MUSCLE CAR

In addition to fullsize and intermediate muscle cars, a number of smaller vehicles started appearing on the automotive performance scene. These new "pony cars" and compact cars are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options.

Examples: Chevrolet Camaro (SS and Z28 models only), Ford Mustang (GTs and Boss only), Plymouth 'Cudas (no Barracudas), AMC Javelin, etc.

The strict definition only includes intermediate size vehicles. In reality, performance oriented intermediate size vehicles didn't appear until 1964. Before then, manufacturers took existing fullsize vehicles and added extra performance to them. Because of this, the early fullsize performance vehicles are generally considered muscle cars.

Examples: Chevrolet Impala (SS only), Ford Galaxie (with 390 + cid engines only), Dodge Coronet (R/Ts only), etc.

Pony Cars and Compact Cars:

A muscle car, by the strictest definition, is an intermediate sized, performance oriented model, powered by a large V8 engine, at an affordable price. Most of these models were based on "regular" production vehicles. These vehicles are generally not considered muscle cars, even when equipped with large V8s. If there was a high performance version available, it gets the credit, and not the vehicle that it was based on.

Examples: Buick GS, Chevrolete Chevelle SS, Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Torino/Cobra, Plymouth GTX, Plymouth Road Runner, Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO

Fullsize Muscle Car:

Strict Definition of a Muscle Car:

Source: Kelley Blue Book

10. 1970 Oldsmobile 442/W-30 hardtop

9. 1969 Pontiac GTO "Judge" convertible

8. 1969 Ford Torino-Talladega hardtop

7. 1970 Plymouth Superbird-440 hardtop

6. 1968 Shelby GT-500-KR convertible.

5. 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 roadster

4. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454/LS-6 convertible

3. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28/SS coupe.

2. 1969 Dodge Charger R/T-440 hardtop.

1. 1971 Plymouth "Hemi" 'Cuda convertible.

Top ten muscle cars ranked by price increase since 2000 AVAILABLE for Purchase....

Perhaps the most common question people have is what exactly is a muscle car. The term wasn't even used until the late 1970s, in the 1960s there were often called "Super Cars" if called anything at all. Therefore, the actual definition of a muscle car, or which models were muscle cars, is a topic that is often disputed. Here is the general interpretation of what is a muscle car and what cars qualify, and which don't

Muscle Car Definition

Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high performance automobiles.