11 best muscle cars of all time?

[2002ssslp]

Check out the 1968 'super stock' Barracudas and Darts, they were factory production cars (availiable at your local Plymouth/Dodge dealer) and ran in the mid 10s I believe they are still the fastest US production car to this day.

The superstock Darts and Cuda's were faster but they were race cars only and had no title just a bill of sale and could not be put on the street. The Max Wedge cars had titles and most ran on the street. My idea of a muscle car is street driven. Race cars are a whole different subject.

[justinmc978]

Ehh some of those cars are dealer options or all out race cars as an actual dd that everyone could own the top pf that list was almost un-obtainable by an average person and cost too much witch goes against the definition of a muscle car

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where is this 'definition'? since when does a muscle car have to be cheap? you realize the hemi option back in the day was well over $500? (not chump change back in the 60s); Totally useless to define a 'muscle car' based on how much it cost new.

The superstock Darts and Cuda's were faster but they were race cars only and had no title just a bill of sale and could not be put on the street. The Max Wedge cars had titles and most ran on the street. My idea of a muscle car is street driven. Race cars are a whole different subject.

'your idea', again, these are loose definitions.

Not only was I not trying to say the SS cuda was the best muscle car ever, (because I dont think there is 'one'; see post 11) but I also wasn't trying to put you down, rather from one guy to another I was just letting you know about another cool factory freak that is relatively unheardof in the car world.

often times you get these special ground-pounding dealer modified cars, but the SS Cuda/Dart was different in that it was 100% factory stock, regardless of not being streetable, that doesn't happen very often (ever?).

[REVNORR82]

where is this 'definition'? since when does a muscle car have to be cheap? you realize the hemi option back in the day was well over $500? (not chump change back in the 60s); Totally useless to define a 'muscle car' based on how much it cost new.



'your idea', again, these are loose definitions.

Not only was I not trying to say the SS cuda was the best muscle car ever, (because I dont think there is 'one'; see post 11) but I also wasn't trying to put you down, rather from one guy to another I was just letting you know about another cool factory freak that is relatively unheardof in the car world.

often times you get these special ground-pounding dealer modified cars, but the SS Cuda/Dart was different in that it was 100% factory stock, regardless of not being streetable, that doesn't happen very often (ever?).

Muscle car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia affordability is one of the key features of a muscle car.

[snaggeltooth]

They so many mistakes in that list its not even funny ..

[Murder after Midnight]

I would suggest this be the last time you make a comment like this. If you need to talk about it, PM me, but you need to learn to let it go and handle it better in the future.

Well I'm still waiting for my response after two inboxes

[justinmc978]

Muscle car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia affordability is one of the key features of a muscle car.

quoting wikipedia which uses the Webster definition

okay well, I guess that effectively renders all top level Hemi cudas, Challengers, Chargers, GTXs as 'not muscle cars' including the Superbird/Daytona, and also the Boss 429 Mustang, and just for the hell of it, all of the COPO Camaros/Chevelles as well, as all of those cars were very expensive back in the day.

again, making price a determinate of what is a 'muscle car' is useless, that would mean that midlevel cars (say, 350 Chevelles /383 or 440 superbees, roadrunners) are, while the upper level versions of the exact same cars(396 or Copo Chevelles / 426 Chargers/GTXs) are not.

[2002ssslp]

I think when they say cheap they are comparing them to high dollar sports cars like Cobra, Corvete and some of the Euro Crap. The Roadrunner was cheap, in 1968 you could buy a base RR for under 3 grand. Al you got was a 335 hp 383 big block with a base 3 speed trans. 4 speed and torqueflite were extra. It ran in the low 15's. Not very fast by today's or even 60's standards. But put up about a grand more and you got a 426 Hemi with air grabber hood, 4 speed trans, Dana rear and nice 4:10 gears. Now you just went from 15's to low 13's and if you had slicks you were in the 12's. How much would it cost today to pick up 2.5 seconds and 20 mph in a T/A or Camaro ?
Yes the high dollar cars were muscle cars but they started low before you had to go through the two pages of options. Ever see a cheap Cobra or Corvette. How about a 4k Ferrari or Lambo ? NO.

[justinmc978]

I think when they say cheap they are comparing them to high dollar sports cars like Cobra, Corvete and some of the Euro Crap. The Roadrunner was cheap, in 1968 you could buy a base RR for under 3 grand. Al you got was a 335 hp 383 big block with a base 3 speed trans. 4 speed and torqueflite were extra. It ran in the low 15's. Not very fast by today's or even 60's standards. But put up about a grand more and you got a 426 Hemi with air grabber hood, 4 speed trans, Dana rear and nice 4:10 gears. Now you just went from 15's to low 13's and if you had slicks you were in the 12's. How much would it cost today to pick up 2.5 seconds and 20 mph in a T/A or Camaro ?
Yes the high dollar cars were muscle cars but they started low before you had to go through the two pages of options. Ever see a cheap Cobra or Corvette. How about a 4k Ferrari or Lambo ? NO.

Roadrunners were indeed cheap, some even sold without carpet, the expensive counterpart to the roadrunner was the GTX.

A grand was the typical cost to get up to a hemi, the motor itself was over $500, add in the other luxury appointments that typical hemi cars would get (mind you, there were Hemi strippers out there, but most were well optioned) and I'm sure you would be there. That said, but you have to remember, $1000 dollars then bought half of the original $2000 383 car, as stated earlier, the hemi option was not cheap.

and as far as the ferrari/lambo/vettes, it's all relative, I mean you can buy a base model vette for under $50k but can go all the way up to a ZR1 for over $100k, those are two very different amounts of money. I'm not brushed up on my imports, but I do know the way Lambo/Ferrari makes their profit is from options. which can easily add up to over $100k.

[blackSS01]

Top 11 Muscle cars is easy:

1: 1992 Chevy Corsica 3.1L
2: 1986 Ford LTD
3: 1989 Ford Ranger 2.9L
4: 1982 Trans Am 305ci
5: 1997 Camaro RS 3.8L
6: 1984 Camaro 305ci
7: 2000 Ford Excusion
8: 1989 Firebird Formula 305 TPI
9: 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1L
10: 1997 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L
11: 1983 Dodge Omni 1.7L
12: Any year Pontiac Fiero

[KMdef9]

Top 11 Muscle cars is easy:

1: 1992 Chevy Corsica 3.1L
2: 1986 Ford LTD
3: 1989 Ford Ranger 2.9L
4: 1982 Trans Am 305ci
5: 1997 Camaro RS 3.8L
6: 1984 Camaro 305ci
7: 2000 Ford Excusion
8: 1989 Firebird Formula 305 TPI
9: 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1L
10: 1997 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L
11: Any year Pontiac Fiero <- LMAO

Come on, it's got to be '86 GT! LOL

[blackSS01]

[2002ssslp]

Come on, it's got to be '86 GT! LOL

Hey man, you can't do this list without giving props to one of the greatest musclecars of ALL TIME. the 1983 Dodge Omni 1.7L with auto trans. Those suckers would fly ! lol

[blackSS01]

We will add it to number 12!

[Firebirdjones]

I clicked on the link, I don't see a list I see multiple pages and the link goes to one picture. I figure there are alot of good muscle cars left off the list (there always is when a list like this comes out) so I'm not going to bother to take the time to look through 10+ pages of opinions.

There are just too many good muscle cars from the 50's up through the 70's to nail down just 10. I'm not 100% set on any particular brand so I've owned a vast assortment (and still do) currently of Chevy's, Fords, and Pontiacs. Because they all have great features in their own rights, I hate to nail down a favorite.

All these cars, AMC included, as well as Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, and Pontiac, all have a rich racing history alot of which went down in the record books. To own any of them is a privilage in my eyes, (and better than a 401K ). You can't go wrong with any of them. I believe they all deserve a spot on a list regardless of the powertrain options. Big engine or small, they were all performers of a different kind.

As far as the newer stuff, I have always felt they belong on their own list. You have vintage, and you have modern. Prices are completely different, performance is completely different, looks and feel are completely different. Just can't compare 2 cars that are 40+ years apart. It was a different time then.

[Firebirdjones]

The superstock Darts and Cuda's were faster but they were race cars only and had no title just a bill of sale and could not be put on the street. The Max Wedge cars had titles and most ran on the street. My idea of a muscle car is street driven. Race cars are a whole different subject.

You bring up a good point. The Super Stock Hemi Darts did not come with a warranty, they weren't technically produced by the factory either as has been mentioned, they were basic shells of a car that were actually modifed by Hurst, other cars like these went through Car Craft. They even came with a decal in the glove box that stated, "not for street legal use".
They were only sold to specific people for racing purposes to garner publicity and promotion.

That doesn't mean I don't like them,,,,,who wouldn't? I'm not going to kick what is now a $250,000+ car out of my garage There are a few now that are restored and registered on the street.

You could however order something similar. Say,,,,,a 62 409 chevy with heater and radio delete, as well as insulation delete. It's basically a bare bones muscle car that could be ordered by anyone. That's how people like Frank Sanders and Don Nicholson got their start in racing and made these cars famous. This was also done with Pontiacs and Arnie Farmer, and the 406 Fords with Les Ritchey. This trend of lighter weight cars continued through the 60's.

[TLS_Addict]

I think when they say cheap they are comparing them to high dollar sports cars like Cobra, Corvete and some of the Euro Crap. The Roadrunner was cheap, in 1968 you could buy a base RR for under 3 grand. Al you got was a 335 hp 383 big block with a base 3 speed trans. 4 speed and torqueflite were extra. It ran in the low 15's. Not very fast by today's or even 60's standards. But put up about a grand more and you got a 426 Hemi with air grabber hood, 4 speed trans, Dana rear and nice 4:10 gears. Now you just went from 15's to low 13's and if you had slicks you were in the 12's. How much would it cost today to pick up 2.5 seconds and 20 mph in a T/A or Camaro ?
Yes the high dollar cars were muscle cars but they started low before you had to go through the two pages of options. Ever see a cheap Cobra or Corvette. How about a 4k Ferrari or Lambo ? NO.

I use wages to compare. Average wage in the USA is roughly $20/hour. Thats over 40k a year and you can get a V8 Mustang for less than 3/4s of your salary?

How does that equate to 1968? If you look at gas prices you would have to make 80+k now to break even from the early 70s.

[FasstChevys]

You want a raw muscle car, Google a 1964 Dodge Polara 426 stage III Max Wadge with the 12.5:1 CR option. The car would only go a 1/4 at a time before needing a fill up. No seat belts, no radio, no power anything, no heater, no tach. just a body, seats, plexi glass and a drivetrain. They were 12 sec. beasts that looked like grandpa's weekend car. That to me is a muscle car. Check it out.
What is a Max Wedge?

Hell yea! I love the '64 Polara with the 426 Max Wedge! I've only seen one.........but it was cool as HELL!!

[TLS_Addict]

I want a 66 Charger, silver, with the 426 and a 4-speed. lol

[Firebirdjones]

I'm not clear on what point it is you are trying to make TLSaddict and 2002SLP....

Prices never really reflected the definition of muscle car and I'm not real sure how that got started. Trying to compare today's costs to say,,,,,1969 is apples to oranges. Back then a $3,000 car was pretty damned expensive for the majority of people.
I remember my father buying his 69 GTO new (and still has it) paying $3404 exactly. His car payments of $40 a month was tough back then when you have a house payment and a family to feed. Working 2 jobs to make ends meet. You were lucky back then to clear $150 a week.

Today isn't much different, just a larger scale. If I had to dwell on one difference it's that most of the good jobs have left the US now and went elsewhere. But that's another discussion.

Muscle cars came in alot of different platforms and price ranges. It's just a matter of what you could afford.

[justinmc978]

^thank you.