An idea which became popular in the 1940's lasting through the 1970's, although american, V-8 cars of today could technically be considered muscle cars as well. An uneducated stereotype would infer that a muscle car "Can't be fast" would be false and narrow minded. However a rebuttle stereotype that an import could not be fast is a stereotype as well. As much as muscle car owners and import owners are at each others throats, both concepts are similar. The american muscle car was founded upon the idea of taking a regular commuter car and cramming a high-output, high-horsepower engine into its unsuspecting frame. Which is EXACTLY what the modern day import was founded on. Both groups of automobiles need skill and performance parts to fulfill that idea that they were founded on. Looking at the statistics, a muscle car is no more than a standard, low-output, efficient car that was "slow" until the owner dropped the fabled V8 into the frame. Finally, the American companies (Ford, Dodge, Shelby, Pontiac, Buick, Chevy, etc.) caught onto this trend and begin putting the V8's in from the factory. Same concept applies with the modern day imports as the pioneers started with econonmy-commuter cars with high-horsepower and lightweight in mind. The Acuras/Hondas were fitted with customized turbos, DSM's (Diamond Star Motors) put out the 4G63 series (Eclipse, Talon, Laser,) both of which had great power-to-weight ratios when tuned properly, not to mention the nimble cornering abilities also due to lightweight, and even the All-Wheel drive advantage (DSM's.) Imports were designed along the same concept, and just like the domestic companies of yesterday, the import companies of today caught onto the trend and began putting out imports with high-output- high performance engines (Subaru WRX STI, Mitsubishi Evolution, Nissan Skyline, Nissan 350Z, Toyota Supra, Mazda Rx-7, etc.) The common misconception between the rivals is the cars overall purpose. Lacking modern technology, muscle cars were built with overall power and acceleration in mind. Imports were built with the full-blooded race concept in mind (to be quick on the throttle, but to handle on the corners and on the rally inspired circuits as well.) So does it make either car better than the other? Not at all. Clearly, there are muscle cars that will destroy Imports, and have a much louder, roaring approach, and there are imports that are running turbo's or just a solid NA motor that will destroy many muscle cars, and have a more fuel-efficient, all around race approach as well. In unison, there are riced out, slow, low-output ricers with near stock specs that give all imports a bad name. However, there are also, overweight, solid metal rustbucket muscle cars with near-stock V8 engines that give all muscle cars a bad name. To personally like one better than the other, its a matter of personal opinion or just sheer ignorance and narrow mindedness. All car guys and/or gear heads need to unite and realize the beauty and the personal preferences that go into building a car. A factory spec, or almost completely stock car won't get you much respect these days either, so large props go out to the "True gearheads" who vastly modify their import or muscle car to be a top competitor on the street and track. Thumbs down to the guys who cruise around in corny, cliche, overweight and common modern Mustang GT's and think they are the greatest; as well as the broke poser wannabe thugs who sport their 1.6 liter rice mobiles with an oversized muffler and simple intake/air filter. Not to mention the gaudy wheels, goofy spoilers, and unnecessary subwoofers. However, thumbs up to any and all who are truly dedicated to their project car and don't care about image. REAL men don't necessarily drive muscle cars, REAL men don't necessarily drive imports. REAL men certainly don't drive slow cars that they try to make "look" fast. Real men drive fast cars that look slow. And I suppose a real man could drive a fast car that looked fast as well, lets just take it easy with all of the stickers and cheap accessories please.
That Chevelle SS muscle car shred that '89 CRX with the upgraded air filter.
That boosted 240 just munched that blown Cobra!
Did you see that Sti and that GTO both anihilate that Ferrari?
That boosted 240 just munched that blown Cobra!
Did you see that Sti and that GTO both anihilate that Ferrari?
by Ryan "Doesch" Bag April 14, 2007
A nearly dead breed of predominately American cars that have the primary focus of being relatively inexpensive considering their high performance. This is achieved by ignoring most comfort oriented features seen in similarly priced cars.
They were most popular in their golden age - the 50s through the early 70s - up until the energy crisis. During that time, advances in suspension, brakes, tires, and frame consistency/rigidity had not yet been made, making the cars notorious for their rough ride, poor handling, and ineffective brakes which were made more dangerous by their high acceleration and top speed. For this reason, muscle cars have the stereotype of only being effective at straight line performance, but the few remaining muscle cars have proven otherwise.
The boom of the 90s saw a bit of resurgence with American muscle cars and even some foreign competitors, but their impracticality has kept them from being at the forefront of the public eye's desire or automakers' concerns.
They were most popular in their golden age - the 50s through the early 70s - up until the energy crisis. During that time, advances in suspension, brakes, tires, and frame consistency/rigidity had not yet been made, making the cars notorious for their rough ride, poor handling, and ineffective brakes which were made more dangerous by their high acceleration and top speed. For this reason, muscle cars have the stereotype of only being effective at straight line performance, but the few remaining muscle cars have proven otherwise.
The boom of the 90s saw a bit of resurgence with American muscle cars and even some foreign competitors, but their impracticality has kept them from being at the forefront of the public eye's desire or automakers' concerns.
The 1968 GTX Roadrunner with a 426 cubic inch engine had 425hp and 490lb-ft, was capable of a quarter mile in 13.4 seconds - a feat rarely obtained by today's cars. It had upgraded handling and other essentials, but had a spartan interior, even lacking carpets.
The 2002 Camaro SS had handling that rivaled and acceleration that beat nearly every car costing under $60,000. It even got 28mpg on the highway thanks to its high torque and six speed transmission. But it was 2-doors only, had mediocre leg room in both front and back, and sub par creature comforts considering that it cost over $30,000.
Modern day examples of foreign attempts at the single-minded goal of a car with high performance above all else (muscle cars) are include the: Subaru WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Nissan 350z, Honda S2000, and Toyota Supra.
The 2002 Camaro SS had handling that rivaled and acceleration that beat nearly every car costing under $60,000. It even got 28mpg on the highway thanks to its high torque and six speed transmission. But it was 2-doors only, had mediocre leg room in both front and back, and sub par creature comforts considering that it cost over $30,000.
Modern day examples of foreign attempts at the single-minded goal of a car with high performance above all else (muscle cars) are include the: Subaru WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Nissan 350z, Honda S2000, and Toyota Supra.
by Steven Willmy - Owns you October 09, 2008
A muscle car is a mid-sized, generally American car from the early 1950s mid 1970s. Muscle cars are generally blessed with V8s, high horsepower, alot of tourqe and a great power-to-weight ratio. Some of the most popular models are the Corvette, Mustang, El Camino, Thunderbird, Firebird and Chevelle. The original muscle cars were genrally lower priced but when they returned in the 1980s and 90s, they were more expensive and sometimes less powerful. Anyway, most muscle cars do not need modification to reach high preformance but if they are modified, they will kick ass. The astetics of the car is ussually left stock, but if it is changed, it will be througgh decals and paint only, almost never a body-kit.
Muscle Car vs. Ricer
Joe: I got a pimped out tricked out Civic can go real fast, I bet i could beat you.
Doug: Hell no, my 35 year old Charger will chew you up, it's got a Hemi.
Joe: well mine looks pimp
Doug: I didn't know pink bumpers with a Boeing 747's wing on the back.
Joe: I got a pimped out tricked out Civic can go real fast, I bet i could beat you.
Doug: Hell no, my 35 year old Charger will chew you up, it's got a Hemi.
Joe: well mine looks pimp
Doug: I didn't know pink bumpers with a Boeing 747's wing on the back.
by northendwhitetrash May 20, 2007
A car that should be respected by all americans even if they drive ricers.
A car that will go 0-60 in 5 seconds but will guzzle gas 20x faster than a honda
A car that will go 0-60 in 5 seconds but will guzzle gas 20x faster than a honda
Hey man did you see that muscle car beat that civic? Ya man but look he's at the gas staition again.
by n wangster d October 09, 2003
1)A term usually assigned to mid-sizd, American cars produced in the mid 60's to mid 70's with oversized engines and light chassis.
2) Any rear-whel drive car made to go fast.
2) Any rear-whel drive car made to go fast.
1) This hemi roadrunner is a classic example of a muscle car.
2) My big block Chevette can really fuck up some import crap!!
2) My big block Chevette can really fuck up some import crap!!
by DoctorThrottle April 29, 2004
Late model 2-door (usually) American car with a muscular appearance and more displacement, HP, and TORQUE than 3-5 rice motors (aka hamsters). Minimal cost/speed ratio; no JDM bling required for coolness. Destroys rice cars on impact. Large and comfortable, especially for those who aren't 5'5" and 120 lbs.
Occasionally seen sporting a slight lift in rear suspension. Internals are easy to access for maintenance/upgrade, unlike certain other vehicles (coff coff). Contrary to popular belief, will run until the apocalypse if the oil is changed every 3000 miles
Fast stock.
Occasionally seen sporting a slight lift in rear suspension. Internals are easy to access for maintenance/upgrade, unlike certain other vehicles (coff coff). Contrary to popular belief, will run until the apocalypse if the oil is changed every 3000 miles
Fast stock.
There's no replacement for displacement.
Muscle Car Driver: "Hey, how bout this: we race with 6 people in each car"
Ricer: "*GULP*"
Muscle Car Driver: "That's what I thought"
How many muscle era imports do you see driving around? Case-in-Point
Muscle Car Driver: "Hey, how bout this: we race with 6 people in each car"
Ricer: "*GULP*"
Muscle Car Driver: "That's what I thought"
How many muscle era imports do you see driving around? Case-in-Point
by Big Tim July 09, 2004
Any of a number of powerful automobiles with front engines and rear wheel drive produced from the early '60s until the present. To be considered a true muscle car requires around at least a 1hp/10lbs ratio, generally speaking. Some lighter muscle cars - especially those from the late 60's - are better described as 'Ponycars', because they were very compact and light, similar in design to Ford's Mustang. There were a lot of very powerful but heavy musclecars, and debate exists over which one was the 'first'. Some would say that the old Chrysler 300 qualifies, while others say that the Pontiac GTO was the first true musclecar. The Australians even had a few 6-cylinder cars with blistering performance back in the 60's that also qualify, so the term 'muscle car' doesn't just just refer to V-8 vehicles. Regardless, most people would not consider any 4-cylinder high performance vehicle to be a muscle car; they are more accurately described as sports cars usually.
1964 Pontiac GTO, 1967 Mercury Cougar, 1969 Javelin, 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, 1967 Dodge Charger
- note - There were many different engines available for these cars. Some of those engines lacked the performance to make even these specific models 'muscle cars'. A stock 6-cylinder Chevelle would not be considered a muscle car, for example.
- note - There were many different engines available for these cars. Some of those engines lacked the performance to make even these specific models 'muscle cars'. A stock 6-cylinder Chevelle would not be considered a muscle car, for example.
by Technomancer June 19, 2006