Usually American. These big, powerful cars are only given to police detectives from the 1970s and by law, must take turns sideways. Special coating means that despite hitting everything from traffic signs to trash cans in high speed chases, no scrapes or dents ever happen.
by pigeons99 June 25, 2012
A style of car that became popular in the US, which, while it makes a pretty good growl, manages to produce very little power, despite having 6+ litres of displacement. While they were very quick (and actually rather good looking and stylish in their own way) in the 60s and 70s, modern muscle cars are now left standing by Euro and Japanese cars (such as the supra, skyline, and BMW 3,5,6 series) of much smaller displacement, with more BHP and more BHP/Litre which also offer better fuel economy, better styling, and aerodynamics than their fat, sluggish, ugly, thirsty american counterparts.
The 69 Chevelle SS, 69 mustang, and C2 Corvette stingray are examples of great classic muscle cars, all very cool.
The 2008 Mustang managed to achieve a shocking 210 bhp from a 4.0l engine, America should be ashamed to claim that it is a performance vehicle, the Japanese get nearly 50% more than that from an engine half the size.
The 2008 Mustang managed to achieve a shocking 210 bhp from a 4.0l engine, America should be ashamed to claim that it is a performance vehicle, the Japanese get nearly 50% more than that from an engine half the size.
by BritMechEng June 22, 2013
An automotive vehicle from the 40's, 50's, 60's, or 70's characterized by big displacement V-8s, big tires, chrome wheels, dual exhuast, racing stripes or flames, blowers, and speed.
"In a 15 year bloom, before tightening emission regulations and rocketing gas prices stamped extinct on an entire breed of cars in the '70s, America's automobile industry produced the most memorable cars built anywhere, anytime: "The American Muscle Car." While today's modern squeaky clean cars may approach the performance numbers put up 35 years ago, they will never duplicate the rush generated by 400-plus cubic inches fighting for tracion through period bias-ply tires. Pity today's car enthusiasts who think variable valve timing is the hot setup."
-Bruce Armstrong
-Bruce Armstrong
by Wicked76 September 28, 2003
An American performance car from the early 60's to the early 70's. They were generally an upgraded varient of a less powerful family car. Companies such as Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Dodge, and Plymouth joined the game. They all followed the same basic rules. 1.there is no replacement for displacement 2. there is no subsatute for cubic inches 3.horsepower sells motors, but torque wins races. The basic idea was to get the biggest engine and stick it in the smallest car avaliable at the time. The muscle car era was killed by inflating gas prices, emissions, and the cracking down of insurance companys.
by Derty July 12, 2004
American manufactured cars from a bygone era. Started as a marketing war between American automakers in the early '60s typically identified as mid-sized "A" body cars with large displacement engines that produced high horsepower and higher than normal torque. Most muscle cars were produced from 1964 thru 1972. Quarter mile speed and acceleration was the theme of the era along with styling. Not much else mattered to the targeted consumer. These cars are radically different than today's technologically advanced "rice-burners" and sub-compacts but their appeal lies in their history and styling. Many uscle cars command high prices due to their rarity. If you want to see them all, attend the Woodward Ave. Cruise in Detroit, Michigan ...usually the 3rd weekend in August. 40,000 of them
Notable muscle cars include the Chevrolet Chevelle & Camaro, Ford Mustang, Buick Skylark, Pontiac GTO & Firebird, Dodge Charger & Challenger and Plymouth Roadrunner, to name a few
by Ballsy29 July 24, 2005
American built car usually made from 1964 to 1974. These cars were typically low-cost, midsized family cars with larger engines taken from full size performance cars from 1960-1963. These cars are fast, durable, and easy to repair/modify. Typically seen winning drag races. Some cars that don't meet all these criteria can be considered muscle cars (such as the 1963 Ford Galaxie... expensive, full-size car, made before the "muscle car" era, but has a muscle engine and a long history of racing success)
Ford Fairlane, Ford Torino, Ford Mustang (only when equipped with 390+ cubic inch engines), Mercury Cyclone, Chevy II Nova, Chevy Chevelle, Pontiac GTO, Dodge Dart, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger
by Lee March 25, 2005
A mid-sized American performance car with a ground-pounding, 400-plus cubic inch, 400 plus horspower big-block with enough torque to sustain the earths rotation on the crankshaft. Usually seen stomping techno-wonder Imports and over-priced super cars. Can be fixed or modified by the average joe that doesnt have mommy\daddy to buy things for them for getting a good mark in school.Loud, proud, rude and crude, these are real mens cars.
Dodge Charger RT, Chevellle SS 454, Hemi 'Cuda, Camaro SS, Olds 442, 427 Corvette etc.Muscle car
So what if you have more horspower per liter, i have more horspower PERIOD.
a weak motor does not make up for a light car
my lug nuts require more torque than your engine makes
So what if you have more horspower per liter, i have more horspower PERIOD.
a weak motor does not make up for a light car
my lug nuts require more torque than your engine makes
by Roseau November 29, 2005