What is a muscle car?

Muscle cars are a class of American automobiles that typically share several key characteristics:

• Powerful V8 Engine: This is the defining feature. High-displacement V8 engines producing significant horsepower are essential. Think 300+ horsepower, often much more.

• Rear-Wheel Drive: Power is sent to the rear wheels, contributing to the car's performance and characteristic handling (often described as "loose" or "tail-happy").

• Relatively Affordable Price (Historically): While prices have skyrocketed for classic examples, the original intent was to create a powerful car that wasn't prohibitively expensive. They were often based on relatively inexpensive chassis.

• Two-Door Body Style: Most were coupes or convertibles, emphasizing sporty styling and performance over practicality. Sedans and wagons were less common.

• Performance-Oriented Features: Features designed to enhance performance were common, such as performance tires, upgraded suspensions, and sometimes even special exhaust systems.

Examples of Classic Muscle Cars:

• Ford Mustang: Arguably the most iconic muscle car, available in various models and generations.
• Chevrolet Camaro: A long-standing rival to the Mustang, known for its aggressive styling.
• Dodge Challenger: Often featuring large displacement engines and aggressive designs.
• Plymouth Road Runner: Known for its simplicity and brute power.
• Pontiac GTO: Considered by many to be the first true muscle car.

The Muscle Car Era:

The golden age of muscle cars is generally considered to be the late 1960s and early 1970s. The era ended due to a combination of factors, including the oil crisis, tightening emission regulations, and increased insurance costs. However, the spirit of the muscle car has been revived in modern iterations of many of these classic models. Modern "muscle cars" often incorporate modern technology and safety features while retaining the powerful V8 engine and rear-wheel drive configuration.