a muscle car is a unique experience. The rumble of the engine, the feel of the road, and the sense of power make for an unforgettable ride. And while some old muscle cars may not be as practical as modern vehicles, their raw horsepower and classic style make them stand out in a sea of bland cars on the road today.

AMC

AMX: This 2-seater sports car was introduced in 1968 and was designed to compete with the Corvette. The AMC AMX had a powerful 390cu V8 engine and a stylish design that made it stand out from other muscle cars of the time. The 1968 to 1970 models are the ones to look out for.

Javelin: The Javelin was a sporty coupe that was introduced in 1967. It was available with a variety of engines, ranging from a 232 cubic inch 6-cylinder to a 390 cubic inch V8. The Javelin was a popular car for racing and set a number of records on the drag strip.

Rebel: The Rebel was a full-size car that was introduced in 1967. It was available with a range of engines, including a 343 cubic inch V8 and a 390 cubic inch V8. The Rebel was known for its comfortable ride and smooth handling.

Hornet SC 360: The Hornet SC 360 was a compact car that was introduced in 1971. It was powered by a 360 cubic inch V8 engine and was designed to be a lightweight, high-performance car. The Hornet SC 360 was a popular car for racing and set several records on the drag strip.

Buick

Buick GS 455 Stage 1: The GS 455 Stage 1 was an upgraded version of the Buick Gran Sport that was introduced in 1970. It was powered by a 455 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 360 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. The GS 455 Stage 1 was known for its speed and acceleration and was one of the fastest muscle cars of its time.

Buick GS 400 (Stage 1): The GS 400 was a higher-end option of the Buick Gran Sport for 1968. It was powered by a 400 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 340 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. In 1970 the Stage 1 produced a 13.38 second quarter-mile at 105.50mph.

Buick GNX: The GNX was a high-performance version of the Buick Regal that was introduced in 1987. It was powered by a turbocharged 3.8 liter V6 engine that produced 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. The GNX was one of the fastest cars of its time. This was a rarity in the 1980s muscle cars scene.

Chevrolet

Chevelle SS 454: The Chevelle SS 454 was introduced in 1970. Powered by a 454 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, the SS 454 was arguably the king of the muscle cars. The Chevelle SS 454 still stands out as a shining example of the breed.

El Camino SS 454: The 1970 El Camino SS 454 was essentially a Chevelle SS 454 with lots of carry space at the back. It was powered by a 454 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The El Camino SS 454 combined utility and performance, still being overshadowed by many of its contemporaries.

Camaro Z/28: The Camaro Z/28 was a special performance package for the 1967 year. It was powered by a 302 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 290 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. Just 602 examples were bought by the public in 1967. But the template proved so popular, the model is still available today.

Camaro ZL1: The Camaro ZL1 was a special order vehicle through Chevrolet’s COPO system, producing the most potent and valuable car of its day. It was powered by an all-aluminium 427 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. Due to low sales numbers, the ZL1 is arguably one of the most collectable muscle cars around.

Nova SS: The Nova SS was introduced in 1963. It was available with a range of engines, including a 327 cubic inch V8 that produced 350 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. The Nova became a bone-defied muscle car in 1968, with a tough exterior, and plenty of options. The top of the pile is the Yenko Nova, with only 37 examples being produced.

Monte Carlo SS 454: The 1970 Monte Carlo SS 454 is a bit of a sleeper car, combining luxury and power. The car housed a 454 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 360 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The Monte Carlo may not have the street credibility of its contemporaries, but it sure has the power.

Yenko Camaro: The Yenko Camaro was a limited edition version of the Camaro. Don Yenko used the Chevrolet COPO ordering system to obtain the best engines, transmissions, and other parts available at the time. The highest-rated engine was a 427 cubic inch V8 that produced 425 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Due to each vehicle having the best of the best parts of the time, they were very expensive, thus only a handful was ever produced.

Dodge

Dodge Dart GTS: The Dart GTS is a great example of the idea of stuffing a huge engine in a small car. Dealers such as Norman Kraus (Mr. Norm), added a 440 cu. V8 (375hp) engine, making them competitive enough for NHRA Super Stock racing.

Charger Daytona: The Charger Daytona was adapted from the Dodge Charger in 1969 specifically for NASCAR racing. the most competitive engine was a 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 that produced 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The car stood out with its huge nose cone and tail wing. Dubbed the ‘Winged Warrior,’ the Dodge Charger Daytona hit 200 mph in 1970, making the car the first in NASCAR history to do so.

Charger R/T: The Charger R/T was introduced as a performance package. Engine options included a a 440 cubic inch V8 producing 375 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. While the first Chargers came out in 1966, it wasn’t until 1968 with the B-body and the availability of the 440 Magnum and 426 Hemi V8 engines that hit the mark. Arguably the Charger R/T is most famous for starring in the 1968 movie Bullitt.

Dodge Super Bee: Spanning the years 1968 to 1971, the Dodge Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet, with added performance. It was available with a range of engines, including a 440 cubic inch V8 that produced 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The Super Bee cost more and had better options than its Plymouth counterparts, with a 426 Hemi V8 being one of the options.

Ford

Mustang Boss 429: produced between 1969 to 1974 for NASCAR racing, the Mustang Boss 429 housed a 429 cubic inch V8 engine with 375 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The engine was good for a 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds time, and was the largest engines dropped into a Mustang at the time. The whole car had to be modified to accommodate the new engine, including the front suspension, shock towers, and hood.

Mustang Mach 1: The Mach 1 lasted from 1969 to 1978. Various engine options were available from the 351 cubic inch V8 to a 428 cubic inch V8. The car had a distinctive hood scoop, with early versions being the most prized.

Fairlane GTA: The Fairlane GTA was a performance variant of the Ford Fairlane available since 1955. Engine options ranged from a 390 cubic inch V8 to a 427 cubic inch V8, with the latter capable of producing 425 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. lots of performance options were available time such as tuned suspension, a limited-slip differential, and power front disc brakes.

Mercury

Cougar GT-E: produced between 1968 in 1970, the Cougar GT-E was available in either a 390 cubic inch V8 with 335 hp and 427 lb-ft of torque or a 428 cubic inch V8 with 360 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. With its distinctive styling, the Cougar may not be the most obvious performance muscle car, but it is definitely up there with the rest.

Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile 442: The Oldsmobile 442 was inspired by the Oldsmobile cutlass in 1964. The model gained its reputation from its 455 cubic inch V8 engine producing 370 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful cars of its time. The ‘442’ comes from the 4 barrel carburettor, 4 speed transmission, and dual exhaust.

442 W-30: The 442 was good enough in itself, but the Oldsmobile W-30 package added something extra. The package was designed for drag racing, so added features such as a highlift camshaft, aluminium intake manifolds, heavy duty suspension, and tuned exhaust system. The W-30 package also included styling upgrades such as ram air induction, fibreglass hood, along with bucket seats and a fancy steering wheel. Expect pay top dollar for one of these examples.

Plymouth

Fury 426 Hemi: The Fury 426 Hemi was capable of a 0 to 60 mph time in under 6 seconds. The engine was a 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 producing 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The Hemi version was only built in limited numbers, making it a rare collector’s item today.

GTX 426 Hemi: Produced between 1967 and 1971, the Plymouth GTX 426 Hemi used a 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 with 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. Many performance upgrades are available on the options list along with luxury features such as power windows, power brakes and an upgraded audio system.

Plymouth Road Runner: The Plymouth Road Runner was produced from 1968 to 1980 as a muscle car for the masses. Based on the Plymouth Belvedere, the Roadrunner was a more basic offering, but still had the power. The 426cu. Hemi V8 was an option with 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. but you could also go for at the time the 383 cubic inch V8, which was still very capable. Many optional upgrades are available at the time like heavy-duty suspension, more powerful brakes and a performance exhaust system. most famously, the horn sound was based on the loony Tunes cartoon.

Plymouth Barracuda: The Plymouth Hemi Barracuda was built between 1964 in 1974. Arguably one of the most famous muscle cars around, the topline engine was the 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 with 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, and a 0 to 60 mph time of just over 5 seconds. The huge body design and wealth of options became a firm favourite in the muscle car community.

Plymouth Superbird: Just like the Dodge Daytona, the Plymouth Superbird was a ‘Winged Warrior’ based on the Plymouth Road Runner designed for NASCAR racing. The topline engine was the 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 with 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. While the Superbird is one of the most collectable muscle cars today, it didn’t sell well back in the day, looking more like an oddity compared to the rest of the pack.

Plymouth Duster 340: Produced between 1970 – 1976, the Plymouth Duster 340 was small in appearance with distinctive styling. The 340 cu. V8 was capable of 275 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque, and was popular with enthusiasts of the time. The Duster was also a great example of the range of loud colors available at the time such as Plum Crazy Purple and Hemi Orange.

Pontiac

Pontiac GTO: The Pontiac GTO is one of America’s original muscle cars. General Motors produced the vehicle from 1964 to 1974, inspired by the Pontiac Tempest. The 389 cubic inch V8 version could produce 348 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, but it was the 1968 and onwards styling that won over fans. The GTO was available with plenty of performance options such as Ram Air Induction and heavy-duty suspension, but eventually succumbed to early nineteen seventies emission regulations, insurance charges and the tastes of the time.

Pontiac Firebird: Firebird was originally introduced in 1967 as a direct answer to the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. Engines range from a 6-cylinder up to a 455cu. V8 with 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The Firebird essentially kept going up until 2002, showing its worth over the years. Most iconic from this model was the ‘screaming chicken’ decal on the hood

Grand Prix: Originally introduced as a luxury performance car in 1962, the Pontiac Grand Prix built up to have a 455 cu. V8 engine, along with its luxury accompaniments. This model may not fund the street credibility or sporty looks of the others, but it definitely had the engine performance.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in owning one of these classic American muscle cars, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, old muscle cars can be expensive and need a lot of ongoing maintenance, so it’s important to set a budget before you start shopping. Research and more research is needed for every potential muscle car purchase, along with ideally buying from a reputable source.

One option is to buy a muscle car which is in need of restoration. While you may initially pay less for the vehicle, you have to factor in obtaining all the parts and the time and work involved. Sometimes in life, buying the finished article is more cost-effective and less of a headache.

If you’re in the market for a classic American muscle car for sale, check out the most popular muscle car dealers and auction houses as a start point. The outlet you choose really depends on your budget. For instance, you could find a cheap base model on websites such as eBay. But most likely be prepared for some restoration work. If you require a vehicle that is numbers matching, in near original condition, and with loads of documentation, you will need to visit a specialist dealer or auction house.

When it comes to the best American muscle cars, opinions can vary. Some may argue that the 1970 Plymouth Superbird is the ultimate muscle car, while others may choose the Chevelle SS 454. And of course, the debate over the fastest muscle car continues, with the likes of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Charger Daytona vying for the title of the fastest muscle car in the world.

In conclusion, old muscle cars are an important part of muscle car history in America. They are a certain way of thinking and following the mindset of a certain template, i.e. There is no replacement for displacement in an ICE car, and obviously bigger is better.

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American muscle cars, love them or loath them, they are admired for their unbridled power and unapologetic design. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best American muscle cars, highlighting their features, power, and main features.

1. 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona is one of the most recognisable American muscle cars of all time. Its distinct design and aerodynamic nosecone contribute to its high top speed. The car has a 425 horsepower engine and was designed for NASCAR racing. When it was released, it was priced at $5,903. Only 503 were made, making it one of the world’s rarest and most collectible muscle cars.

The Daytona’s interior was designed with racing in mind, with high-backed bucket seats, a centre console, and a shifter mounted on the floor. The car also included a number of options, such as power steering and brakes, air conditioning, and a variety of audio and visual upgrades.

2. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Another classic American muscle car is the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, which features a powerful 454(7.4L) cubic inch V8 engine. This engine could propel the Chevelle SS from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, making it one of the fastest muscle cars of its era. A 350 cubic inch (5.7-liter) V8 and a 396 cubic inch (6.5-liter) V8 were also available. The car was known for its sleek design, which included a cowl-induction hood and a bold front grille. It has 450 horsepower and was released at a cost of $3,500.

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS is now a highly coveted collector car, with prices ranging from $50,000 to well over $100,000 for rare and well-preserved examples.

3. 1970 Plymouth Superbird

The Plymouth Superbird of 1970 was a heavily modified Plymouth Road Runner. It was built for NASCAR racing and featured a 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 engine with 425 horsepower. According to reports, the car’s top speed was over 200 mph, making it one of the fastest production cars of the time. It had a distinctive high rear wing and a long nose cone that added nearly two feet to the front end of the car. Some critics called the design outrageous and over-the-top.

When it was released, the car was priced at $4,298 and was notable for its distinctive rear spoiler and front nosecone.

4. 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351

The 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 is a strong American muscle car powered by a 351 cubic inch Cleveland V8 engine producing 330 horsepower. The engine was coupled to a four-speed manual transmission with a close ratio and a 3.91 rear axle. When it was released, it was priced at $4,124.

The Boss 351 had a distinct front air dam, blacked-out grille, rear deck spoiler, and hockey stick stripes on the outside. High-back bucket seats, a Hurst shifter, and a black instrument panel with a 120-mph speedometer were all added to the interior.

The Boss 351 was a limited-production model, with only 1,806 units produced. This rarity has made it a highly sought-after collectable today, with prices often reaching six figures.

5. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was a high-performance version of the Chevrolet Camaro designed to compete with other popular muscle cars of the time, such as the Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda. It is known for its aggressive design and performance, as well as its 302 cubic inch V8 engine that produces 290 horsepower. This engine came with a four-speed manual transmission and a high-lift camshaft, forged-steel crankshaft, and solid-lifter valve train. A dual-exhaust system, stiff suspension, and power front disc brakes were also standard on the Z28.

It had a top speed of around 125 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. The Z28 was also known for its excellent handling, with a well-tuned suspension that allowed it to easily corner at high speeds. When it was released, the car was priced at $3,112 USD.

6. 1967 Shelby GT500

Carroll Shelby designed the 1967 Shelby GT500, which was manufactured by Ford Motor Company. The GT500 was based on the Ford Mustang fastback and came standard with a powerful V8 engine that produced 355 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, allowing drivers to fully engage with the power and performance of the vehicle. The GT500 also had a performance-tuned suspension system and disc brakes, which helped it to remain popular even today.

Only 2,048 units were produced, with the GT500 being priced at $4,195 when it was released.

7. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge

The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge was a collaboration between John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee, who wanted to create a high-performance car for younger drivers. It is distinguished by its distinctive hood and rear spoiler, as well as its 400 cubic inch V8 engine that produces 366 horsepower. The powerful engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, resulting in an exciting driving experience. The car also had a Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, and power brakes, making it a great road car.

The GTO Judge was a low-volume vehicle, with only 6,725 units produced in 1969. However, because of its powerful engine and aggressive styling, it was a popular choice among car enthusiasts and drag racers. When it was first released, the car was priced at $3,750.

The years of production ranged from 1964 to 1974. The GTO was available with a variety of engine options, including a V8, and had a top speed of around 130 mph. Despite the fact that production of the GTO ended in 1974, it is still a popular classic car among enthusiasts.

8. 1970 Buick GSX

The 1970 Buick GSX was built by General Motors’ Buick division and was only available for one model year. The GSX was created to compete with other muscle cars of the time, including the Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and Oldsmobile 442.

There were two versions of the GSX: the GSX and the GSX Stage 1. The Stage 1 model had a 455 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 360 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was available with a three-speed automatic transmission or a four-speed manual transmission.

The GSX was distinguished from other muscle cars of the time by a number of features. It was distinguished by a blacked-out grille, a front air dam, and a hood scoop. It came in a variety of colours, including Saturn Yellow, Apollo White, and Harvest Gold.

The GSX was distinguished by its distinctive colour and stripes. Only 678 GSXs were built in 1970, with 400 of them being Stage 1 models that cost $4,782 when they were released.

9. 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 is a classic American muscle car with a 455 cubic inch V8 engine producing 370 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 4-speed manual transmission for quick and precise shifting.

The 442 W-30 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and reach 114 mph. It was also one of the fastest muscle cars of its time, with a quarter-mile time of 13.91 seconds at 102 mph. Only 1,032 W-30s were produced in 1970, making it a rare and valuable vehicle among collectors and enthusiasts.

The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 is now a highly collectable vehicle, with prices ranging from around $70,000 to more than $100,000 depending on condition and originality. When it was first released, it was priced at $4,780.

10. 1968 Plymouth Road Runner

The Plymouth Road Runner of 1968 was a mid-sized two-door coupe named after the popular cartoon character. It was a no-frills performance vehicle intended to provide a high-performance driving experience at a low cost. The 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 engine that powered the Roadrunner produced 425 horsepower. The transmission options for the car were a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.

The post The 10 Best American Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

The concept of a muscle car largely stems from hot rod and drag racing culture, with the basic premise being to take a small, relatively lightweight car, add in an oversized engine, and then boosting proceedings with upgraded brakes and suspension to match.
The above may seem like a simple template, but there is lots more to the genre than meets the eye. For those who want some simple answers to the most common questions asked about American muscle cars, the list below will give you a jump-off point for further research.

If you want to delve further into the world of American muscle cars, then simply do a quick search on our website to find out everything you need to know about these wonderful vehicles.

What are American Muscle Cars?

A muscle car is a high-performance vehicle with a powerful engine, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The concept of muscle cars stems from the hot rod and drag racing culture, where small, lightweight vehicles were fitted with oversized engines and reinforced with upgraded brakes and suspension to match.

Brands of American Muscle Cars

Some of the most notable American muscle car brands include:

AMC (AMX, AMC Rebel The Machine)
Buick (GS 455 Stage 1, Buick GNX)
Chevrolet (Chevelle SS, Camaro Z/28, Camaro SS, Nova)
Dodge (Dart GTS, Dart Demon, Charger, Charger Daytona, Super Bee, Challenger)
Ford (Mustang Boss 429)
Shelby (Mustang GT500, Mustang GT350)
Oldsmobile (442)
Plymouth (GTX, Road Runner, Barracuda)
Pontiac (GTO, Firebird)

What is America’s Best Muscle Car?

This is subjective and varies based on personal preferences. Some of the most popular muscle cars include the Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Challenger, and the Ford Mustang. If we interpret the word ‘best’ for ‘most sales,’ then the title will go to the Ford Mustang for sheer sales numbers, both in America and abroad. However, the Ford Mustang is strictly a pony car, and more sports car these days. The Dodge Challenger and Charger are The last vehicles to follow the true old-school muscle car template design.

What is the Baddest Muscle Car?

This is also subjective and varies based on personal preferences. However, some muscle cars known for their powerful engines and aggressive styling include the Pontiac GTO, the Dodge Charger Daytona, and the Ford Mustang Boss 429. Personally, you can’t go far wrong with the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 for this status.

Classic Muscle Cars

The classic muscle car era is often considered to be the late 1960s and early 1970s. During this time, many iconic muscle cars were produced, such as the Chevrolet Chevelle SS, the Plymouth GTX, and the Pontiac Firebird. However, don’t discount the other decades for some classic examples. The 1980s produced the Buick GNX, Which is a highly collectable example today.

Is There a British Muscle Car?

Although there are many high-performance vehicles produced in Britain, the term “muscle car” is typically associated with American cars. At a stretch, you could include the British Ford Capri, which did have a muscle car-like design. However, engine sizes in the Capri were never as large as their American counterparts.

What is the King of Muscle Cars?

This is subjective and varies based on personal preferences. Some people consider the Pontiac GTO to be the king of muscle cars, while others might consider the Ford Mustang Boss 429, the Dodge Charger Daytona or the Chevrolet Chevelle 454 to hold this title.

What Does GTO Stand For?

GTO stands for “Gran Turismo Omologato,” which is Italian for “Grand Touring Homologated.”

Which is the No. 1 Muscle Car in the World?

This is subjective and varies based on personal preferences. However, some of the most popular muscle cars globally include the Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Challenger, and the Ford Mustang.

What Was the 1st Muscle Car?

The first muscle car is often considered to be the Pontiac GTO, which was introduced in 1964.

What is the Most Stolen Muscle Car?

This can vary depending on the year and location. However, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that the most stolen muscle car in the United States in recent years has been the Dodge Charger.

What is the Greatest Muscle Car of All Time?

The ranking of the best muscle car in the world depends on the individual’s personal preference and the current market demand. Some of the most popular muscle cars in the world include the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro SS, and the Ford Mustang Boss 429.

Should you buy a Muscle Car Right now?

Yes…. does it really need more explanation?

The post Answering The Most Common American Muscle Car Questions appeared first on Muscle Car.

There was a golden age of American car manufacture in the 1960s and 1970s. This was when a spate of US-based marques released an array of vehicles that were then regarded as extraordinarily elegant, manly, and high-performing.

Of course, we’re referring to the mythical and forever-in-style American muscle cars. Sure, these famous vehicles have been out of production for half a century. Yet, car fans and collectors still hold them in high respect and want them.

If you’re new to the world of muscle cars, then no worries. You’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading for our full breakdown of everything you need to know about American muscle cars. We’ll explore some of the greatest muscle cars to have ever made it to the market.

American Muscle Cars 101: The Basics

Okay, so the phrase “American muscle vehicles” is a misnomer for many reasons, the first of which is that it should be dropped entirely. All officially sanctioned muscle vehicles are from the United States.

So, when you think about the best classic cars under the “muscle” category, then you bet that they’re all American.

Although, you may have heard of muscle cars from Australia or Latin America. But, the Detroit Three also built automobiles in other countries.

A V8 engine is standard equipment in muscle vehicles, which have a two-door body design. Cars like this are great for daily driving around town and the odd drag race. European high-performance automobiles like the Shelby Cobra are quite different from a muscle car.

Vehicles in Europe were created for agility, while muscle cars were built to be quick and powerful when you want them to be. Several blockbuster films, such as 1957’s Rebel Without a Cause, helped popularize drag racing.

Muscle vehicles, on the other hand, didn’t really take off in popularity until the mid-’60s. Until the 1973 oil crisis and ensuing legislation, interest rates would have remained high.

The Original: 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88

This was originally intended for the company’s larger saloon vehicles. However, Oldsmobile engineers decided to put a strong V8 engine in the 88 to give it some more oomph.

Despite the Rocket 88’s high-tech for the time high-compression V8’s lack of earth-shattering performance by subsequent muscle car standards, many auto enthusiasts consider it to be the first of the muscle car breed.

The 303 cubic inches (5.0 litre) Rocket V8 engine produced around 140 horsepower. But, it was more than enough in 1949 to make the 88 a serious contender on the NASCAR racing track. It finished first in six of nine races in its first season and deserves a place in any “Muscle Car” museum.

1964 Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO, a classic American muscle vehicle from the 1960s, was very fast for its day.

Most people credit the Pontiac GTO with kick-starting the Muscle Car craze in the 1960s. It was the first mass-market high-performance car to use a modified 389 cubic inch (6.4-litre) V8 engine.

This was in lieu of the entry-level Tempest’s 140bhp six-cylinder. It was originally available as an option on the mid-size Pontiac Tempest.

Three 348bhp carburetor-equipped GTOs were available. As was a four-speed manual transmission, upgraded suspension, and larger wheels and bonnet scoops.

It only costs $4,500, or around £24,000 in today’s money, when you include all the extras. For its day and price, the GTO’s speed was so astounding that magazines of the day pitted it against the Ferrari 250 GTO to see how fast it could go from 0-60 mph. It took only 5.7 seconds.

Of course, a classic car like this one needs specialized tires. You’ll want to check out Ozzytyres.com.au for one of the best tire collections on the market.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 

The Chevelle Super Sport (or SS) was Chevrolet’s initial entry into the Muscle Car market when it was unveiled in 1964. The Pontiac GTO had a huge advantage in terms of raw power early on, but Chevy quickly caught up.

A colossal 454 cubic inch (7.5-litre) large block V8 with a claimed 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque was available as an option for the 1970 Chevelle SS.

The 1970 Chevrolet SS 454 was one of the world’s fastest-accelerating road vehicles, and it’s now a tremendously valuable collectible.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird

While the majority of Muscle Cars were built for drag racing – or at the very least, the traffic light Grand Prix – some significant models owe their origins to racing on closed circuits like the Indianapolis 500.

Prior to playing a prominent part in the Pixar blockbuster Cars, the Plymouth Superbird was possibly the most well-known. The car’s razor-sharp front end and soaring rear wing were created to help it dominate the Nascar field.

Nascar’s regulations in 1970 dictated that 1,920 units of the Plymouth Road Runner had to be road registered in order for it to participate, which led to the development of the Superbird and its sibling, the Dodge Charger Daytona, as a stock car racer. It was standard for a manufacturer’s US sales network to have a minimum of two vehicles for each dealer.)

However, although the car’s design was produced in a wind tunnel, its tall rear wing seemed to be built for cutting through the clear air. But, its height was actually decided by the requirement of opening the boot lid.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

The Chevrolet Camaro was designed to counter the Ford Mustang’s meteoric rise in popularity since its introduction in 1964. A fast coupe and convertible based on the Chevy Nova chassis, the Camaro arrived three years later with a variety of powerful engine choices including a 396 cubic inch V8 with up to 375 horsepower.

However, performance purists had the choice of the Z/28 package, which contained severe chassis modifications geared for racing versions, rather than the racy option packs that included the blacked-out grille with disguised headlight, simulated air intakes, and “bumblebee” striping.

Best Vintage Cars: Exploring Muscle Cars

Things can get overwhelming if you get too deep into the research process of which one is the crowned best American muscle car in history.

Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on the top American muscle cars that can compete for the title. And, if you enjoyed reading our article, then you’ll love checking out our automotive section for all the additional tips and tricks you could possibly need.

The post What Are the Greatest American Muscle Cars of All Time? appeared first on Muscle Car.

The original muscle car was the Oldsmobile Rocket 88, which hit the streets in 1949. While there have been some periods where it looked like the muscle car was going extinct, they’ve always come back stronger than ever.

Let’s look at 3 of the best modern muscle cars available right now.

What Are Muscle Cars?

While the first muscle car debuted in 1949, the term itself wouldn’t show up until the 1960s when Pontiac described the 1964 GTO as a “muscle car.” The term quickly caught on and was used for all brands of vehicles.

At its core, a muscle car is an intermediate-sized vehicle with a powerful engine, usually a V8. Traditionally, muscle cars were American-made but there’s some debate over that point.

One of the nice things about muscle cars is that you can easily get parts from a source like redlineautoparts.com. That’s just not possible with a lot of “supercars” with this kind of performance like Porsche or Ferrari.

1. Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R

The Mustang is one of the original muscle cars and Carroll Shelby’s versions were even higher-performance than the factory models. Ford and Shelby had their ups and downs since then but they’ve been working together again for several years.

The modern GT350R is one of the most powerful Mustangs to ever hit the pavement. Its 5.2-liter V8 generates 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. The “R” in its name means it was designed for racing, with carbon fiber components throughout. The combination gives it a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds and a quick 12.5-second quarter-mile.

2. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

We couldn’t mention the Mustang without including its arch-rival, the Chevrolet Camaro. The Camaro is another genre-defining vehicle from the 1960s.

The modern ZL1 version sports a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that generates a whopping 650 pound-feet of torque plus a matching 650 horsepower. It bests the Mustang GT350R with a 3.5-second 0-60 time and only 11.4 seconds for the quarter-mile.

3. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

To complete the trifecta of the big three brands of muscle cars from the 1960s, we’ve got the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Dodge has several high-performance versions of the Challenger but the Demon is the most extreme muscle car to ever come straight from the factory.

The SRT Demon sports a 6.2-liter turbocharged engine that’s also equipped with a 2.7-liter supercharger. The combination produces 840 horsepower — enough to need a special type of drag radial road tires.

This monster can go from 0 to 60 in only 2.3 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in only 9.65 seconds, hitting 140 miles per hour in the process.

Modern Muscle Cars Might Be the Best Ever

While purists might tell you the 1960s were the golden age of the muscle car, that’s definitely up for debate. Modern muscle cars are faster, more powerful, and more comfortable to drive than anything in those early years. That’s pretty hard to beat.

Check out the rest of our site for more articles about muscle cars — modern and classic.

The post 3 Modern Muscle Cars You’re Going to Love Driving appeared first on Muscle Car.

Despite it being over 70 years since Oldsmobile developed the Rocket 88, contended to be the first muscle car ever made, the industry has always been innovating in interesting and exciting ways. From new technologies to different ways of thinking about how to make cars stand out, the muscle car industry has seen all kinds of different innovations in recent years and will likely have more innovations in the future. If you are interested in learning more about how the muscle car industry is innovating into the future, then you are definitely recommended to read the article that has been created below. Take a look now in order to get the complete overview.

The Rise of Unique Number Plate

Unique number plates have become more popular in recent years among muscle car owners as they can truly stamp someone’s personality upon a vehicle. Perhaps this is a personal touch that you might be interested in. To make your muscle car feel like a personal extension of who you are, then it is absolutely imperative that you invest in a unique and personalized number plate. This might sound like a lot of effort, but these days, it is easier than ever to make sure you get that unique number plate. In fact, you can now get a cheap private number plate for under 200 if you look in all of the right places.

The Rise of the Electric Muscle Car

If you want your muscle car to feel retro but to actually survive into the future, it might be worth looking for an electric version, the likes of which are shaking up the industry considerably. The great news is that Dodge are developing their own electric muscle car, expected to hit the road in the next few years. If this is an innovation that you are interested in, it could actually save you money over the long run due to the fact that you will be running on much cheaper electrical energy as opposed to running on gas. As part of what goes into a muscle is the appearance, if Dodge can achieve the look of the muscle car, why shouldn’t you consider the possibilities that a car like this could offer you.

Increased Engine Power

The resurgence of muscle cars means that more people than ever are buying them, and they are also looking to make sure that their cars are more powerful than ever. It’s worth taking a look at the most recent edition of the Ford Mustang, which is arguably one of the most classic American muscle cars around. The GT engine combines 460 horsepower with a powerful V8 engine to create one of the quickest and fast-accelerating cars around.

Likewise, the latest Hellcat from Dodge is equipped with an amazing Supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, allowing the car to accelerate to a top speed of 180mph. This is a far cry from the slower cars of yesteryear. It is likely that as innovations in the engine sphere increase, muscle car providers will be finding ways to keep these types of automobiles highly powerful and to make editions that work for car users looking to push the limits of what’s possible.

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Muscle cars have been part of the cultural zeitgeist for decades. The concept of the muscle car dates back to 1949, when Oldsmobile released the Rocket 88 — a performance version of the 76 with a lighter body and a higher-compression engine. The rest, as they say, is history. There’s nothing quite like the roar of a high-end performance V8, especially if it’s under the hood of your favorite make and model.

The introduction and adoption of electric vehicles are creating a collective shift away from gas-guzzling cars with large engines, but this shift is putting the idea of the muscle car at risk. Can muscle cars maintain their identity as we move into the EV era?

Are We Leaving Muscle Cars Behind?

Muscle cars have decades of history to draw from. There are car shows and events across the country that focus entirely on these pieces of automotive history, so fans of all ages can listen to the roar of the engine, sit behind the wheel, and imagine what it might have been like to drive these monsters down the highways and byways of the world.

For the foreseeable future, there will always be people who love these cars enough to restore, own, and drive them. But what happens in a generation or two when the people who have grown up with these cars begin to pass away?

Since Tesla made them popular, it feels like everyone is trying to get in on the EV game — and not even the iconic muscle cars from each brand are safe. Chevy is talking about replacing the Camaro with an EV. Dodge is planning to release an electric muscle car in 2024, though it’s not clear yet whether they’re going to replace the Charger or the Challenger.

We’re just entering the age of the electric muscle car. But are we leaving their predecessors in the dust? Will these battery-powered cars ever be able to compete with the roar of a V8?

Can EV Muscle Cars Ever Compete?

It doesn’t matter how big a fan you are of EVs — muscle cars are still currently cooler. You can’t beat the sound of the exhaust, the rattle of the pipes, and the roar of the engine when you open up that throttle. Plus, you don’t need a degree in electrical engineering to repair or modify your muscle car like you might for an electric car. Right now, there are no Auto Zones or Napa Auto Parts for electric cars — you’re not replacing anything on these EVs except the headlights and windshield wipers on your own, and perhaps performing basic maintenance tasks.

The only benefits that EV muscle cars have over their gas-powered counterparts is the potential for horsepower and reduced upkeep costs. Instead of having a single engine transmitting the power to two or four weels via the drive train, EVs can have an electric motor for each wheel — though most tend to only have two, one for each axle. These models get their horsepower rating from the total HP of all the electric motors. The Lotus Evija, for example, is aiming for 1,972 horsepower, with one motor for each wheel. For comparison, the Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock — ranked the most powerful muscle car of 2020 — tops out at 807 horsepower.

When it comes to upkeep, things like gas and maintenance can put a significant damper on your day. The average U.S. cost for gasoline per month is $250, so for those looking to reduce their time at the pump or lower their upkeep costs, making the switch to electric makes good financial sense.

Helping Our Favorite Muscle Cars Maintain Their Identity

With the push toward sustainability and a zero-carbon future, muscle cars may go the way of leaded gasoline. But that shift won’t happen anytime soon. For now, the challenge is to help these pieces of automotive history maintain their identity separate from the EVs that will eventually replace them. Electric vehicles are here to stay, and we’ll likely see more companies — especially those that have an iconic muscle car or two in their lineup — making the switch from gas to electric.

Helping these muscle cars maintain their identity is not going to be a simple task, but it’s a challenge that automotive enthusiasts and muscle car lovers are up for. For now, we need to focus on keeping these cars in the public eye — and making sure we can differentiate them from their electric counterparts. This may get more challenging as more companies release EV muscle cars, but you’ll never be able to replace the distinctive sound of a V8 with the soft whir of an electric motor.

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In the ‘60s and the ‘70s, movies showed intense vehicle chasing scenes while the protagonist struggled to escape the villain’s clutches. The protagonist’s awesome-looking ride could go from zero to sixty miles/hours, and the antagonist was left rubbing their hands in disappointment. Have you ever wondered where those crazy classic vehicles went after that? From Pontiac GTO to Ford Mustang Mach 1, these beauties dominated the world of cars fifty years ago. They were called “muscle cars” – high-performing American inventions that became outdated in the early ‘70s. But some classic vehicle enthusiasts still own some of the remaining models. You can also purchase a muscle car today, and it comes with several benefits too.

It’s not apparent when the first muscle car was invented. Some have proposed that General Motors was the creator of the original 1949 vehicle Oldsmobile 88. However, others have disputed this claim whereas maintaining that these vehicles came into existence during the ‘60s for drag racing. These mid-sized cars had powerful engines, and they all – historically speaking – were rear-wheel drive. Different versions of these cars were produced in the future, including Mercury Cyclone, Plymouth Road Runner, and Dodge Super Bee. Well, there are – actually – more than a hundred options for you to choose from out there. And to convince you, we’ll explain some of the multiple benefits of owning a classic muscle car in 2021 for American connoisseurs:

1. Powerful engine

Muscle vehicles have a V8 engine that becomes the source of their excellent performance. Some of these beauties even have a V6 engine fitted inside that ensures optimal speed. While most muscle cars are fueled by petrol, some also come with diesel engines, and managing them is no easy feat. Are you worried you can’t troubleshoot such old engines? There’s no need to worry as this Diesel Engine Troubleshooting guide will help you eliminate all the issues. You can learn which problems affect your diesel engine, such as noise, overheating, plug issues, etc., and then fix them accordingly. Or a better option, let the experts deal with them.

2. Stylish façade

What’s the major attraction to purchase a classic? Enthusiasts prefer buying these vehicles for their stylish façade and elegant appearance. These beauties enhance the grace of their driver and make the owner look sophisticated. Also, these cars have a personality of their own, compelling you to purchase a classic muscle vehicle and join the community of car enthusiasts.

3. Attracts attention

Do you dream of riding in a vehicle that makes all the bystanders stare at you appreciatively? At the same time, their smartphones keep clicking pictures of that jaw-dropping ride? Buying a muscle vehicle will make this dream come true. Owning this classic can earn you the center of every conversation. Don’t be surprised if you receive a lot of phone numbers from admirers while making new friends.

4. Strong body

A muscle car doesn’t only offer a powerful engine but also a strong exterior. These cars are more rigid than your average vehicles since they were supposed to endure extreme conditions – weather and environment – during unpredictable situations. Their durability provides more security to a passenger as well. Thus, purchasing a classic muscle car becomes a solid investment.

5. Higher value

Modern vehicles start losing their value the moment you drive them out of the showroom. But your muscle car will retain its value for the long term. How ancient must your ride be for appreciation? Well, appreciation occurs after the vehicle has reached the summit of depreciation. If you’re purchasing a car that’s two/three decades old, it’s a collectible you’ve bought. In other words, you’ve made a fair investment. Also, restoring a classic ensures you getting your money back in the future.

6. Affordable parts

There’s one thing we know about American vehicles, i.e., their parts aren’t expensive. Not only are they affordable, but it isn’t challenging to find them either. Even some of the rarest models have parts available in the market. And you can construct famous versions after buying aftermarket bodies, engines, interior, and other stuff. Since we, fortunately, live in the age of the internet, communities created online can help you gather all the necessary parts to reconstruct your muscle car.

7. Easy registration

You can register your vehicle with antique plates as this method has merely some minor restrictions. It mostly depends on which state you’re residing in; however, you’ll have to make a one-time payment. Besides, you don’t have to fret about passing inspections as this requirement isn’t necessary under the antique grade. If you follow this method, then the insurance will be inexpensive as well. So, antiquity will ensure limited mileage that leads to lower insurance rates for muscle car enthusiasts.

8. Lower plate taxes

Purchasing antique vehicles seems expensive in the beginning. But this decision becomes very cost-effective in the future since old cars receive tax exemptions after a few decades. The duration is 40 years in the United Kingdom. In the United States, vehicles manufactured forty decades ago are also exempt from paying VED (road tax). So, if you’re buying a car belonging to 1981, taxes will be lower.

9. Muscle Car City

Owning a muscle vehicle may encourage you to participate in events for car enthusiasts. What kind of events can you join to extinguish your thirst for meeting like-minded individuals? Well, there’s an American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida. You can witness the majesty of more than 250 classic muscle cars, some of which are pretty rare. This collection in its entirety is worth $32 million. Thus, owning these beauties helps you join a community.

10. Easy to learn

Are you worried about learning to drive your new muscle car? Don’t fret. Simplicity dominates these vehicles for modern-day drivers. The ignition system works as smoothly as you can expect. Teaching yourself how to drive this thing won’t be the problem here. But, if you’re still hesitant, purchase an old one first and try your driving skills on this model fearlessly.

Conclusion

Who owns a muscle car in today’s America? Statistics show that around five million Americans right now own classic vehicles. Most of them are baby boomers (people born between the ‘40s and the ‘60s). Also, over 90% of them are males who make $140,000 annually. But who should own a classic muscle car? It’s dependent on an individual’s interest and patriotism. You can see how these valuables remind people of the “golden age” of vehicles spanning 1964 to 1973. These highly-prized American products make owners proud. Also, muscle cars have powerful engines and strong exteriors as well as high market value. These reasons make it profitable for vehicle enthusiasts to own a muscle car.

The post 10 Perks of Owning a Classic Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The ubiquitous muscle car represents more than just a huge engine and stocky design. Back in the golden age of muscle cars, from the late 1960s to the early 1970s, these vehicles coincided with the space race and the height of rock ‘n’ roll. We were going to the moon baby, and we had the soundtrack to match. Add in some of the most powerful vehicles on the planet at the time, such as the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, and you end up with a heady mix. There were lots of vehicles to choose from back then, but what are the most popular muscle cars worldwide today, and how are muscle cars faring in today’s market?

Back in the nineteen sixties, the big three (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) owned 89.6% of the market. These guys still produce the most popular muscle cars as we will come onto later. But the automotive scene is far different than in the mid to late last century. Today we will go through the most popular muscle cars worldwide and the possible future for our beloved muscle cars.

The Muscle Car Formula

A vehicle needs a specific set of criteria to be classed as a muscle car. The ideal recipe needs an American-made vehicle, a bass-rich V8 engine, two doors, rear-wheel drive, and two seats upfront and in the back. There are variations on the theme, along with the ‘Pony car’ sector, which is more strictly the Ford Mustang and Camaro. More loosely, the Chevy Corvette is a two-seater sports car and the Shelby Cobra was originally a British body with an American V8.

Back in the late 1960s when muscle car makers ruled, there were a plethora of brands to choose from. Many have gone the way of the Dodo, but living examples are very much rare collectible classics. Muscle car brands of the day included – AMC, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac, and Shelby. Many of the designs were quite similar, but it was what was under the hood that counted.

Muscle Car Engines

The outer shell and even the interior of a car may leave you drooling, but it’s nothing without a potent engine. These original drag racers became more ‘plush’ as time went on, but the space race for the most power was equally as important. By roughly 1969, the no replacement for displacement concept had almost been pushed to its limits.

Ford had the Boss 429 V8, Chevrolet with the 454Ci. V8, and Mopars with the legendary 426 Hemi engine. Nostalgia shouldn’t be underestimated in the car world, which is why modern interpretations follow the same theme. Huge displacement V8 engines, but now with almost twice the horsepower. Owning a car in 1970 with 425HP or the Plymouth Superbird going round the NASCAR track at 200mph+, is still impressive today.

The Most Popular Muscle Cars Sold In The US

Tracking down the most popular muscle cars sold in the US from the current breed was the easiest task. It’s no surprise that Ford sells the most with the Mustang, followed by the Dodge Challenger and the Chevy Camaro. However, according to Goodcarbadcar.net the Dodge Challenger outsold the Ford Mustang with 5,631 units sold compared to 4,935 sold by Ford in December 2020.

Most Popular Muscle Cars Sold Worldwide

Tracking down non-US muscle car sales, along with the used market is a much harder proposition. Taking into account private sales is harder to quantify. However, auction websites and international shippers provide some data.

International muscle car sales are more important than ever to raise awareness of the breed and to keep the current inventory going. According to hagerty.com, 30,000 classic cars were shipped from American ports to European destinations in 2018.

Many of these American classics go to Sweden and Finland, with Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and France also been strong contenders. Many vehicles also go to the Netherlands and Germany, where they are distributed to surrounding countries. Popular types include muscle cars, pony cars, and classics from the 1950s and 1960s. One of the apparent reasons for so many exports is that the climate in the US is far better than in Europe. Thus, more solid examples are available from the US.

There’s also the fact that there are more variety and supply of vehicles in the US. The shipping costs are also very reasonable, making the US rich pickings for classic vehicles.

According to wcshipping.com, the Ford Mustang is the most popular vehicle to be exported to the likes of Europe, Australia, and Asia. 2nd is the Chevrolet Corvette, with the Chevrolet Camaro coming in 3rd and the Dodge Charger in 6th place.

For solely modern muscle cars, the Ford Mustang is romping ahead with sales in 140 countries. The Ford Mustang has done especially well in Europe being available in native hand drive. The Mustang has also been a big seller in China, being one of the best selling sports cars.

Popular Muscle Car Selling Websites

If you want to own your own muscle car, what are the most popular muscle car selling websites? These websites can be arguably split into specific and generic. Some websites specialize in buying and selling classic vehicles, while others sell a bit of everything. Both types have their pros and cons. Dedicated classic car websites generally list the more expensive examples, but also have the best aftermarket service and checks. Generic car websites are where you can find a bargain, but there is also less reassurance if anything goes wrong.

Dyler – This website is the newest of the bunch, but also a good port of call for overseas car buyers.

Mecum – Some of the rarest and most valuable muscle cars pass through this auction house.

Barrett-Jackson – Another auction house that specializes in ultra-rare and expensive muscle cars.

Hemmings – There are plenty of classic cars for sale on this website, being one of the most popular in the US.

ClassicCars.com – This website lists plenty of reasonable value vehicles, with a huge inventory.

Ebay Motors – For the sheer variety and size of the audience, you can’t beat eBay motors. You can search country centric versions of the website, and if you land on your feet, you can snag a very good value bargain.

Autotrader Classics – back in the days before the Internet, Auto Trader was the number 1 spot to find used vehicles. It was especially popular in the UK and Europe and is still one of the most respected in the US.

Conclusion

No matter if you want that one-off pristine classic or a beat-up restoration project, there is a muscle car out there for you. Muscle car prices have steadily increased over the years, making them a worthwhile investment for the future.

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Let’s be honest, searching online for your favorite muscle car is a common activity. We may be whimsically windowshopping or in the market for another car to clog up the driveway. Either way, there are a ridiculous amount of searches performed every month to find muscle cars online. The guys over at Budget Direct Car Insurance have compiled a list of the most searched muscle cars online and from each country.

Most Searched Muscle Cars

The full list comprises 50 vehicles, with the most searched monthly vehicle being the Pontiac Firebird in the United States with 111,000 monthly searches. Pontiac also claims the second spot with the GTO having 82,000 monthly searches from the United States. The next muscle car on the list is the Plymouth Barracuda at number 6 with 75,000 monthly searches from the United States. The AC Cobra also gets in the top 10 at number nine with 56,000 monthly searches from the United States.

The entry which was completely unexpected was at number 12 with the Pontiac Fiero having 48,000 searches per month in the United States. Although the Fiero was a small two seater built in the early eighties with a 2.5L engine, not exactly the height of the muscle car era, it’s still a very popular model.

The Pontiac Trans Am receives an entry at the 21st spot, but then it’s down to the 34th spot for the Plymouth Superbird, the Oldsmobile Cutlass at 43 and the Oldsmobile 442 at number 49.

The Pontiac Firebird: The Most Searched Discontinued Muscle Car

Nostalgia seems to play a big part in the number of searches performed online. The Pontiac Firebird has been front of mind for many years, mostly due to its numerous film and TV appearances. The Smokey and the Bandit movie franchise helped the car cement its iconic status. But then it leads to the question of why the Dodge Charger wasn’t included which was heavily featured in the Dukes of Hazard as the General Lee.

Most Search Vehicles by Decade

The list concerning the most-searched muscle cars by decade throws up some slightly different placings. The number 1 spot for the most desired extinct sixties car goes to the Pontiac Firebird again. But the Pontiac GTO comes in second place with the Plymouth Barracuda coming in 3rd and the AC Cobra number four. The top 10 in this category also features the AMC Javelin at number seven and the Mercury Cougar at number eight.

Conclusion

The fun thing about these types of lists is the unexpected entries. The average muscle fan would probably pick completely different contenders. But in reality, the vehicles that stay in people’s consciousness the most can be completely mundane. For instance, the AMC Pacer gains the overall number 15 position and the AMC Gremlin comes in at number 23. I wonder if the AMC Pacer gets so many searches as it was featured in the Wayne’s World movies.

On another note, and probably the most surprising entry is the British Reliant Robin at number 11, with the most searches coming from the United States. We think the reason why this quirky little three-wheeler car doesn’t have all its searches coming from it’s native UK is that the car was essentially s***t.

Yes, it looks cute, but the thing could roll over, at most had an 848 cc engine, but you could drive one with a motorcycle license. In the UK, the Reliable Robin hit popularity as it was heavily featured in the comedy series Only Fools and Horses(just do a search for ‘Reliant Robin Del Boy’).

Back to the story at hand, the Pontiac Firebird is clearly one of the most popular muscle cars. Although the car stopped production in 2002, it had a good run from 1967, featuring some of the most iconic shapes in car history. The ‘screaming chicken’ logo on the hood is also iconic, being almost a symbol for nineteen-seventies car culture.

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When we hear about muscle cars in the United States, the first image that comes to our mind is an enormous vehicle with a sturdy and virtually unbreakable body. Such is not the case because muscle cars are high-performance cars that may look like other vehicles, but have high powered V8 engines that can make them fly. We have listed here five exciting facts about muscle cars that will whet your appetite if you are a car enthusiast.

1.     Best muscle car is a combination of speed and safety:

When it comes to muscle cars, most people talk about horsepower and other similar attributes but fail to address the most critical characteristic of a muscle car i.e., safety. Along with a great engine, best muscle cars have must-have safety upgrades so that the risk of road accidents can be minimized.

If you are behind the wheel of a muscle car, you still cannot drive recklessly. You should also install the best safety features that will allow you to operate the vehicle as safely as possible. If you are a new driver, consider the tips in this car accident video from these Vegas car accident lawyers.

2.     Australia once had a significant following of muscle cars:

Muscle cars are mostly attributed only to the United States, but even Australians once manufactured muscle cars with great zeal and had a massive following in Australia. If we go back in history, we would realize that muscle cars gained popularity in Australia at the same time when they were getting popular in America. But, the Australian government slapped a ban on such vehicles as they were deemed unsafe because of their ability to reach high speeds without any safety standards. 

3.     Ford Mustang cannot be termed as a muscle car:

Even though some muscle car enthusiasts are adamant about terming the iconic Ford Mustang a muscle car, but it is not the case because it does not fulfill the requirements of a muscle car. Ford Mustang is a well-designed vehicle, but it is only a pony car because its V8 engine is much smaller than the rest of the muscle cars.

4.     Muscle Cars used by police:

During the inception phase of muscle cars, police cars were big and slow, and criminals used muscle cars to outrun the police vans. Therefore, Alabama state troopers realized that they need faster cars to play cat and mouse games with the criminals. As a result, they bought a muscle car named AMC Javelin, which had a V8 engine with high horsepower. It was the first time in American history that a police department obtained a muscle car for patrolling purposes.

5.     No one knows the first American muscle car:

People still find themselves at loggerhead about which was the first American muscle car because there have been speculations about several cars. But, most of the experts have shortlisted the two oldest muscle cars such that the argument of ‘who came first’ can be made for both the cars with equal conviction. One is the 1964 Pontiac GTO, and the other one is Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and both of them had V8 engines and body in proportionate with the newer muscle cars.

The post 5 Interesting Facts You Must Know About the Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

There’s a lot you can do to make your car perform better. Find out the five most essential performance car mod upgrades here.

The automobile industry has come a long way since the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 — the first muscle car. The fad faded in the 70s, making a way for technology and modern speed.

But although times change, some things remain the same. Muscles are making a comeback and the way to make them perform better is with a car mod.

Car mods level-up your vehicle’s performance. That means notable improvements to the car ride without major disadvantages to the engine. Don’t forget about the tires. You can roll on performance-based tires through all four seasons.

And for internal and external aesthetics, certain modifications add style and comfort.

There’s a lot you can do to make your car perform better. Find out the five most essential performance car mod upgrades here.

1. The Exhaust Is a Car Mod Fav

Common muscle car theology creates the assumption that the exhaust must be loud and harsh. It’s just the opposite.

You can enjoy this upgrade without hearing harsh noise from miles away. A good exhaust modification comes with sound enhancements. It also helps the engine run with better fuel-efficiency.

Try a cat-black exhaust for faster acceleration and fuel economy or a full exhaust for an increase in power and sound quality.

2. Air Intake 

An air-intake system is all about helping your engine get more air and breathe better when needed. Unfortunately, average manufactured filters restrict airflow, constricting engine production. You feel the difference when you drive up a hill or ramp.

Choose an air intake kit with a cone filter. If you’re skilled in performing modifications, you can piece your own kit together.

3. High-Performance Tires 

You should check the wear and tear and air quality in your tires regularly. Tires have a direct effect on fuel economy.

High-performance summer tires are the way to modify. They’re cost-effective, versatile improvements that are easy to make. Tire upgrades help a vehicle corner better as well as stop faster after a boost in acceleration.

This mod works well with high-priced vehicles too, in case you’re looking for BMW Parts.

4. Nitrous Oxide

If you’re modifying a vehicle for more horsepower, consider nitrous oxide. Although it’s common to racer type vehicles, some average cars can sustain the power.

By definition, nitrous oxide is laughing gas. In an engine, nitrous heats, splitting into oxygen and nitrogen. When this happens, a large amount of oxygen becomes available, injecting more fuel and producing more power.

The kit installation happens in one day, but check with a professional first to make sure your car can handle it.

5. Headlights

Headlights may seem like a minor modification, but the right bulb improves vision and safety.

Consider High-Intensity Discharge lamps. These lights have electric amplifiers with gas-charged bulbs. For that reason, they illuminate brighter than regular car lights.

That makes the roadway more visible when you’re driving in areas that aren’t well-lit.

Upgrade Your Muscle Car

A good car mod can take the performance of your ride to the next level. Check with other enthusiasts about the best upgrades for your make and model.

Let us help you as well. Check out our muscle car parts and start upgrading today.

The post The 5 Most Essential Muscle Car Mod Upgrades appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Its commonly thought that the first muscle car was the 1964 Pontiac GTO or even the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The tick list being a huge V8 engine in a small(ish) car, performance parts, usually two door and available to the average car buyer. The origins seem quite well established, but according to classiccar.com, there’s an argument for the R1 and R2 Studebaker Lark being the first example of the breed.

The Studebaker Lark was launched in the fall of 1958, for the 1959 model and according to Wikipedia, ‘the Lark was the first car of its size to offer a V8 engine.’ (hmmmm…, check your facts Wikipedia)
From 1959 to 1960 the fullbore engine consisted of a 259ci. (4.2 L) V8, with a 289ci.(4.7 L) V8 coming in 1961. One other de facto standard in a muscle car is the supercharger, which apparently first came to the 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk coupled to a 289 V8. This one was a Paxton VS57, which increased power to 275HP, using a two barrel carburetor. For a full rundown of the car specifications, check out the full article at classiccar.com.

The article compares the Pontiac GTO to the Studebaker for muscle car origins, concluding that the GTO, which sold in far bigger numbers won the title, mainly due to popularity. But it excludes the other side of the story, the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The first rocket 88 came with a 303 cubic inch V8 with 135HP(.debatable) and 283 lb-ft of torque and with an increased compression ratio, a 10% fuel efficiency was achieved. Performance wise, this equated to a 0-60 mph of 13 seconds and a top speed of 97 mph. Extremely rapid for the 1950’s.

It didn’t take long for the likes of Dodge, Plymouth and Pontiac to get the same idea. while the Rocket 88 moved away from its roots and became a much larger vehicle, turning into a full-size sedan.

You could argue that the Rocket 88 was the first V8 engine car to tick all the muscle car boxes. The Studebaker also has a viable say in the story. But, when talking about muscle cars, the 1964 Pontiac GTO is the nearest template to the classic era of the late 1960’s and early 70’s, especially with a more potent 389 ci. (6.4 L) V8 producing 325hp.

Like many evolving muscle cars, the GTO hit its stride in 1968 with the second-generation model. This body shape is what we came to know as a classic muscle car, along with a huge 400ci. (6.6 L) or 455ci. (7.5 L) V8. But, as for which model was the first out of the blocks, is not just open for debate, but as is the term itself.

We’ve been down this rabbit warren a good bunch of times with these past articles. There is no concrete point in time where the term ‘muscle car’ was first used. As long as the automobile has been around, it’s been referred to over the years as having ‘muscle.’ Plus, the very debatable point on the Wikipedia muscle car page which says that the original muscle cars were actually referred to as ‘supercars’.(if anyone out there can give further clarification on the supercar thing, please comment below.)

Which means that the term will always be seen retrospectively, with the terminology being added to vehicles which were not referred to as muscle cars until many years later. Which means all three of the examples above could be muscle cars, none of them or maybe one, depending on which side of the bed you got out of.

As for conclusions, we don’t really have one. Apart from if you want to go off the modern definition and this can still be ambiguous. The Mustang and Camaro are often referred to as muscle cars, but strictly you should call them pony cars. Which means if you want to be liberal minded about the whole affair, the Studebaker could be ‘one’ of the original muscle cars.

Like many great ideas, there’s usually lots of reference points. It’s clear that the late 1940’s and 1950’s brought lots of innovation, with the need for more power and performance. The V8 and no replacement for displacement were the mindsets and those should be the areas of celebration rather than who was the first out of the gates.

The post Was the Studebaker The First Muscle Car? appeared first on Muscle Car.

The sales of today’s muscle cars continue to drop. Not only does this raise questions about the future of muscle cars, but it also stunts an entire culture that is still fascinated with the high-horsepower, nostalgic feeling of getting behind the wheel of one of these beasts.

Despite the lack of popularity, there are still plenty of reasons to love modern muscle cars. Let’s review five of the top excuses you should be behind the wheel of a muscle car.

What are Muscle Cars?

An American muscle car features plenty of performance and is typically rear-wheel drive. Most models have been outfitted with a larger, powerful V8 engine. The term was originally used in the 1960s to describe some mass-produced cars that were meant for drag racing.

From the Shelby GT 500KR to the Chevrolet Chevelle SS/LS, there has never been a lack of muscle cars to buy.

With all the excitement and thrill surrounding muscle cars, why the drop in popularity? For many people, the models simply aren’t practical and certainly not fuel-efficient. Another reason is that the Baby Boomer generation was the leading purchaser of these vehicles. Now that the majority of them are in their 50s, they no longer have a desire to drive the lightest muscle car.

Despite their lack of interest in muscle cars, we appeal that there are enough excuses to love muscle cars in today’s day and age.

Reason #1: Storied History

There’s no question that muscle cars are iconic. The history behind the models is interesting, to say the least. If muscle cars aren’t made anymore, a part of American heritage will be taken away from us.

The first full-size muscle car is thought to be the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. It was the first time that a potent V8 engine was placed into a lighter, smaller vehicle. With the original Rocket, the engine was a 5.0-liter taken from a larger Oldsmobile 98. In total, this Oldsmobile pumped out 135 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. During the 1950 NASCAR racing season, this Oldsmobile won eight of the ten races.

Then, in 1955, the Chrysler C-300 was born. It contained 300 horsepower from a 5.4-liter V8 engine. It was quickly hailed as “America’s Most Powerful Car.” Chrysler was on a roll at the time, because they also produced the beloved 300.

As 1956 came to pass, the Studebaker Golden Hawk hit the scene. This American muscle car was equipped with a 5.8-liter Packard V8 engine that pumped out 275 horsepower. In 1957, AMC introduced the Rambler Rebel. This mid-sized car was the first to have a big-block V8 motor under the hood. These early cars paved the way for the Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers.

While these are simply the beginnings, there have been many firsts along the road. To get rid of muscle cars means losing this piece of history that every auto enthusiast should know about.

Want to skyrocket your car sales Automotive Dealer Marketing is a great resource for auto dealers.

Reason #2: Unique Personality

What’s not to love about the personality of a muscle car? It’s not the soccer mom SUV or stuffy luxury car; it’s meant to go fast and create hype. All muscle cars are fast, aggressive and usually loud. That’s what makes them fun.

Another benefit to most muscle cars is how tail-happy they can be. When you get behind the wheel of one of the best muscle cars, it’s hard not to start drifting or sliding. Let’s see you do that in a minivan.

Reason #3: Simple Design

While all other types of cars need to keep upgrading their style to remain fresh and relevant, muscle cars are timeless. Sure, the designs might be simple, but no one wants anything else. It’s these classic, sleek bodies that continue to bring auto enthusiasts back for more.

It doesn’t matter what era of cars you look at; you will notice the same thing. From the beginning until now, all muscle cars look raw and mean.

Reason #4: Fun to Drive

If you aren’t interested in having fun on the road, buy a compact car with a four-cylinder engine. If excitement and thrills are on your agenda, then driving a muscle car is the way to go. With big engines and plenty of horsepower, these beasts are made to be driven fast.

Sure, you could purchase a sports car if power was all you wanted, but it isn’t. Driving the tail-happy muscle car is far more fun. Yes, you might do better in a sports car if you want to race, but then you would miss the excitement of swinging around the corners.

Reason #5: Harmonious Sounds

Finally, there’s one more important reason to love muscle cars. With the V8 engine under the hood, it knows how to make a glorious sound. This tone is unique to this lineup of vehicles. When a muscle car revs and redlines at 7,000 RPM, the sound that comes from it is unlike anything else you’ve ever heard.

What’s even better is when you get a group of these vehicles together, creating the noise. It’s like a symphony of Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats. Where else can you experience the thrill?

Modern Muscle Cars

As manufacturers focus their attention on automotive marketing, there’s a battle raging for the top spot. The Ford Mustang continues to lead the pack, but the Challenger sales recently surpassed those of the Camaro. It’s anyone’s guess who will be the champion by the end of this year, but it sure has been a fun race to watch.

Whether you decide to drive a modern muscle car or you prefer the classics, you are part of a culture that can’t be silenced. You can love muscle cars because of the history or because of the speed; it really doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you help to create another 60 years of history with the new lineup of vehicles included. Our children and their children deserve to experience the same thrill and raw power that we’ve had the chance to feel.

What is your favorite muscle car and why do you love it. Let us know your thoughts.

Read more about The Best Muscle Cars For 2020

The post 5 Reasons For Loving Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

Muscle cars, like any popular vehicle that has been around for a good few decades, have their up-and-down times with prices. The original muscle cars of the late 1960s and early 70’s are now in some cases moving from the classic to the antique car category. Those vehicles that are over 45 years old and still command a tidy sum. These can also be classed as post-war era vehicles (1948–1972)

In this regard, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a basic overview of the most popular muscle cars and general values. This will include both old and new muscle cars, but don’t take it as a be all and end all list. More to give a general guideline, so you know either how much your current classic is worth or is it worth buying into a certain vehicle.

General information
Buying into a classic muscle car can be done for a variety of reasons. The car you always longed for, an investment piece….many reasons. For any vehicle, there is a tick list of criteria which goes towards its ultimate value.
Condition and originality – the more original the parts, the better. From seating to engine elements, the more original, the higher the value.
Mileage – the lower, the better.
Age – not always a factor, but usually the older the better.
Rare options – base model cars fetch the least amount, while limited run vehicles with rare options fetch the most. Generally, it’s the popular makes and models, with a bunch of rarely chosen options that fetch the most money.

Modern Muscle
When it comes to modern muscle cars, we’re usually talking in the last 15 years or so. The four big contenders are the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang. The Camaro has been in production since 1967, with only a break between 2002-2010. There have been limited edition Camaros over modern years, such as the Z/28.

The Dodge Challenger, which is probably the nearest tip to a classic muscle car, came back in 2008, with some collectors models along the way, such as anniversary editions. But, its the Dodge Challenger Demon with 808HP and only 3,300 units produced which is a current favorite. The Dodge Charger also came back in 2006, with a few limited edition models along the way.

The Ford Mustang has been the longest running pony/muscle car, with loads of options to choose from. Standout models include the GT350 and GT500.

As a brief overview, here are some examples to whet your appetite.
Chevrolet
2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: Concours = $50,000, Fair = $25,000
2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary: Concours = $35,200, Fair = $12,100

Dodge
2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition: Concours = $44,000, Fair = $17,600
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: Concours = $165,000, Fair = $100,000

2009 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T: Concours = $26,300, Fair = $10,700
2009 Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee: Concours = $38,000, Fair = $14,200

Ford
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: Concours = $50,000, Fair = $29,900
2014 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet: Concours = $100,000, Fair = $45,000
2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake: Concours = $90,000, Fair = $50,000

Pricing guides
The links below should provide you with good variety of resources for finding car values, models and basic specs. of each vehicle. In no particular order, as some resources present the information better than others.

The National Automobile Dealers Association have appraisal guides for many vehicles. Free and easy to search.

Haggerty have a great valuation tool with different conditional prices, historic values and an overview of each vehicle.

Hemmings have a nice array of data, based on recent sales from the previous three years.
There are also classified ads. and guides on the website for further information.

The Historic Automobile Group International have their HAGI Index for tracking investment values.

The Collector Car Market Review tracks the value and prices of classic cars with an extensive database, featuring loads of information.

As for the information below, we searched Haggerty for the information. The site doesn’t just give high and low prices, but also historical data, amongst other things and a basic overview description of each vehicle. If the vehicles you are interested in is not in the limited selection below, check out Hagerty’s evaluation tool directly to find a specific make and model.

Classic muscle car prices
When it comes to classic muscle cars, those of the late 60s and early 70s, there’s simply loads to choose from. There were far more models back in the day and in some cases, it only took a few ticks of the option list to end up with a bona fide rarity.

As a basic list of the most popular muscle car makes back in the day, these include – AMC, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac and Shelby.

As for the top prices paid for vintage muscle cars, the top of the heap goes to a 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000 for a cool $13.75 million. Second, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 two-door coupe for $3.85 million. Third, a 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible four-speed, in Hemi orange auctioned for $3.5 million. Lastly, in 1967 Corvette convertible L88 sold at auction for $3.2 million. Then again, you can pick up a good condition 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T for mid $45,000.

Below are a few examples of classic muscle cars to give an idea of the range of prices. There should be a make and model out there for everybody’s pocket if you shop around.

1969 American Motors AMX SS
Concours = $118,000, Fair = $48,900

A healthy two-door fastback with a 390ci./340hp 4bbl V8 engine.

1969 Buick GS 400
Concours = $67,700, Fair = $25,300

Based on the Skylark custom, the Buick GS has reasonable muscle car specs. A 350-ci. V8 with 4-barrel and 280 horsepower.

1970 Buick GSX Stage I
Concours = $194,000, Fair = $93,500

455ci/360hp V8 and a healthy amount of torque. Only 400 were produced, making this a definite collector’s item.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
Concours = $134,000, Fair = $46,200

Featuring a LS6 454ci. V8 and 450 horsepower, the 1970’s Chevelle SS hit the peak of the muscle car era. In many ways you can’t go wrong with any year of Chevelle if you want a classic muscle car.

1969 Chevrolet Nova Yenko
Concours = $480,000, Fair = $253,000

Yenko Chevrolets basically stuffed the best performance parts onto a vehicle to make the most potent cars of the time. Very few were produced, which makes them surefire rarities. The Nova version had a 427ci./425hp 4bbl L72 V8 engine with only 38 produced.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Concours = $236,000, Fair = $97,500

Sporting a healthy 440ci./390hp 3x2bbl V8 with the top of the tree, a 455 bhp 426 ci. Hemi V8. The Dodge Challenger came in many different variations, with many different options. If you’re not too bothered about complete originality, then you can pick up a 1970’s Challenger for the mid $45,000 mark.

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Concours = $130,000, Fair = $47,200

Ford being Ford, there are literally loads of different models and combinations over the years. Variations of the Mustang are the most popular, with the Mach 1 being one of many. At the top the Mach 1 had a 428ci./360hp 4bbl Super Cobra Jet V8 and although not the most classic shape of Mustang, still very valuable.

1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E
Concours = $151,000, Fair = $82,200

The Cougar had at the top a 428ci./335hp 4bbl V8, which had only 357 examples produced. Maybe not the most popular of muscle cars, but every bit as worthy.

1969 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
Concours = $99,500, Fair = $30,800

A 400ci./360hp 4bbl V8, the 442 W30 was the hotter version of the 442, which also included the W-31 and W-32 options, which had only 300 examples built. Classic muscle car looks and features.

1970 Plymouth Cuda AAR
Concours = $110,000, Fair = $42,000

Sharing the same E body underpinnings of the Dodge Challenger, the Plymouth Barracuda is another standout vehicles from the muscle car era. The AAR had a 340ci./290hp 3x2bbl Six Pack V8 with 2,724 AAR Cudas being produced.

Hopefully this abbreviated list of muscle cars and their rough prices will give you an idea how some of the more rare models fair in the market.

The post Muscle Car Prices 2019 appeared first on Muscle Car.

Do you want to make an investment in a classic car or truck? If so, learn about the best muscle cars to invest in here.

What’s more American than apple pie? If you’re an automotive guru, your answer may be American muscle cars.

If you’re revving up to make your own investment in a classic muscle class vehicle, we’re here to help. Here’s a roundup of some of the best muscle cars to consider.

A Brief History of Muscle Cars

Muscle cars have a special place in American automotive history.

Many point to the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 as the very first muscle car on the market. It features many of the hallmarks of the muscle car class:

• Sport coupe body
• Midsize
• Lightweight construction
• Robust V8 engine
• Rear-wheel drivetrain
• Fast and powerful

While the Oldsmobile Rocket is given props as the vehicle that started it all, the true heyday of muscle cars was between 1950-1970. During this era, drivers and automakers alike jumped on the bandwagon for speedier, sportier vehicles.

This led to the mass production of an array of muscle cars and a culture of muscle-car appreciation. Older shoppers loved them for daily cruises and younger buyers raced them. They were a fixture of everyday life and driving.

In the mid-1970’s the muscle car lost its status as a daily driving vehicle. Newer models were less affordable than before. And the Clean Air Act and a focus on reducing emissions put restrictions on engine construction. This decreased the performance power of many models.

Buying Trends Over the Years
Even though there was a shift away from old muscle cars after the 1970s, they’ve still maintained their popularity. Casual drivers appreciate the nostalgia they represent and car collectors know the value of adding a few classic models to their collection.

According to data from the Hagerty Price Index American Muscle Cars, muscle car buying trends have stayed strong for the last several years. They predict that this will continue to be the case since younger car collectors are drawn to many of the most popular classic models.

Best Muscle Cars to Invest in Now
Classic American muscle cars still hold an important place in many towns and cities across the country. If you head to a car show or do some research on beloved collectible muscle cars, you may come across one or a handful of these models.

Pontiac GTO
The first version of the Pontiac GTO, produced in the mid-1960s, was an influential model in the muscle car trend. Highlights include a light build and powerful engine capable of producing about 360 horsepower.

Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevy Camaro is actually still on the market today, which proves its everlasting appeal. It first appeared in 1967 as a direct competitor to the Ford Mustang. The first version was equipped with a standard 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that puts out 140 horsepower.

Dodge Charger
It’s hard to dispute the iconic appeal of the Dodge Charger. This model is also still popular to current drivers. The first version appeared in 1966 with an output of over 420 horsepower.

Ford Mustang
Around 1964, the Ford brand unveiled the legendary Ford Mustang. It was instantly popular and still is available in coupe and convertible styles. The earliest versions came with V6 and V8 engine options.

Chevrolet Chevelle
The Chevrolet Chevelle appeared in the early 1960s. It’s a model that’s also synonymous with the muscle car culture of that decade. Even people who aren’t classic car enthusiasts easily identify this vehicle as a classic model.

It’s so recognizable that it often appears in movies that feature muscle cars.

Plymouth Road Runner
The Plymouth Road Runner came at a time when other automakers were making more costly muscle cars. This model was introduced in 1968 at an affordable price and with a capable engine that would appeal to the average driver.

Plymouth Barracuda
If you want a truly distinctive old muscle car, the Plymouth Barracuda is eye-catching and powerful. It first appeared in the mid-1960s just before the Ford Mustang.

Some characterize this model as the original pony car. This term refers to a class of vehicles that are small, affordable, but sporty too.

Corvette Stingray
The Corvette Stingray is a stunning vehicle first introduced in 1963. It was considered the all-new iteration of the original first-generation Corvette. It was restyled in the fashion of a race car—and it shows—in aspects like a coupe body style and independent rear suspension.

Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger came to the market in 1970, and it continues to be a major player for the Dodge brand. The first version was built on the same platform as the Plymouth Barracuda and came with an impressive selection of nine engine options.

According to the FCA US LLC, restored models can sell for six figures.

Making a Smart Investment
The coolest muscle cars can enhance a car aficionado’s personal collection. But if you choose wisely, they can also prove to be a valuable and profitable investment.

Like any other financial investment, purchasing a collectible muscle car requires careful thought. Classic muscle cars require a considerable buy-in after all. Your investment doesn’t just stop with the initial purchase.

There are risks to consider such as the condition of the vehicle and how much it could cost you to restore and maintain it. You’ll need to work with a body shop that specializes in muscle car service and restoration you can depend on. It will also cost you to house and properly insure the vehicle.

And if you plan to sell it in the future, consider how you can recoup the costs. Will you be able to make a profit or just break even?

Get the Latest Muscle Car News
While this is a lot to think about, you have plenty of resources to help you evaluate your investment. And our blog is a great place to start.

Visit our site if you’re looking for more research and information on the best muscle cars to invest in. We’ll supply the latest buying tips and model highlights.

The post The Best Muscle Cars to Invest In appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Just when you thought all the vintage muscle cars in the world have been discovered and snapped up, along comes another bountiful Muscle Car Collection. In this case it’s a huge gathering of old GM muscle cars.

There are quite a few old GM classics in this muscle car collection. Pontiac GTOs, 442 Cutlasses, Hurst Oldsmobiles, a 1970 Buick GS Stage 1…the list goes on. There are also some rarities thrown into the mix like a special order GTO in rare Cardinal Red. Most are non-numbers matching and have been sat for over 15 years. Thankfully, in a temperature controlled environment, which means most of them should have metalwork in good condition. Obviously, that doesn’t take into account the condition they were first brought into the storage environment as some clearly have a few rust holes. There is a varied enough selection here to grab somebody’s interest for their next restoration project.

At this point the video should have whetted your appetite, but where are they, are they for sale, is there an inventory list to choose from, etc.? The bottom line – the collection is for sale and has been documented in the video by Auto Archaeology, who will put interested parties in touch with the owners of the collection. All the vehicles are waiting to be restored and are in a variety of conditions – some with engines, some without.

I can only think that the passing on of interested parties to the seller via email is to cut down on tire kickers. If you’re interested in buying anything that you seen the video or inquiring further, then email the Auto Archaeologist here.

The post Massive Muscle Car Collection In Factory Basement appeared first on Muscle Car.

VIN: 344670M283717
Engine: 455ci. V8
Transmission: Muncie 4-speed Manual
Exterior Color: code 14 Platinum Silver
Interior Color: Black
Mileage: 71050
Price: $159,900.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

Here we have a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible in mighty fine condition. Said to have had a full rotisserie restoration and comes with broadcast sheet and full-back history. It’s nowhere near the cheapest 442 on the block, more at the top of the market, but the car will give an idea of not just current market worth of a 442, but also a look into an example of a muscle car which isn’t always the most popular, but still has top value.

The Oldsmobile 442 started as a option package for the Cutlass, then became its own model in the muscle car years of 1968-1971. The ‘442’ comes from the four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission and twin exhausts. 1970 was probably the zenith in design for the 442, with the 455ci. V8 being the standard in the 442 model, with updated design and styling. The W30 package added a W25 fibreglass hood, aluminum intake manifold,, upgraded camshaft, cylinder heads, carb. and distributor.

This example has the W30 W machine package, W27 aluminum differential package, ‘tinted windows, power steering, custom sports steering wheel, sports styled outside rear view mirrors, sports console, Rally pack gauges, stereo 8-track tape player, AM/FM stereo, Strato bucket seats, dual intake force air fiberglass hood and red inner fenders.’ ‘Firestone wide oval tires and Super Stock I 14″x7″ wheels.’

This Oldsmobile is clearly a top-notch example of its breed, with one point to mention the quality of photography helps loads with selling the car. Someone has definitely gone to extra lengths to make the car look as appealing as possible, not just providing detailed images but also ones that wouldn’t look out of place a large poster. Basically, for expensive vehicles it pays to produce very good photography. It shows off the vehicle in the best possible way and shows that the seller has gone to extra lengths.

This condition of vehicle with all the extras in one of the more well-known makes and models would cost far more money. The 442 is a fine collectors car, with all the attributes of the classic era of muscle cars.

Definitely a fine example of its breed and like any potential purchase, perform your due diligence, make sure it is what it says it is before you’re happy to buy.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

The post 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The 1971 movie Two Lane Blacktop is a road movie which isn’t just a look at vintage muscle cars in their historical settings, but also 102 minutes of how Route 66 used to look before the Interstate Highway era. The movie centers around mechanic (Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys), driver (James Taylor) and their 1955 Chevy 210 two-door. The movie also stars Laurie Bird(the girl), Warren Oates(GTO) and directed by Monte Hellman.

Without giving away the plot, the guys go from town to town earning their way through drag races with lots of moody interplay, reminiscent of the times. The film wasn’t a commercial success, but it’s definitely up there with similar classic road movies like Vanishing Point and Easy Rider. Esquire magazine were impressed enough with the movie, naming it ‘The Film of the Year.’ Having the strapline, ‘their lives begin at 140 mph’ still sounds extremely impressive in 2019. Filming took place from California to Tennessee, over a two-month period and was quite a low-budget film for its time. ‘Blacktop’ by the way means asphalt roads.

As you’d expect with an American road movie featuring lots of drag races from the early 70s, there’s plenty of muscle car eye candy along the way. The main stand out vehicle is a 1970 Pontiac GTO 455-ci. Mark IV Ram-Air in Orbit Orange, with Rally II” stripes and spoiler options(not the ‘Judge’ version) driven by Warren Oates(GTO). Two GTO’s were use during filming, been described by screenplay writer Rudy Wurlitzer as, ‘The GTO is the consumer car par excellence, a metaphor for the consumer culture. It’s absurd, but in a great way.’ The 1955 Chevy 210 on the other hand, was described as, ‘The Chevy is the artist’s car, made and created by people who are in love with the process of building a car.’

In no particular order, there are also two 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sports, a red 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, a 1969 AMC Javelin, 1970 Chevrolet El Camino, 1969 Chevrolet Impala, 1969 Chevrolet Nova, 1970 Dodge Charger, 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, 1968 Dodge Coronet, 1967 Mercury Cougar, 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S, 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, 1966 Plymouth Barracuda, 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 1970 Plymouth Duster, 1967 Plymouth Fury, 1969 Plymouth Fury and a 1966 and 1967 Pontiac GTO. Basically, a bit of everything vintage muscle car wise thrown into this film.

Many reviews say the movie is understated, mostly sparse with minimal dialogue, but this is also a reflection of the open landscapes and the much slower pace of movies from this era, rather than the short, quick editing we are used to in present-day. As a fan of vintage muscle cars this film should definitely be on your watchlist.

Here’s a link to the film on online 
Available on Amazon 

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post 1971 Two Lane Blacktop Movie: Muscle Cars Galore appeared first on Muscle Car.

Lottie Moss sister to supermodel Kate Moss, has caused pulses to raise on social media having been photographed in front of a 1969 Oldsmobile sporting racy lingerie.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

My new roomie @lottiemossxo in @honeybirdette

A post shared by Ian Passmore (@passmorepics) on Mar 27, 2019 at 9:52am PDT

The lingerie by Honey Birdette and the close up view of Lottie are the clear subjects of this image, but a wider view of the car would have been nice to add even more interest to the image, especially for fans of the muscle car. Lottie and/or the photographer have a clear interest in muscle cars, so why not show off both to their best?

Oldsmobile first produced vehicles under the name of Olds Motor Vehicle Co., starting in 1897. The company was bought by General Motors in 1908 and produce many noticeable models, especially in the golden years of vintage muscle cars between 1968 and 1972. The company is often quoted as producing the first muscle car with the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. A medium-sized vehicle with a 304ci. (5.0L) from the Oldsmobile 98 and the body from the Oldsmobile 76.

The Classic muscle car period saw models from the company such as the Oldsmobile 442 and Oldsmobile Cutlass with huge displacement engines such as the 400ci. V8 and 455ci. V8. Variants of both vehicles are some of the most respected from this period.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Lottie Moss Poses With 1969 Oldsmobile Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

VIN: 242370B119923
Engine: Ram Air IV
Transmission: Manual Muncie M21
Exterior Color: Polar White
Mileage: 55653
Price: $125,000.00

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1970 was a good year for muscle cars. It helped that GM lifted its cubic inch limit with bigger engines from the likes of Buick, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. Pontiac stuck to their guns with their lineup from 1969, but featured a better facelift which still looks classic today.

This rarity is said to be one of 3,629 hard-top Judges built, one of 627 RAM AIR 4 speed HT produced and one of only 325 RAM AIR IV Judge HT 4 speeds. A service replacement block for the original 400ci/370hp L-67 block is fitted, but it does have the original transmission it came with. The exterior is Polar White with a pristine, black interior.

The car has had a complete frame off restoration in 2010, with the rear end engine and transmission being rebuilt at different times in the past. All this seems to be documented along with the specifics of the car with a build sheet and PHS documentation. During the rebuild its had a few OEM parts, the only one specified is a Gardner exhaust. Original date correct replacements parts listed are the original Rochester quadrajet, distributor, starter and alternator. Original to the car is the Safe-T-Track rear end and power steering.

Clearly, this Ram Air IV is in excellent condition both inside and out and being in show condition. The question now is if you think it is worth the asking price.

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By Dave Ashton

Like any long standing movement, there’s generally not one specific moment where all ideas are invented, but more a series of steps and standout points in time which culminate in a high point. This is the case with muscle cars where the golden years can be argued to be the late 60s and early 70s, but there were pivotal years over a few decades before which built to this high point.

In this article from sturgisjournal.com, there is an account of 1962 being one of the years ‘that muscle car performance kicked off in high gear.’ It is a nostalgic recount of the year and focuses on four main brands being, ‘The 413 Dodges/Plymouths, the 409 Chevys, the 406 Fords and the 421 Pontiacs.’

The full article is definitely worth a read. There is nothing like a first-hand account of what makes, models and engines were used at the time and in this case, how they fared on the track. Heavy cars with big, heavy, powerful engines were the order of the day. by 1964, the fashion was more mid-sized vehicles, ‘Led by the ’64 Pontiac GTO, the Chevy Chevelle and Ford Fairlane.’ The other great standout quote is, ‘ the year 1962 sticks out like no other as the year you could walk into your dealer, plunk down the cash and drive out with a 13-second super stocker you could race that evening.’ Raw, cubic inch power was the state-of-the-art for the times and still very accessible to the average guy.

If you want a more general overview of the muscle car era, then you can delve into the two books below, which are previewed on Google books to get back history on the muscle car era. It’s always a good idea to get information from a bunch of sources, as you will always find slightly different accounts of what happened when and to whom.

In this book, Motion Performance: Tales of a Muscle Car Builder, page 15 states how small, niche car makers of the 1950’s designed many prototypes, examples like the Bocar(Corvette powered) and the Kaiser Darrin. Lots of innovation and creativity when the automobile platform was still simple enough to make wildly different creations. Some of these creations inspired the biggest carmakers, which led to some of the classics we have today.

The book American Muscle Cars: A Full-Throttle History, describe some of the early years of the muscle car and some of the pivotal years.

Some standout vehicles of 1962 include the Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder, Chevrolet Corvette C1, 1962 Plymouth Sport Fury, 1962 Ford Fairlane, 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire, 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1962 Studebaker Hawk Gran Turismo.

A 1962 Pontiac Super Duty 421 which easily had 450HP may seem very basic by today’s standards, but you’re talking about engineering that is over 50 years old and even now the horsepower rating is impressive, as is the beautiful contours of design, based more on an aesthetic than a computer-generated readout. Looking at the car designs today, seems more like automotive artwork than purely functional design. Couple this with great horsepower and you really couldn’t ask more for your money.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

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By Dave Ashton

Sigh (or big exhale sound), it seems on a regular basis muscle car fans have to defend their favourite breed of car, especially in a modern environment where the mindset is moving towards words like ‘eco’, ‘electric’, ‘hybrids’, etc. The inspiration for this article was from reading a post on titled, ‘25 Glaring Problems With Muscle Cars Everyone Just Ignores.‘

The post starts with looking at a little back history of the muscle car, more or less starting with the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, then outlining modern versions like the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, then on to the so-called ‘problems’.

You can follow the link above for the full explanations, but they essentially are listed as points like oil change required more often, new parts not available, needing special insurance, poor fuel economy, needing expensive fuel, no good for a daily commute, fluid leaks, bad suspension, poor brakes, expensive to buy, even one of them being manual transmission.

It’s almost like every thing that can be wrong with a vehicle is stuffed into the inherent problems of a muscle car. In some ways it even feels like the post is grasping at straws with items like – questions from fans, different to drive and hot in the summer. It doesn’t feel like a direct attack on muscle cars per se, rather than a lets pad this out to 25 points, thing.

If anyone has looked even briefly into the breed of muscle cars, they will know that the golden era was from the late 60s – 1970s, clearly now being vintage vehicles and also being in the high performance category. Being vintage vehicles in most cases, strikes out most of the caveats ever thrown at muscle cars.

We are talking about vehicles which are over 40 years old which people are still driving and maintaining today. They have the technology of the late 1960s and early 1970s. By today’s standards of technology that may seem very antiquated, especially with things like carburettors, disc. brakes, suspension, etc. Parts are available generally by OEM suppliers, apart from the rarest items, so no problem there. Therefore, if you take any technology still being used today from that time period it will inherently need extra maintenance, it goes with the territory. Which is why the constant comparison from that time period compared to now is just a null point.

Look at the engineering of any car from anywhere around the globe from that time period. Drum brakes, leaf spring suspension, carburettors. It’s ironic that for example the E-type Jaguar isn’t compared to modern day vehicles or its faults, like a muscle car would be. The E-type has a 4.2-litre V6 with 265 bhp. An iconic, great looking vehicle, but completely antiquated towards today’s standards. Show the E-type a picture of a rain cloud and it will turn to iron oxide quicker than Clark Kent to Superman.

Modern muscle
But let’s lump in modern muscle cars. Poor fuel economy, expensive fuel, no good for a daily commute, expensive to buy, even bad for the environment are some of the points listed in the article. Starting with the fuel side of things and maintenance. These are performance vehicles and like an expensive racehorse, they need more attention and care than a regular vehicle, much more for the older models. Newer cars are are better on fuel economy and have many more creature comforts making them decent for a daily driver.

in the US, registration fees are the same no matter what vehicle you have and taxes are too as long as there is no ‘gas guzzler’ tax. I would argue that modern muscle cars aren’t as bad for the environment as emissions technology and catalysts are leaps and bounds better than they were 10 and even 20 years ago. They might not be on the zero emissions or PZEV list but they are surely much better than older carburetor vehicles with no catalysts. Modern muscle cars can easily be used every day, but they are not exactly designed per se for the school run.

When you start mentioning eco-friendly vehicles, the muscle car almost seems like the antithesis or poster boy. Huge engine and low fuel economy. However, muscle cars are such a small percentage of the total amount of vehicles ever built and currently on the roads, you could probably have them all running 24/7 and they still wouldn’t even make an impact when you take into the account all the other vehicles ever made and what is pumped out by industry. Even when everything goes completely electric, the sound of a mighty, rumbling V8 engine with all its pleasing vibrations will be a nice reminder of why human beings wanted more power and performance from their vehicles in the first place.

The elephant in the room
One big elephant in the room (not the new 426 hemi…ahem), which is rarely talked about and why muscle cars can easily get a bad rap globally is ‘refinement’ perception. Generally speaking, if you’re from Europe an American vehicle is probably the last on your list. Maybe even the east and beyond. Go to Australia and they love their muscle cars, but they also had their own breed. But it’s mainly down to the refinement or image thing.

Muscle cars have traditionally been seen outside of the US as being more of a ham-fisted way to approach performance, especially in the old days. Basic engineering and if you wanted more power, stuff in more cubic inches was the perception. But this is a very generic and blase way to look at things.

Ballet and hip-hop dancing are both legitimate art forms, but Ballet is seen as the more refined. A fillet steak meal and a hamburger can be equal in quality, nutrition and taste, but the steak is seen as more refined. Some of the old Italian cars of the same period, which are so revered today are no better in technology and need just as much maintenance and breakdown even more, but somehow are seen as more refined. But the loud, brash image works to the muscle car’s advantage. It’s a bit like rock music which will always have its haters, but those who love the genre are in it for life, a dedicated, long-lived following. Other genres have come and gone, but a smaller dedicated group will always last the longest.

It’s actually quite surprising that all the vintage muscle and pony cars are as popular as ever and still being driven, arguably the most popular breed of vintage vehicle. This has to be testament to what they deliver to their owners. They will need lots of maintenance, but it goes with the territory of maintaining a vintage car. However, the benefits outweigh all the caveats and they are still some of the most raw and fun vehicles around to drive. The bottom line is, lovers or haters of the muscle car, as long as they are being talked about they will be front of mind and that’s the point to keeping the breed going.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

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It wasn’t just in horsepower ratings, designs started to change in the mid-70’s from the sporty classic muscle car looks, to more squared off luxury vehicles. However, just like a classic a rock band they never really go away, they just have to wait until they get rediscovered or kick out that one great album again to reignite the flame. Here are a few choice muscle car picks that sit in between the classic and new era of muscle cars. Most of these examples are classic designs of the period, but don’t expect the horsepower ratings of the true classic era or modern day.

1974 Dodge Dart 360

Using the classic rock band analogy again, by 1975 muscle cars are now on their third greatest hits and live albums and looking nowhere near as lean as their previous years. The Dodge Dart was always a solid contender, but definitely started to look a bit flabby by 1974.
0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds and Quarter mile in 15.7secs. at 88.3 mph still had some wind in its sails, but nothing like the earlier models. These later models are cheaper to pick up and are still classics.

1974 Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger is an absolute classic muscle car, but like many of the rest by 1974 the model was in its last year. A 360 V8 with 245 bhp was still available and still retained most of its classic lines from previous models. As we’re still on the edge of the classic musclecar era in 1974, these models can still fetch reasonable prices, but nothing like the cost of a 1970 model.

1974 Dodge Charger

The top engines in this year were the 400 V8 260bhp and 440 V8 280bhp. in 1975 the Charger had a radical design change going from the classic lines of the late 60s and 70s to something that resembled a house brick. By this time it was really no longer a muscle car, but something else. Classic Chargers range from 1966-1974, with 1974 being the last year for a performance Charger.

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SE

This model from Pontiac is probably best known from Smokey and the Bandit. A 6.6-liter V8 and 200 horsepower may not have been mind blowing performance, but every other aspect of the car is a true classic. In many ways the horsepower is irrelevant. T top, screaming chicken on the hood and V8 roar make this a late 70s classic.

Fox Body Mustangs

Okay, it’s a pony car, its the 1980s, but the Fox body Mustang is now more popular than ever. Produce between 1979 to 1993, the vehicles utilised Ford’s unibody chassis Fox platform and have a distinctive 80s look. Due to their light weight and low cost, there are ideal for performance upgrades. They are now classics and you don’t have to treat them like porcelain like a 1970s Cuda.

3rd and 4th Gen. Chevrolet Camaro

Third generation (1982–1992) and Fourth generation (1993–2002) Camaros, just like Mustangs kept on going from the 60s onwards, with only short breaks up until present day. The Camaro seemed to always keep some sort of sporty look throughout its history, even if you ignore some of its lower powered engines along the way. Models like the 1985 IROC-Z were very cool looking machines and still cheap enough to buy to throw on some upgrades. The stark wedge shape of the third gens. and more smoothed off front of the fourth-generation Camaros still look great today.

1987 Buick GNX

One of the standout vehicles for the 1980s was the Buick GNX, ‘Grand National Experimental’ a limited edition model of the Grand National. Made in association with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, only 547 were produced so good luck getting hold of one. Power was around 300 bhp and 420 lb·ft of torque and a a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, apparently faster than a Ferrari F40 and the Porsche 930 of the time. It definitely earned the nickname of Darth Vader’s car.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

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By Dave Ashton

Finding vital statistics on any muscle car has never been easier since the birth of the Internet. Before that, people had to wade through countless magazines, a limited supply of books and still some of the information may not be verified. We’ve got a much easier time today, but it’s still a good idea to have a few bookmarks of ways you can start an investigation for any type of muscle car at your fingertips.

Generic knowledge sites like Wikipedia are a good starting point, but its specialist websites that usually have the best nitty-gritty bits of information that are missed elsewhere. Below a breakdown of some of the resources you can start with when researching your own makes and models. We’ve also added links to our own website for each make. Another port of call is social media groups. Joining a few on the likes of Facebook for your particular make and model and asking a few questions, may not just uncover the information you need, but also get you involved with many like-minded people.

As another general plug on one of our past posts, you could try out our ultimate list of American muscle cars which gives a link to the majority of the main types of muscle cars.

AMC
For AMC vehicles TheAMCForum.com is a great place to stop for any AMC car from 1968 to 1974. Although a lot of the forum still has participation, many people have moved over to social media for discussion. Making things like Facebook groups a good stop off point. The forum still has tons of information which wont go out of date.

Buick
From young to old, you can find a lot of things on Buicks at the Sloan Museum.  It’s mainly a centre for Buick information, but you can find other stuff for vehicles produced in Flint, Michigan. You’re going to have to pay for the information, but that should also mean more accurate research. Individual car listings are also quite good these days in giving you production numbers and engine starts, basically as it verifies how much a car is worth.

Chevrolet
Chevy and GM have a lot of information to wade through, but one first stop could be the GM Heritage Center. The National Corvette Restorers Society is also good for production numbers. Being such a big carmaker there is also plenty of museums – the Chevrolet Hall of Fame, the Corvette Museum and the California Automobile Museum.

Mopar
The Mopar name is everything from the Fiat Chrysler group. An all-inclusive name for Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial and DeSoto vehicles. Galen Govier is one of the foremost experts. Darrell Davis series of books is good for Dodge and Plymouths. Mymopar.com is not as maintained as it used to be, but its still got lots of old threads of information as a start point. You also have Allpar.com which has literally tons of information on Mopars.

Ford and Mercury
You can find lots of examples of Fords and Cougars(the cars, not the…….) or anything in general by Mercury to wade through. Marti Reports are the top paid service for anything Ford, also standard for official verification for selling a Ford vehicle.

Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile comes under the GM banner, as with Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac, but better to seek out info. for the individual models. The GM Heritage Center have levels of records for a fee, but there are some free documents as here on the 442. Like most of the vehicles listed on our website we try to get as much information as possible, from engine sizes to production stats., so supplement this information, with social media user groups.

Pontiac
There are quite a few resources online for Pontiacs. Jim Mattison’s PHS Automotive Services is again a paid for service but will give you everything for your particular model. The GM Heritage Center is again a the port of call, as is the Pontiac-Oakland Museum.

Like all these resources above, its a good idea to double check the information on a few different websites before concluding your search. Paid for services should be the most accurate and should give you the stamp of approval when selling a car, but free resources can be as good for your own research. The lists of information is growing all the time, so hopefully the ones above will give you good start point.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Muscle Car Statistics appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Giving the title to this video, ‘Weirdest and Most Forgotten Muscle Cars’ should be just, ‘muscle cars wagons’ as they are mostly a break from the norm, rarities, but that are not forgotten. We feature quite a few of these oddball muscle cars in other videos, but here’s a few that may have escaped you in the past.

The lineup starts with a Mustang sports wagon. Info-wise you don’t get much more than the engine size, in this case a 289CI. V8. This creation was originally thought of by Ford in 1965, but never came to fruition. However, some like this one have put the idea into reality. The rest of the video features a Studebaker Avanti R2, a Chevrolet Corvette wagon, a Chevrolet Laguna, a DeTomoaso Mangusta, a Chevelle station wagon, an Oldsmobile Toronado and a Chevy Monza Mirage.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

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By Dave Ashton

Ok, The Batmobile can hardly be classed as a muscle car as in a mid-sized vehicle, with a large displacement engine available to the masses. Radar reflective black was probably the only color of choice for the caped Crusader, rather than Top Banana or Plum Crazy, but there are some muscle car similarities along the Batmobile’s history. This video gives you a quick rundown of all the Batmobiles starting from its first TV showing in 1943.

The first TV Batmobile was a 1939 Cadillac series 61 convertible. It also doubled as Bruce Wayne’s day car, but the audience had to kind of overlook that point. The next was a factory stock 1949 Mercury, still a bit sedate for Batman’s needs. A 1963 Batmobile was designed for promotional tours based on a 1956 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 chassis with a Oldsmoblle Rocket 324ci. V8 (that’s pretty muscle car like!).

It wasn’t until the 1966 TV series where the vehicle became very Bat like in appearance. It was based on a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept vehicle built by hand by the Ghia Body Works and became the most iconic Batmobile selling in 2013 for $4.2 million. It wasn’t until 1989 that the Batmobile made a return with a more up-to-date design and built at first on an Impala chassis.

The ‘Tumbler’ Batmobile from the The Dark Knight Trilogy onwards has different design inspirations, but you could argue the early Batmobiles took inspiration from the upcoming muscle car market. The question is would Batman have gone with a Hemi, GM big block or Ford engine back in the day?? Maybe he would have built his own in the form of a 427 Bat block……ahem.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

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By Dave Ashton

VIN: 3J57K2M237417
Engine: 350ci. V8
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior Color: Yellow
Mileage: 59,267
Price:US $17,500.00

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First appearing in 1966, the Supreme was originally a premium trim package. This example is unfortunately not the more limited L75 455 with M20 four speed transmission, but it is completely numbers matching and in incredible condition. It seems all original with the non-original bit is the electronic distributor, but the original with the air cleaner still comes with the sale.

The car is said to have had one repaint and new vinyl top, along with being garaged all its life. The exterior, interior and engine bay look in great condition, but the engine block looks quite rusty to me, maybe why there isn’t more close-up images.

Nothing shouts the 70’s more than a car with a full Tan interior which this one has in bucketloads and even looks to have an eight track player in there!

Hagerty’s valuation tool has a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hard top down as being worth $15,800 in excellent condition and £22,600 in concours condition. This one is more good to excellent, which means it’s probably best to ‘make an offer’ a few thousand less. Even so, you’re still getting a lot of muscle car for your money with any type of Cutlass.

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VIN: 3G87M2146763
Engine: ROCKET 350ci.
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior Color: Red
Mileage: 100,000
Price:US $7,999.00

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Here we have a 1972 Oldsmobile 442, matching numbers which is said to have started the restoration in the early 90s, but got no further. The The Rocket 350 engine was rebuilt and seems to come with a lot of parts for the CAR ready to be installed. But is it worth the near $8k asking price?

The body is said to be in good condition with only a few rust holes and paint bubbles (I wonder if you could get away with just patching up the paintwork rather than a complete respray ?). It seems to still have of the 442 package features, the interior being relatively intact, bucket seats and cool center console. the original vinyl top has been removed with a few rust holes poking through. In many ways the car is in pretty good shape and just needs putting back together and refined. But like any restoration project, there’s always going to be surprises along the way.

With the 350ci. engine this Oldsmobile is never going to be a super rarity, but if somebody got stuck into this project and made use of all the supplied parts, one in very good condition could fetch you a high $20k pricetag. With loads of documentation and the car that on the surface and may not need a complete strip down and rebuild, this could suit an Oldsmobile fan or somebody wanting a more straightforward rebuild restoration project.

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The post Buy Of The Day: 1972 Oldsmobile 442 Matching Numbers appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you want a one-stop shop to see every variety of rare muscle car in existence, the closest you can possibly get is the Mark Pieloch American Muscle Car Museum, 3500 Sarno Road, Melbourne, Florida 32934. There are over 250 vehicles amongst other collectables all brought together by Mark Pieloch who made his mark in the veterinary pharmaceuticals arena. The whole collection is reported to be worth over $32 million and growing every year.

All the vehicles are housed in a 123,000 square-foot, open plan warehouse with 90,000 sqft dedicated to the vehicle displays, the rest being showrooms, maintenance and restoration areas. The collection includes over 24 Yenko Camaros one for every make and model produced, 42 Indy 500 pace cars, more than 30 Shelby’s, Ford GT 40s and plenty of Mustangs amongst others.

GM vehicles are here in numbers spanning the whole vintage muscle car range from Buicks to Oldsmobile, with many rarities like a Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet. There are also many rare Mopars covering everything that can house a 426 Hemi or a 440 6-Pak, like Charger Daytonas up to a recent Challenger SRT Demon. Basically, if you can think of a rare muscle car, it’s probably under this roof. It’s probably easier to list what isn’t there.

Checking out their website you will be literally drooling over the amount of rare muscle cars, many with a breakdown of their specs. with images and some videos. There is an on-site restoration crew who specialise in finding the best examples of the breed to restore for the collection.

There’s plenty of other non-muscle car vehicles here, along with other collectables adorning the walls and other areas, but the catch is that it’s not completely open to the public. The collection operates on an appointment and invitation basis. Instead the facility operates for nonprofit fundraisers and mostly educational purposes, but checking out their website they do have an events calendar throughout the year if you’re lucky enough to be invited. If you’re in any way a muscle car fan, this should surely be on your bucket list.

Find out more here – https://www.americanmusclecarmuseum.com/
Their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/americanmusclecarmuseum/

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

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By Dave Ashton

VIN : 344878Z118512
Engine: 400ci.
Transmission: M-21 Hurst 4 Speed
Exterior Color: Garnet Red
Mileage: 70,000
Current bid: $25,100.00

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When it comes the classic muscle car era, the standout Oldsmobile is the 442 based on the GM A platform. The 442 option package comes from the 4-barrel carb., 4 speed transmission and dual exhaust, but in 1965 also referred to the 400ci. engine rated at 350hp with a four speed and 325hp with the automatic.

This example is very clean inside and out and if you like a vintage interior that screams ‘red’, then this is the car for you. The interior clearly shows that the car was aimed at those wanting a bit of luxury, along with some heft in the engine department. Luckily, here the seats and carpeting are in very good condition. There are no specifics about the engine apart from its mileage and there are no leaks and issues. The engine bay looks relatively clean probably just needs a thorough going through and cleanup.

You don’t get a lot of information with this listing, apart from it’s had one repaint in its life, has no major issues, is numbers matching, new factory correct headliner from SMS, a two owner car and is good to go. The pricing is about right with examples in prime condition going for around $52k.

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The post 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Matching Numbers appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

This is going to be one exciting auction on 3rd June 2018. Bonhams will be auctioning Carroll Shelby’s personal car collection in Greenwich CT 06830 and as you can imagine, will feature some delectable dishes totalling 24 vehicles which will include cars and trucks. Carroll Shelby is arguably one of the pioneers of muscle cars and this auction is not to be missed.

The vehicles on offer will feature both Fords and Mopars representing his association with both ends of the car spectrum. Their worth is not just being owned by Carroll himself, but limited number vehicles, prototypes and ones associated with the rich and famous. A 1969 Shelby GT 500 from Jackie Cooper Jr., a 1935 Chrysler Airflow Sedan from Steve McQueen. The classics will include 2 1969 Shelby GT 500s, 1968 Shelby GT350, a 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Continuation and a 1967 Lincoln Continental.

From the many more modern rarities are included – 1999 Shelby 1 Series chassis 0001, a 2011 Shelby Cobra CSX 8027, 1982 Dodge Shelby Charger Prototype, 1983 Dodge/Shelby pickup concept, 1987 Dodge CSX no. 1, 1987 Shelby Charger GLH-S no. 1, 1987 Dodge Shelby Lancer no. 1, 1988 Dodge Shelby Dakota Prototype, 1989 Dodge CSX VNT no. 1, a 2008 Shelby GT500 KR and a 2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. An Oldsmobile-powered 1999 Series 1 from Shelby American being chassis 0001 is also available.

Vehicles that don’t clearly fit into the other slots include 2 De Tomasos, a 1987 GT5-S, a 1983 Pantera and a 1955 DeSoto. All vehicles have no reserve price. You can find out more details on the Bonhams website link below, but suffice to say that this is probably going to be the auction of the year.

Find out more here at the Bonhams website – https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24810/preview_lot/5160269/

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Carroll Shelby’s Personal Car Collection Up For Auction appeared first on Muscle Car.

Dave Ashton

We have written in the past about the definitions of the muscle car, its origins and what can be classed as a muscle car in the past and today. Simply put, a muscle car is a mid to full-sized American derived vehicle with a large, powerful V8 engine, rearwheel drive, two doors and generally affordable to the masses. Examples being the Plymouth Road Runner and the current Dodge Challenger Hellcat and Demon.

To further complicate things you have pony cars, which started with the 1964 Ford Mustang and you can throw into the mix Camaros. The terms of muscle car and pony car can easily intermix, especially these days as you could argue the only true modern muscle car is the Dodge Challenger and Charger, so vehicle choices are thin on the ground, thus the grouping. I personally don’t have a problem with using the naming conventions of muscle car or a pony car with describing anything from a Barracuda to even a Mustang, especially today. Sacrilege to some, but until there is a wider choice of muscle cars on the market, lumping in Mustangs and Camaros to the muscle car market can only further promote the description and give some idea of the origins to the uninitiated, but this is where the definition should end.

Not set in stone
The definition of a muscle car is not really set in stone, steel or carbon fibre and never was. There is still debate over whether certain models in the range are indeed muscle cars or pony cars, i.e. the difference between a base model Challenger and a Challenger T/A or a Pontiac Firebird or a Firebird Trans-Am. Arguments can go on for days if these are muscle cars, pony cars or neither. Muscle cars and pony cars do derive from the same American DNA and a healthy V8 engine to an extent, so I don’t think you need to get hot around the collar between interchanging these terms for both classes of vehicle. What should be the debatable point is when a completely unrelated vehicle is referred to as a muscle car. If it’s a hot hatch, it is not a muscle car, if it European and has had a V8 engine crowbarred into it, its not a muscle car. In other words, it’s when the term is thrown around readily to denote a car you want to describe as having size and power.

If it’s not American or Australian it’s not a muscle car
Yeah, Australia are the next nearest breed to true muscle cars in the shape of the Ford Falcon, Holden Monaro, Holden Torana, Holden Commodore, HSV and FPV. These come from the factory with muscle car DNA and principles. However, to be really definitive the true thoroughbreds are American (there goes the pony reference…). What are not are basically anything else and that is where the line should be drawn. Arguing over the merits of a pony car or base model muscle car brand to join the true muscle car ranks is really futile. You can’t join the muscle car club if you have a Mercedes-Benz with a V8 engine. To be very generic, anything built outside these two landmasses doesn’t even start to count. The ubiquitous V8 engine as used in all muscle cars did start in Europe in 1902, but it was really America that took the V8 design to heart with Cadillac in 1914, Oldsmobile in 1916, the Ford Flathead V8 and the Oldsmobile Rocket in 1949. Classic American V8 engines also have a distinctive sound with its uneven burble. The American culture surrounding the small and big block V-8 engine far surpasses anything elsewhere and this is tied very closely to muscle cars. You can argue the merits between a flat plane and cross plane V8 and many modern V8 engines have design inspirations from everywhere, but the V8 engine is most closely associated with American vehicles and muscle cars. Get over it…..

This car has muscle….
Many car reviews will use the term ‘muscle car’ as a description. It’s a cool sounding name, so why not. To the uninitiated, it conjures up the images of a vehicle with power and performance, a cut above the rest in power, which is why the term is borrowed so frequently. It happens in written articles and TV shows across the board. So this is where the arguments should be when it comes to the muscle car definition. Just as you wouldn’t refer to a Plymouth Superbird or Dodge Demon as a sports car, you shouldn’t refer to a Lamborghini, BMW V8 or the like as a muscle car. The term can be borrowed, but it’s not the definition of a muscle car. It’s probably why even to this day, the term is still argued over and which makes and models can join the club. It’s a term that is thrown around so readily, so no wonder the definition is so argued.

There is no one definitive source or point of origin for the term, but at the least, the term is still fenced off to refer to American V8 vehicles of a particular make and model. The definition ‘muscle car’ probably came from someone, somewhere, referring to the original vehicles as having ‘muscle’ and the term stuck. Everyone else just wishes they could join the club, but we got there first, so blah. The Dodge Challenger, Barracuda, Superbird Roadrunner got their cool names first, everyone else wishes they had thought of it first. Supercars and hyper cars may sound exclusive, but a muscle car denotes something raw and untamed, something that still appeals to our basic instincts. Probably why the Ford Mustang got away with having a ‘live axle’ for so long and V8 engines are so amazingly loud. We like a bit of seat of your pants driving.

When it comes down to it, the term muscle car and even pony car was never set in stone by the automotive gods of old, never to be questioned. It’s a term that slowly, over time came to denote a certain class of American V8 vehicle, that still stands as a mark of raw power most notably to the masses. They are raw, sometimes unrefined, but the main point is they should be accessible to everybody. Supercars and hyper cars can arguably be more powerful, but affordable to only the select few. Muscle cars on the other hand, are the great levellers where the average guy can still enjoy huge power and performance and is even encouraged to work on their own vehicle to get even more muscle. The muscle car also denotes a time of the free spirit where you wanted to make it more powerful, you simply made it bigger and a free rein to do so. A 454ci/7.4 litre engine from a 1970 Chevelle SS is ridiculously non eco-friendly by today’s standards, but if you wanted to have more horses back in the day, you simply made it bigger. Even with today’s electric vehicles, you want more power, you make it bigger. The muscle car stands for this raw principle.

Therefore, muscle cars and pony cars shouldn’t be argued over in the same camp. It should be sort of a loose fit today, but not too lose to eradicate the definition completely. I.e. if you have a Dodge Challenger your in, a Honda Civic with a V8 engine, you’re out. An AMC Gremlin is pushing it a bit, though………………

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By Mark Weisseg

Cartechbooks.com has released another great book on the second generation Firebirds and Trans Am’s. It is written by the well known author Rocky Rotella. The book is 224 pages and over 500 photos. With those numbers alone you know this book is packed full of information.
Pontiac is no more obviously but these cars live on all over the world. The popularity began day one and continues on as strong as ever. I can assure you that the Trans Am and Firebird of that era was huge. At the time we called them the poor mans Corvette. Why? Well, back then only wealthy people could swing a Vette. That meant the next group down would be the Pontiac’s. And did they ever perform! By far we all know the Smokey and the Bandit cars were monsters. The movie made the car and if you were a guy that had one- well, you had all the moves if you get my drift. The car did not ride well but nobody cared. At the time they were pretty fast, super cool looking, and offered all the amenities.

Even today these cars are hot. When you go to any show in this here United States you are bound to see them. Some guys like them original but the current trend is about change. Resto Mods are in. Better brakes, better suspensions, more horsepower, better fit and finish and so on. The engineers back in the day never could have imagined what is going on now.
Just look at the beginning of the cars life. Little six cylinders or a small block. Only when the competition stiffened up did Pontiac really get serious. The 68 to about 72 were the big guns. After 72 the pollution control watch dogs made the cars cleaner, but slower. Looking back most of the cars has a 350 engine but the horsepower is puny. Yes, the Super Duty has a 455 but heck today’s family car could blow its doors off.

When you read one of the many great books from Cartechbooks.com you must put yourself back in time. It’s a time machine for those of us that lived in that period. For all you newbies the books provide you with the blue prints. When they were built, Why, where, and how. It’s a wonderful history lesson to all. I have said it before and it’s worth saying again. These were truly the best of times for the muscle cars. Some would argue right after World War Two but those were jalopies. Yes, they are important in the big scheme but the 60’s and 70’s were the top of the mountain. It just peaked too fast. But when something dies another life begins. I mean that because look at what is going on today with the muscle cars.

The roots are in cars like the Firebirds and Trans Am models. These cars were fast, fun, and easy to repair. That is one of the many reasons they live yet again. The book will fill your head with facts and figures- not junk. Trust me, I was driving these cars and loving every minute. Yes, even after the horsepower declined these cars were still fun.
Facts and figures do not lie. These birds as we called them are Collector cars for a very good reason. Buy the book and learn.

So, what’s in it for the reader? Well, the author had access to the archives at GM. This access provided him with detailed information on; engineering blueprints, option codes, production numbers, and everything else you can imagine. How many of you recall the Super Duty 455 engine in the Pontiac? Remember some were Oldsmobile engines! Hmmm, now you can see how important this book is.

What I liked about the book is it’s attention to detail. It’s another fantastic reference guide for the millions of us out here that crave a complete reference guide. It’s easy to read and follow along. The book pays homage to the cars roots and popularity even today.

So, if you need a great book to read and one to add to your collection this would be it.
Order by; www.cartechbooks.com or by calling 1-800-551-4754

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By Dave Ashton

We are lucky to live in a time where we can just jump on our computers and find out information about more or less anything to do with muscle cars. The problem however is finding those sweet spots online which seem to have all the information in one place. The websites below are a good addition and starting point to find any information you need to do with muscle cars which will complement our site.

General Motors stuff
GM started on September 16th, 1908 in Flint, Michigan and eventually rose to be one of the biggest automakers in the world. Like many carmakers they have had their ups and downs over the years, but there is no denying they made some the best muscle cars to ever burn rubber. If you check out the GM Heritage Center’s reference collection you will find over 250,000 documents relating to everything built by GM over years from the likes of Chevrolet to Oldsmobiles. For those interested in Buick vehicles, check out sloanlongway.org.

Old Car Manuals and Brochures
Old car manuals and brochures are getting harder to find, especially sites which holds them all in one place. This website set up by Hans Tore Tangerud – Love to Accelerate has hundreds of brochures from vintage muscle cars from all makers. You don’t just have a wide variety of muscle car information here, but also Canadian and European vehicles if that is to your liking. It’s a great start off point for doing your own research.

Mopar
Mopar is strictly the parts division for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, but is more commonly termed to associate with any vehicle from the groups Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial, DeSoto or Dodge Trucks/Ram. Depending on what information you’re after, a good bounce off point is mymopar.com and allpar.com, which has loads of information, particularly about Dodge.
Hamtramck-historical.com contains loads of dealership books, advertising and everything inbetween which Mopar built in Hamtramck and Los Angeles. Check out the virtual library and vintage advertising page for simply loads of information.

Ford and Mustangs
If mustangs are your thing, then Mustangtek.com is a great start point for all types of vintage Ford muscle cars. You can find loads of Ford and Shelby publications here aswell as tech. books, service handbooks and past magazine articles which should keep any Ford fan ongoing for some time.

Historical car documents
If you regret throwing away any past car manuals, brochures or any other type of printed material, you may just find it here at the Automotive History Preservation Society. The website is dedicated to the collection of all printed automotive materials and has everything from press releases, brochures, magazine articles and everything in between. Everything is in high quality and can be downloaded. Its a great historical record, which is ever-growing, so keep your eye on this one.

Paint database
PaintRef.com has an extensive list of all automotive paints from 1922 to present day. That’s over 35,000 pages of information. There are also tons of car brochures which you cannot find anywhere else, giving you a glimpse into the design and sales techniques from back in the day. As an aside, vintage guitar lovers can find their favorite paint colors from back in the day here, as most used vintage car paints for their instruments, especially Fender.

Remember to also use our site search facility, under ‘search muscle cars’ to find the information you want. I hope the sites above can give you a good jumping off point for starting your own research into this wonderful world of muscle cars.

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Engine: 350ci.
Transmission: Automatic
Mileage: 100,000
Starting bid: $8,000.00

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The initial images of this 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible show quite a crusty car on a trailer and for a starting bid of $8000 may seem pricey, but the car is better than it initially looks. There’s not much information that comes with this listing so everything is down to the supplied images to get a handle on if this car is worth a buy.

The images where the car is wet give you more of an idea of the bodywork, which looks in pretty good shape apart from the rust spots in the paintwork. the convertible top looks like it needs work, but this is usually the case with a long sitting barn find. The front quarter panel looks dented or pushed in at the front, but this will need to be clarified. Images from inside the car show solid floors, so the rust may be just limited to the surface rust around the car.

Powertrain is said to be original and it does run and drive. The engine bay is needing a cleanup, but looks in relatively good condition. Although there are only one or two images of the interior which is mainly showing the floor pans, the seats look in great shape.

In total, this could be a nice little restoration project if you can get it for the right price.

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VIN: 336870M281769
Engine: 350ci.
Transmission: 3 speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 Automatic
Mileage: 43,560
Exterior Color: Original Paint Sebring Yellow
Starting bid: $27,000.00

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If you want a vintage muscle car that stands out from the crowd, then this 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye will definitely fit the bill. The car is 1 of 3547 in bright Sebring Yellow and comes in original condition.

If you want the loudest color on a car, buy one in yellow as it is the brightest colour to the human eye. In this case, it’s a good thing as it matches the vintage muscle car styling. The Rallye 350 W-45 options included the L74 350 V8 engine with 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, W-25 fiberglass hood, FE2 Rallye suspension, sport mirrors, steering wheel, W35 rear deck air spoiler and dual exhaust.

These engines had plenty of power and as the seller is still the original owner and has cared for the car over the years, it should still run pretty well. It’s been kept in what looks like an underground bunker which has probably served as a nice time capsule over the years.

If you’re going to buy a muscle car, it should be loud and proud and one that still is owned by its original owner, in nice, original condition shouldn’t be overlooked.

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By Dave Ashton

Oldsmobiles are not always the first choice when you think about classic muscle cars, but they could be just as good as their counterparts depending on the setup. At today’s market prices you’re also getting value for your money.

Here we have two 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes at different price points, one being a regular hardtop and a 442, the other a convertible, but with the same Rocket 350 V8 4bbl engine in each. As you can see both vehicles are in fantastic condition, both having had full restorations and in the convertibles case, what looks like a full detailing job.

Clearly the 442 is the rarer of the two and being a hardtop will need less long-term maintenance, but the red convertible looks simply stunning, especially for its current asking price.

If you consider how much car you’re getting for your money compared to its contemporaries, a Cutlass Supreme could be a viable solution if you are after a classic era muscle car. Just check out the two vehicles below and their direct listings. Which one would you go for?

1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442

VIN: 12345678910111213
Mileage: 137,000
Engine: Rocket 350
Transmission: Automatic
Frame on restored
New paint, front and rear bumpers, wheels and tires, W-30 hood and rear spoiler.
Many other parts come with the car not installed.
Price: $25,000.00

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1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible

Frame-Up Restoration
Olds Rocket 350 V8 4bbl Engine
Power Steering & Brakes
Power Convertible Top
Original Sheet Metal
New Dual Exhaust
Color: Matador Red
North Carolina Car
Mileage: 73,289
Current bid: $17,000.00

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The post 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes Compared appeared first on Muscle Car.

VIN: 344878M238175
Engine: 400 V8
Transmission: 4 speed Muncie manual
Color: Spanish Red
Mileage: 60,000
Price: $7,700.00

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This once Spanish Red 1968 Oldsmobile 442 may look a bit rough, but is surprisingly intact which would make what looks on the surface a straightforward restoration. It doesn’t have its original engine and now looks black rather than it’s original red, however there’s definitely potential here.

This Oldsmobile was originally R-R Spanish red, which has almost all disappeared over the years. The interior looks in reasonable shape especially since it is white and on first looks seems to need more of a overhaul and a complete replacement.

The engine and transmission are unfortunately not in the car, but at least it is a 400 V8, the original having long since gone. The ad. says there are a few elements missing from the engine such as the intake, carburettor and distributor. These engines originally produced 350 HP and 440 lb-ft of torque, a very reasonable amount for the times and very competitive with the rest of the muscle car market. Oldsmobiles from this era were every bit as good as their competitors and one in top-notch condition is a fine sight to behold.

Considering the condition of the car, intact interior and supplied engine, the asking price seems quite reasonable. Being an original W30 it would be great to see this example brought back to its original condition and here it rumble once again.

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The post 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Project W30 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Transmission: 4 speed manual
Mileage: 76,000
Current bid: $12,000.00

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The golden era of muscle cars hit its peak around 1970 and all the main players seem to coincide with their best offerings. Oldsmobile were no exception with their 442, this example being the W-30 package with only 3100 total being produced in 1970.

This is also one of 147 with a four speed manual transmission, the problem is that this one doesn’t have a powertrain. The original 455 engine is long gone, but at least it does have the W-30 option and a documented back history. The additional good parts from the ad. – The frame is said to be in good condition, all the brake parts are included as with the rear end, the interior is mostly restored and you get five original Rallye II wheels.

There’s clearly welding work needed here, along with new quarter panels and outer wheel wells. If you factor in the new powertrain Restoration work along with the current $12,000 asking price, in mint condition you’re looking at a vehicle that could be worth $70,000+. Do you think this could be a good project to take on?

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1974 Pontiac GTO

The ’74 Pontiac GTO is widely considered the first muscle car. With such a standard set, the GTO was wildly successful. Going from an options package again, coming full circle. By this point, the original GTO no longer existed and Pontiac did their best to convince our parents otherwise. That’s why it’s number one on my list of the worst muscle cars ever made.

1976-77 Dodge Charger Daytona

Dodge committed the egregious act of name misappropriation by taking the name of the highly acclaimed Charger Daytona and assigned it to its wretched two-door personal luxury car hoping to sell a few more to the unsuspecting. The 1976-77 Charger Daytona was little more than a set of stripes, which is why it made number two on this list.

1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra

Here we have a car that’s a mishap on the Mustang’s otherwise nearly impeccable history. This example of poor execution is a punchline to jokes. The only good thing about this car was that you never had to change the

engine control module

in it. Mainly because it didn’t have one. I won’t kick a dead horse, so, let’s move on to the next muscle clunker.

1976-1980 Plymouth Volare Road Runner

Plymouth attached the Road Runner in a desperate effort to sell its abysmal mid-sized Volare coupe. The Road Runner was available with an optional 360 V8 that produced up to only 195 hp depending on model year. Ouch.

1978 AMC Gremlin GT

Upon its launch, the Gremlin was a genuinely polarizing car. Some loved the design; some hated it. By 1978, the model had been around for eight years, and the design had grown tired. AMC did their best in mid-season to keep their Gremlin alive by adding flared wheel openings, and aluminum overlay instrument panel. The public bought only 3,000 of these pigs with lipstick.

1982 Pontiac Trans Am

In the case of the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, what was under the hood didn’t match up to the exterior. That’s all I have on it.

1978-1979 Oldsmobile 4-4-2

In the 1960’s, the 4-4-2 was the name of Oldsmobile’s performance model. It’s hard to imagine how someone thought the name could stretch to the 1978 version. I call it a big fail, and that’s why it made my number seven on my list of the worst muscle cars ever made.

1972 Mercury Montego GT

The design was pleasant to look at, the pathetic 302 2-barrel was inadequate, especially in horsepower.

1976 Ford Maverick Stallion

This steed was notably lacking. This tasteless car is an unflattering reflection of the disco era. If you own one, shame on you.

Muscle cars spark a lot of enthusiasm as they present an embodiment of both power and visual beauty. The nine lemons we just covered together were severely lacking in these areas and will forever be considered atrocities in the history of muscle cars in my book. If you disagree with any of my sentiments, I look forward to hearing where you think I missed the mark!

http://carcomputerexchange.com/ 

The post The Nine Absolute Worst Muscle Cars Ever Built appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Southwest Virginia’s New River Valley features a warehouse which is home to probably the largest private car collection known to man. The 900+ vehicles are owned by Gary Duncan and include everything from the vintage to the modern and all makes and models you could possibly imagine.

Gary Duncan who has run car dealerships all his life, has been collecting cars like no other for many years and they are now housed in a 110,000-square-foot warehouse, some now available to buy. The collection is about as eclectic as you can get in the automotive world from domestic to imported vehicles and in many cases more than one example. Due to having so many vehicles he has now formed the company Duncan Imports and Classic Cars to sell a select few.

Although there are many imports in the collection and this seems to the main focus, the other areas of interest are obvious classics. There are plenty of vintage Corvettes in the collection, a few Mopars here and there and if you go to his website directly at Duncanimports.com there seems to be some definite American classics and muscle cars in the lineup. Just checking out the ‘Dodge’ section of his website reveals a 1971 Dodge Challenger and a 73 Dodge Dart. 33 entries in the Chevrolet section, which include a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS currently in his private collection, a 1970 Buick Gran Sport 455, 1970 Plymouth Cuda 340 and a few nice Oldsmobiles to name but a few.

No matter your preferences for vehicles, Gary Duncan seems to have collected enough vehicles to please the majority of people out there. If you’re in this part of the world at any time its advisable to check out his warehouse, even if it is to just walk around and see the vast amounts of unusual and classic cars available.

Find out more here.

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America is home of the muscle car. The very first muscle car can be traced back to 1949 when Oldsmobile debuted its Rocket 88 model, which dominated the NASCAR circuit the year after and kick-started the muscle car trend. This was a car with a V8 engine and lightweight body, introducing and defining muscle cars.

Since then the trend has grown worldwide, crossing borders and regions, to the point that there is a big muscle car love in the UK. For any Americans coming to live or visit the UK with a passion for muscle cars, this guide explains all the possibilities.

Buying Muscle Cars in the UK

There are many popular muscle cars which can be bought in the UK. Second hand, classic models can be found with a bit of searching online, at car auctions and in other listings. If you want a brand-new muscle car though, one of the most iconic ones is now available in the UK.

For the first time in around 50 years, the Ford Mustang is available to buy in the UK for the very first time. Into its sixth generation with a 5.0-litre, V8 engine, it’s a powerful beast. Other options such as the Chevrolet Camaro SS can also be bought new in the UK without having to import.

Importing from Abroad

If there’s a specific piece of American muscle you want to take round the UK’s wonderful country roads and motorways, then importing is always a possibility. It will take a bit longer and cost more overall, but the UK has good trading ties with the USA and strong transportation for arranging such imports.

Especially when importing or buying any second-hand muscle car, taking out a vehicle check is highly advisable. This will ensure that there is nothing wrong with the car, such as it previously having been written off, stolen, mileage discrepancies or any other problems. It would be incredibly costly and time consuming to import a damaged car otherwise.

Muscle Car Clubs

Car clubs are loved across the UK, with owner’s clubs for almost every type of vehicle; from tractors and steam engines to supercars. Muscle cars are no different and there are plenty to choose from, such as the American Auto Club UK and Mopar Muscle Association.

Most of these muscle car clubs will put on and attend car related events, have local meets and offer services for help and advice regarding your car. These can be a great way to meet people with a similar interest in muscle cars.

American Car Events

Various American car events are held throughout the year, celebrating everything from classics to modern muscle cars and more. Brands Hatch held its American Speedfest in June, Tatton park had its Stars and Stripes American Car Show, while Stonham Barns has its own American Car Meet in October. Every year at the Santa Pod Raceway there’s the Mopar Euro Nationals as well, so bear in mind all these dates and more for the coming 12 months.

There’s plenty going on for muscle car lovers in the UK and it’s easy to find and buy both new and second hand models by following some of the tips in this guide.

The post A Guide to Muscle Cars in the UK for Americans appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Engine: 400ci
Transmission: Automatic
Mileage: 63,407
Current bid: $8,507.57

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This 1969 Oldsmobile 442 convertible may have seen better days, but it is numbers matching and has everything for a complete restoration. The car is obviously bruised and battered, but has been stored in a barn for 23 years and for that factors is in remarkable condition.

The engine itself does run but only for a short period of time and does have a faulty water pump. Although the engine bay is scruffy, everything is here and in working order. The convertible top will need completely replacing, but the interior itself is in remarkably good condition and almost looks like it just needs a clean up from a distance. There are a few splits in the seams here and there, but things could be far worse on a vehicle like this.

The body itself is said to have just surface rust and the images don’t show any signs of any big rust holes, but the irony here is that most of the panels look dented or bruised rather than rusted. The car also is said to include – ‘chromed bumpers, exhaust tips and hood louvers, new top boot, side trim.’ There is also a hood, door and dash if needed, but these aren’t included in the sale.

Overall, this Oldsmobile has plenty here to make a great restoration project and for just over $8,500 this Oldsmobile would look spectacular as completely restored vehicle.

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By Dave Ashton

VIN: 3J57U2M196999
Engine: 455
Transmission: Automatic
Price: $28,000.00

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This sweet Oldsmobile 442 is an ‘investment-grade muscle car’ which is said to be only one of 629 with a numbers matching engine, transmission and rear end. If you’re a fan of classic Oldsmobiles this is one of the greats.

As this Oldsmobile is being listed as an investment grade vehicle, you would expect everything to be in tiptop shape and the best of the best. The car comes with the original intake manifold, carburettor and headers along with rare options such as Hurst Dual Gate Shifter, W-25 Ram Air hoods, factory A/C ( but not working), 3:42 Posi Rear End and factory Outside Air Thermometer.

The exterior paintwork is said to have been redone at sometime in the past with new stripes as with the vinyl top. The interior is said to be near perfect apart from a small crack in the centre console. All metalwork is also said to be original and as you would expect at this level, top-notch.

The main benefit of an Oldsmobile, especially in this condition is that the asking price is nowhere near some of the equivalent muscle cars of the same year period. You can get a Grade A vehicle such as this one for a fraction of the price of other muscle cars and benefit from the same level of form and luxury that you would do from any other make.
There’s currently six days left on this listing and at an asking price of $28,000, for what you are getting for your money this is a great deal.

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By Dave Ashton

Engine: 330ci. V8
Automatic Transmission.
Laurel Mist.
Forest Green Vinyl Interior.

A 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass F85 may not be the most rip roaring muscle car to own, but if you have one in mostly original condition with little work needed, it’s definitely worth a look. This example has its original paintwork, has had a few items replaced and the car is said to ‘Runs great, great driver.’

The engine bay to the interior seems in good condition with only a few odds and ends needing tying up to brush up the look and appearance. The ad. says there has been new black carpets installed, thus brushing up the interior considerably. The vinyl seats show signs of splitting and could do with a repair at some point in the near future.

The ad. says that the car has had new brakes, a new battery and new points and what looks like the upgraded chrome wheels and exhaust tips. The images show a few extra ‘bits’ in the trunk from hub caps to some documentation and the possible original air cleaner.

This example would make somebody a great regular driver and wouldn’t need too much work to take to any cruise. For the asking price of $8000 this will surely fit the bill for somebody out there.

Available here on craigslist.

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By Dave Ashton

Engine: 330cid
Mileage: 36,205
Current bid: $8,200.00

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Sometimes we just recommend a vehicle not because of its sheer rarity, but simply because it looks so cool and epitomizes the muscle car era. This is the case with this super bad ass 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

Oldsmobiles and especially the Cutlass Supreme is just as fine a muscle car as anything else out there and this one dressed in black, looks just as fine today as it did over 40+ years ago. It has a 330cid Jetfire Rocket v8, standard in the Cutlass Supreme models and fine simple lines that define it as a muscle car. This model still has its original black plate issued in 1967.

Personal details in the description about its restoration, but everything here seems perfectly put back in place. Although the wheels could do with replacing with something a bit more vintage unless the modern resto mod look is your thing.

Everything about this ride shouts cool and with relatively low mileage you can probably get this Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme for a reasonable amount. Currently located in Oakland, California. Go on, what are you waiting for.

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Engine: Big Block 455 4-Barrel
Mileage: 15,802
VIN: 3J67K2M146309
Price: $49,888.00

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Wow, was the first reaction to this incredible looking 1972 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible. The ad. description doesn’t give much away about this vehicle apart from its basic statistics, but it’s enough to say this is possibly 1 of 80 Automatic transmission W30 Convertibles made this year.

The car apparently comes fully loaded with all the added extras, but it would be nice for them to be listed individually on this ad.

It’s a presumption to say that the powertrain is numbers matching, so this will have to be verified but everything else seems to be in order here and in great condition. Oldsmobile 442s may not be as common a collectors item as say a Cuda, Charger or Challenger, but they are every bit the classic muscle car from this generation.

If you have the money spare stashed away somewhere for this marvelous Oldsmobile, put in a bid today.

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The post Find Of The Day: 1972 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible appeared first on Muscle Car.

American muscle and sports cars are still some of the most renowned on the planet. Some may say they are big, bold and brash but this is also one of their main selling points. Here we have some standout vehicles which defined the American muscle and Sports car world.

1953 Chevrolet C1 Corvette

The fibreglass bodied Chevrolet Corvette was rushed into production, intended to compete against the likes of the Nash Healey. The first Corvettes had a straight six engine with 150 HP. Today, still revered as a classic American vehicle.

1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Turbo Jetfire

The first turbo powered vehicle may be seen by many as the 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo, but General Motors were actually the first. The car had a 3.52L/215cu. turbo V8 with water and methanol injection. It was early days for the turbo car and only 4000 were sold. GM may have put turbos on hold for another 10 years, but it didn’t stop everyone else being influenced by the setup.

1964 Pontiac GTO

The 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 and the Chrysler 300-C are often cited as the original American muscle cars, but it’s really the 1964 Pontiac GTO that takes the crown for having a large displacement V8 engine, two-door, affordable price and the ability to easily hot rod. The GTO had a 389-cubic inch (6.4-litre) V8 with 325hp, three speed manual transmission and was offered in various options which included a Tri-Power carburettor increasing power to 350HP.

1966 Ford GT40 Mk2

The GT40 was born out of the initial letdown of Enzo Ferrari not so selling out to Ford, so the GT 40 was born to win at the Le Mans 24 Hours race.
Armed with a 427cu./7 litre V8 engine and developed with Carroll Shelby, the car went onto win at Le Mans in 1966 and three more times, cementing the car in racing history. It’s maybe a good thing Ferrari didn’t sell in the end.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

Along with the Plymouth Superbird, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was built for NASCAR racing and although they didn’t sell well on the street, they performed as designed on the track. The cars had 23 inch tall rear wings, powered by a 426cu. V8 Hemi engine, with street versions also having a 440 engine. These cars are highly collectable today.

1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda

The Plymouth Barracuda is still one of the most iconic muscle cars from its golden era of the late 60s and early 70s. Most collectable today is arguably the ’71 version with a 440cu. (7.2-litre) Hemi V8.
Rare options of the vehicle, which include color schemes such as Vitamin C orange fetch the most money today.

1996 Dodge Viper GTS

There wasn’t much happening in the world of muscle cars in the mid-90s and although it’s a sports car, the Dodge Viper brought attention back to American cars in general due to it’s amazing looks and power.
The huge 8L 10 cylinder engine made 450hp and 490lb-ft of torque with all the attention back to American vehicles in one foul swoop.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

The Ford Mustang has been produced consistently since 1964, but it’s not until recent years that it along with the other muscle car fraternity has started to make a comeback. The GT350 and variations have equal merit, but it is the fifth generation GT 500 that hit the 200 mph mark with its 5.8-litre supercharged V8 engine and 662hp and 631lb-ft of torque that made a mark.

The Mustang is now back stronger than ever and now with versions available in Europe and beyond, it looks like the Mustang shows no signs of slowing down, literally.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Demon

The Dodge Challenger SRT hellcat and the upcoming Demon are both as near as back to the old muscle car ways as possible.
The Hellcat came out first with its 707hp supercharged V8 engine, but it’s now the Dodge Demon that is causing all the fuss with its huge 840HP Power output, along with having firsts in many categories, not just for muscle cars. It will be the world’s fastest production car, 0 to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds, the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car in 9.65 seconds and the first production vehicle to build to lift its front wheels on takeoff.
The car will be limited to only 3300 vehicles, but it will show the world how the American muscle car has completely evolved.

Not to forget other standout American cars such as the Camaro and its variations, the American muscle on pony car now is not just a straight line monster, but equally viable on the track.

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The post Star-spangled American Muscle Cars That Set The standard appeared first on Muscle Car.

However, 1970 marked the beginning of the end for the muscle cars. New emissions standards implemented by the EPA and oil embargos forced American car makers to reduce performance in muscle cars and simply make them a cool looking but basic means of transportation.

Most muscle cars produced in the ’70s have been criticized as docile imitations of their ’60s predecessors, but a few models warrant particularly harsh condemnation.

1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II

The legendary Ford Mustang performance car hit an all-time low with the downsized Pinto-based Mustang II of 1974–1978. Perhaps best known as the car of choice in the TV show “Charlie’s Angels,” it was available with an optional 302 V-8—but one that produced a mere 139 hp.

In 1978, Ford released the Cobra performance version, but the enhancements were superficial: a hood snake decal, more stripes, 13-inch “Lacy” aluminum wheels, a forward-facing hood scoop, spoilers, optional T-top roof, and black and gold trim. It was a pseudo muscle car that even the most die-hard Mustang fanatics had difficulty praising.

1974 Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO introduced in 1964 is widely regarded as the first muscle car. It began when GM’s design team, headed up by John DeLorean, dropped a 348 hp. V-8 into the midsized Tempest chassis. The GTO option package was so successful, it evolved into its own model. At its peak, the GTO offered a powerful 370-hp Ram Air IV V-8, although the last of the pre-emissions 455s probably produced more power.

By 1973, the GTO name had been reduced to a mere option package for the Le Mans, with a detuned 455 V-8, making a mere 250 hp. In 1974 Pontiac offered a GTO option on the Ventura, which shared its infrastructure with the Chevy Nova. The motor was the Chevy 350 V-8, rated at just 200 hp. Aside from the shaker hood scoop and GTO lettering, there wasn’t much left of the spirit of the original GTO and what it represented.

1978 – 1979 Oldsmobile 4-4-2

In the 1960s, Oldsmobile named its performance model the 4-4-2 (four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts). The 1970 Cutlass 4-4-2 set the standard with a 455-cu.in V8 that produced 370hp. Special packages included a fiberglass hood, special camshafts, and functional, low-restriction air scoops.

It is difficult to imagine how Oldsmobile marketing could have retained the famous name for 1978 model, which came standard with an anemic 3.8 L V6 or an optional 160 hp 5.0 L V8. In 1979, Hurst built a special edition 4-4-2 powered by a 5.7 L V-8. However, the larger engine produced only 10 hp more than the previous year’s model.

1976 – 1977 Dodge Charger Daytona

Dodge took the name of the legendary Charger Daytona built to dominate NASCAR and assigned it to its underperforming, two-door personal luxury car in hopes of selling a few cars.

In fact, the “Malaise Era” Charger Daytona was really nothing more than a gaudy two-tone vinyl stripe-and-decal package placed on a Dodge Chrysler Cordoba. There were no mechanical differences between the Charger Daytona and the Cordoba. Instead of the original Daytona’s 375 to 425 hp engines, the ’76-’77 versions limped along with only 145 hp.

1976–1980 Plymouth Volare Road Runner

Few cars from the 1960s-golden age of muscle cars exceeded the performance reputation of the Road Runner. The Plymouth Road Runner Superbird version, with its free-breathing dual-quad 426 Hemi, became a legend on NASCAR tracks in 1970.

But, in the mid-70s, Plymouth affixed the Road Runner name to the lowly Volare midsize coupe. The standard engine was a feeble 318-cid V-8 with just 160 hp. An optional 175–195 hp. 360 cid V-8 made the Volare Road Runner a bit quicker, but it still was no match for the 1960s and early 1970s cars.

No amount of vinyl stripes, decals, window louvers, T-tops, or spoilers could mask the lack of performance from this “Malaise Era” muscle car. Worse, both the Plymouth Volare and the Dodge Aspen were prone to rust on the underbody, prompting a major recall in 1977.

1971 to 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber

The advertised “all-new” for 1970 compact Maverick was not new at all but, essentially, a re-bodied 1960 Ford Falcon. To hide its lack of freshness, Ford launched the Maverick Grabber pseudo-muscle car—a sheep in wolf’s clothing if there ever was one.

While first-year Grabbers only offered frail straight-sixes, the ’71 version used the Mustang’s 5.0-litre V8. However, the power plant only produced 210 horsepower—nothing to get excited about. Engine performance only got worse as the years went on and the smog controls were added. By 1975, the Grabber’s emasculated eight was making a paltry 129 hp.

1977 Chevy Monza Mirage

Borrowing its base design from the Chevy Vega, the downscaled Monza coupes of 1975–1980 were designed to be a smaller, sporty, and a less-expensive alternative to the Camaro. In 1977, the Michigan Automotive Techniques Corp offered a package that included wide-body fender flares, spoilers, and striping that turned an ordinary Monza into the Monza Mirage.

The Mirage looked like a race car, imitating the style of the popular IMSA Camel GT racing Monza. However, its performance with a standard four-cylinder was pathetic, and the only V8 available was the 5.0-liter engine that produced only 145 hp.

1980 Chevrolet Corvette California 305

The Chevrolet Corvette is considered by many to be the quintessential American muscle car. Much of the admiration for it comes from a special mystique of so much power under the hood of a fiberglass vehicle. However, the 1980 “California” Edition is regarded by many muscle car enthusiasts to be the antithesis—the absolute worst car of its type ever made in America.

A victim of ‘70s Federal emissions requirements and stricter state regulations, the seriously underpowered 1980 California ‘Vette, with a mere 305-cubic-inch engine that generated 180 hp, received few plaudits from the muscle car world when it was released.

Muscle Cars Today

While the ‘70s were a low period for the muscle car, automobile manufacturers were forced to research new materials, develop new technologies, and improve fuel consumption efficiencies. These improvements are evident in the automobiles available today. Most of the muscle cars manufactured today are far superior in performance to the muscle cars of the ‘60s while meeting stricter emissions requirements and achieving much higher fuel economies.

The post 1970s Muscle Cars that Bombed appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

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Oldsmobile can easily be overshadowed by their other muscle car contemporaries, but that doesn’t mean that they didn’t produce some amazing vehicles back in the day. This example is 1 of 922 made, 1 of 553 on the Demmer list and in great condition.

It has the 455 V8 engine, only 65,000 miles on the clock, 3;42 gear, period correct powertrain, but not numbers matching, rarity and plenty of documentation on on its side. The car has been sitting since 2005 and is obviously a project to build up. The asking price seems a little high, but one in great condition can fetch up to $30,000 or even at the top end of the scale $114,000 which you may want to factor in here.

The car comes with a ton of information and after reading the complete ad. You should get a sense for us, this is a potential buyer or not. As it is this Oldsmobile should definitely be brought back to life by somebody.

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The post Amazing 1969 Hurst Oldsmobile 442 Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Engine: 455cu.
Transmission: TH400 Automatic
Rear end: 3.91:1 geared 12 bolt
Exterior Color: Cameo White/Firefrost Gold
Mileage: 12,355
Price: $55,995.00

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We don’t seem to feature Oldsmobile vehicles as often as we would like as examples like this shine as classics from the late 60s and early 70s. This 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst is one of the examples where Demmer Engineering took 912 other models and made them into special edition Hurst H/O 455’s. This one is Demmer #482 with all the original documentation.

The car has the complete restoration with all the original items brought back to life including the period correct Cameo White and Firefrost Gold paint. Everything here has being carefully restored, and although the 455 engine is said not to be VIN matching, everything else about the car is a definite showstopper and potentially worth the asking price.

Check out the images below and let us know what you think of this prized Oldsmobile.

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The post A Magnificence 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst appeared first on Muscle Car.

Mecum auctions are always a center spot for some of the most prized muscle cars on the planet, if you are bidding or not. Their auction taking place between June 16 and 17th in Portland is no exception, with a huge variety of star muscle cars on offer.

The featured lots include a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback, 1966 Pontiac GTO Coupe, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6, 1969 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds, 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner and a 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS, but the standouts for me are the 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro and the 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro. Both encompass not just the most rare in the pony/muscle car world, but also that of classic racing of the time.

1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro

This example is a 427/425 HP Yenko Camaro YS-8022 believed to be only one of 20 in existence. It has a M21 4 speed transmission with a 12 bolt 3.73 Positraction rear end and comes in a rare Fathom Blue. It will be very interesting to see what price this car eventually goes for.

1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro

The second Ultra rare Camaro comes in the form of a 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro with a L72 427/425 HP big block V8 and M21 4-speed transmission. It has the full crop of COPO goodies , which includes the 4.10 Positraction rear end, F41 heavy-duty suspension and rare Fathom Green.
The car has had a full rotisserie restoration and comes with a complete set of documentation to prove its worth.

Both vehicles you can find out further details from the links above.

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By Dave Ashton

In 2017 what you can get for a muscle car for under $10,000 is getting less and less, but there are still vehicles out there which you can score for this amount. Haggerty put together a list of the top 10 classic cars you can get for under $10,000, which do include a few muscle cars in the listing.

According to Hagerty pickups are definitely strong at the moment, but standout muscle cars include –

1978-1987 Chevrolet El Camino
You can expect a condition 3 El Camino to go for around $8200 according to Hagerty. If you shop around a little you can also find a late 60s and early 70s examples such as this 1967 El Camino custom with a replacement L79 engine. If you can squeeze your budget just a little higher, there seems to plenty of others on the market. If you want to go to the other end of the spectrum, here is a listing for a 1970 El Camino SS with the mighty 454ci V8 engine going for $17,500.00.

1971-1976 Buick Electra 225
A Buick Electra isn’t the immediate car I would opt for, but Hagerty have this one down in a condition three for going around $5,900. One of the plus points is a 455-cid V8 engine with optional driver and passenger airbags.

1965-1970 Oldsmobile 88
A condition 3 example will set you back $7,750. Bonuses include the GM’s Comfortron Air Conditioning with engine options ranging from a 330-cid V8 to a 455-cid V8.

If you’re after something a lot more popular such as a Dodge Charger, you’ll be looking at a project vehicle which will need complete restoration for under $10,000. You will probably need to completely restore everything from the powertrain to the body, but these examples are still possible.

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The post Classic Muscle Cars Under $10,000 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Although sales of brand-new vehicle seems to be slowing, the classic muscle car market is as buoyant as ever. Even base models of the classics are slowly increasing in value, so now is a great time to start investing.

Examples
Checking the Hagerty valuation tool, A 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 has increased in value for a #1 Concours condition car from the low $70k to high $80k in 3 years. The same proportions of increase for a fair condition vehicle.

The classics such as a Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda and Shelby‘s always will fetch high values, especially for the prime years from 1969 to 71. You can’t go wrong with any of the pony cars such as a Mustang or Camaro, with plenty on the second-hand market from project vehicles to pristine examples. Vehicles such as Oldsmobile and Mercury’s give you the best bang for your buck, as they don’t have as big a following in great condition examples can be got for a base price from the other models.

The other great driving forces for investing in a classic muscle car gives you the pleasure of the driving experience along with the investment. You may not take an original Pontiac GTO out for a drive every day, you can still enjoy the vehicle to its fullest whenever you please. There are other factors such is the enjoyment of maintaining working on the vehicle, attending shows, driving and even racing the cars.

Over in Australia the of the great continent for muscle car fans, a 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III went under the hammer recently for $500,000, a 1969 Ford Falcon XW GTHO Phase I for $201,000 and a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 428ci Cobra Jet V8 for $170k.

Keeping an eye on the market for a little while before you invest is a good idea while checking the sales listings and valuation tools regularly. Now there has never been a better time to invest in a muscle car.

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The post As New Cars Slump, Classic Muscle Increases In Value appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

An article written at auto123.com states the case of ‘Do Muscle Cars Still Exist?’ which in some respects is quite puzzling, but I understand the train of thought.

The article gives a brief background into the conception of the muscle car and how pony cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro often gets lumped in with the same definition. Today rightfully, it would be almost impossible to recreate the amazing array of muscle cars that we had in the 60s and early 70s, but that is truly down to the golden period in time when so many manufacturers and models seem to coincide. Back then, we had AMC, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac and Shelby producing golden greats. As companies get swallowed up and integrated, so do their golden models, but not forgotten.

It’s true that the nearest to a purebred muscle car these days comes in the form of the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The Dodge Charger in four-door form simply misses out due to its two extra doors, but even though the lineup is far fewer now than in the past, muscle cars are still alive and well and the vintage market is still amazingly strong even after 40+ years.

The big three muscle car makers are still producing some of the classics such as the Mustang Cobra Jet and Challenger Drag Pack, but per scarcity and limited numbers doesn’t mean that the muscle car breed itself is not as strong as it has ever been. We just have less makers.

New muscle cars are here to stay
We really have to thank Dodge for the introduction of the SRT hellcat and the Dodge Demon, which has definitely given the muscle car world a shot in the arm and brought back some of the horsepower wars and the excitement, stuffing as much power into what will be a regular roadgoing coupe. movie franchises such as the Fast and the Furious and the Transformers have also pushed muscle cars into the present day.

The Ford Mustang now available in right-hand drive now means that Europe and the like can experience a muscle/pony car on my own terms and from recent reports sales of the new Mustang was starting to outstrip domestic vehicles.

Adapt with the times
Like any range of vehicles that have been around for the length of time of muscle cars, they have to adapt to the latest automotive environment. All the big three now offer four-cylinder versions of their muscle cars, but the mighty V8 still stands tall along all their lineups.

It’s likely that we won’t see again the complete array of muscle car makers that we did from the 60s and 70s, but we will start to see old model names start to reappear just as we did with the Dodge Demon. The muscle car market will keep on thriving as long as people have a need for speed and raw engine power that can reach supercar levels in a production vehicle.

Long live the muscle car!

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The post Do Muscle Cars Still Exist? They Are Alive and Well. appeared first on Muscle Car.

The Lingenfelter car collection houses some of the most incredible rarest muscle cars on the planet. Ken and Kristen Lingenfelter will be opening the doors to their collection on Sat. April 29, 2017 from 10am-5pm in Brighton, Michigan. the event is to raise money for the American Cancer Society with donations taken at the door.

The collection features over 200 Corvettes and muscle cars, each with their own individual back story with some extra vehicles on show not owned by the Lingenfelters.

“We are thankful for the generosity of the Lingenfelters and their ongoing support,” “The donations raised at this event will help the Society provide critical support to cancer patients through the many programs and services we offer, fund lifesaving research to save lives from cancer and enable us prevent cancer in our community and across the nation,” said Cheryl Donohoe of the American Cancer Society.

Below are some of the standout vehicles from the collection.

1954 EX-87 “Duntov Mule” Corvette
A prototype V8 engine with the “Duntov Cam” to gain more power. Driven by Smokey Yunick for a record, beating hundred and 63 mph at Gm’s, Proving Grounds in 1955. The first Corvette to be powered by a small block.

1963 Split Window Corvette
Possibly Ken’s favorite Corvette.

2000 Lingenfelter Corvette 427 Twin Turbo
This Corvette has 800 HP and is famous for racing against a Blue Angels jet plane by Motor Trend. if you want speed, this can do do 0-60 mph in 1.97 seconds.

2017 Lingenfelter Supercharged Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
800HP with serial number #001.

1954 Chevrolet Motorama Corvair
A concept Corvair as a 2 door coupe. It was originally ruby red but was painted sea foam green for the LA show. the car used the Corvettes front end and featured a wraparound windshield.

1987 Buick GNX
One of the great standout muscle cars of the 1980s. This one is 179 of 547 and can hit 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T
1 of 356 Challenger R/T Hemis ever built. Under the hood is an impressive 426 Hemi V8 good for 425hp.

2010 Shelby GT500 Patriot Edition
One of the kind. Built for the Healing Heroes Network. 540Hp and a 0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds.

1969 Oldsmobile 442 445 Hurst
1 of 912 Hurst Holiday Coupes. It has 380hp and a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds from a 455cu. V8.

1965 Pontiac GTO
A ground up restoration of this muscle car original with a four-speed transmission, power steering and brakes, bucket seats, T-3 headlights and rally wheels.

source Mlive

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By Mark Weisseg

Friends, if you desire to understand the roots of Detroit Muscle I have the book for you.
It was written by Charles Morris and is for sale by our friends at CarTech. The book is 191 pages stuffed with short, informational stories about Detroit Muscle. For example the author begins with how and why Chevrolet moved away from the always reliable Stovebolt engine to the small block. Who would have thought all these years later that small block would still be around?

This book starts out at the beginning in the 1950’s and runs the reader to the current day. It’s all here for you to stroll back down memory lane. Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Ford, Plymouth and so on.  The journey the author takes you on is a pleasant one. I mean how many people today can tell you about the Rocket 88 and that is just for starters. You will journey back to the birth of the American Hot Rod. The Hot Rods that are still being celebrated across the world. This is where it all began.

I must admit I was hooked on the mid to late sixties engines. It was a time we will never see again. The Detroit three were all trying to one up another and the winner was you and I. What a time to be alive and drive some the meanest cars on the planet. The author kind of wraps it all up to the present day.

We all know the early seventy cars started the decline in Detroit for reasons we all know. But, there is life again as we know it. Once again the so called big three are making monster engines to roam our highways. But today we have horsepower and safety.

I will tell all of you the honest truth as always. This is a great book to read and read again. For most of us the stories will bring back a good memory we tucked away.  The Detroit Muscle is back and in the future someone will write a book about the rebirth of Muscle. But, as a child of yesteryear I can say I lived in that era, Detroit builders were tinkering with all kinds of ways to push you back into your seat. I know you all have that memory bank as I do. For younger readers who did not live through that wonderful time the book provides the path for them to better understand why we are Muscle heads.

Go here http://amzn.to/2oLg364 and order your book. You will be amazed at the color pictures, short stories and the honest to goodness facts. So, calling all gear heads I highly recommend this read. It’s another cool book to add to your collection. Facts, short stories, pictures, all in a hard cover book. Too cool! Long live Detroit Muscle as it once again rises like a Phoenix.

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The post Detroit Muscle Book Review appeared first on Muscle Car.

Phew, I’ve been a busy little bunny putting this list together for you all for the ultimate muscle cars list, mainly so you can quickly find each muscle car more easily on the website.
You can find all this information very easily via the website ‘search,’ but there is nothing like seeing a list of information, finding the bits you want and expanded on that information.
If there are any omissions here, please leave a comment and we will add the vehicle, so this becomes the best online resource for finding your favorite muscle cars.

If you need any parts for your muscle car, visit our Muscle Car Parts page. We have a nice list of suppliers who specialize in the most common muscle car parts and some of the more rare types.

We also compile our daily finds of the best muscle cars buys, which you can find on our home page daily or a complete listings here.

You can use the list below for your own research, muscle car prices, muscle car news or just to look at some cool muscle car pictures!

Full-size Muscle Cars

1962–1970 Buick Wildcat
1966–1973 Buick Riviera GS until 1972, then Riviera GS Stage 1 models
1965–1974 Chevrolet Impala SS until 1969, then any high HP-engined models
1965–1974 Chevrolet Bel Air along with Chevrolet Biscayne and Chevrolet Caprice
1965-1971 Chrysler 300 non-letter series
1960–1973 Dodge Polara along with other full size C Body Vehicles
1965–1974 Ford Galaxie
1962–1967 Mercury S-55 (1964 and 1965 badged as Marauder)
1963–1970 Mercury Marauder (1966 and 1967 as S-55)
1961–1966 Oldsmobile Starfire
1964–1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar I
1969–1974 Plymouth Fury GT
1960–1963 Pontiac Ventura
1964–1972 Pontiac Grand Prix

Mid-size Muscle Cars

1967–1970 AMC Rebel The Machine
1971–1973 AMC Matador The Machine
1965–1972 Buick Skylark Grand Sport & Buick GSX
1965–1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
1966–1974 Dodge Charger 500, R/T & SE
1968–1971 Dodge Super Bee
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane GT, GTA, and Cobra
1968–1974 Ford Torino (GT, Cobra, and Talladega)
1966–1972 Mercury Cyclone and Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II
1968–1972 Oldsmobile 442
1968–1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass (“Ram-Rod” 350, Rallye 350, W31, SX)
1967–1971 Plymouth GTX
1968–1974 Plymouth Road Runner
1970 Plymouth Superbird
1964–1973 Pontiac GTO
1968-1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37
1973-1975 Pontiac Grand Am
1969–1974 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ

Compact Muscle Cars

1969 AMC SC/Rambler
1971 AMC Hornet SC 360
1966–1974 Chevrolet Nova SS
1967–1976 Dodge Dart GT, GTS, Swinger & Demon
1970–1976 Plymouth Duster Gold Duster & Twister
1966–1979 Ford Falcon Sports Coupe
1970–1975 Ford Maverick Grabber
1971–1975 Mercury Comet GT
1973–1974 Oldsmobile Omega S
1973–1974 Buick Apollo GSX
1974 Pontiac GTO

Pony Muscle Cars

1968–1970 AMC AMX
1968–1974 AMC Javelin SST
1967–1974 Chevrolet Camaro RS, Z/28 & SS
1967–1969 Yenko Camaro 427
1969–1974 Dodge Challenger SE, R/T & T/A
1964–1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Boss 429, Boss 302 & Boss 351
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500
1967–1973 Mercury Cougar GT, XR-7 & Eliminator
1967–1974 Plymouth Barracuda BP, BS & ‘Cuda
1967–1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

A-Z of American Muscle Cars

A
AMC muscle cars
1968–1970 AMC AMX
1968–1974 AMC Javelin SST
1970–1971 AMC Rebel
1970 AMC AMC Rebel
1970–1971 AMC Matador
1969 AMC SC/Rambler
1965-1967 AMC Rambler Marlin
1971 AMC Hornet SC 360

B
Buick muscle cars
1965–1969 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
1963–1993 Buick Riviera
1965–1975 Buick Riviera Gran Sport
1972–1975 Riviera GS Stage 1
1968–1974 Buick Gran Sport and GTX
1962–1970 Buick Wildcat
1968–1969 Buick Gran Sport
1970–1974 Buick GSX
1974 Buick Apollo GSX
1969 Buick GS 400

C
Chevrolet/GM Motors muscle cars
1961–1970 Chevrolet Impala
1965–1973 Chevrolet Chevelle
1965–1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
1964-1973 Chevrolet El Camino
1967–2002 Chevrolet Camaro
1967–2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
1967–2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS
1967 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1
1953-Current Chevrolet Corvette
1962–1976 Chevrolet Nova
1966–1967 Chevrolet II Nova
1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 369
1961–1976 Chevrolet Impala SS
1958–1975 Chevrolet Bel Air
1965–1976 Chevrolet Caprice
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454

Chrysler muscle cars
1965–1974 Chrysler Newport
1955–1965 Chrysler 300 (B 372 engine)
1959–1971 Chrysler Town and Country (B 372 engine)

D
Dodge muscle cars
1962–1965 Dodge Dart
1962–1965 Dodge Dart GT
1962–1965 Dodge Dart GTS
1962–1965 Dodge Dart Swinger
1962–1965 Dodge Dart Demon
1963-1965 Dodge Custom 880
1968–1979, 1965–1966 Dodge Coronet
1970 Dodge Coronet R/T
1966–1974 Dodge Charger
1968 Dodge Charger 440
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
1969 Dodge Charger 500
1968–1971 Dodge Super Bee
1970–1974 Dodge Challenger
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A
1960–1973 Dodge Polara
1971-1972 Dodge Demon

F
Ford muscle cars
1964–1965 Ford Thunderbolt 427
1959–1969 Ford Galaxie
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane
1968–1974 Ford Torino
1968–1974 Ford Torino (GT, Cobra, and Talladega, Cobra Jet Ram Air 429, Drag Pack )
1969 Ford Torino Talladega
1965–2004 Ford Mustang
1971-1973 Ford Mustang 302
1971-1973 Ford Mustang 351
1967–1971 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet
1969–1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1
1969–1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane GT
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane GTA
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt 427
1967 Ford fairline 427
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra
1964–1969 Ford Falcon
1967–1979 Ford Ranchero Truck
1964-1969 Ford GT40

G
GMC muscle cars
1971–1977 GMC Sprint
1978–1987 GMC Caballero

M
Mercury muscle cars
1966–1972 Mercury Cyclone
1967–1970 Mercury Cougar
1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E
1967 – Mercury Cougar XR7
1969–1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
1962–1967 Mercury S-55 (1964-1965 Marauder)
1959–1974 Mercury Monterey
1970–1971 Mercury Montego
1964–1977 Mercury Comet
1970 Mercury Cyclone spoiler

O
Oldsmobile muscle cars
1968–1971 Oldsmobile 442
1961–1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass “Ram-Rod” 350
1969–1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31
1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350
1974 Oldsmobile Omega S
1970 Oldsmobile 442
1963 Oldsmobile Starfire

P
Plymouth muscle cars
1962–1965 Plymouth Fury 413,
1962–1965 Plymouth Fury 426 Max Wedge
1962–1965 Plymouth Fury 426 Hemi
1963–1976 Plymouth Belvedere
1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX
1962–1971 Plymouth Sport Fury
1967–1971 Plymouth GTX
1968–1974 Plymouth Road Runner
1968 Plymouth Road Runner 446 BBL
1964–1974 Plymouth Barracuda
1971 Plymouth cuda 383
1970 Plymouth Superbird
1970–1976 Plymouth Duster

Pontiac muscle cars
1961 – 1991 Pontiac Tempest
1962 – 1981 Pontiac Le Mans
1964 – 1974 Pontiac GTO
1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power
1970 Pontiac GTO Judge
1967 – 2002 Pontiac Firebird
1967 – 2002 Pontiac Trans Am
1950-1981 Pontiac Catalina

S
Shelby muscle cars
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350H
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350R
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT500
1965 Shelby AC Cobra

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The post The Ultimate List of American Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

Mecum auctions is considered one of the world’s best auction houses for muscle and pony cars, which started from the Chicago home of of Dana and Patti Mecum in 1988 and has grown into the spectacle it is today. To celebrate the 30th anniversary the Dana Mecum’s 30th Original Spring Classic the auction will return to Indianapolis on May 16 to the 21st with over 2000 American muscle cars and classics in the lineup.

With so many muscle cars in the lineup, this will definitely be few days of eye candy for any muscle car fan.

The six-day auction will feature some amazing muscle and pony cars, which include a 1965 Ford Mustang serial number 00002, the first Mustang hardtop to have a VIN, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 convertible, a 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 raced by Larry Wilson and a Bloomington Gold, The Bob McDorman Collection of 40 vehicles with 22 being Bob McDorman’s Corvettes , a 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta convertible 1 of 458 produced, a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster serial number 64 of the 300 to just name a few from the lineup.

The vehicles above are just the tip of the iceberg, with 2 amazing Yenkos from the Cliff Ernst collection which include a 1969 Yenko Camaro 1 of 201 and a 1970 Chevrolet Yenko Deuce 1 of 175.

Of the vehicle collections featured come from Mike Guarise, Larry Klairmont and Dennis Albaugh 30 classic muscle cars from the Dallas and Ammie Hawkins Collection.

As you can see this is probably the years highlight for muscle and pony cars. There are many ways to check out and participate in this auction with bidder registration available online in advance for $100 and $200, including admission for two people for each auction day.
General admission will be $20 per person per day and $30 at the door.

The auction that bloody quickopens at 8 AM with auctions beginning at 10 AM. If you can’t make the actual auction NBC Sports Network will broadcast the event for 21 hours available at Mecum.com https://www.mecum.com/. If you check out no other auction this year, this is the one to see.

Date: May 16-21, 2017

Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205

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The post Mecum Auctions’ 30th Anniversary Celebration At Original Indianapolis Location appeared first on Muscle Car.

We have quite a few rarities today. Check them out below.

1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350H

Engine: HI-PO 289 V8
1 of 59 Built
Price: $250,000.00

Essentially, this is one of those rare vehicles which do not come up for sale very often. The ‘H’ is for a Hertz rental vehicle which allowed people back in the day to rent a Shelby. Only 999 Shelby GT350Hs were made in 1966 and this is only 1 of 59 made in Ivy Green.

The listing has a ton of detail with it, back history and details of its documentation to prove its authentic. If you have the budget, this is one vertical that will definitely increase in value.

DOCUMENTED IN THE SAAC REGISTRY INCLUDING HISTORY AND SERVICE RECORDS.
RECENTLY VERIFIED BY HOWARD C. PARDEE.
1 OF ONLY 59 BUILT IN IVY GREEN.
GREAT OWNERSHIP HISTORY INCLUDING PETER KLUTT FROM LEGENDARY MOTORCARS.
EXTENSIVE CONCOURS RESTORATION BY WELL-KNOWN JIM COWLES OF “SHELBY PARTS AND RESTORATION”.
RETAINS MOST OF THE ORIGINAL SHEET METAL.
MOSTLY ALL FORD NOS OR OEM PARTS USED THROUGHOUT.
EXTREMELY STRAIGHT BODY WITH BEAUTIFUL SHOW QUALITY PAINT.
MOSTLY ORIGINAL BLACK INTERIOR WITH ORIGINAL RESTORED COBRA TACH.
HIGHLY DETAILED ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH MANY CORRECT PARTS.
ORIGINAL MATCHING NUMBERS HIGH PERFORMANCE 289 V8 ENGINE THAT’S BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT.
HIGHLY DETAILED UNDERCARRIAGE WITH MANY CORRECT PARTS.
GLOVE BOX DOOR WAS SIGNED BY CARROLL SHELBY.

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1971 Dodge Challenger 340

Engine: 340cu.
Transmission: Manual
Price: $35,000.00

These guys seem to get a lot of interest for their muscle cars online. This 1971 Dodge Challenger has been fully restored with a rebuilt 340u. engine with mild cam (doesn’t specify if numbers matching or not), four speed manual transmission and 3/4 355 gears.
A great example of a ’71 Challenger shown off by a rather nice model.

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1970 Oldsmobile 442

Engine: 7.5L 7456CC 455Cu. In. V8
Price: $49,500.00

This Oldsmobile 442 is on the classics from the muscle car generation. Great condition and comes with the W-30 Hurst options. These include the M22 rock crusher 4 speed transmission, E2 special heavy duty suspension , W25special performance hood, W35 rear deck spoiler, N34 custom sport steering wheel, W27 aluminum axle cover, N66 super stock ll wheels, D35 sport stile mirrors , V21 rocket rally pack gauges, D55 sports console, N47 vari ratio power steering, JL2 Power disk brakes.

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1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Transmission: Manual 4-speed toploader
Mileage: 54,000
Current bid: $20,500.00

This Mustang Boss 302 has its issues, in particular the missing engine and rust, but it’s still expected to go for a healthy amount.
The transmission and rear end are original and the interior is in reasonable condition, but this ride will still need a lot of work.
This car definitely has potential and with the correct engine could definitely end up being a showstopper.

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The post Muscle Car Finds Of The Day appeared first on Muscle Car.

1970 BUICK GSX 455

Engine: 455cu.
Color: Saturn yellow
1970 Buick GS455
Price: $85,000.00

This is a mighty fine Buick GSX, which has had a full restoration in 2012, with over $80,000 invested. Only 78 were produced with the SR455 engine and this one is the 69th built.

This is an incredible example of the breed and although pricey, this vehicle will surely go up in value as the years go by.

OPTIONS
* GSX GROUP
– GSX BODY STRIPES
– FRONT AND REAR SPOILERS
– GSX GRILLE AND BLACK STRIPES
– COLORED HEADLITE BEZELS
– HOOD TACH
– OUTSIDE RACING MIRRORS

* POWER STEERING
* POWER BRAKES
* AM-FM RADIO
* TILT STEERING WHEEL

COWL TAG
03B – BUILT 2ND WEEK OF MARCH
70-44637 – 1970 GS 455 COUPE
FLI195324 – PLANT #
188 – BLACK INTERIOR
Q-Q – SATURN PAINT (SPECIAL GSX ONLY)

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1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Engine: 454ci LS6
Transmission: TH-400 3-speed Auto
Mileage: 85,780
Price: $44,900.00

If you ever wanted a classic from the muscle car era, this is the one. This example has the mighty 454 CU engine, a full rotisserie restoration done in 2011 and finished off in a lovely Cortez Silver with black stripes.

The car also features power front disc brakes, 12 bolt rear end and a black vinyl top which was so popular at the time. If you have the funds, you can’t do much better than this ride.

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1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

Engine: 440 V8
Mileage: 75,850
Price: $42,500.00

This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T comes with a Holley 4 barrel carburetor, non-original engine, new 3.23 posi HD Dana rear end, new shock absorbers and has had a full restoration. Currently located in Huntington Beach, Ca.

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1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S

Engine: 350 V8
Transmission: Automatic
Mileage: 41,870
Price: $19,450.00

This is an incredible Time capsule of a Cutlass S, which was one owner car until a few years ago. The second owner performed a few upgrades like adding a 442 grille and ‘radio speaker, RWL radial tires, new battery, and upgraded 134a Air conditioning.’

The interior also looks beautiful, with its walnut dash and period correct features. It even has the SSII wheels with raised white letter radials. Oldsmobile may not be as popular as the other makes, but if you factor in everything you get for the money, this is possibly the best buy of the lot.

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The post Muscle Car Finds Of The Day appeared first on Muscle Car.

Today we have three great muscle car picks for you. check them out below.

1970 Plymouth Barracuda B7 Blue Covertible 383

Engine: 383HP 4 barrel
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior Color: Blue B7
Mileage: 3,700
Price: $89,900.00

Fully restored with only 3700 miles since restoration.
‘Only known issue rear window on convertible top partially cloudy.’

Vin decode BS27N0B297xxx
BS Barracuda special Cuda
27 Covertible
N 383 4 barrel
0 1970
B Hamtramck, Michigan

Fender Tag Decode

V6X Black Stripe
Y05 US Specs
M25 Wide sill Mouldings
M31 Belt Mouldings
M88 Lower Decl Lid Moulding
N41 Dual Exhaust
N42 Chrome Exhaust Tips
R11 Music Master Radio AM
V3W Black Convertible Top
B51 Power Disc Brakes
C16 Wood Center Console Bucket Seats
C55 Bucket Seats
J45 Hood Pins
J54 Sport hood (rallye)
EB7 exterior B7 Blue
H6X9 High Trim Vinyl Bucket Seats
E63 383 4 barrel 335 hp (period correct non matching numbers)
D32 HD 727Automatic

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1969 Mercury Cyclone 428ci Cobra Jet V8

Engine: 428 Cobra Jet V8
Transmission: 4 Speed Manual
Price: $49,900.00

428ci Cobra Jet V8 Engine (#: 2C11)
Holley Carb
-750 CFM
Toploader 4-Speed Manual Transmission (#: RUG AU 012007)
-31 Spline
Front Independent Suspension
-Newer Ball Joints
Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
-New Staggered Shocks
Ford 9″ Rear End
-Ratio: 3.50:1
-Posi Trac
-Casting Date: 9G26
Brakes:
-POWER Disc
-POWER Drum
Exhaust:
-Stock Heads
-Dual Exhaust System w/ FlowMaster Mufflers
Key Components:
-Stock Appearing Distributor
-New Gas Tank
-Ford Radiator
-Ram Air Intake
Cosmetics:
-‘Powered By Ford’ Valve Covers
-Firewall Is Clean & Nicely Painted

Body:

Bronze Paint Finish w/ Black Body Stripes
Hood Fits Nicely w/ Fenders
Doors Fit Nicely w/ Fenders
Door Lips & Jambs Look Great
Chrome Bumpers are In Great Shape
Inside Trunk Is Clean
-Inner Wheel Housings Look Great
-Trunk Floors are Solid
-Full Spare
-Floor Mat
Undercarriage Looks Great
-Frame Is Solid
-Floorboards are In Great Shape
-Pinch Weld Is In Great Shape
Wheels: Magnum 500 15″
Front Tires: Kelly Charger 215/65R15
Rear Tires: Kelly Charger 255/60R15

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1969 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 2-Door Convertible

Engine: Rocket 350ci 2-bbl
Transmission: Automatic
Mileage: 105,634
Aztec Gold Poly paint
Price: $9,500.00

This car does have a few issues from small fender bender patch up and the small oil leak. Otherwise, the car is in fine condition.

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The post Muscle Car Finds Of The Day appeared first on Muscle Car.

Today’s roundup of American-made muscle cars.
We have a rather nice Dodge Charger restomod in great condition, a 1973 Dodge Challenger R/T, a 2005 Ford Mustang GT and a 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible.

1970 Dodge Charger Restomod

This is set to be a 14 month restoration project which is being sold for $85,000. not the cheapest around, but an amazing amount of details coming to this ride is listed below. The seller says they will consider a trade for a numbers matching 4 speed Hemi.
‘Born 318/auto now Custom built 440 bored .030 over, polished Edelbrock dual quad carb setup, Wizard Cooling system, custom 2.5 exhaust system with electronic cutouts for that strait header rumble.
Completely rebuilt 727 TorqueFlite with B&M shift kit. Rebuilt/restored 8 3/4 rear end with new 3:55 Sure Grip posi. LED headlights and sequential LED tail lights. Real FC7 Plum crazy purple car now with painted black bumble bee stripe with black custom interior.
Modern leather power seats, custom gauge cluster, Flaming River wheel, brand new suspension with upgrades from Just Suspension and Hotchkis. 17 inch Year One Magum 500 wheels with power steering and power Wilwood discs up front. Everything new or rebuilt. Class winner at 2016 Boston World Of Wheels. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of receipts. Amazing car, very fresh and as nice on the botom as it is on top.’
Available here on craigslist.

1973 Dodge Challenger 440

Engine: 440 big Block
Transmission: 4 Speed Manual
Mileage: 30,183
Price: $33,500.00

Although this car has the hallmarks of an R/T it is a regular 440cu. engined car in great condition. The engine is said to be a ’67 440 which is being rebuilt with a mild cam and new carb., Headers Dual Exhaust, 355 Rear Posi., New Willwood 4 Wheel Power Disc Brakes.

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Rare 2005 Ford Mustang GT Roush Stage 2

Engine: 4.6L 281Cu. In. V8
Transmission: Manual
Mileage: 73,000
Price: $13,998.00

This fine ride has a $4500 custom paint job, Ford performance racing rear end with 3:73 gears, new clutch, brakes and tires. modifications include a full Bassani exhaust, Steeda Tri Axe shifter, Exedy clutch, JLT cold air intake, BBK throttle body, and SCT custom tune.

‘The Roush Stage 2 Mustang package includes all of the Stage 1 option content, plus a performance suspension that is second to none, as explained by RPP Engineering Manager Paul Burke.’

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1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible matching numbers

Engine: 1964 GM V8
Transmission: Automatic
Mileage: 75,000
Price: $13,500.00

with 8 cyl r and transmission, with power brakes pump Hydro-vac, OEM rims, paint is good-fair loke 12 ft good looking not a showroom or perfect paint job in scale 1-10 is 7 the tires are almost new/good, , chrome all around engine, non factory A/C car, new gas tank, fuel pump, etc, etc daily driver, new OEM radiator and electro-fan, interior super clean and OEM, everything works, lights and all flow master exhaust, too many things to enumerate, this car runs flawlessly and drives smooth this’s a head turner unmolested all OEM, dash new radio. Over 20K invested in this beast, so make it yours for a fraction of the market price.

burgundy/black combination
1964 GM V8 Cylinder Engine
Hydro-matic Automatic and brand new transmission
Black interior seat very nice color combination

A history of the car 1964

‘The new intermediate F-85 now rode a conventional body-on-frame chassis with a perimeter frame. Wheelbase grew to 115 inches (2,900 mm), overall length to 203 inches (5,200 mm), and weight by more than 300 pounds (140 kg). Both the aluminum V8 and the Roto Hydramatic were discontinued in favor of a new cast-iron small-block V8 of 330 cu. in. (5.4L) displacement and an optional two-speed Jetaway automatic transmission with variable-pitch stator. Buick’s 225 cu. in. (3.7 L) Oddfire V6 was the standard engine.

The body styles of the previous model returned, and a new Vista Cruiser, a stretched-wheelbase (120″/3048 mm) version of the standard station wagon featuring a raised rear roof with tinted skylights and a fold-down, forward-facing third seat, debuted on February 4, 1964. The 4-4-2 model, derived from the BO-9 police package, was also introduced in March 1964 (costing $285.14 in 1964),[2] as an answer to the new intermediate muscle car market created by the Pontiac GTO that same year.’

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The post Muscle Car Finds Of The Day appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

This is a good video to feature as it highlights some muscle cars which you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be in a list like this one. The word ‘obscure’ definitely relates to the these vehicles.

You get first up the AMC Javelin which is not always on everyone’s radar, but is still quoted as one of those affordable muscle cars which are still a bunch of fun, but not always the most popular. The Mercury Cyclone is another example featured here, but the likes of the Studebaker Super Lark was unexpected, especially with it being quoted as the first muscle car ever built (do you agree with this or not?). You can check out more information about this car here.

The other anomaly here is the Oldsmobile Vista cruiser. In 1974 you got a 455(7.5L) V8 engine in what is on the surface a straightforward grocery getter. A definite sleeper.

If you want a quick dip into a few obscure vehicles not necessarily linked with traditional muscle cars, then check out this video.

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The post 7 of the Most Obscure, Offbeat Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

From the 1950s to the early 80s, many huge vehicles roamed the streets of America. From the huge finned vehicles of the 50s up to the lumbering land yachts of the late 70s and early 80s, there are plenty of cars which stretch over 214 inches in length. Compact, these were not.

Now its a chance to look at the American cars which fit into this category. These vehicles were more from the out of years classics and focus more on size than actual muscle car traits.

1975 Dodge Charger SE

At 216 inches/5.48 metres in length, the 1975 Dodge Charger hardly resembled the classic muscle car just a few years earlier. By 1975 it had somehow morphed into a luxury coupe from the government squeezing of engine displacements and insurance prices for performance vehicles. It had luxurious carpeting, but nothing like the power needed for NASCAR racers of the time. It may have been long and luxurious, but no way a match to its earlier generations.

1971 Buick Riviera

At 217.4 inches/5.52 metres long, the huge Buick Riviera had a boattail rear end, Full-Flo’ ventilation system and a 455c.i./7.5L V8 engine with MaxTrac’ traction control. The rear of the car looked quite unique by today’s standards but wasn’t a great seller at the time.

1970 Ford LTD

It would be a stretch to label the Ford LTD as a muscle car, more luxury vehicle, but it does compete in the length traits at 216.1 inches/5.49 metres. this possibility the largest car offered by Ford, which had a 302c.i. V8 to a 429c.i., hidden headlights and Thunderbird like grille. Selling over 7.75 million examples.

1969 Dodge Polara

We’re into more of the classic muscle car years here, but the 1969 Dodge Polara is still one of the longest at 220.8 inches/5.61 metres. The Polara was available in five body styling is with engines ranging from a 381c.i. to a 440 Magnum with 375hp. The lengthier vehicles always boasted more features and styling with this one. Having ultra plush carpets and hidden windscreen wipers.

1973 Chevrolet Impala

The Chevrolet Impala was always a lengthy vehicle, with the ’73 version hitting 221.9 inches/5.64 metres. the 73 model was nothing like the classic early 60s, but you could still get a 350c.i. V8 up to a 455c.i. ‘Turbo Jet’ V8 with 245hp. Like the rest on this list, there is more a luxury cruiser than anything else.

1976 Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird was hardly a muscle car especially by 1976, but it does feature a huge 460-cubic inch V-8 engine with Cruise-O-Matic’ transmission. Loads of chrome and weighing in at more than 5000lbs, the car can be found on many TV show. The lipstick red version was an option at $546. This huge monster measured 225.7 inches/5.73 metres may have been a huge land yacht, but in prime condition looks incredible today.

1970 Buick Electra 225

The Electra came in at 225.8 inches/5.74 metres for 1970 and featured a 455 CID V8 engine with 370HP and 510 lb ft. of torque. It was obviously a full-size luxury land yacht, but still had grunt under the hood.

1974 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight LS

Oldsmobile were another one of those companies that suffered after the classic musclecar era, but they carried on with huge lengthy vehicles as in the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight at 232.4 inches/5.90 metres. Up to 2004 Oldsmobile was the oldest American car brand, but their heyday was definitely in the late 60s and early 70s. The Ninety-Eight LS had a 455-cubic inch/7.5L ‘Rocket’ V8 with federally mandated 5mph bumpers. Amazingly, the 98 lasted over 12 generations from 1941 up until 1996.

1973 Imperial LeBaron

A huge vehicle at 235.3 inches/5.98 metres in length and federal bumper standards adding 5.8 inches making it the longest production vehicle in North America for 1973. Although the Brown died off just a few years later due to oil embargoes at the time, the vehicle was still presidential enough to carry Ronald Reagan to his swearing-in ceremony in 1981.

1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five

This luxurious land yacht came in at 252 in. and was available in the Nine passenger sedan limousine version.

If you want comparisons with pure muscle cars than possibly one of the longest the 1970 Dodge Charger Daytona came in at 117 in (2,972 mm) long and the 1969 Plymouth Superbird at 221 in (5,613 mm). The Plymouth Barracuda’s length was 186.6 in (4,739.6 mm) and the 1970 Dodge Challenger’s length was 191.5 inches. Compare this to a 2017 Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which has a length of 197.5 in.

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The post The Largest And Most Extravagant American Cars Of All Time appeared first on Muscle Car.

Engine: 455 V8
Mileage: 525
Numbers Matching 455 V8 4BBL Engine
Numbers Matching M-21 4-Speed Transmission
Original Distributor & Carburetor
1 of 1,688 Sports Coupes Produced in 1970
Factory Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Original Color – Aspen Green

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The post Find Of The Day: 1970 Oldsmobile 442 4-Speed Matching Matching appeared first on Muscle Car.

This could be a sweet purchase for somebody who wants a buy and drive car with little work needed. Legitimate or not, the ad says the car has 15,000 miles on the clock and only the water pump has been replaced.

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The overall condition of this 442 is fantastic with original paint and a vinyl top in great condition. The only thing on the exterior not working seems to be the power antenna. The interior looks as good as the exterior, with no signs of wear on the bench seat and the dash looks in great shape as do the carpet.

The 400cu. V8 engine has 325hp and 440lb. ft. of torque, looking great and only needing cleanup work and detailing to get in fine condition. It’s currently at a bit of $22,700, with roughly 6/2 days to go. A survivor such as this one is bound to increase in value, especially of such low mileage, so keep your eye on this one.

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The post Find Of The Day: 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Survivor appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

The muscle car auction season starts to kick off in the New Year with Barrett-Jackson featuring some incredible muscle cars up for auction.

You really have a whole smorgasbord of rarities at the January auction, which include a 1964 CHeetah Lot #1376 which is one of 15 vehicles known to survive with the only one having a 4 to 7ci L88 racing engine. Other standouts include a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda convertible 1 of 14, a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, in 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T, May 2005 Ford GT, a 1972 Oldsmobile convertible Hurst Pace car and a 1970 Plymouth Superbird 440.

The auction is to kick-off between January 14 to the 22nd, with over 1600 vehicles up for auction.
Check out Barrett Jackson’s website for further details http://www.barrett-jackson.com/

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The post Barrett-Jackson’s 2017 Scottsdale Auction To Have The Best Array Of Muscle Car Yet. appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

This all original 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 is a prime candidate for a full restoration and at a current bid of under $4381, a fine specimen of a 1970s muscle car.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

One of the main benefits of this find is that the car is said to run and drive with only 60,980 miles on the clock, which means it can be driven and possibly worked on at the same time.
However, giving this a full rotisserie restoration will be a great idea as this is a prime candidate for such a process.

The exterior looks like it’s had its surface rust addressed in the past and all the panels seem to look straight and solid.
There is evidence of rust on the rear quarters, but on the upside there is a NOS repainted hood, which shows at least a start of a restoration job in the past.
The chrome work looks in reasonable shape, but will need touching up in areas.

The 455 CID V8 engine is not the original, but it’s period correct and has 1972 W30 cylinder heads. It’s driveable but clearly needs a good clean, service and repaint to get it back in fully workable order.
The rest of the engine bay looks in good condition with no signs of rust and still has the original paint.

The interior of the car looks reasonable with the burr dash still intact, with only slight whirring around the chrome gauges.
The driver’s seat has a rip, but apart from that the interior almost looks like it just needs a good clean up to get back in shape.

Overall, this Oldsmobile has plenty of potential and although the engine is not numbers matching, the price is at a good enough point to buy this as a great restoration project.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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The post A Real 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

In many a car ad. there is a mention of the vehicle being kept in dry conditions, with little exposure to rain or snow.
This seller clearly shows that this car lives in a snowy environment and still has all the features intact.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

This 1974 Oldsmobile 88 may not be from the most classic of years, makes or models, but it does have a rebuilt 350 Chevy engine and transmission with what is said to have 10,000 miles on the clock.
Sometimes mileage can be taken with a pinch of salt, but when you look at the rest of this car, it does look cherished since its early days.

It has new 20 inch wheels, which may not be to everybody’s taste, but the ad. says that the car has had over 9K invested, presumably a complete restoration job done here.

With money invested in this vehicle you would expect to see no signs of rust, which seems to be the case here with close-up images of the doors and hood to prove the fact.

The exterior of the car seems to be in fine shape with gleaming chrome work and although its out in the snow, you’ll hopefully have it cleaned up on delivery.

The engine looks in dusty condition, but as it is said to have been rebuilt, everything here should run fine.

A classic Oldsmobile doesn’t seem like a great collector’s model, but for an asking price of $4500, you’re getting a lot of classic vehicle here for your money.
Fancy a slice of Oldsmobile before Christmas?

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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The post Find Of The Day: 1974 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

The classic vehicle market can have its ups and downs as much as the stock market, but it seems over the past 12 months classic muscle cars have been buoyant across the range.

The rare optioned vehicles from the late 60s and early 70s seem to always remain a priority, but 70s and 80s vehicles are also steadily climbing in price.

If you check such online valuation tools such as Hagerty’s, you will see most makes and models from the classic era of muscle cars, the graphs have started to climb or at least stay buoyant for the last 12 months.

Some comments online stated that the buoyancy of the market for muscle cars is from the simplicity of the design compared to today’s vehicles and that manufacturers are making modern versions such as the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, which are helping the market immensely.
For example, a 1966 Shelby GT350 which are not as valuable as the 1965 model can be bought for less than $140,000. Not a small amount of money, but check the prices in a few years and you may be kicking yourself.

Mustangs are arguably some of the most popular pony/muscle cars out there. 1964 to 1968 Mustangs are hot property and are only going to go up in value.

The Mopar Brigade of Dodge and Plymouth with such models as the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Road Runner and Superbird are all highly collectable, especially with rare options. 1968 to 1971 models are the most desirable.

Although the most common makes are usually quoted, keep an eye out for such makes and models such as 70s Pontiacs – GTO and Trans AMs, Chevrolet Camaros and even move into the 80s with Ford Fox body Mustangs.
Mercury, Oldsmobile and AMC have their collectable models, such as the AMC Rebel the machine, Mercury Cougar and the Oldsmobile 442, but sticking with the most obvious makes and models will give you the best chance of a price rise.

The muscle car market seems like it has no signs of slowing down, so check out the obvious sources online to get an idea of pricing, such as eBay and research their current valuations with the Hagerty valuation tool.
If you’re thinking of buying a classic muscle car, now is possible the time to do it.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Classic Muscle Cars: The Best Classic Vehicles To Own appeared first on Muscle Car.

This wonderful machine was one of the classics of the late 60s and early 70s.
To share the post below to find out the details.

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The post Guess Today’s Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

Engine: 455 V8
Transmission: 3 Speed Automatic

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

Its fine having a project to finish off, a car that you can take from a barebones restoration to a finished off product, but life is obviously a lot easier if you have the cash to buy a vehicle completely restored and in fine condition.

This 1970 Oldsmobile 442 is exactly that with a numbers matching powertrain and is the finished product you could be proud of any show.
It has all the W30 goodies you would expect, like the W30 Hood and sports mirrors, the fine Matador Red paint and white stripes, except for the replaced factory bumper guards all seems original.
The car has had a full restoration with all original parts going back on it, apart from things like the weather stripping and all seals around the glass.

As you would expect, the interior is just as impressive, looking immaculate from the carpets to the pristine dash and seats. It has bucket seats with a his and hers shifter, tilt column and factory sports wheel. It even comes with the original AM/FM radio and 8 track under the dash.

The powertrain consists of a numbers matching 455, going to a 400 Turbo transmission, Posi Grip Rear end with a 3.23 gearing.
It has power steering, disc brakes on the front, along with factory working A/C.

In total, this is a complete and finished off vehicle in fine condition at a current bid of $19,400.
Oldsmobiles don’t fetch as much as some of their other 1970 counterparts, but you do get the same quality, feel and excitement from a ride like this as you would do from its contemporaries, so maybe shortlist this baby if you’re on the lookout for a muscle car classic.

Check out the video below to get a first-hand look at this marvellous Oldsmobile.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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The post 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Matching Numbers appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

We have posted quite a few Jay Leno‘s magnificent vehicles, mainly because the gentleman has a bigger collection of cars than most museums, plus he is true connoisseur of the internal combustion engine, from a very old to present-day.

In this episode Jay goes through some of his favourite American muscle cars, starting with a 1966 Dodge Coronet with a 426 hemi, a 1970 Dodge Challenger 426 hemi and a restomodded Buick Roadmaster with a 572 engine pushing 650 HP. A vehicle that was sat on his mother-in-law’s driveway for 16 years before being brought back to life.

Next comes a Ford Galaxy 500 and then an Oldsmobile Toronado, converted from frontwheel drive to rearwheel drive with upgraded chassis and suspension. It also features a 7 L racing engine with twin turbos, pushing 1,000hp.

If you want to get some eye candy from some of the most incredible American muscle cars on the planet, you needn’t go any further.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Jay Leno’s Favorite American Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Mark Weisseg

For those of us that drove the 442, the 88, 98, and more it leaves a hole. Never did any of us think this car company would go the way of so many others.

Yes, the 442 became a joke but so did the Corvette, Mustang and Camaro at one time. Heck, the beloved Plymouth is gone, Mercury is gone, and Pontiac. It was a blood bath. I believe we all know why by now but it still leaves a hole.

Hundreds of car companies failed over the years but when you see it first hand it’s different. Now, I read the Buick is Consumer Reports top rated car. Gadzooks that is good news. I was sick of hearing about the great Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry. Seeing friends and family drive Hyundai’s, and Kia cars turns my stomach.

Count me as old fashioned but I like my Chevy, my Caddy, my Ford, my Jeep, my Dodge, my Plymouth and more in my driveway. Yes, we have had to fight but every fight has a reason. I never forgot the veterans of the Wars and what they fought for. It is part of me. My Grandfather in War one, Dad and his brother in Two, and a friend’s brother losing his life in Vietnam. Go to Washington DC and look at the memorials. Go to unknown soldier memorial, and go to the cemetery there in DC and you will leave a changed person. Long live the fast muscle cars from the 30’s to the early 70’s. The cars after that became fat and lazy but they were ours.

Luckily, we are now living in a time that is probably the best for muscle cars since the late 60s and early 70s, with newer models of muscle cars appearing all the time and maybe even some of the old extinct versions coming back to life.
Oldsmobile may not be one of them, but at the least, today’s muscle cars are some of the best there’s ever been.

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The post How Oldsmobile Used To Be appeared first on Muscle Car.

This is another one of those stored away for years vehicles that has now come out of hibernation ready to bring this beauty back to life.

This 1969 Oldsmobile is numbers matching, with a 400 CI engine, automatic transmission and still has reasonable Aztec Gold paint with Champagne Interior.

The car is in pretty reasonable condition and as the ad. says, probably doesn’t need a deep restoration, but that will depend on the end results you are looking for.
Things like the interior seats will need replacing, as per the passenger quarter panel, but the signs of rust seem to be superficial unless something horrendous is lurking under the surface.

The current asking price of $10,500, this is not cheap, but you are getting the numbers matching 442, which in tiptop condition could fetch around $40,000.

Check out the full original ad below and see what you think.

Buy now on Ebay.

‘Dry Stored In a Vacant Warehouse In Central Georgia For Over 25 years. Showing 86K Miles on The Odometer.

Factory Numbers Matching Bronze 400 Big Block.
“396026 G” Serial Number 39M277489 …….VIN # 344879M277489.

Trim Tag Indicates She’s a Beautiful Aztec Gold With Perfectly Matched Champagne Interior.
Built In The 1st Week of February at The Lansing, MI Plant.

With a Little Perseverance. I Would Suspect You’d Find The Build Sheet Lurking Somewhere In This Unmolested 442.

It’s an Inland Southeastern Muscle Car Which Has Helped Preserve This 442 From The Effects Of Winter and Road Salts. Dry Stored For Decades Has Helped It’s Preservation.

No Major Rust. Most of The Body Work Required Is Bolt On. ie: Fenders etc…

Chassis and Frame – Solid ! Great Bones To Work With.

Solid Rocker Panels From Front to Back On Both Sides.

Floors are Solid. Passenger Floor Pan Has Small Pin Holes.

Front Fenders Should Be Considered and Patch Panels Lower Back Of Quarters. Small Rust Area Around Back Window Passenger side. (Nothing Major)

This Doesn’t Have To Be a Deep Resoration.

She’s Still Sporting Her Original Paint and Interior. She’s All There !

Interior – Door Panels, Rear Seat, Console and Dash are in Decent Shape. Front Seat Skins Have Deteriorated. Original Carpet is Old and Should Be Replaced. It Does Need a Headliner

The Winner –
Everything Under The Hood Is Intact Including The Factory Air Cleaner and “Numbers Matching” Bronze Big Block With all It’s Factory Components and Accessories.

She’s Also Married To Her Original Transmission and Rear End. ‘

Buy now on Ebay.

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The post Find Of The Day: 1969 Oldsmobile 442, Numbers Matching appeared first on Muscle Car.

Muscle cars and their related brethren seem to be a good fit for horror or scary movies. Mean looks, ultra-loud, terrifying and a stance that means business.
No wonder they have been used even today, as the basis of an intimidating vehicle.

With Halloween looming, here’s a list of some of the standout movies which feature some terrifying rides.

Duel : 1970 Plymouth Valiant

A 1971 movie, featuring the directing debut of Steven Spielberg.
The basic plot centers around David Mann, a middle-aged salesman in a 1970 Plymouth Valiant (with a 318ci. engine) being chased and harrassed by a 1955 Peterbilt 281 truck and unseen driver. A 1972 Valiant was also used, but all the Valiants had ’71 wheel covers.
The truck continues its attempts on the Valiants life and drivers, building up the suspense as it goes.

The movie ends with the truck flying off a cliff with Mr. Mann, escaping and wondering why he didn’t opt. for a Hemi Superbird in the first place.
More thriller than chilla, but still a great bit of suspense.

Highwaymen: 1968 Plymouth Barracuda

A madman goes on a killing spree, who runs over the Rennie Cray’s wife in a Cadillac Eldorado (they always had bad brakes).
Rennie uses a 1968 Barracuda to chase the killer, who is put in hospital and emerges wheelchair bound and with prosthetic limbs, but still able to carry on his murderous ways.
He continues his killing ways until the pair meet again, when Rennie has to save (Rhona Mitra) and end the killer once and for all.
There’s plenty of horror, suspense and car chases here for a great bit of muscle car horror adrenaline.

The Evil Dead: 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88

The car was originally the director Samuel Raimi’s father’s car, which became a star of the film itself.
It was originally shown in the movie, driven by Ash to the haunted cabin, but then became an icon of the Evil Dead movie franchise featuring in Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness.

The car is also featured in other horror movies, which include Crime Wave, Darkman and Drag Me To Hell and even had a cameo part in Spiderman 3. An Oldsmobile was also featured in Evil Dead 2013, but was actually a 1974 Oldsmobile Delta 88.

Death Proof: Dodge Charger

Mr Quentin Tarantino is clearly a lover of classic muscle cars, with death proof harking back to many of the classic road movies of the 70s, like vanishing point.
One of the standout cars was the second vehicle used by “Stuntman” Mike, 1969 Dodge Charger. The car has the same license plate as the 1969 Dodge Charger features in the movie ‘Dirty Mary and crazy Larry.’

Death Proof: 1971 Chevrolet Nova

The other equally scary car from the movie Death Proof was the 1971 Chevrolet Nova , which had the license plate from Bullitt’s Mustang (JJZ 109).
So heavily modified, it was referred to by “Stuntman” Mike as being ‘Death Proof,’ which was for him, but not for his poor passenger.
The car also features a hard dock ornament as seen in the movie Convoy in 1978. This also adorns the front of the Dodge Charger scene in the film.

Wheels Of Terror: 1974 Dodge Charger

The TV movie from 1990 featured a completely beaten up and modified 1971/74 Dodge Charger. The car and it’s anonymous driver go around causing all types of mayhem, eventually flying off a cliff and exploding, putting an end to its menacing ways.

Christine: Plymouth Fury

No evil car listing would be complete without the inclusion of Stephen King’s Christine.
The movie was based on the Stephen King novel ‘Christine’ which featured a 1958 Plymouth Fury, possessed by an evil spirit.
It’s probably what put off most people restoring late 50s Plymouth Furys for many years.

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The post The Best Scary Movies With Amazing Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

This original Oldsmobile Toronado is one of those rare finds at a great price.

Check out the original ad. for details –
‘A rare opportunity to own a genuine survivor – barn find. This car was originally used in manufacturer company service (so says the included window sticker) and was then sold through Tuggle Chevy Olds in Newberry SC. in 1972. It was financed by South Carolina National Bank and the original bank note is also included along with owner’s manual and various other documents. To the best of my knowledge the car was always kept in a garage or under a carport. The original owner seems to have stopped using it sometimes in the early 1980s as I have some registrations and receipts up to that time. The owner was friends with the parents of the second owner’s wife and through them he became aware of the car eventually purchasing it in 1994. At that time the car still ran. The second owner put in a garage with the intention of an eventual restoration. I bought the car in late August (have not yet registered it in my name) with the intent of taking it home to Florida and doing a moderate restoration myself. To avert confusion, although my home is in Florida, I’m working a job here in South Carolina and wife and I are renting a home… so as far as I know the car has always resided here.

Hurricane Hermine swamped our home in Florida destroying our boathouse (felling it on top of the boat), taking down trees, and flooding the downstairs and garage. The aggravation and subsequent expense associated with that has made it impractical for me to follow through on my original plans and that’s the reason I’m selling.

More about the car. The car is completely original. The tires are the original J78/15 size including the spare. The condition of the body is fairly terrific with no more than the lightest surface rust anywhere with the exception of a possible bubble or two under the vinyl top on the driver’s side rear. All of the glass is perfect with no cracks or clouding. The chrome is great – the front bumper looks new. Trunk, doors, and hood are all very solid and operate perfectly. Although I have not attempted to start the engine I did verify it will turn.

As stated earlier, everything is there. The interior is complete – even the little things like the ashtrays and lighters. The original hubcaps are in the trunk along with the jack and tools and are in excellent condition. The car came with $1,493.74 worth of options including power disc brakes, power trunk, signal-seeking radio with rear bi-phonic speaker, a/c, power windows, power seats, and an $83.20 special paint job. There is a laundry list of items that the sticker says are optional on some other models are standard on this car. List price of the car was $6453.79.’

Buy now on Ebay.

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The post Field Find 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado appeared first on Muscle Car.

It’s usually the case that when a vehicle is homogenise from a few others, a weird monstrosity is born, but in the case of this ‘Eldorette’ a fantastic, unique concept could be somebody’s next purchase.

The car, which is currently on sale on Craigslist  is a mash up between a late 60s Cadillac Eldorado, a 1976 C3 Chevrolet Corvette and a smattering of parts from other vehicles such as rear bumper Ford Granada, and lights from a 78 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
This is topped by firestorm red from a 2003 Mustang…….hmmm.

The basis of the car is a 1976 Corvette, with obvious heavy modification.
You get a 1968 Eldorado roof, highly modified front fenders with widened wheel arches.
The roof drops down to a chrome luggage rack and a spoiler from a 90s Ford Probe, giving a boxy but cool look to the rear, ending in a 1970s Ford Granada rear bumper.

Checking out the interior you have the most sumptuous, eye watering, crushed red velour, which has been pimped out everywhere. The height of 70s chic.

All this you get for just shy of $20,000. Located in Bella Vista, AR.

This vehicle may not be an obvious choice to many, but considering the price and all its unique features, this can be seen as a rolling piece of art, which will never go out of fashion.
Considering the price, this could be one unique concept that will still be a head turner in decades to come.

The total ad.
‘1 of 1 1976 L82 AKA Eldorette. ALL hand laid fiberglass,too many body modifications to mention.
Color 2003 Mustang Firestorm Red.Interior-crushed red velour, Headlights-78 Olds Cutlass,. Taillights 70s Chevy Chevette. Rear bumper-Ford Granada modified Rear spoiler-90s Ford Probe.
Side lights-front and rear 69 Caddy lighted wreaths. Roof-68 Caddy Eldorado chopped 4 in.in rear.
Grill-hand laid design. L82 350 auto. Tires-new BF Goodrich radial TA. great cond inside and out. 61 K actual miles. All numbers match. One of the most unique,and radical corvettes in existence. Runs great,drive anywhere,. downsizing,no room for toys. will consider trade for van of equil or greater value, for additional pics -google Eldorette.
contact Doug show contact info no texts please.i really don’t text’

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The post Meet The Eldorette: Eldorado, Corvette, Mash up appeared first on Muscle Car.

I have personally felt that pull for as long as I can remember. Whether it was because of my avid admiration for all things NASCAR, my love for the entire Fast and Furious franchise, or the temptation that all things prohibition-esque hold for me, classic muscle cars have always held a special place in my heart.

Just in case you’re on the ropes about buying one for yourself, here are five reasons I feel that you should definitely take that leap.

Depreciation is not an issue
When you buy a brand new car, even if it is a shiny new muscle car, it loses an average of 10% of it’s original value the second you drive it off the lot. The value will continue to diminish for a while before you can finally build some equity, especially if you’ve taken out a long term auto loan to pay for it.

Even when you buy a used car, you still run the risk of depreciation. Trends are constantly changing and what’s hot one year can be boring the next.

Except when it comes to classic muscle cars. With classic muscle cars (those manufactured before 1979) the value increases over time. When one of these beauties are well taken care of and have a clean record, the price is the highest anyone is willing to pay for it.

You can hold history in the palms of your hands
Classic cars live a whole lifetime before they come to you.

Think about the first ever Oldsmobile Rocket 88. It was considered to be inspired by the modified cars that moonshiners used during prohibition in the 20s. They needed faster, stronger cars that could handle a fair deal of cargo. As prohibition came to it’s inevitable end, the moonshiners used their modified cars to dominate the street races.

When the people saw those beautiful machines ripping past at unimaginable speeds, everyone wanted one. And so began the age of the muscle car.

Wouldn’t you like to own a little piece of history as rich as that? I know I don’t mind feeling like I can brush shoulders with that kind of badassery, even if it is just in a metaphorical sense.

Forget the Registration Fee
Little known fact: cars built before 1973 can be registered as ‘historical’ vehicles.

This not only lands you free registration, but you can get a specialized antique licensed plate.

The only catch is that using an antique or historical license plate may restrict your use of the vehicle to historic events, parades and other things like that. You can get a ticket if you use the car regularly, but I do know plenty of people that drive their classic muscle cars on a regular basis that have never been stopped.

It’s a jaw dropping conversation starter
Driving a pristine, well kept, classic muscle car is quite the experience. When you’re sitting in an incredible piece of machinery like that, you’re guaranteed to feel like a million bucks.

Anywhere you go, all eyes will be on you and your car. I’ve never had any difficulty finding it in a parking lot, and I seem to make friends everywhere I go when I’m in it. Die hard auto addicts and everyone else loves a good classic car. You’ll find all kinds of interesting people striking up conversation with you because of it.

Besides, it makes you look even cooler for having good taste in cars as well as an appreciation for history.

It’s a hobby, not an investment
While a great classic muscle car can be worth twice its current value in the next five years, that shouldn’t be the priority.

Owning and taking care of one of these is like eating soul food. You will notice from the moment you take it for a spin for the very first time. The sight of a beautiful car has a pretty magical effect on people. You will notice that people smile at you, they might tip their hat to you, they’ll want to approach you and get to know you, all because of beautiful car you are driving. Owning a classic muscle car is a testament to your personality. It shows people that you are unique, that you have something about you that may just be worth getting to know.

Don’t even get me started on the feeling that will come over you when you spend time taking care of it. I imagine it’s something like what some women feel when they’re shopping. Whether you take care of the car on your own or with company, the feeling of washing it is better than therapy.

Different people have different ideas of what a classic muscle car is, hell, there seem to be as many different dictionary definitions as there are models. But some things that seem to be included in all of them are that they are fast, they are powerful, and they are beautiful. They’re hard not to love and, if you decide to take the leap, you’ll definitely fall in love with it too.

The post 5 Reasons Classic Muscle Cars are Better Than New Ones appeared first on Muscle Car.

Today’s muscle car for you to guess was a classic of the late 60s and early 70s.
Maybe not as popular as some of its other muscle car brethren, but equally as potent.
Just share this post below to find out the car’s details.

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The post Guess Today’s Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Mark Weisseg

Many of us learned how to tell the difference in models and makes by riding in our own cars.

Most of you will remember going on vacation as youngsters and your parents made up car games to keep you entertained. My folks did the same thing only with a twist. Mother would make up the game so the car did not become a fighting zone among us rats. But, we knew too much fighting and Dad would spin his head around like the exorcist and grit his teeth and say something that would loosen our bowels.

So, car games. No, not punching each other but we started out counting cars and colors and that got boring. So, we moved on to just guessing makes and models. We learned about cars quickly.

Dad actually enjoyed the game as well because if we saw a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, Dad would tell us the rear window behind the rear seat would go up and down, just cool little factoids so we would not slaughter each other in the car. It killed time and it was fun. By the time I was a young teenager I could rattle off nearly anything on wheels.

While my sister glued her face to the window counting horses or cows ( we lived in the city) us guys looked for cars. I guess it was our first experience in car spotting and we got good at it.

Remember the old Cadillac ambulances? They used to be everywhere. Now, no where.
Remember milk trucks that the driver stood up while driving only balancing himself on a little pad, or a fire truck with a rear tiller driver?

My problem today in all my smarts is I have a hard time telling a Honda from a Kia or a Toyota from a Hyundai anymore.
Geez, in the old days an Oldsmobile was different than a Ford LTD and a Chevelle did not look like a Buick. This is in part why the young people don’t have that same fire in the belly to even drive anymore. I have heard of so many teenagers that now wait until they are 18 or so before they learn to drive. They mooch from Mommy or a friend. I can tell you folks I was illegally driving on the streets in my parents car at 14. Also, riding a motorcycle at the same age on the streets. When I went for my license at 16 the instructor complimented me on how good I was. I dare not tell him I had two years of experience at that point on city streets!

My parents made a couple of things very clear to us mooches at home. One, at age 16 you will get a license because we are not hauling your ass around anymore. Two, after high school you will either go to College and pay for it yourself or get a full time job and pay rent at home and notch up the chore responsibilities. That signaled all of us to get out at 18 and we did. Best thing they could have done for us as it taught us to fend for yourselves in the real world. No living in the basement in our pajamas. But, let’s return to car spotting.

We are going to be adding a daily muscle car spotting post to test your knowledge on these fine vehicles starting with an easy one today.

Can you guess the make, model and year of the muscle car featured in this post? Comment below.

Start the game and the loser cuts the grass.

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The post Muscle Car Spotting USA appeared first on Muscle Car.

Each day we will be bringing you a new muscle car for you to guess the make, model and year.
All you need to do to find out the details of each car is share on social media to unlock the cars’ detail.

Comment below for which muscle car you think this one is.

The post Guess Today’s Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

This rare gem of a 1961 Oldsmobile starfire currently available on eBay, was recently sold from the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, CA.

As the ad. states, ‘A rare factory ‘Twilight Mist Poly’ (Color Code B) color paint with a matching light Blue interior and fully loaded with factory options.’

Obviously, being a museum car it should be in pristine condition from the fine paintwork to the gorgeous interior, but it does look like it needs work here and there.

It does seem a bit unusual that a museum will get shot of a car like this instead of bringing it back to prime condition, but there is no doubt it could be a prime project for somebody out there.

The styling is a fantastic mark of the transition from the 50s to the 60s with a nice 394 V8 engine, producing 330 HP.

The full details of the listing you can find with the link at the bottom of this page and with a buy it now price of $29,500, this could make somebody a fine project, which has also been a museum piece.
Maybe the museum’s loss is your gain.

Engine: 394/345HP V8
Transmission: Automatic
Starfire 394/330HP V8 Engine with 10.50-1 Compression,
High Speed Cam Shaft,
Ultra High Compression Cylinder Heads,
Dual Exhaust System,
Special Fiberglass Packed Muffler,
Foam Cushioned Bucket Seats,
Tachometer,
4-S Hydra-Matic automatic transmission,
Power Top,
Power Steering,
Power Brakes,
Power Drivers seat,
Power Trunk Release,
Power Antennae,
Electric clock,
Courtesy lamps,
Soft ray tinted glass,
Console with shifter,
Outside LH rear view mirror
Original Wonderbar AM radio

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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Some muscle cars are obvious favorites such as the Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Challenger, but there are certain vehicles out there which were either produced in limited numbers or didn’t sell, which are still classics, just not that well known.

Here are a bunch of classic muscle cars which you may want to consider which are just out of the norm.

1. 1964 Studebaker Avanti R3

Built between 1962 and 1963, the Studebaker Avanti was a strange car in many ways.
Not exactly a muscle car, but it did have the early trades. A 289ci. engine with a supercharger and a winning time at Bonneville Salt Flats. It was a fast car, but never sold in great numbers.

2. 1965 Pontiac 2+2

The Pontiac 2+2, was made between 1964 in 1967, firstly as a trim option on the Pontiac Catalina, but then on the body chassis as a full-size car.
It had a 421ci. engine, good for 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds.
The ‘2+2’ came from European cars from the seating arrangement of two upfront and two in the back.
Fast and luxurious, it was ultimately overshadowed by other cars from the Pontiac line.

3. Mercury Comet Cyclone

The Mercury Comet Cyclone was produced between 1960 and 1977.
It housed a 289ci. engine, with 50 limited-edition versions having a 427ci. good for 425HP.
Originally based on the Ford Falcon, then the Ford Fairline. It had basic lines wasn’t the most popular of the Mercury lineup, but ironically one example driven by 91-year-old Florida woman, had over over 562,000 documented miles in 2012, only been retired as the lady started to have bad eyesight.

4. Ford Ranchero 500

This ride is on the list as it mainly overshadowed by its Chevy counterpart the El Camino. Produced between 1957 and 1979, the pickup went through 7 generation changes and was a solid mover in its day.
The most muscle version came in 1968 with a 428ci. V8 engine good for 335 HP.

5. Oldsmobile Rallye 350

When it comes to Oldsmobile, the 442 usually gets the limelight, but the 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350 should also be of note.
Only available in Sebring Yellow, it had color matching bumpers on wheels which gave it a custom look.
It had a fibreglass W-25 cowl induction hood with a350ci. V8.
Good for 15.27 seconds in the quarter mile at 94 mph.
Just over 3500 were sold in 1970 after a year of production.

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By David Ashton

This is a solid rarity, with only three owners since 1972.

The car was first sold on December 17, 1969 at Biddulph Oldsmobile in Glendale, AZ and has the most prized of Oldsmobile options the W-30.
It comes in the infamous special order Sebring Yellow, with white stripe and white interior.
The car has had one re-paint in the mid 80’s, but apart from this, everything here is original. It even has a September ’69 date coded Sun Super Tach purchased by the original owner.

as you would expect from this level of originality, the car comes with 20 documentation, including three build cards, Protect-O-Plate, owner protection plan, purchase agreement, complete owners manual/literature, original interior delivery tags, original receipts, dealer sales material, dealer product manuals. Basically, loads to back up the claims.

With everything as stock original as you see here, you’re going have to pay a dividend, which is reflected in the high asking price.
However, originality like this doesn’t come around very often for sale, which means this is a definite investment piece for the future and will surely increase in value.

Engine: V8
Transmission: 4 speed Manual
Mileage: 45,000
Price: US $125,000.00

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The post Find Of The Day: 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30, Numbers Matching appeared first on Muscle Car.

Sorting out which are the best muscle cars of all time is a bit like saying which of your children you like the best (maybe you do have a favorite!). However, at some point we do pick our favorites, muscle cars that is…, so this is our rundown of the 7 Best muscle cars of all time.

Most would say a muscle car is a mid-sized, two-door vehicle, American-made with a high displacement engine, made for performance.
The definition of the muscle car has strictly no one point of origin, but can be traced back to the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 and the obvious haydays between 1965 and early 1970s. After the early 70’s factors such as high gas prices, emission controls and rising insurance prices halted the prime years of muscle cars. But in recent years, models such as the Dodge Charger and Challenger, Mustang, Camaro and Corvette have been making sure that the muscle car moniker still stands.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 wasn’t called the ‘king of the road’ from nothing.
Everything in 1970 seemed to coincide for the height of the muscle car era. The Chevelle SS 454 came that year with either an LS5 or LS6 engine, with the LS6 being the best at 450Hp with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and optional cowl induction.
It had the looks and the power to beat nearly everything around it at the time and with an official 360 HP rating (probably more like 500hp) it was the car to own for both looks and power.
The Chevelle SS 454 was one of those vehicles that had the right design, with the right engine and came around in the right year.

1965 Pontiac GTO

You could argue the Pontiac GTO ’67 model with the ram air hood scoop was a good muscle car start point, but it was the ’65 models that seemed to kick-off the heyday of muscle cars.
Born out of the Tempest line, it could do a 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and with its new styling in the ’64 year, gave it its classic looks until the second generation redesign.
The second-generation Pontiac GTO  from 1968 onwards, had more of the muscle car look, but it was the ’65 model that is still the original and most iconic.

1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi

When it comes to iconic muscle cars, the first and second generation Plymouth Road Runner is hard to beat. http://fastmusclecar.com/?s=1968+Plymouth+Road+Runner+Hemi
The ’68 model was the first of the linage and with a huge 426ci.(7.0L) Hemi V8 under the hood which was a $714 option, you are good for 425hp. The 440ci. and 383ci. engine models are usually the collectors favourites, but it is the Hemi version that stands out as the rarest and best.

Based on the Chrysler B platform, the Roadrunner is still one of the most iconic of muscle cars.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

The ‘Boss 9‘ is still one of the most talked about Mustangs.
Produced between 1969 and 1970, the 429ci. (7.030L) engine was built to compete in NASCAR with only 1,358 produced.
It was out to compete against the Hemi engine and featured ‘crescent’ type combustion chambers, obviously inspired by the hemisphere type from Chrysler.
The engine wasn’t the only draw, it was its beautiful, iconic lines which resonate even today.
Although sales and other factors stopped production in 1970, a prime condition 1969 Mustang Boss 429 can fetch over $500,000 at auction.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Only 69 original ZL1 Camaros were built, making it one of the most iconic and rare pony/muscle cars.
The car was developed for Can-Am racing and featured an L88 iron block 427ci./435hp engine, but just like the rest of the horsepower ratings at the time, it is probably nearer 500 HP.

The ZL1 was a product of the COPO (Central Office Production Order) system where Fred Gibb, a Chevrolet dealer, used this in conjunction with Chevrolet to produce the COPO 9560 package ZL1 with a huge $7200 price tag.
Due to the extremely low production numbers, mainly due to the cost, it is now one of the most sought-after Camaros around.

1970 Buick GSX Stage 1

Buick weren’t the most obvious makers to enter the muscle car arena at first, more known for their luxury vehicles.

The Buick GSX entered the arena firstly in 1965 with the Skylark Gran Sport and slowly morphed into the GSX with stage 1 package.
The car was originally as an answer to the Pontiac GTO Judge, Oldsmobile 442 and the Plymouth Barracuda.
The stage I performance package took the car to another level with a 455ci. V8 engine, with 510ft.lbs. of torque, which was the highest torque rating for the next 33 years.
This proves that Buick: just produce luxury, but also cars with performance.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda

The Plymouth Barracuda is probably one of the most iconic looking muscle cars ever made. It shares the E body with the Dodge Challenger, but it was the Barracuda with a 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8, that stands out.

The 1970 version got rid of the economy car feel and went straight for the jugular, with high impact colors
and racing performance.
Models like the AAR, with a 340ci. Six Pak engine, became worthy collectors items, but it will always be the Hemi version that is the most iconic.

I obviously had to leave out many contenders here, such as the obvious Dodge Charger, Oldsmobile 442 and even possibly the 1965 Shelby AC Cobra (but that was arguably half British), but the contenders above and they are rather contenders than a definitive list, do stand out as the cars that define the muscle car era.

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By Mark a Weisseg

Yes my munchkins, back in the 1970’s cars like this were considered fast. Yes, they had monster V8 engines but really were not all that swift,especially compared to some of their counterparts only a few years before.

If you wanted real power you had to buy a GTO, Camaro, or maybe a Charger. But as all of you can attest when we were young crumb crunchers there was no way Dad and Mom were having any of that. Certainly Dad would have preferred a hot rod in the garage but Mom would have his balls tied to the clothes line. the reality for most people were regular rides, especially in the family situation.

We like many other families were station wagon people. That’s how we rolled. As time went on I think Dad still had the itch for real horsepower but now he was too old. Darn shame as the guy was a motor head and loved cars. He would be stunned at what I have done and more than likely would be with me all the time. Like many fathers of the day they went to war and came back and started a family with that all their dreams landed up on hold as they made babies. But, Dad had that twinkle. He bought a few four door cars that had big V8 engines and enjoyed the power.

Thinking back to my neighborhood I don’t think there was a single family where the father had himself a hot rod. It would have been considered stupid. Today, that is very different.
Many men in there 50’s are buying the dream car they wanted as young adults. I am one of those. But, I did not stop with one car I kept going. Dad would have been proud.

He would think I was crazy but deep down he would have loved it. I hope you guys out there today share your hobby or love of the car with your son or daughter. You might not think they are listening but they are. The hobby trickles down, even if they passively watch and listen. It may not even happen for many years, but sometime in the future, they too will get the itch for a lovely V8.

The other shame is that Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and many more are gone. Today foreign cars are not considered foreign. Most are built right here in the USA and many people buy them with that in mind. Back in the 70’s and 80’s it was almost a sin to buy one. But, slowly over time they proved themselves worthy. They also made the Detroit big three wake up and start building better cars. The youngsters today don’t know about the days in the 70’s when we had gas rationing, gas shortages and were told by the liars we would run out of oil and gas soon.
We sweated the details and better cars were built. Technology found the oil in huge massive quantities and that same system found ways to extract it. Our globe is full of oil and there are no shortages of oil fields. Just a shortage of ideas to correctly use it, but that’s another story.

Today, we have a wealth of vehicles from the vintage to the brand-new which all uphold the muscle car tradition and are accessible to everybody. Well, those with the will, determination and tenacity to care for these vehicles and maybe turn some of them from rusted wrecks into the beauties that fetch high prices at auction. If you’re just passed your driving test to the oldest out there, you can still enjoy the hobby in some capacity. You just need to get out there and try it.

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The post 1970s Fast Muscle Cars For The Family appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Mark Weusseg

I just had to relive two of my favorite golden oldies. The GTO and the Olds 442.

These cars were so popular back when they were sold new and not much has changed. Of course each car changed its styling over the years but Gadzooks these cars were as hot as a rattlesnake in Texas.

Styling, power, grace and they live today thanks to all you collectors who can stand back and appreciate all the attributes that made these cars instant winners. It’s hard to imagine that 40-50 years from now someone will be gawking at a Toyota Camry. The Camry is a sales generator today but will they hold up in the future?
I won’t be around in 50 years so the young crowd today will decide its fate. But at your next car show go and stare at these cars. And I mean stare at the inside and outside. Equally they are beautiful specimens and one cannot help not to love them.

Given the chance I would pick a ’69 GTO In a heartbeat if the right one came my way. Wonderful cars that are no more. GM ruined the 442 by badging it on terrible cars later in its life. The GTO also went away of course. It’s hard to swallow the fact that both car companies are gone. I really thought Buick would have gone first as it was once deemed as a old man’s car. But, the Buick lives on I guess while the GTO and 442 are only in the history books.

You never know, with a renewed interest in modern muscle cars, some of the more obscure examples may come back in the future. This is obviously grasping at straws, but you never know……

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The post The Mighty Pontiac GTO and The Oldsmobile 442 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Don Stevens

An Oldsmobile Cutlass isn’t the first car you would think of to stuff in ridiculous horsepower. Back in the day, they were your average runabout vehicles, probably something Grandad would use as a grocery getter and not even the most attractive. But in this case, someone has had the vision to take this Old Cutlass to the next level.

The car houses a Blown 516 cubic inch Big Block Chevy V8 engine running on alcohol, going through a Powerglide transmission to a 9 inch Ford rear end, putting out over 1600HP. 24lbs. of boast through the blower on 275 small tires doing a 5.06 in th 1/8 mile at 141 mph.

It shows that with the right vision, you can take what is seemingly the most ordinary American vehicle and turn it into something that can potentially blow away the competition on the dragstrip. Now that’s American ingenuity.

Grandad would be proud….

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The post This 1650hp Blown Oldsmobile Cutlass Will Impress Your Friends appeared first on Muscle Car.

When I first compiled this list, it was really for my own benefit so I could have a quick reference to all the major American muscle cars produced between the mid-60s and mid-70s. Basically, the most popular makes and years for that golden age of high displacement muscle machines. Now it’s time to pass it on to you good folks, so you have a quick reference to see the most popular muscle cars at a glance.
Now, I know there will be a few exceptions here and there missing, so if you see any that are not included, please comment below so that we can add them and make the best list on the Internet of all things muscle car. For the Ultimate list of muscle cars go here.

A
AMC muscle cars
1965–1966: Rambler/AMC Marlin
1965-1967  AMC Rambler Marlin
1968–1970  AMC AMX
1968/69    AMX 390
1968–1974  AMC Javelin
1969       AMC SC/Rambler
1970–1978: AMC Gremlin (..i know!)
1970–1971  AMC Rebel
1970       AMC rebel the machine
1970–1971  AMC Matador
1971       AMC Javelin AMX 401
1971       AMC Hornet SC 360

B
Buick muscle cars
1962–1970 Buick Wildcat
1963–1993 Buick Riviera
1965–1969 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
1965–1975 Buick Riviera Gran Sport
1966-1969 Buick GS 400 (stage 1)
1968–1974 Buick Gran Sport and GTX
1968–1969 Buick Gran Sport
1970–1974 Buick GSX
1970      Buick GS 455 Stage 1
1972–1975 Riviera GS Stage 1
1974      Buick Apollo GSX
1984-87   Grand National
1987      Buick GNX

C
Chevrolet/GM Motors muscle cars
1961–1970 Chevrolet Impala
1965–1973 Chevrolet Chevelle
1965–1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
1964-1973 Chevrolet El Camino
1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454
1967–2002 Chevrolet Camaro
1967–2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
1967–2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS
1967-69 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
1953- Chevrolet Corvette
1962–1976 Chevrolet Nova
1973 Chevrolet Nova SS
1966–1967 Chevrolet II Nova
1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 369
1961–1976 Chevrolet Impala SS
1968 Chevrolet Impala SS 427
1958–1975 Chevrolet Bel Air
1965–1976 Chevrolet Caprice
1967 Chevrolet Corvette stingray
1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454
1966 Chevrolet II SS
1966 Chevrolet II SS modified
1962 Chevrolet Bel Air 409
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Pace car
1968 Chevrolet Camaro pro Street
1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle pro Street
Chevrolet Corvair
1967 – 1969 Chevrolet Yenko/COPO Chevelle

Corvette BP racer
1954- Chevrolet Corvette

Chrysler muscle cars
1965–1974 Chrysler Newport
1955–1965 Chrysler 300 (B 372 engine)
1959–1971 Chrysler Town and Country (B 372 engine)
1963 Chrysler turbine

D
Dodge muscle cars
1969-1970 Dodge Daytona
1962–1965 Dodge Dart
1962–1965 Dodge Dart GT
1962–1965 Dodge Dart GTS
1962–1965 Dodge Dart Swinger
1962–1965 Dodge Dart Demon
1968 Dodge Hurst hemi Dart
1963-1965 Dodge Custom 880
1968–1979, 1965–1966 Dodge Coronet
1970 Dodge Coronet R/T
1966–1974 Dodge Charger
1968 Dodge Charger 440
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
1969 Dodge Charger 500
1971 Dodge Charger R/T
1968–1971 Dodge Super Bee
1970–1974 Dodge Challenger
1966 Dodge Charger modified
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A
1960–1973 Dodge Polara
1971-1972 Dodge Demon

DeSoto
1964–1971

F
Ford muscle cars
1964–1965 Ford Thunderbolt 427
1959–1969 Ford Galaxie
1968 Ford Galaxy 500
1966 Ford Galaxy 500 L
1963 Ford Galaxy 500 XL
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane
1968–1974 Ford Torino
1968–1974 Ford Torino (GT, Cobra, and Talladega, Cobra Jet Ram Air 429, Drag Pack )
1972 Ford Grand Torino Sport
1969 Ford Torino Talladega
1965–2004 Ford Mustang
1971-1973 Ford Mustang 302
1971-1973 Ford Mustang 351
1967–1971 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet
1969–1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1
1969–1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
1969      Ford Mustang Boss 429
1971      Ford Mustang Boss 351
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
1965 Ford Mustang GT
1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane GT
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane GTA
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
1964      Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt 427
1967 Ford fairline 427
1966–1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra
1964–1969 Ford Falcon
1963 Ford Falcon GT racer
1963 Ford Falcon racer
1965 Ford Falcon Ranchero
1967–1979 Ford Ranchero Truck
1964-1969 Ford GT40

G
GMC muscle cars
1971–1977 GMC Sprint
1978–1987 GMC Caballero

H
Hudson muscle cars

J
Jensen muscle cars
1962-1966 Jensen CV8

M
Mercury muscle cars
1966–1972 Mercury Cyclone
1969–1970 Mercury Cougar
1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E
1969–1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
1962–1967 Mercury S-55 (1964-1965 Marauder)
1959–1974 Mercury Monterey
1970–1971 Mercury Montego
1964–1977 Mercury Comet
1970 Mercury Cyclone spoiler

Mopars (parts, service and customer care within Chrysler Group.)(Dodge, Chrysler (any), Plymouth, Imperial, or DeSoto)

O
Oldsmobile muscle cars
1968–1971 Oldsmobile 442
1968 Oldsmobile 442 modified
1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
Oldsmobile Hurst
1961–1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass “Ram-Rod” 350
1969–1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31
1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350
1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350
1974 Oldsmobile Omega S
1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2
1963 Oldsmobile Starfire
1966 Oldsmobile Tornado (maybe)
1972 Oldsmobile Vista cruiser

P
Plymouth muscle cars
1962–1965  Plymouth Fury 413,
1962–1965  Plymouth Fury 426 Max Wedge
1962–1965  Plymouth Fury 426 Hemi
1963–1976 Plymouth Belvedere
1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX
1962–1971 Plymouth Sport Fury
1967–1971 Plymouth GTX
1967 Plymouth GTX 426 hemi
1968–1974 Plymouth Road Runner
1968 Plymouth Road Runner 446 BBL
1964–1974 Plymouth Barracuda
1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda
1971 Plymouth cuda 383
1970 Plymouth Superbird
1970–1976 Plymouth Duster
1971 Plymouth Duster 340

Pontiac muscle cars
1961 – 1991 Pontiac Tempest
1962 – 1981 Pontiac Le Mans
1964 – 1974 Pontiac GTO
1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power
1970 Pontiac GTO Judge
1967 – 2002 Pontiac Firebird
1967 – 2002  Trans Am
1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2
1968 Pontiac Firebird H.O.
1973 Pontiac Formula 400
1972 Pontiac GP Hurst SSJ
1967 Pontiac Grand Prix
1978 Pontiac Trans Am
1979 Pontiac Trans Am anniversary
1974 Pontiac Trans Am SD455

S
Shelby muscle cars
1968 Shelby GT 350
1963 Shelby/Cooper King Cobra
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350H
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT350R
1965–1970 Shelby Mustang GT500
1965 Shelby AC Cobra

The post The Quick List Of American Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

This is one of those rare finds we all dream about. A completely original classic with everything intact… well, mostly, but a solid enough car to bring back to life.

The car has been sitting under trees for eternity and there are a few things missing, such as the back spoiler. The rest seems to be in good enough shape to be restored.
The car still has the green tinted glass, four-speed transmission and the rest of the W30 features.
A close look at the hood shows a bit of yellow paint poking through. Maybe a repaint in the past?

Check out the full video to get the full rundown on this great find.

Muscle car for sale

The post 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30, All original Pennsylvania barn find appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Mark Weisseg

I mentioned before I found myself on Beale street in Memphis recently and was walking back to the hotel and saw this. Let me set the stage for you.

If you do not know it, Memphis is famous for many things. Two of the top are Elvis Presley and eating ribs. The ribs are out of this world good. So, I am walking along and this big Oldsmobile pulls up. The driver gets out, sets his perimeter alarm so that nobody can get within five feet of it. He walks about twenty feet to get his order of carry out ribs at a back street grill. On his way back to the car I start a conversation with him and he stops in his tracks to tell me about the car. Isn’t that a car lover?

The car was redone several years ago and with the warm Memphis nights, he loves to drive it with the top down. But, he is smart enough to take precautions so nobody else gets to driving it in the Memphis nights!

He said he had the big 455 engine and I could see the interior was in great shape. The engine idled very nice and I asked if I could take two quick pictures. I said quick as his ribs were piping hot and who likes cold ribs? So, I snapped the pictures and wished him well. But, before he left he asked me if I was in town long. I said no and wondered why. He said he had some friends with beautifully restored cars like his he would be glad to show me in the upcoming days. Now, think that through. I am a stranger to him and yet he says he will show me some more cars that will blow my mind. That my friends is the car hobby.

I wish we could have gone over the next day but the other four in my group had to be at the airport early like me. And, I was suffering from some sort of eye malady that was causing blurry vision as well. My point is the obvious one. Car lovers are all over the world. They love to share there stories and of course the rides. We have a unique love in our car world that is universal. You can travel to about anywhere and find another person that shares your passion. It’s a great life.

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The post A Magnificent 1970 Olds 98 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By David Ashton

This ride is one of those original survivors, with everything in place. 1 of 1,096 Oldsmobile 442 convertible auto’s built for this year.

The car was originally bought at Beglinger-Massey Olds in Plymouth, MI by Tom Kent, with the following options – 455 (standard with all 442’s), Hurst dual gate, buckets, console, a/c, tinted windows, RWL tires, SS1 wheels, Tilt wheel, am-fm stereo and 8 track, door edge moldings, hood lock, power seat, power windows, sport mirrors, floor mats, power trunk, rallye pak and guage cluster, bumper guards and light group which includes vanity mirror.

The paintwork is said to be 60% original, with one quarter panel and one door being repainted at some point in the past.

The ad. goes into detail about the rest of its originality from its original trunk mat, untouched engine and transmission.
The car still has its 8 track lights and AM FM stereo.

With this much claimed originality you would obviously need the documentation to back up the claims, which also seems to come with this car. Original window sticker, 2 broadcast sheets, 2 production sheets(because of the options there were a #1 and #2 sheet) protecto-plate and letter from the olds zone director thanking Mr kent for his purchase.

As you would expect for this amount of originality, the car is not cheap, but you are getting a time capsule that will only increase in price as the years go by.

For any Oldsmobile 442 fans out there, this is the one.

Engine: 455
Transmission: Automatic.
Color: laquer Saturn gold-pearl
Mileage: 72,000
Price: US $50,000.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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The post Find Of The Day: 1971 Oldsmobile 442 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Mark Weisseg

Does a Buick Riviera make the fast muscle car list?
It’s an interesting question as these cars were certainly cool looking with the long, swooping rear end, the big V 8 engine, and a solid following. But, is it material to be included?

There is a hazy line out there what belongs and what doesn’t. We don’t have a governing body that decides these trivial matters, but we have public opinion. I like the looks of the car, I worked on the car, and I have driven the car.
But, I always thought of it as a luxury model. Kind of like a Lincoln Mark 8. Cool looking car, somewhat popular with good looks and a big V8. But that too never made me think it was a fast muscle car. But look, we cannot say only Chevelles, Nova, Camaro, Vettes, Mustang, Challengers, and a few others are the only fast muscle cars. We would be leaving out so many American cars it would not even be worth discussing it.

I think you understand my thought process now. If we start nick picking we could go back to the 1980’s and eliminate a ton of cars. 350 V8 Corvettes putting out a weak 195 hp. And that list is a long one thanks to the new federal laws. It was a bad time for engines. If you lived through the great engines of the 60’s and 70’s and then got yourself into the 80’s it was a bad, bad time. I bought a car in the late seventies that was a true California car and it had more emission crap on it to choke anything. It put out 150 hp and eventually I had to sell the slug.

Car companies really were under the gun to clean up there act and they had to comply. That is why the cars of the 50’s through the mid seventies are so well loved. They had for the most part style and power. This Riv. as we called them had styling, power as well as class. Not a fast muscle car but certainly a really cool car. I miss them.

But, we all know what happened to this car. It got smaller, uglier, and less power. The car died a slow, miserable death at the hands of GM. I am surprised actually that Buick did not go the way of Oldsmobile to tell you the truth. Even to this day the sales charts are weak. Stay tuned I guess.

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The post Is A Buick Riviera A Muscle Car? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Mark Weisseg

We all know the family that loves a certain type of car and sticks with it forever. They are the type that no matter what they are they are loyal. Even to the point of craziness.

We all know of at least one family that cannot wait for the next model year to come out. If anyone would suggest they switch brands they look at you like you were the crazy one.
Hey, I get it. I know a guy that is a Mustang nut. He rattles off statistics as well as facts and figures that boggle the mind. You cannot even tell if he’s lying because he can rattle the stuff off so fast. He would never consider buying another brand. That would be outlandish. I would offer a suggestion that for those who are stuck with one brand to at least try something else. It’s a hard sell though. The other issue what does the loyal family do if the car is no longer made? It happens and it’s not pretty when you were a Plymouth or a Oldsmobile lover.
Do you throw the towel in and tie yourself to the railroad tracks? Or, do you switch to another brand? Heck no! You just keep rebuilding the cars you have. The NEVER give up attitude gets put to all the tests at this point.

Here is a true story from the 1970’s that you should enjoy. We were church going people. Ma was the church organist for over 50 years and Pa served in all roles for the same amount of time. There was a family who arrived every Sunday in a Hudson Hornet. There were five kids and the old man. No wife present but the six of them rolled in every single week in a Hudson Hornet. It was the talk of the church and when asked about how much longer the old Hornet would go the owner would say longer than he would.
Well, I moved away right after school so I lost track of the family and the old Hudson Hornet. My Dad says they had been driving that Hudson for as long as he could recall. Now, that’s love.
It was a huge car by any standards. When most people were driving vanilla run of the mill cars this family settled on something way off the radar. So, I do wish I knew whatever happened to that car. But that was now 40 plus years ago now so I would imagine the bone yard swallowed it up.

It does not need to be expensive to earn loyalty points. No, just brand love. What do you do if you fell in love with a Pinto and then they stop making them after a short amount of time. You either need to switch your love or buy up parts for the future. Including body panels cuz folks they rusted. I was one of those guys who spent part of his career rustproofing cars and no matter what we did, certain cars rusted no matter what. It’s just a fact of life. In the mean time if you know of a family or a person who is loyal to the end please share that story with us.

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This is an all original 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with a L34 350 V8.

The ad. says that the interior was originally black but swapped out for a white interior.
The car has power steering and power brakes, tilt steering column, stainless steel wipers and lots of replacement parts.
The other good thing about this listing is the seller says there are parts available that come with the sale. If they haven’t been replaced already, they are available with the sale of the car.

The car has decals and emblems like an Oldsmobile Hurst, but these can be easily removed.

In total, this is a very clean and well looked after example and considering its asking price, this could be a nice ongoing project for somebody out there.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

Engine: 5.7L 350 V8
Transmission: Muncie M20 4-speed
Mileage: 102,080
Price: US $12,500.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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This fine Oldsmobile was sent to us by Valerie Thorson
We’re not sure exactly where this fine vehicle was shot, but as you can see it is one classic vehicle.

‘It’s the mother skunk, a 1968 Oldsmobile 442 w30 retired race car with less than 7k original miles on it.’

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By Mark Weisseg

You all should know by now I love the Plymouth Superbirds even if many people still think they are ugly.
Back in the day when they were sold, many thought it was a goosed up Road Runner with a cone stuck on the front and a wing bolted on the rear. Not too far off I guess, but the car did go through a sales slump for a while back in 1970 and 1971.
Most people could not picture themselves going grocery shopping with a car with a big engine and a God awful wing on the back. It served no purpose for the daily commute and there were many that wanted it to go away until the car dominated NASCAR on Sunday’s.

It used to be ‘win on Sunday sell on Monday’ back in the day because teams took say an Oldsmobile 442 to the track on Sunday. If they won, sales would be bumped on Monday. Then, NASCAR started making teams build cars that all looked the same but added stickers to them to look like cars we would drive. It bombed.

Even today, NASCAR’s numbers are not what they were. I can tell you that because I was one of those fans who walked away. I at one time spent a lot of money going to tracks and throwing money around being ripped off from the hotels and food joints to the track themselves for what turned out to be boring racing.
I recall being at the Bristol race track for the evening summer race with literally 162 thousand screaming fans and the racing was great. I have been to Dover Delaware also where the racing was so boring people in the stands could and did lay down on the metal bleachers and fall asleep. I have been to Charlotte, Arizona, Daytona, Dover and Indy. I would not even consider going anymore. I also used to attend the Indy 500 at one time. That was an exciting race back in the day where the drivers were like rock stars. But let me not bore you with Nascars issues.

Go to a track and they cover up seats now, and all the drivers are so vanilla. The hall of fame museum in Charlotte has been a big bust since it opened. They have lost the core customer and make excuses for the awful races. But folks, back in the 70’s and up until about 15 years ago racing was special. The cars were special. This Superbird so dominated the races NASCAR did change the rules that essentially forced the Bird out. Rather than get the competition to rise to the fight they seem to take the champ and tie his arm around his back.

Ever notice in the last few years a real nobody wins the pole at Daytona but then come race day they get creamed? Well, NASCAR provides the intakes and restrictor plates to all the drivers. Think if a nobody wins the poll it will be the talk all week how this unknown driver beat out the other 42 drivers for the pole. Then, race day comes and everyone is excited that the same four or five headliners might not win the race. But, they do in the end anyway. Smell a rat? Most people have years ago but who’s gonna argue or fight NASCAR? Nobody of course.

So, it may be nostalgia, but let’s get back to some of the old ways of racing. Let’s look at what was a big hit in the past. You never know, it may just work today.

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The post Muscle Car Talk: Racing Isn’t What It Used To Be? appeared first on Muscle Car.