Os muscle cars emerged in the United States, but have fans all over the world and it’s no wonder. Here we have cars that are essentially crude, powerful, with muscular design, noisy engines and a lot of sportiness.
Names like Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger are some of the most famous, but throughout history, many others were launched and passionate enthusiasts around the world.
With that in mind, the Canaltech separated a special list with 10 muscle cars icons in history. Check out!
10. Pontiac GTO
Considered by many to be the first muscle car in history, the Pontiac GTO had several versions manufactured between 1963 and 1974, with a triumphant return between 2003 and 2006. The General Motors brand worked this car well, so much so that it is even remembered today as one of the best models in this category.
One of the most emblematic models of the Pontiac GTO is the 1964. It was equipped with a 329hp 6.4 V8 engine, capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in less than six seconds. The most curious thing is that this car appeared as an optional package for the then Pontiac LeMans.
9. Dodge Charger
Launched in 1966, the Dodge Charger was created to compete with iconic models of the time, such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Chevelle. Since then, the muscle car it has had several versions and is about to win a 100% electric variant, which we saw in loco at CES 2023.
Speaking specifically of conventional models, throughout its history the conventional Charger has been equipped with a V8 engine. Currently, there are versions with two or four doors. In 2022, Dodge launched the most powerful version yet, which delivers 808hp thanks to the great 6.2 V8 HEMI engine with compression assistance with the supercharger, the same technology present in the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.
8. Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda had a short but well-lived history. The model was manufactured by Plymouth between 1964 and 1974, a sports division of Chrysler. Its most iconic version is the 1971, equipped with a 7.0 V8 engine of 430hp, capable of rivaling the most powerful models of the time.
7. Chevrolet Camaro
Today’s biggest rival of the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro has been on the market since 1966, with a production hiatus between 2002 and 2009. Always bulky and with a striking V8 engine, the Camaro is in the minds of many enthusiasts, mainly for trying to follow up on tradition. from the Corvette, launched years before and which has an even more sporty appeal.
The Chevrolet Camaro, incidentally, had its retirement decreed. Its future should no longer be noisy V8 engines, but 100% electric engines. The most recent model of the Camaro, which is very successful in Brazil, is equipped with a 6.2 V8 with 461hp. Its 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 4.2 seconds.
6. Dodge Challenger
Charger’s brother also deserves to appear on this list, since he is, until today, one of the muscles cars US bestsellers. Launched in 1970, the bolide always had characteristics similar to the Charger, although it had the same platform and base as the Plymouth Barracuda, but with many more versions of the same V8 engine.
In the current generation, its top-of-the-range variant, the SRT, comes with the same engine as the Charger, but with a little more power, delivering 818hp.
5. Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
Even though it was an experimental model, the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt broke paradigms when it was shown to the public in 1964. The bolide had a 7.0 V8 engine with 430hp, adjusted to give more power in drag races, since this model was used a lot in drag races.
Only 100 units of the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt were produced.
4. Pontiac Firebird Trans AM
Retired since 2002, the Pontiac Firebird was one of General Motors’ coolest projects within the car segment. muscle cars. Over the years, the bolide has been very successful and has been on the scene in some pop culture products, precisely because of its distinctive appearance. He was the main “character” of the series Knight Rider.
Their numbers, however, are disappointing. This model that served as the basis for the series had a 5.0 V8 engine that yielded only 147hp.
3. Dodge Coronet
Without the same appeal as the Charger and Challenger brothers, the Dodge Coronet is a car that underwent many transformations until it reached its most famous version, the 1970s, in which it was, in fact, a muscle car. This generation had a 7.2 V8 engine from the famous HEMI family, which turned out 380hp.
2. Chevrolet Chevelle
One of the most interesting models on this list, the Chevroler Chevelle became very famous for being one of the cars of Nascar, the most popular category of North American motorsport. However, the bolide also paraded through the streets of the USA in several versions, the most iconic being called the SS, from 1970.
It had a 7.5 V8 engine of 450hp, capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds.
1. Ford Mustang
O muscle car most iconic of all time could be none other than the Ford Mustang. Currently in its seventh generation, this bolide has dominated its category since 1964, when it was introduced. Always equipped with V8 engines (in addition to some turbo variants), it is synonymous with power and sportiness.
One of the most famous models is the Mach 1, equipped with the 5.0 V8 Coyote engine, which delivers 483hp. Its original version, from 1969, was also a V8, and turned out a great 339hp, capable of making it go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6s.
Currently, the Ford Mustang also has an electric SUV version, called the Mach-E, which is equipped with a very efficient and powerful zero emission engine, with 487hp, 87.6 kgf / m. Its 0 to 100km/h sprint is to envy any Mustang V8 owner: 3.5s.
