Best muscle car of all time?

Answer 1

To identify just one top muscle car as the "best of all time" is challenging. The muscle car category is diverse and encompasses many different types of cars considered "muscle" by definition. In addition, a rare engine option can make a particular model much more desirable and valuable car versus one that most would agree was more popular. Other factors that surely will add to any argument is dealer involvement in adding "dealer installed options" that focused primarily on bigger engines that produced some of the most exciting models ever to hit the streets.

While it's common to credit the 1964 GTO as launching the muscle car market, many will point to the youthful Mustang as the car that made muscle car market growth possible. Other models that get popular top muscle car of all time mention are the '70 Chevelle with the 454 c.i. engine, the '67 Corvette 427 c.i. and the '69 Camaro. Another top contender is the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner which is credited with reintroducing the original concept of a light-bodied car with a powerful engine. When customers added the 426 c.i. engine option in this model, it established itself near the top of the muscle car era.

If adopting the broadest definition of muscle in identifying the top car of all time, the Shelby Cobra of 1965 - 67 is the top car of all time. These small two-seat terrors were based on the British AC body shipped and shipped to the US. Once stateside, a Ford 427 c.i. engine was most commonly placed into the car by Carrol Shelby at his facility in the LA area. Though intended for professional road racing use and impractical for the street, anyone could walk into a Ford dealership, lay down $4,000 and order a Ford AC Cobra and be assured that there was not a faster car on the street. However because of the small number produced, they often are not included in traditional muscle car discussions due to their extremely low quantity and lack of mass consumer appeal.

Sadly, the muscle car market dried up in the early '70s. The Arab oil embargo, increasing insurance rates and competitively priced imports of Japan reflected the changing tastes of American drivers. By 1972, engines began to loose horsepower and other high performance options associated with the muscle car era. By 1975, all signs of what was once an exciting time on streets all across the US were all but gone and it would be many years until the excitement returned to the US auto industry.