Eleanor is not a person but a muscle car. This Gone in 60 Seconds 1967 Mustang is the complete embodiment of what muscle cars are all about.

Usually powered by a V8 engine, muscle cars were monsters of drag racing world back in the 1960’s until early portion of 1980’s. With extremely powerful torque, these cars are really going to give you a jaw-dropping ride. Muscle cars are no doubt fast cars with high horse power capability.

The moment you look at such cars, the first things you will see are their bulky curves and high-performance z rated tires which are true affirmation of the reputation that muscle autos are very much known of.

Muscle cars are different from sports cars we have today though some models are inspired by cars like the Ford Mustang. Though sports cars are fast cars like muscle autos, they surely won’t last a minute with the supreme torque that muscle autos have – which perhaps makes Eleanor the perfect Gone in 60 Seconds car.

The interiors of muscle cars are real statement of high performance, road warrior type of vehicle. The almost nil sign of elegance and the all heart-pumping design of muscle autos’ interiors match their rock and revving integrity that many a cars today try to copy but all in futility.

The moment you turn it on, you can’t help but notice the fiery breathing of muscle car’s engine. The hissing and guzzling is like that of a dragon sleeping always ready to get the tracks burning.

When you hit the gas, the dragon’s V8 engine charges in an instant ready to devour all things that block its way… just like when vin Diesel of The Fast and The Furious rages against the wall and hits the road with such awesome roar.

If what you are looking for is the car with an attitude that never allows being a second rater, muscle autos are the right choice. But prepare to be awestruck with the price because as of now it’s of a collector’s item kind of thing since you can not easily find one in the market.

However, there are companies and groups that want to bring back muscle cars on the road and these groups are actually buying old muscle autos and reconditioning them to make them roadworthy again.

There are a number of reconditioned muscle cars that can still be found nowadays. There is the all-time favorite 1966 GT 40, 1970 Superbird, 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback or 1969 Barracuda Convertible. These models of cars were once kings of the road in the 1960’s up to early part of 1980’s.

Although muscle autos are now rare species, there are a number of clubs that relive the greatness of muscle cars. These groups stage races and events all with the purpose of having some fun and reminiscing those days when muscle autos ruled the streets.

And thanks to the Internet, people around the world who share common interest in muscle cars now have a dependable means to showcase the glory of muscle autos and allow the younger generation to see the real muscle in high-performance driving via muscle cars.

By: Alex Baum

American Muscle Cars

When you think of a car that is born tough, incredibly masculine and delivers high-performance, actually you are thinking of a muscle car. All these attributes and many such others are known to be a part of the classic muscle car, and those who own one can readily agree with all the above. Since a long time, the muscle cars are thought t be some of the classic examples of the era when American automobile production had reached its peak. These classic American muscle cars, with all their sensual aerodynamic design and remarkable suitability for events such as drag racing, have helped them to attain a fame that has earned it a place in the history. Moreover, these cars are regarded as one of the signature vehicle design movements of modern automobile history.

The design of the classic American muscle car is all about power and appearance blended together to produce a stunning vehicle. It is contrary to the conception that classic muscle car emphasized power over appearance. A look at the classic muscle car can stop you in your tracks and a drive will take you to a different world. And this is why the American muscle cars developed a craze among car enthusiasts. Looking at the design elements of the muscle cars, you will find that these vehicles have bigger engines than conventional cars, and are in fact bigger than the average sports car, and are bounded by the toughness of the frame that other cars can only envy. A typical Muscle car is the one which is made in the years between 1964 to 1973. Among the most popular models of the American muscle cars are the Dodge Charger, the Chevrolet El Camino, and the Plymouth Road Runner and the Ford Mustang. In addition to these cars the Ford Fairlane 500, Ford Torino, the Mercury Montego, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, Pontiac GTO, Firebird, and Tempest, Olds 442, American Javelin, Plymouth ‘Cuda, and Dodge Challenger and the Charger are some of the highly adored American Muscle cars. Presently, the only Mustang and Corvette have retained their designs whereas the Dodge Charger has restructured as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

The American muscle cars won the record of topping the popularity charts just after their brief introduction to the market. The market penetrating factor was the popularity the racing trend among the youth, which was the only emerging segment in terms of spending power at that time. Riding on the racing euphoria, the muscle car manufacturing companies began to design tougher cars that appealed to the sense of aesthetics that the youths had and combined it with technical and performance features that made them suited for street racing. Meanwhile the implementation of the new designs and technical upgrades resulted in doubling the costs of the car, many companies eventually developed “budget muscle” models that compromised some of the performance and design aspects in favor of reducing costs. This was the right move as of now, both the classic muscle car and budget muscle car designs were accepted into the market and began to drive their way into the American youth’s mind.

By: David Jones

The classic muscle autos that ruled the era of sixties and seventies are back. Car manufacturers have begun making modern muscle autos and are bringing them in market with a new futuristic image. Although, most people are not huge fan of such muscle cars, they are actually for individuals who love thrill, fun and adventure.

The significant thing about such muscle cars is that they might not be attractive, but they are robust and tough. The outer bonnets of the cars were tough and clumsy, but despite this, muscle autos, of the 60’s and 70’s were classy. However, they had some aerodynamic related problems within them. These problems can be attributed to the fact that in those days, car technology was not progressed so much.

In addition, upgrading the transmission system in muscle cars was not possible in yesteryear. People had to find parts of autos, accessories, and shift adaptors to make the upgrade.

Later, modern sleek cars restored these muscle cars. With the improvement in automobile technology, modern day cars became smoother, have utmost horsepower, optimum fuel efficiency and they run well on tracks and on terrain. As, a result new breed of cars look same. They are compact in size, with higher acceleration power and accommodate few people.

Thus, car manufacturers have increased the size of autos and kept the mechanism same and bought the modern day muscular autos in market.

Features Of Modern Day Muscle Autos:

Earlier, if people were to buy muscle autos, they had few options regarding the same. However, now you have different options, because there are several automobile manufacturers in present days. Modern day autos, launched by big automobile manufacturers have mainly upgraded the transmission range of vehicles.

The system incorporates five to six manual transmission systems and has five to six automatic overdrive transmission systems too. These features are present in almost every modern muscular auto, thereby offering greater efficiency to car enthusiast.

These muscular autos are fuel-efficient and give maximum mileage by consuming less amount of fuel. It includes power steering system and an intellectual GPS system. The stress free air extension technology allows you to drive the auto on rough roads with ease.

You can also buy these cars in customized form. The internal system of these autos will remain same as that of the original muscular cars, but automobile design engineers will create a superior and unique exterior for the car, as per your requirement.

Electric Muscle Cars:

If you are concerned about rising gasoline costs, opt for muscular cars that run on electricity. Many big manufacturers have started manufacturing electric autos and very sooner people will start using such autos on road. All you need to do is just charge the battery of such an electricity car for fixed hours before driving.

However, many people are not in favor of electric cars, because of high consumption of electricity. There are also some other technical difficulties in these automobiles. Once, manufacturers overcome these problems, there might be some downfall in the fuel prices.

By: Tom Tessin

If you prefer an automobile that can withstand extreme driving maneuvers and can handle sports such as drag racing, getting a muscle car can be the best option for you. Muscle cars come in various models and they have a set of features that are unique to them.

For certain motorists, having a car with a standard engine and design is enough for their daily use. However, for other individuals, it is much better to own an automobile that has been built for more hard-hitting driving maneuvers. These people require a vehicle that can move faster and withstand extreme driving conditions. If you, for instance, belong to the latter more adventurous group of motorists, you may find yourself looking for a car that can handle your needs as a thrill-seeking driver. In relation to this, a good option for you is to get one of the American muscle cars in the market.

But before actually planning to get a muscle car, you need to know the things that set this type of vehicle apart from other automobiles. Generally, muscle cars refer to high-performance automobiles that are medium sized and are equipped with a large powerful engine, usually a V8. Muscle cars normally have two doors, although some models have four doors. In addition, these cars have special trims that enable them to have maximum torque or rotary force while on the road. Muscle cars are also the common choice of individuals who join drag racing competitions. Experts distinguish muscle cars from sports cars through their size and seats. Muscle cars are relatively larger than sports cars and the latter have more than two seats.

After learning about the unique characteristics of muscle cars, you need to know about its various models. Here are a few classic examples of American muscle cars: Ford Thunderbird 427, Buick Skylark Gran Sport, Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS, and Pontiac GTO. All of these muscle cars were manufactured between the early 60’s to the mid 70’s and are the pioneering products that defined the said type of automobile. Modern muscle cars include the Impala SS, the Mercury Grand Marquis, the retro-style Ford Mustang, and the GT 500 Super Snake and King of the Road by Ford and Shelby.

Moving on, once you have learned much about muscle cars and have decided to get one, you should know where to start your search for the right car. First, you can visit automobile exhibits held by various car manufacturers in your city. During specific times of the year, these car companies host auto shows that they announce through public ads. Most likely, these exhibits have a particular area for muscle cars produced by the company. Second, you can read about several muscle car models and view their images in magazines and websites dedicated to the said automobile. Through these publications and online resources, you can even find the contact information of the companies that sell these cars. You should, however be more careful in looking for muscle cars on the World Wide Web and make sure that credible companies manage the sites you are visiting. Finally, if you wish to create your own muscle car, you can get in touch with an automotive designer. This type of Car Company can build a muscle car based on your preference and specifications in terms of paint scheme, tires, interior, and engine.

By: David H. Urmann

When you saw the headline you probably wondered, what is this guy smoking. Just think about it for a moment, neither one of them is still around but both are a big part of our culture. Who hasn’t heard of the T-Rex(as he’s better known as) or a GTO? I think by the end of this article you’ll agree with me,at least a little bit, that there are at least some similarities.

First of all let’s take a look at how T-Rex evolved could have evolved. I would imagine the 1st dinosaurs were fairly small, egg layers and most likely plant eaters. Suppose (you really have to use your imagination) there was a nest of newly hatched reptiles and as usually happens the most agressive got the most food and grew to be the biggest. Now suppose the mother wasn’t able to bring any more food (for whatever reason) to the babies. They would probably start fighting over what ever scraps they could find and the largest one might take a bite out of one of the others. Finding he or she liked it he would eventually eat all the rest of them. By then be he would be big enough and bad enough to take on the world. Now suppose this same scenario happened close by but with one of the opposite ***. I think you can get the picture of how T-Rex evolved. Eventually some outside forces caused the T-Rex along with all the other dinosaurs to die out, exactly how is the center of much debate about the subject.

Now then we come to the muscle car evolution. Of course we know how the muscle car died out. It took the muscle car roughly 60-70 years to evolve in comparison to the millions for T-Rex, although the life span of our subjects compared to the overall span of existence could be similar. We know the muscle car existed for approximately 9 years or about 12% of the life span of the automobile up the end of the muscle car. It’s possible the T-Rex was around for the same percentage of time.

When the automobile became more than just an idea, it was inconceivable to anyone that eventually it would become the fire-breathing monster machine called the muscle car. Let’s examine how this happened. The first machines that qualified as an automobile car had less than 20 horsepower while the advertised horsepower of the most powerful production muscle car was 450 horsepower in the 1970 Chevy 454. Of course today you’ll find modern cars with even more but we’re talking about the classic car age.

I would say the horsepower race really started in 1955 likely due to the rivalry between Ford and Chevrolet, even thought Oldsmobile had an overhead V8 clear back in 1949. In 1954 Ford came out with an overhead valve engine followed by Chevrolet in 1955 and Mopar in 1956. Chevy’s was larger than Fords and Mopar’s bigger still and away went the horsepower race. Even though the horsepower was starting to climb at a dizzying rate,the engines were still being put in the standard configuration of the bigger the car the bigger the engine.

1959-1960 was when the compact car made an appearance (and set the stage for the muscle car along with the bigger engines) with the Big 3 all having them. The American public had a taste of horsepower and now they were asked to go back to little 6 cylinder engines. Needless to say it was a tough sell for the compacts, but their day was coming.

Things were pretty static for the next few years with the horsepower wars marching along. Chevrolet had the 348 CI engine in 1958 and then made it into the 409 in 1961. In 1962 it was the first production engine to hit 1 horsepower per 1 cubic inch. They got to a 396 CI in 1965 and the 427 in 1966. In 1970 they were up to 454 CI.

Ford engines were kind of lagging behind until 1961 when they came out with the 390 CI and then a 406 CI engine in 1962. In 1963 they were up to 427 CI and 428 CI in 1966. The biggest one, the 429 CI came in 1969.

Mopars were up to the 392 Hemi in 1958 and the 413 Wedge replaced the Hemi in 1959. In 1966 they came out with a 426 Hemi and in 1967 a all new 440 CI monster. 1971 was the last year for these engines.

Meanwhile Oldsmobile jumped into the horsepower race with a 330 CI engine in 1964 and a 400 CI in 1965. In 1970 they came out with their biggest at 455 CI. Buick pretty well stayed out of the race until 1963 when they came out with a 401 and 425 CI. In 1967 the 430 replaced the 425 CI.Their huge 455 CI debuted in 1970. Pontiac brought out the 389 CI in 1961 with a 400 and a 428 CI coming out in 1967. Their big 455 CI came out in 1970.

During all of this engine one-ups-manship the boys at Pontiac used a GM technicality to their advantage and stuffed a 389 CI into a Tempest. Although this was reported as the first muscle car the Olds had the 442 and a number of other models had bigger engines for 1964 and earlier years.

Looking back,because GM dropped their engine cubic inch restrictions in 1970 most of the cars increased the cubes to even bigger sizes. I imagine this is one reason the insurance companies put huge premiums on the muscle cars. 1970 was also the goverment passed the Clean Air Act. Those two things started the demise of the muscle car and then the oil crisis finished them off. By 1972 all the manufacturers except Pontiac hhad thrown in the towel and that was the real end of the muscle car era. The Pontiac TransAm came out as a muscle car in 1973 and 1974 but it was a fairly toothless T-Rex.

If you follow the auctions or keep up with the prices of muscle cars you’ll see that they are getting their revenge for being killed off in the prices they’re bringing nowadays.

Hopefully no one will take this article too seriously and challenge me on my suppositions and treatment of history. I think the engine and car facts are correct but if not don’t get too bent out of shape over it. It’s intended to be entertaining rather than a treatise of history.

Just like the T-Rex the muscle car had a brief but illustrious life in the overall scheme of history. They both packed a lot of dynamics into the short time they were on earth and both will forever be a part of history that is engrained in our hearts and minds.

By: Don Levy