Muscle Cars

The Muscle Car Channel contains articles and pictures on the big-engine hot rods of each decade. Explore the HowStuffWorks Muscle Car Channel.

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There’s nothing quite like a muscle car. Classic American muscle cars capture the spirit of the auto industry, and the open road, like no other vehicle. It is also the type of car that gear heads and motor enthusiasts are most passionate about. From the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 to the 1970 Ford Mustang, people […] The post 10 Best Classic American Muscle Cars appeared first on Goliath.

By Jack Sackman

The Department of Energy created a classic Shelby Cobra with a 3-D printer. That's cool, but what does it mean for the auto industry?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

The sleek lines, powerful engines and machine strength of muscle cars have attracted us since the late 1960s, when performance and design filtered down into the realm of the attainable. So what are the most wanted classic muscle cars today?

By Jacob Clifton

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See pictures of everyone's favorite fast, powerful, gas guzzling cars from the '60s and '70s. They may not be eco-friendly, but they sure were fun while they lasted.

Although Pontiac was known as a performance leader in the 1950s, it was the Pontiac Firebird that helped solidify that reputation. Learn more in this article about the 1960's Pontiac Firebirds.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

It wasn't the fastest, but with single-season styling and a unique combination of brake, engine, exhaust, and induction options, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was arguably the most desirable Z28 of all. Learn more.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Firebird and Camaro grew more European in nature with their second-generation redesign, but the scooped and spoilered 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was pure American muscle. Learn about this muscle car.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet might have been the quickest Mustang ever. It was based on the 428-cid big-car engine. Learn about this muscle car, and see photos and specifications.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The speedy 1965 Chevrolet Nova SS had options like upgraded suspension components and sintered metallic brake linings. Learn more about this Chevy muscle car.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Perhaps the toughest little overachiever ever to harass the traditional muscle intermediates was Chevy's Nova Super Sport. Learn about the 1967 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS in this muscle car profile.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

When General Motors authorized engines up to 400 cid in its intermediate cars, Buick seized the chance to create its first muscle car, the 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport. Learn about this muscle car.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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A blend of sports car and muscle car, the 1967 Shelby GT 500 succeeded in satisfying a maturing taste for high performance. Learn more about the 1967 Shelby GT 500 in this muscle car profile.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

With a bright gold stripe proclaiming its glorious return, a Hurst-modified Olds 4-4-2 muscle car enjoyed its second season in 1969. Check out the performance numbers on the 1969 Hurst/Olds.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Plymouth addressed the need for a unified performance image in 1967 with an executive-class hot rod that leaned a little on the Poncho for its name: the Plymouth Belvedere GTX. Learn about this muscle car.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The Dodge Charger 500 was built to win at the track. But the Daytona version, with its massive rear spoiler, was more memorable. Check out photos and specs of the 1969 Dodge Charger 500 and Daytona.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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Plymouth got a version of the Chrysler muscle car with the giant rear wing in 1970, and the Road Runner Superbird would not be soon forgotten. Check out photos and specs of the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Small-block engines in the 1971 Chevelle line signalled changing times for muscle cars, but big-block power was still available. Find out what was under the hood of a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

"Muscle cars" are American automobiles with lots of power, modest weight, and blazing acceleration. The term was coined in 1964 when Pontiac introduced a potent 389-cubic-inch V-8 for a midsize car. The option turned a tame Tempest into a snarling GTO.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

With a 440-cubic-inch engine that had three carburetors and flashy styling, the 1969 Dodge Super Bee Six Pack was a truly complete muscle car. Learn more about the souped-up offerings in the 1969 Dodge Super Bee Six Pack.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The Fairlane Cobra was a surprising muscle car: It didn’t look as good as others in its class, but it performed better than Ford’s typical fare. Learn about the 1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra 428.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 had a race-inspired engine, a specially tuned suspension, and fine handling. Despite all that, this muscle car was a bust in the showroom. Find out why.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

It was noisy, it was rough, it was everything buyers wanted in a muscle car. Find out more about the engine that made the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi so popular.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

In the turbulent '60s, Pontiac wanted a fun-loving muscle car that knew how to drop the gavel on its competition. Find out how they got it in the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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Other Chevy dealers modified their Camaro muscle cars, but one got his built at the factory after installing a 427-cubic-inch Corvette engine. Find out more about Don Yenko and his 1969 Yenko Camaro 427.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Ford found much success on the NASCAR circuit in the 1960s, but its Talladega model in 1969 was one of the best of all. Find out how the 1969 Ford Talladega captured the NASCAR crown.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide