Sexy Muscle Cars

The sleek, sexy muscle car dominated the road from 1964 to 1975. A muscle car is an American invention. These cars in this decade were built for speed - street racing speed. The cars could go from zero to 60 miles per hour in seven seconds. Their big chassis and powerful 350 horsepower, V-8 engines became a cultural phenomenon.

Oldsmobile built the very first muscle car in 1949 -The Rocket. That prototype didn’t come into fruition until Ford built in 1964 the Mustang. Car manufacturers saw a demand emerging. In the 1966, Chevrolet built the Camaro in order to compete with Ford’s Mustang. When the Chevy public relations representative was asked what Camaro means, he supposedly replied, "It is a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs."

The most popular Camaro ever made was the 1969 Z28. This package included a special 302 cubic inch mill that produced 400 horsepower. It had a special suspension and handling package, wide rims with performance tires, low restriction exhausts, and custom Z-28 paint.

The most envied muscle car was the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner. Plymouth also built the 1968 Barracuda. The 1970 Gran Sport Buick is a muscle car that is unique. It was a middle-sized car instead of a large chassis. “Motortrend” called it “The quickest American production car we have ever tested.” The 350 horsepower engine powerfully boosted the 1970 Gran Sport Buick. The V-8 engine came with dual hydraulic valve lifters.

Muscle cars were adored for their big, supped up engines and individualized paint jobs. The love affair has never stopped. Movies, like “American Graffiti” were about the muscle cars. Car aficionados go to car auctions, and pay big bucks to have their dream of owning a muscle car fulfilled.