Question of the Day: Which is the Best Muscle Car of All Time?
As a quick glance at auction results from across the country can tell you, American’s have long been gonzo over muscle cars. And though we know through experience that the typical WINDING ROAD reader isn’t the typical American car guy, everyone’s got to have at least a bit of love for a big ‘ole V-8, right? Simple question: what’s your favorite muscle car of all time? For the purposes of debate we’ll leave the definition of the category completely up to you. Give us your most interesting pick, in comments.
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Comments
uragan
The one in the picture, the GTO. Since I have the privilege of being the first one to write a comment, let me remind the novices that Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers and Corvettes are not muscle cars.
Rat-ta-tat-tat
Um..the GTO began life as a Tempest. Not unlike any number of base Mustangs, Camaros, et al.
So stop it.
Jim
ya mean something like a 69 galaxy XL with a 429?
k4bikes
How 'bout Pickford's 1970 Pontiac GTO and Wooderson's 1970 Chevelle SS from Dazed and Confused.
youngturk
Maybe it would help if someone actually defined what a "muscle car" is and is not before we get lost on a rabbit trail.
Jeff
Well, I'm tempted to say C2 Corvette- those were badass. I like those a lot, nice look and nice sound.
driving course
AC Cobra.
Wayne
Okay, the popular definition starts with the introduction of the '64 GTO option for the Pontiac Lemans. BUT, big V8 in the lightest weight chassis has two emminent predecessors: the '49 Olds 88 model with the OHV V8 but MY VOTE goes to the '55 Chrysler C300. This was a 300HP Hemi dual quad, solid lifter V8 into the low priced, low trim Windsor model coupe body. Then they added leather. These cars absolutely DOMINATED NASCAR for 1955 and 1956 under the Mercury Outboards (Carl Kiekhaefer) banner. Never to be forgotten!!!
Danf
A muscle car is usually considered an intermediate automobile by 1960s standards. These cars came into existence in the early 1960s. Mustangs, Camaros, Trans Ams are not muscle cars, they are pony cars. A Muscle car was generally based on a car that had a smaller engine such as a six cyliner as standard. They were no frills cars with a large V8. Early versions did not even have power steering or brakes but had top notch engines, transmissions, differentials etc. (Well top notch for the 60s US made cars).
Sorry but I don't have a favorite because I was never too fond of this type of car.
Cicero
The Boss 429 and 302 would be my top 2, though the Camaro Z28 is up there and the lesser appreciated AMC AMX and the Javelin
rip
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9
No question. And if you don't think so, which of the other so-called muscle cars can still hold their own in 2008?
john
Fred Flinstone's ride. He really needed to use his muscles.
George T
---Bently Speed Model 3 liter, 1920s and acknowledged.
Austin
Hmm...no pony cars...Charger Daytona (Plymouth Superbird), Road Runner (Super Bee), Chevelle LS6, and even though it isn't a muscle car, 429 Boss. Or is it?
Brock
Hemi Road Runner............beep beep..............
fstst56
I'd have to vote for the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk. This car came from the factory with the Packard V-8 engine.
According to the July 1956 issue of Speed Age they trested the Golden Hawk, Corvette, Thunderbird and Chrysler 300-B.
The Golden Hawk beat them all in the 1/4 mile and 0-60.
1/4 mile: Golden Hawk 17.01
Corvette 17.12
Thunderbird 17.21
Chrysler 300B 17.80
0-60: Golden Hawk 7.8
Corvette 8.4
Thunderbird 8.6
Chrysler 300B 9.1
Kal
My personal favorite was the 68' Hurst Olds. Good looking car and very rare.
DR Bush
1969 Camaro ZL-1
Factory SAE rated HP = 430HP, in reality pumped out ~525-550HP on a dyno.
0-60 = 5.3 seconds
1/4 mile = 11.68 seconds
Only 69 ever made, and a legend among any muscle car enthusiast.
DR Bush
^^I'm basing my comment on my personal definition of a muscle car based on the "muscle car era" being mid 1960's through early 1970's. Mainly 1964-1972 for most.
Didn't mention the vettes because I consider them "sports cars" in that day.
Larry
The headline says "best" and the body copy says "favorite" so which is it.
Also, define "best" as well as muscle car.
X3 SoB
In the spirit that this is a popularity contest, I like the second iteration of the Challenger with the falling grille, with the 455 Hemi and four speed manual, a truly beautiful car that could shyt and get. The new retro car doesn't come close style-wise, particularly in grape(purple) with a black vinyl roof.
southern
My favorite best was my 1970 Dodge Duster 340 with 4 on the floor.
Easily took 327s, 350s at Englishtown raceway in the summer of 70..
Was eventually "factored" into comp with 396s and couldn't quite run with them, so I retired with 6 trophies from Englishtown.
It really was just a plymouth business coupe with a high revving (for the times) "small" V8. And for the first few months it was a sleeper. Then people came to know that the 340 was special.
Geeze, remember those fiberglass tires?
X3 SoB
This sucks! Wordpress just deleted/lost my comment! So... let's summarize. In the spirit of this being a popularity contest, I like the second iteration of the Challenger, with the trapazoidal grille that sweeps under the bumper, with a 455 Hemi and a 4 speed manual. This muscle car had style that the new retro car lacks.
X3 SoB
Wordpress sucks. It's now flagging words that are sort of like curse words. Really, let's all be grown up here, no children visit this site(well, mostly).
Austin
Any copo. What's cooler than working the system to get the best car possible.
Visually...69 Camaro, 70 Chevelle SS, 70 Mustang Boss 429. Though I have a certain weakness for Challengers and Cougars, too.
But if I could extend the definition...I'd take a Pontiac Catalina or Bonneville with a 428 or 455 HO.
Ducati Minor
'55 Chrysler C300--the original muscle car. (Not the '64 GTO.) And, yes, the Mustang Boss 429, Pontiac Trans Am, and Camaro RS 396 are considered in the muscle car category just as a Nova SS or a Dodge Demon would be.
Ducati Minor
Actually, the 'Cuda 340. The small-block muscle was much more manageable without the major understeer and nose-heaviness. And you don't have the ridiculous six-figure price tag.
94 Taurus owner
Either A mustang or Charger/Challenger.
94 Taurus owner
Aha thanks for reminding me Ducati Minor The 55 chrysler C300
(aka bankers buick)
The Stig
LOL @ whoever said AMC
Another vote here for the original Cobra
500XL
The 1967 Ford Galaxy 500XL VIN code "L", 427-4V V-8 SOHC "CAMMER".Very rare ,Ford still doesn't admit to them but their are a few still around.
Cicero
AMC was a great company, the Javelin and AMX were great cars
Cicero
I forgot to mention the Rambler was a great car
Bald-win
The Australian Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III (1971) would be my favourite. However, the "Mad Max" factor makes the Australian Ford Falcon XB GT (1973-1976) quite attractive as well.
Carlos
I'd have to say one that gets over 20 mpg lol. No seriously my vote is on a 427 Cuda in Plum Crazy Purple!
bepsf
Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9
Mena
Cayman S? Oh, muscle car...ummmm....uhhhh....I kind of like Impala's so I would say a '67 SS 427. The 68/69's had more hp but I like the look of the 67's more.
Steve
I'll stay away from too much detail...
But one of my personal faves was the Fairlane Thunderbolt... Oh so hot.
mike c.
The only muscle car I've driven is my fathers 67 SS Chevelle with the 396 and 350HP. I drove it until I broke it, then my father sold it for a station wagon. I always liked the look of the Camaro Rally Sport from the mid to late 60's the best though.
Trinks
1969 Pontiac Trans Am.
Scott
If George's vote counts as valid, then I will have to say Bentley 4 1/2, supercharged or not, otherwise I would pick a Challenger/Barracuda
George K
69 Grand Prix 428 JS HO. (HIGH OUTPUT) 370 hp.
Where faster than GTO at that time.
57 Pontiac Fuelie ran great too. (RARE)
George K
I forgot the 53 Hudson Hornet. Great car.
FPF422
old: The first GTO.... like the one in the pic
new: The Mercedes Benz C63
Tim
General Lee, the Dodge Charger
If a Viper counts, it comes a close second
Robert C
What a huge response. I gotta go with a GTO "Judge".
Jeff
My vote is for the '04 and up GTO. A hopped up version of a standard car, the Holden Commodore/Monaro. A friend got one in '04 and preceded to whip a M3 on a winding road (granted the bimmer driver may have lacked some talent). Something no preceding muscle car could of thought of trying. What a novel idea, a big coupe that can do more than go straight!
Paul In Jersey
Mazdaspeed 3
MJK
'70 Buick GSX 4 speed
Mike B
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
The Ultimate Muscle Cars...
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