The 5 Best Muscle Cars Of All Time: A Deep Dive
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The late 60s and early 70s were arguably the golden years for the American automotive industry. This is because we were graced by some of the most stylish, masculine, and high-performance vehicles: the American muscle cars. Despite the fact that more than half a century has passed since their heyday, muscle cars are still considered iconic and well-sought by car collectors and enthusiasts.
While there’s no shortage of modern muscle cars like the Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers, a handful of models are bonafide classics and can easily take the title of the best muscle car of all time.
For today’s post, we highlight some of the best muscle cars ever built. These models are widely considered the best of the best and will forever be regarded as automotive icons. Let’s dive right in.
1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The Ford Mustang is among the most popular and recognizable muscle cars ever made. It has been around for half a century and will likely be around for years to come. With that said, the 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has once been dubbed the “King of the Road” (the GT500KR version) and is one of the most coveted fastback models in existence. If you want to own one, be on the lookout for special auctions or simply the used car market – but make sure you prepare a six-figure budget.
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The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 was considered revolutionary due to its smaller engine than its contemporaries, but it can easily outperform them because it’s lighter. While it was more expensive than other models, it certainly more than made up for its price tag with its impressive list of features and overall performance. The 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is undoubtedly worthy of being called the best muscle car of all time.
1969 Pontiac GTO Judge
The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge is about as iconic as you can get when it comes to American muscle cars. It’s also widely regarded as one of the pioneer muscle cars during the golden age of the 60s and 70s. The premise was simple: use the largest engine you can find and put it in the lightest body you can build. As a result, Pontiac GTO Judge became a hit with consumers, especially with its accessible price point.
“The Judge” came standard with a 360 hp Ram Air III engine or an upgrade called the ‘Ram Air IV’ which updates the power to 370 hp paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The Pontiac GTO Judge is one of the most famous and recognizable silhouettes in the muscle car area and appeared in many classic movies. Its most iconic elements include the sleek lines and oversized split air intake on the hood, making it timeless.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Although people today would likely label the Camaro as Chevrolet’s quintessential muscle car (and they’re right), most people don’t realize that the Chevelle SS used to own that designation. The Chevrolet Chevelle SS debuted in 1964, and it was the company’s first entry into the world of muscle cars. While it did well on the market, it’s not enough to make its competitors worry. However, that changed when the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454 hit the market.
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454 is a compelling muscle car that sports aggressive lines and a low stance. In addition, the side louvers, hood scoops, and taillight details add to its edgy look. More importantly, the 1970 Chevelle SS came with a 54 cubic inch big-block V-8 powertrain capable of 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. To this day, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454 is considered one of the best cars made by General Motors.
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1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda
The 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda is objectively one of the most celebrated automobiles of all time and also remains a well-sought-after muscle car in history – it helps that it’s a limited edition release as well. The 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda was the company’s answer to the top players at that time, the Mustang and Camaro. The Hemi Cuda was a direct descendant of the Plymouth Barracuda, and it packed a 425 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 425 horsepower.
Moreover, the Hemi Cuda was also available with the Super Track Pack, which featured a Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gearing. Besides its mind blowing performance on dirt tracks or in races, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda was also a highly stylish car, thanks to its iconic shaker hood and imposing exterior. Unfortunately, Plymouth only made 115 of these cars, so getting your hands on one will take a lot of work (and resources).
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1968 Dodge Charger R/T
Well, you can’t exactly talk about the best muscle car of all time without mentioning the Dodge Charger. Released in the 60s, the Dodge Charger remains a very popular model and is widely considered one of the best modern muscle cars. With its imposing and masculine aesthetic and beastly performance, the Charger is what most people think of when talking about muscle cars.
The 1968 Dodge Charger R/T was undoubtedly a class of its own, with unmistakable design elements, including the iconic hidden headlight grille, refined tail section, and curvy body. The ‘68 Charger came with a 440 cubic inch four-barrel Magnum V8 powertrain which cranked out 375 hp, and an optional 426 Hemi engine that produced 425 hp. Although other muscle cars came with more potent engines and driving dynamics, the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T represented a robust package in a competitive segment at the time.
That wraps up our list of the best muscle cars of all time. As you can see, these classic models are legendary and are still sought-after by many collectors and enthusiasts. Since we have only listed five of the best muscle cars, we probably missed a lot that it’s downright criminal. What are some of the notable omissions on our list? Please feel free to let us know in the comments.
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