10 BEST CLASSIC AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS

Classic muscle cars are more than just machines, they are beasts representative of a bygone era of raw power and inventive craftsmanship. The 1960s brought about a new dawn in America’s automotive industry, largely due to the invention of the American muscle car. Muscle cars have seen ups and downs since then but the following that surrounds the classics has never waned.

The 60s and 70s brought about timeless designs, thunderous engines, and exhilarating performance in America’s landscape. With rumbling V-8s and aggressive body stylings, we look at some of the most iconic and legendary cars to ever be produced by American automakers.

The muscle car industry has gone through somewhat of a renaissance in recent times after the downturn of the mid-1970s that saw big engines fall to the wayside. With EVs on the horizon, American muscle cars are once again in danger of becoming extinct. To celebrate muscle car culture, we take a ride through the Golden Age of American muscle and explore some of the cars that roared to the sound of the American dream.

Related: The Top Muscle Cars Of The 60s And 70s

1964 Pontiac GTO

Top Speed: 110 MPH

The 1964 Pontiac GTO is considered to be the Godfather of all muscle cars by many and one of the pioneers of the Golden Age of muscle cars in the 60s and 70s. It followed a simple philosophy, grab a huge engine and toss it into a lightweight car.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from General Motors)

The GTO began life as an option package for the Pontiac LeMans but soon became a model in its own right. It hosted a 6.4-liter V-8 and looked incredible. It shattered sales expectations at the time, with well over 30,000 units being sold, and really took the muscle car trend into full swing.

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Top Speed: 114 MPH

Whilst the second generation of the Pontiac Firebird definitely gets more attention than the first, the original Trans Am package on the first-generation Firebird made it an absolute classic.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from General Motors)

The Firebird was launched as a cousin to the Chevrolet Camaro and shared its coke bottle styling. However, the front end of the Firebird was much more integrated into its fender, giving it a sleeker more streamlined look. The Trans Am was originally just a handling package for the Firebird but its popularity would make it a trim level in the second generation of Firebirds.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

Top Speed: 117 MPH

The Plymouth Barracuda had somewhat of a rough reputation to shake off, with older iterations being branded as economy cars. By 1970 it was in its third generation and the Cuda, its highest-performance model, was now a full-blown muscle car.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from AccelerationTimes)

The 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda featured a 7.0-liter V-8 engine and was capable of some incredible zero to 60 miles per hour times as well as tearing up the quarter-mile. Its bright colors and unique shaker hood make it one of the most recognizable American muscle cars of all time.

Related: These Two Pristine Plymouth Cudas Could Be Worth More Than Some Classic Exotics

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

Top Speed: 118 MPH

In 1969 Ford had the need to homologate their 429 semi-hemispherical engine into NASCAR racing and to do so they needed to produce at least 500 cars with the engine. Thus, the Boss 429 Mustang was brought to life.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from AccelerationTimes)

The Mustang Boss 429 is considered to be one of the rarest and most highly valued muscle cars of all time. There were only 1359 examples of this car ever made. The hood of the car was unique for a Mustang as it was adapted to fit the exceptionally large engine that sat in the front. The battery was also moved to the back to help offset the front-end weight.

Related: Was That John Wick's Boss 429 In The Continental?

1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt

Top Speed: 123 MPH

Whilst most people know the Fairlane for the 500 R Code, the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt was a limited-run experimental version of the Ford Fairlane designed specifically for drag racing. Only 100 units were ever produced, but that was exactly enough for Ford to secure homologation for the NHRA Super Stock Championship.

Performance

(Specfications sourced from FastestLaps)

The 1964 Fairlane Thunderbolt included racing equipment such as tubular exhaust headers, an electric fuel pump, and special drag racing wheels and tires supplied by Goodyear and Mickey Thompson. It's rarity makes it an extreme collector's item today and it is noted to sell for huge amounts of money.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6

Top Speed: 134 MPH

The Chevelle Super Sport was Chevrolet’s entry into the muscle car war but it only became a real competitor a couple years after its introduction in 1964. In 1970 the Chevelle was well into its second generation and the SS had reached its peak with the LS6.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from FastestLaps)

The Chevelle SS came with a number of racing upgrades that improved the handling, suspension, and all-around power of the Chevelle. The LS6 was the highest engine option available on the Chevelle and was a V-8 that was rated for 456 horsepower.

1970 Oldsmobile 442

Top Speed: 135 MPH

The Oldsmobile 442 has been around for a long time and actually started its life as a trim level for the Cutlass. In 1968 the 442 became a standalone model and by 1970 it had reached its peak, signaling the end of an era, not just for the 442 but for muscle cars.

Performance

(Specification sourced from FastestLaps)

The 1970 442 had lost some oomph since its introduction due to restrictions but it still retained 500 pound-feet of torque, plenty to shoot it along a quarter-mile strip at blistering speeds.

Related: Jay Leno Illustrates Why This Oldsmobile Calais Quad 442 Isn't Your Grandmother's Olds

1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350

Top Speed: 138 MPH

Perhaps one of the most iconic cars in Carroll Shelby’s history, the 1965 GT350 was the beginning of an incredible partnership between Shelby American and Ford in the development of the Mustang.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from Ford)

The original 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 was not built for casual drivers, with many amenities missing and a large amount of skill being required to pilot the beast. In 1966 Shelby American made the GT350 more accessible adding things like rear seats and an optional automatic transmission. All in all the legend of the high-performance Mustang began here with one of the most impressive American muscle cars ever. Its rarity also makes it one hell of a collector's item.

1968 Dodge Charger R/T

Top Speed: 142 MPH

Dodge has produced a plethora of high-performance muscle cars but the second-generation Dodge Charger is perhaps one of the most iconic. The Charger has had such a huge impact on car culture and it was all thanks to this model.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from Dodge)

The Charger’s performance is legendary, with a choice between a 7.0-liter or 7.2-liter V-8, the R/T pushed the muscle car to its limit. With appearances in Dukes of Hazard, Bullitt, and most recently in the Fast and the Furious movie franchise, the second-generation charger has been incredibly influential in car culture.

Related: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Dukes Of Hazzard General Lee

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

Top Speed: 200+ MPH

The 1969 Charger Daytona was built in the wake of the Charger 500 to compete in NASCAR. Dodge was unsatisfied with their previous attempts and the Charger 500 was still getting beat out by other aerocars. Thus, the Charger Daytona was born.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from Dodge)

The 1969 Charger Daytona took the NASCAR world by storm and was an immediate classic. This rare Dodge featured a massive 7.0-liter HEMI engine and the version used on the circuit was considered to be the first of the iconic ‘Wing Cars’ to ever break the 200-mile-per-hour mark.

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