EARLY MUSCLE
Opinions on the origin of the muscle car vary, but the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88,
created in response to public interest in speed and power, is often
cited as the first of the breed. It featured an innovative and powerful
new engine—America’s first high-compression overhead valve V8 in the smaller lighter Oldsmobile 76/Chevy body for 6 cylinder engines(as opposed to bigger Olds 98 luxury body).[9]Musclecars magazine wrote: “[t]he idea of putting a full-size V8 under the hood of an intermediate body and making it run like Jesse Owens in Berlin belongs to none other than Oldsmobile… [The] all-new ohv V8…Rocket engine quickly found its way into the lighter 76 series body, and in February 1949, the new 88 series was born.”[10]
The article continued: “Walt Woron of Motor Trend enjoyed
the ‘quick-flowing power…that pins you to your seat and keeps you there
until you release your foot from the throttle [...] Olds dominated the
performance landscape in 1950, including wins in the NASCAR Grand National division, Daytona Speed Weeks, and the 2100-plus-mile Carrera Panamericana. In France [sic], an 88 won a production car race at Spa-Francorchamps [...] A husky V8 in a cleanly styled, lightweight coupe body, the original musclecar truly was the ’49 Olds 88.”[10]Jack Nerad wrote in Driving Today: “the Rocket V-8 set the standard for every American V-8 engine that would follow it for at least three decades [...] With a displacement of 303 cubic inches and topped by a two-barrel carburetor, the first Rocket V-8 churned out 135 hp (101 kW; 137 PS) at 3,600 rpm and 263 pound-feet of torque at a lazy 1800 rpm [and] no mid-range car in the world, save theHudson Hornet, came close to the Rocket Olds performance potential…”
Nerad added that the Rocket 88 was “the hit of NASCAR’s 1950 season, winning eight of the 10 races. Given its lightning-like success, one could clearly make the case that the Olds 88 with its 135 horsepower (101 kW) V-8 was the first ‘musclecar’…”[11]
Steve Dulcich, writing in Popular Hot Rodding, also cites Oldsmobile, concurrently with Cadillac, as having “launched the modern era of the high-performance V-8 with the introduction of the “Rocket 88″ overhead-valve V8 in 1949.”[12]
GROWTH OF THE TREND
Other manufacturers “showcased performance hardware in flashy limited-edition models. Chrysler led the way with its 1955 C-300, an inspired blend of Hemi power and luxury-car trappings that fast became the new star of NASCAR. With 300 horsepower (224 kW), it was rightly advertised as ‘America’s Most Powerful Car.'”[9] (With a limited option 2 4-barrel carburetors 355hp engine also available)
Capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.8 seconds and
reaching 130 miles per hour (209 km/h), the 1955 Chrysler 300 is also
recognized as one of the best-handling cars of its era.[13]Two years later the Rambler Rebel was the fastest stock American sedan, according to Motor Trend.[14]
The popularity and performance of muscle cars grew in the early 1960s, as Mopar (Dodge,
Plymouth, and Chrysler) and Ford battled for supremacy in drag racing.
The 1962 Dodge Dart 413 cu in (6.8 L) Max Wedge, for example, could run a
13-second 1/4-mile dragstrip at
over 100 miles per hour (161 km/h). By 1964, General Motors’ lineup
boasted Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, and Pontiac muscle cars, and Buick
fielded a muscle car entry a year later. For 1964 and 1965, Ford had its
427 cu in (7.0 L) Thunderbolts, and Mopar unveiled the 426 cu in
(7.0 L) Hemi engine. The Pontiac GTO was an option package that included Pontiac’s 389 cu in (6.4 L) V8 engine, floor-shifted transmission with Hurst shift
linkage, and special trim. In 1966 the GTO became a model in its own
right. The project, spearheaded by Pontiac division president John DeLorean,
technically violated GM’s policy limiting its smaller cars to 330 cu in
(5.4 L) displacement, but the new model proved more popular than
expected and inspired GM and its competitors to produce numerous
imitators. The GTO itself was a response to the Dodge Polara 500 and the Plymouth Sport Fury, which in 1962 had been shrunk to intermediates—at a time when bigger was considered better.
American
Motors, though late entering the muscle car market, produced “an
impressive array of performance cars in a relatively short time,” said Motor Trend. “The first stirrings of AMC performance came in 1965, when the dramatic if ungainly Rambler Marlin fastback was introduced to battle the Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda.”[15] Although
the Marlin was a flop in terms of sales and initial performance, AMC
gained some muscle-car credibility in 1967, when it made both the Marlin
and the “more pedestrian” Rebel available with its new 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS), 343 cu in (5.6 L) “Typhoon” V8. In 1968 the company offered two pony car muscle car contenders: the Javelin and its truncated variant, the AMX.[15]Although the sales of true muscle cars were relatively modest by total Detroit production standards, they had value in publicity and bragging rights. Competition between manufacturers meant that buyers had the choice of ever-more powerful engines—a horsepower war that peaked in 1970, with some models advertising as much as 450 hp (336 kW; 456 PS).
TURNKEY DRAG RACERS
Muscle cars attracted young customers (and their parents) into showrooms, and they bought the standard editions of these mid-size cars. To enhance the “halo” effect of these models, the manufacturers modified some of them into turn-key drag racers.For example, Ford built 200 lightweight Ford Galaxies for drag racing in 1963. All non-essential equipment was omitted. Modifications included fiberglass panels, aluminum bumpers, traction bars, and a competition-specification 427 cu in (7.0 L) engine factory-rated at a conservative 425 hp (317 kW; 431 PS). This full-size car could run the quarter mile in a little over 12 seconds.[16] Also built in 1963 were 5,000 road-legal versions that could be used every day. (Ford claimed 0-60 in less than 6 seconds for the similarly powered 1966 Galaxie 500XL 427.)[7]
Another Ford lightweight was the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt that utilized the mid-size Fairlane body. A stock Thunderbolt could run a quarter-mile (402 m) at a drag strip in 11.76 seconds at 122.7 mph (197.5 km/h),[17] and Gas Ronda dominated the NHRA World Championship with a best time of 11.6 seconds at 124 mph (200 km/h).[7] The
Thunderbolt included the 427 engine with special exhausts—though
technically legal for street use, the car was too raucous for the public
roads—”not suitable”, according to a Hot Rod magazine quote, “for driving to and from the strip, let alone on the street in everyday use”;[17] also
massive traction bars, asymmetrical rear springs, and a trunk-mounted
95-pound (43 kg) bus battery to maximize traction from what was
realistically 500 bhp (373 kW).[17] Sun
visors, exterior mirror, sound-deadener, armrests, jack, and lug wrench
were omitted to save weight. The car was given lightweight Plexiglass windows, and early versions had fiberglass front body panels and bumpers, later changed to aluminum to meet NHRA regulations.[18] Base price was US$3,780.[17] A total of 111 Thunderbolts were built, and Ford contracted Dearborn Steel Tubing to help with assembly.[19]The 1964 Dodge 426 Hemi Lightweight produced over 500 bhp (370 kW). This “top drag racer” had an aluminium hood, lightweight front bumpers, fenders, doors and lower valance, magnesium front wheels, lightweight Dodge van seat, Lexan side windows, one windshield wiper and no sun visors or sound deadening. Like other lightweights of the era it came with a factory disclaimer: Designed for supervised acceleration trials. Not recommended for general everyday driving because of the compromises in the all-round characteristics which must be made for this type of vehicle.[18]
Also too “high-strung” for the street was Chrysler’s small-volume-production 1965 drag racer, the 550 bhp (410 kW) Plymouth Satellite 426 Hemi. Although the detuned 1966 version (the factory rating underestimated it at 425 bhp (317 kW) ) has been criticized for poor brakes and cornering, Car and Driver described it as “the best combination of brute performance and tractable street manners we’ve ever driven.” The car’s understated appearance belied its “ultra-supercar” performance: it could run a 13.8-second quarter mile at 104 mph (167 km/h). Base price was $3,850.[22]
Chevrolet likewise eschewed flamboyant stripes for their 1969 Chevelle COPO 427. The car could run a 13.3 sec. quarter-mile at 108 mph (174 km/h). Chevrolet rated the engine at 425 hp (317 kW), but the NHRA claimed a truer 450 hp (340 kW).[23] It has been said that the 1969 COPO Chevelles were “among the most feared muscle cars of any day. And they didn’t need any badges.”[23] Base price was US$3,800.[23]
For 1970 Chevrolet offered the Chevelle SS 454, also at a base price of US$3,800. The “muscle car summit”, its 454 cu in (7.4 L) engine was rated at 450 hp (336 kW), the highest-ever factory rating at that time. Car Life magazine wrote: “It’s fair to say that the Supercar as we know it may have gone as far as it’s going.”[24]
YOUTH MARKET AND “BUDGET MUSCLE”
The general trend towards higher performance in factory-stock cars reflected the importance of the youth market. A key appeal of muscle cars was that they offered the burgeoning American car culture relatively affordable and powerful street performance in models that could also be used for drag racing. But as size, optional equipment and luxury appointments increased, engines had to be more powerful to maintain performance levels, and the cars became more expensive.
In
response to rising cost and weight, a secondary trend towards more
basic “budget” muscle cars emerged in 1967 and 1968—e.g. the “original
budget Supercar”[25] Plymouth Road Runner; also thePlymouth GTX, that at base price of US$3,355, offered “as much performance-per-dollar as anything on the market, and more than most”,[26] the Dodge Super Bee and
other variants. Manufacturers also offered bigger engines in their
compact models, sometimes making them lighter, roomier, and faster than
their own pony-car lines.
American Motors’ mid-sized 1970 Rebel Machine, developed in consultation with Hurst Performance, was also built for normal street use. It had a 390 cu in (6.4 L) engine developing 340 hp (254 kW)—a “moderate performer”[30] that gave a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.8 seconds and a quarter mile in 14.4 seconds at 99 mph (159 km/h).[31] Early examples came in “patriotic” red, white and blue.[32]Jack Nerad wrote in Driving Today that it was “a straight-up competitor to the GTO,
et al. … the engine was upgraded to 340 hp (254 kW; 345 PS) a
four-barrel Motorcraft carburetor and other hot rod trickery. The torque
figure was equally prodigious—430 pound-feet at a lazy 3600 rpm. In
this car the engine was practically the entire story.” With four-speed
manual transmission, the car “could spring from zero to 60 miles per
hour in just 6.4 seconds…” In Nerad’s view the car “somehow, someway
deserves to be considered among the Greatest Cars of All Time.”[33] A retrospective Mopar Musclemagazine
article described, “But by far the most stunning thing for a car with
this level of performance and standard equipment was the sticker of
just US$3,475.”[34]Furthermore, the 340 cu in (5.6 L) powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 4-seater, which Hot Rod magazine categorized as “a supercar, without any doubt attached…also a ‘pony car’, a compact and a workhorse” with enough rear seat leg and head room for “passengers to ride back there without distress” and “a flip-up door to the trunk area for ferrying some pretty sizeable loads of cargo”, was a “sizeable threat on the drag strip”: 13.33 seconds at 106.50 mph (171.40 km/h). Base price was $2,796.00. Price as tested by Hot Rod: $3,652.[37]
RELATED PICKUP TRUCKS
Another related type of vehicle is the car-based pickup (known colloquially in Australia as a “ute” (short for “utility”). Holden and Ford Australia make such a vehicle under the model name “Ute“). Examples of these in the U.S. are the performance versions of the Ford Ranchero, GMC Sprint / Caballero, and Chevrolet El Camino with high-output V8 engines.DECLINE
The automotive safety lobby led by Ralph Nader decried offering powerful cars for public sale, particularly when targeted at young buyers: the power of many muscle cars underlined their marginal brakes, handling, and tire adhesion. In response, the automobile insurance industry levied surcharges on all high-powered models, an added cost that put many muscle cars out of reach of their intended buyers. Simultaneously, efforts to combat air pollution—a problem that grew more complicated in 1973 when the OPEC oil embargo led to price controls and gasoline rationing—focused Detroit’s attention on emissions control.A majority of musclecars came optioned with high-compression powerplants – some as high as 11:1. Prior to the oil embargo, 100-octane fuel was common (e.g. Sunoco 260, Esso Extra, Chevron Custom Supreme, Super Shell, Texaco Sky Chief, Amoco Super Premium, Gulf No-nox) until the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970 where octane ratings were lowered to 91 – due in part to the removal of tetraethyllead as a valve lubricant. Unleaded gasoline was phased in.
With all these forces against it, the market for muscle cars rapidly evaporated. Horsepower began to drop in 1971 as engine compression ratios were reduced. High-performance engines like Chrysler’s 426 Hemi were discontinued, and all but a handful of other performance models were discontinued or transformed into soft personal luxury cars. Some nameplates e.g. Chevrolet’s SS or Oldsmobile’s 442 would become sport appearance packages (known in the mid to late 1970s as the vinyl and decal option – Plymouth’s Road Runner was an upscale decor package for their Volare coupes). One of the last to succumb, a car that Car and Driver dubbed “The Last of the Fast Ones”, was Pontiac’s Trans Am SD455 model of 1973–1974. In 1975 its performance was markedly reduced, although it remained in production through 2002 and was made powerful again from 1993 onwards.
American performance cars began to make a return in the 1980s. Owing to increases in production costs and tighter regulations governing pollution and safety, these vehicles were not designed to the formula of the traditional low-cost muscle cars. The introduction of electronic fuel injection and overdrive transmission for the remaining 1960s muscle-car survivors—the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird—helped sustain a market share for them alongside personal luxury coupes with performance packages, i.e. the Buick Regal T-Type or Grand National, Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS circa 1983-88.
AUSTRALIA
Australia developed its own muscle car tradition around the same period, with the big three manufacturers Ford Australia, Holden or Holden Dealer Team (by then part of General Motors), and Chrysler Australia. The cars were specifically developed to run in the Armstrong 500 (miles) race
and later the Hardie Ferodo 500 (the race’s current 1,000 kilometre
format was adopted in 1973). The demise of these cars was brought about
by a change in racing rules requiring that 200 examples had to be sold
to the general public before the car could qualify (homologation). In 1972, the government stepped in to ban supercars from the streets after two notable cases. The first instance was a Wheels magazine journalist driving at 150 mph (240 km/h) in a 1971 Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III 351 cu in (5.8 L).[38] While the car was getting exposure in the press, the second incident occurred in George Street, Sydney,
when a young male was caught driving at an estimated 150 mph (240 km/h)
through the busy street, in a 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, drag
racing a Holden Monaro GTS 350. This was known in Australia as “The
Supercar Scare”.[39][40]
General Motors Holden produced the Holden Monaro with
161 cu in (2.6 L), 186 cu in (3.0 L) (186 and 186S specification)
6-cylinder engines, 307 cu in (5.0 L), 327 cu in (5.4 L), and 350 cu in
(5.7 L) Chevrolet smallblocks and later 253 cu in (4.1 L) and 308 cu in
(5.0 L) Holden V8. Followed by the release of four high-performance Toranas, the LC GTR-XU1 (1970–1971) LJ GTR-XU1 (1972–1973), L34 (1974) and the A9X (1977).The L34 was primarily an engine option on the lesser specification LH SL/R 5000 sedan, a factory HO pack providing an upgraded camshaft, Holley carb and other race rady items was also available to those in the know. The basic L34 also gained other homologation features such as much improved brakes and wheel arch flares. The A9X was an option on the LX SLR5000 sedan and the LX SS hatchback (2 door) and unlike the L34 package was not an engine performance upgrade but a suspension, differential and brake upgrade as the L34 engine was already homologated for Group C use. Hence the A9X had a basically standard 308ci engine.
Chrysler produced the R/T Valiant Charger from 1971 to 1973 when the R/Ts were discontinued; the dominant R/T models were the E38 and E49 with high performance265 cu in (4.3 L) Hemi engines featuring triple Weber carburetors.
Chrysler apparently considered a high-performance V8 program importing 338 340 cu in (5.6 L) V8 engines from the U.S.
That high-performance project never went ahead, and the engines were subsequently fitted to the upmarket 770 model Charger. Initially this model was designated “SE” E55 340 (V8) and only available with automatic transmission; with a model change to the VJ in 1973 the engine became an option, and the performance was lessened.
All Chrysler performance Chargers were discontinued in 1974 with the end of high-performance the 265 Hemi and 340 V8 engines.
The Australian muscle car era is considered to have ended with the release of the Australian Design Rule regarding emissions in ADR27a in 1976. An exception to this rule was the small number of factory-built Bathurst 1000 homologation specials that were constructed after 1976: they are considered to be musclecars. Examples of these homologation specials include the Torana A9X and the Bathurst Cobras.
Later homologation cars were built outside of the factory, many by the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) for track and road use. Although not regarded as true muscle cars, they quickly gained an enthusiastic following. The HDT program was underPeter Brock‘s direction and had approval from Holden.
Several highly modified high-performance road-going Commodores were produced through the early and mid 1980s. These “homologation specials” were produced to meet the Group A racing regulations. Models included the VC Group C, the VH SS Group III with a 0–100 km/h of 6.7 seconds,[41] the Blue VK SS Group A and the burgundy VL SS Group A. These vehicles are all individually numbered with only 4246 Brock HDT’s made and are considered to be collectors’ items.
The HDT Commodores are highly collectible muscle cars. Holden Dealer Team vehicles’ became more collectible than ever in the wake of Brock’s 2006 death.
Showroom-condition HDT cars are generating prices as high as $200,000 AU.[42]
SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, Chevrolet placed the Z28 302 Chevrolet smallblock into a Vauxhall Viva coupe bodyshell and called it the Firenza CanAm. Basil Green produced the 302 Windsor – powered Capri Perana. In addition Australian HT and HG GTS Monaros (1969–71) were exported in CKD form and were given a new fascia and rebadged as a Chevrolet SS, which were sold until about 1973. Falcon GTs were also exported to South Africa and rebadged as Fairmont GTs. The Australian XW Falcon GT was called the 1970 Fairmont GT, and the XY Falcon GT was called the Fairmont GT. The Falcons were re-badged as Fairmonts because of to the bad reputation of the American Falcons at the time. The Fairmonts were almost the same as their Australian cousins apart from a few cosmetic differences.UNITED KINGDOM
In
the United Kingdom, the muscle car never gained a significant market,
but it certainly influenced British manufacturers, with models such as
the Ford Capri and Vauxhall Firenza directly inspired by American designs.[citation needed] Ford
did, however, fit the Ford Capri with a powerful V6 Engine, introducing
the muscle car principle of affordable power to the British public. The
Dagenham built 2944cc Ford Capri 3000GT (or 3000E in more luxurious
trim), together with the Ford Capri 2600GT produced at Ford’s plant in
Cologne, were both muscle cars in spirit. Although the Ford Capri was,
in essence, a pony car, GM responded with the Opel Commodore Coupe which
was based on the mid-size Opel Rekord. In GTE form and fitted with a
six cylinder engine, it was able to match the Fords for performance.
Later, both Ford and Vauxhall continued the tradition of producing high
performance variants (known colloquially as Q-cars) of its family cars, though these tended to have subtle styling – the effect being to create a discreet performance car.MODERN MUSCLE CARS
In the late 1980s, there was resurgence in ponycar popularity with
the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. But until the early 1990s
Fords SVT (Special Vehicle Team) program wanted to up the power and
performance. Ford’s 1995 SVT Cobra R was the first to hit the 300
horsepower mark, classic musclecar territory, but was only limited to
250 models. The GM and Ford market rivalry continued throughout the late
90’s where Mustang Cobra and Camaro SS were both rated at 300+
horsepower for standard production models.
In 2004 Chrysler introduced their LX platform that serves as the platform for a new line of rear-wheel drive, V8-powered cars (using the new Hemi engine), including a four-door version of the Dodge Charger. It was also available as a station wagon (the Dodge Magnum) and the performance of the new models equaled many of the vintage muscle cars. Dodge revived two “classic” model names with the Charger: Daytona in 2006 and the Dodge Charger Super Bee in 2007..
GM’s Cadillac division introduced the XLR roadster in 2004 that was produced alongside the Chevrolet Corvette in GM’s Bowling Green, Kentucky manufacturing plant. This led to the creation of theCadillac V-series for the luxury CTS sedan, sold as the CTS-V.
MUSCLE CAR REVIVAL
Recently a muscle car revival has been seen.In 2004, Chrysler debuted the true ancestor of the muscle car, 300C, as a 2005 model. Its styling is heavily borrowed from the original 1957 300C model.
In 2005 Ford, as a precursor of this movement, introduced the new Mustang designed to resemble the original 1964.5 model.
In 2008 Chrysler re-introduced the Dodge Challenger. It has strong design links to the 1970 model (i.e. featuring long lines not seen in vehicles and quad headlights).
In 2009 Chevrolet released the new Camaro which bears some resemblance to the 1969 model.
In 2010, Dodge re-introduced the Charger as a 2011 model. The Charger was first reborn in 2006 as a muscle car with its own unique stylings. However, the 2011 version of the Charger took many styling cues from the 1968-70 Charger, thus making the new Charger look more original than the 2006-2010 model.
Australia
Australian Ford and Holden are currently producing high performance vehicles. For instance, Holden has its SS and SSV Commodores and Utilities, and HSV has more powerful Holden based versions and currently producing a limited edition HSV W427 – a Commodore fitted with the 7 litre V8 from the C6 Corvette Z06. Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) turns out similarly uprated special versions of the Ford Falcon Sedan, the major difference being Ford offer a 360 hp (270 kW)turbocharged 4.0 litre I6 as well as their V8s. FPV are producing the GT 4-door Falcons—both Boss V8 and turbocharged sixes; the premier Fords are currently the BOSS V8 and F6 turbocharged inline 6.Holden Special Vehicles currently produces high-performance versions of various rear-drive Holden Commodore sedans and, fitted with high performance (400 hp) V8 engines, and are perhaps one of the closest contemporary equivalents to the classic American muscle car (excluding the AWD of course)—-fast, exciting, but relatively crude automobiles (though with far more attention to handling, suspension, safety, and brakes compared with the stock models).
Vauxhall introduced the Monaro to the UK in 2004. This was a re-badged Holden Monaro fitted with a 5.7 litre Chevrolet Corvette engine, or in VXR form with the engine bored out to 6.0 litres. However sales were disappointing and the car was withdrawn from the Vauxhall range in 2007.
COLLECTIBILITY
The original “tire-burning” cars such as the AMC Machine, Buick Gran Sport, Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Mustang, Oldsmobile 4-4-2, Plymouth GTX and Pontiac GTO, are “collector’s items for classic car lovers.”[44]Surviving muscle models are now prized, and certain models carry prices to rival some of the more highly valued European sports cars. At auction the rarest vintage 1965–1972 muscle cars can be appraised at over US$500,000 depending on model, options, condition, demand and availability. Some rare models like the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro with the ZL1 option are considered the equivalent of real estate or museum relics.[citation needed]
Reproduction muscle-car sheet metal parts and even complete body shells are available.
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