Definition of muscle car.

[martinfan5]

The Aussies had a similar muscle car war around the same time as we did in the US. Some of the cars they had over there even had the same parts on cars we had. Germany may have had a similar deal but with sports cars. As close as I would say Europe had to a "Muscle car" comparable to American standards was the Jensen Interceptor II and the Iso Grifo, but both of those had American internals.

Fun fact, the Jenson Interceptor used Chrysler V8 engines

[om617]

The Jenson Interceptor and Iso cars where high end grand touring cars,not muscle cars.

Speaking of Mercedes (I would exclude it because of 4doors and pricetag) in the late 60s,if anyone remember

the 300SEL 6.3. This car was close to as fast as a big block Corvette. The diffrence was it had superb handling

.http://jalopnik.com/167995/required-riding-mercedes-benz-300sel-63

[Austin T]

What about a Trabant with a big spoiler?

I bet ya it's always Stalin .

[Austin T]

The Jenson Interceptor and Iso cars where high end grand touring cars,not muscle cars.

I don't know if I would go with Grand Touring, but to be fair most muscle cars are also classified as grand touring cars. I think what we need to do is make very specific categories so that way we don't have a car that is in five different ones.

[Deano]

What about a Trabant with a big spoiler?

Harry, now you're just being silly.

[10thumbs]

I think muscle cars was a phrase brought about because of big block motors in B Body cars. Max Wedge cars were not considered in this category at the time of their release, being latest 1963 or even 64. The terminology started when all makes brought out big block motor options, with other performance goodies, when performance was the concentrated sales tactic. GTO, 442, Chevelle 396, Buick GS, Roadrunner and Super Bee, Ford had the big block Mustang/Torino, Mercury had the Comet. Others? Later, E Bodies came into play. Also small blocks, Camaro, Dodge Darts and Mustangs were so categorized when high horsepower options were available in the later 60's. Corvettes were already established, of course they belonged as well to the category. Small block motors in A Bodies could often embarrass the big block boys in their big inch B bodies. Dodge Dart or Duster 340 was a fine example. Z28's ran well also. no doubt.

C Bodies as muscle cars? Doesn't fit in my opinion. They may have had big block displacement to offer, but the performance, and of course the sales trends did not coincide with muscle car image.

Muscle car = big motor, big tires, sporty looks, big performance and affordable. That's my take on this era of US cars.

Michael

[High octane]

Muscle cars DID NOT include Mustangs, Camaros, 'Cudas, Challengers as they are "pony cars." They DID NOT include Corvettes as they are "sports cars."

[Skip]

Traditionally the bracket has been 1964 with the Pontiac GTO, through 1972 /1973 Production year, Pontiac, Olds 442, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, Mopar - All manufactured by Detroit's "Big Three" Ford, GM and Mopar. Ending with the Arab Oil Embargo, gas lines and price doubled overnight, the other reasons. Insurance Industry, tired of payouts on this type of car. Legislation Federal and State regulations on Fuel Economy, Safety, Noise... I.e. Politicians ended your driving fun for a while.

Three Reasons the Muscle Car Era came about and probably others:

1. Factory and Non-Factory Super Stock Drag Racing - Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday!

2. First and foremost getting the brand name out there, even if they had to fudge the truth to the Factory Bosses, i.e. GTO

3. Factory misstatement of actual Horsepower Ratings for Insurance Ratings, lower ratings = lower insurance.

Muscle Car to some is like saying Gasser. To some a Gasser follows NHRA Rules either to the letter or closely in character. To others Gasser is any jacked up car with a big engine that sorta looks like a Gasser did. Muscle Car originally was not an interchangeable title, it fit a specific formula: Big Engine in an Intermediate Car, manufactured by Detroit's Big Three.

[10thumbs]

Muscle cars DID NOT include Mustangs, Camaros, 'Cudas, Challengers as they are "pony cars." They DID NOT include Corvettes as they are "sports cars."

Nick, are not Hemi Cuda's muscle cars?

Yenko Camaro's....jeez , a 427 with a zillion hp?

Not muscle car eligible?

I think they belonged to the era, and to the rubric.

A Corvette may be a sports car, and a hemi sedan may be a family car as well as a 421 HO GTO a family car. All these were heavy hitters, and hence muscle cars. Tell a Boss Mustang owner his car is not a muscle car.

Big motors, more horsepower than needed, and cool as heck. Muscle car.

My take.

Michael

[Ace-Garageguy]

Not a real "muscle car" by any definition, but I once had a '66 Ford wagon with a 428, single 4-bbl. I was always amazed by the way that thing would rear up and get gone.

[Longbox55]

I think muscle cars was a phrase brought about because of big block motors in B Body cars. . GTO, 442, Chevelle 396, Buick GS

The GM cars you have listed are actually A body, the B body was the Fulls size, C bodies were generally Cadillacs.

[10thumbs]

Thanks for the insight. Oh my, I'm so ignorant.

Michael.

[Pete J.]

I am still surprised that this tread is still trying to define something that is undefinable. A muscle car is an idea, not something you can quantify. My personal car is a perfect example.

Midrange price

two door

1.6 hp per cubic inch

12 lbs. per hp

Runs in the mid 14s in the quarter mile

6 second 0-60

Performance about what a new Boss 302 ran.

Is it a muscle car???

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Are you kidding?? Not even close.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Pete J.

[Brett Barrow]

Muscle cars DID NOT include Mustangs, Camaros, 'Cudas, Challengers as they are "pony cars." They DID NOT include Corvettes as they are "sports cars."

Nick, are not Hemi Cuda's muscle cars?

Yenko Camaro's....jeez , a 427 with a zillion hp?

Not muscle car eligible?

I think they belonged to the era, and to the rubric.

A Corvette may be a sports car, and a hemi sedan may be a family car as well as a 421 HO GTO a family car. All these were heavy hitters, and hence muscle cars. Tell a Boss Mustang owner his car is not a muscle car.

Big motors, more horsepower than needed, and cool as heck. Muscle car.

My take.

Michael

I've always considered Pony Cars to be a subset of Muscle Cars.

[High octane]

Michael, then what's a "pony car" a Cadillac? And what's a "sports car" a Checker???

[10thumbs]

It's all OK, Nick. Read Brett's post, just before yours. Maybe that might help you a bit.

Michael

Edited March 28, 2014 by 10thumbs