Muscle cars are worshipped worldwide and even in India, where the car culture is just rising up, these monsters have started to make their presence felt. These cars are famous because of their powerful V8 engines block body designs and memorable sounds.
This blog will discuss the significant muscle cars of their times and explain why such cars will always be relevant in history.
Car Model | Engine Options | Transmission |
Ford Mustang [1964] | 4.7L V8 (271 hp), 7.0L V8 (355 hp) (Shelby GT500) | Manual, Automatic |
Chevrolet Camaro
[1967] |
5.7L V8 (295 hp), 6.5L V8 (375 hp) (Z/28) | Manual, Automatic |
Dodge Charger [1968] | 6.3L V8 (330 hp), 7.2L V8 (375 hp), 7.0L Hemi V8 (425 hp) | Manual, Automatic |
Plymouth Barracuda [1970] | 6.3L V8 (330 hp), 7.0L Hemi V8 (425 hp) | Manual, Automatic |
Pontiac GTO [1964] | 6.4L V8 (325 hp), 7.5L V8 (370 hp) (The Judge) | Manual, Automatic |
Chevrolet Chevelle SS [1970] |
7.4L V8 with output power of 450 horses (LS6) |
Manual, Automatic |
Plymouth Road Runner [1968] | 6.3L V8 (339 hp), 7.0L Hemi V8 (427 hp) | Manual, Automatic |
Oldsmobile 442 [1968] | 7.5L V8 (365 hp) | Manual, Automatic |
Mercury Cougar [1967] | 4.7L V8 (320 hp), 7.0L V8 (425 hp) | Manual, Automatic |
Buick GSX [1970] | 7.5L V8 (360 hp) | Manual, Automatic |
1.Chevrolet Chevelle SS (1970)
- When it comes to the king of the streets, one of the best muscle cars of 1970 is the Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6.known for its muscular engine and its stunning appearance, the Automatic Muscle car Chevelle SS was amongst the very limited ones made during those times. This car was king on the drag strip back in the day, and even now it is one of the most badass muscle cars ever built.
- Engine Option – 6.6L V8 with power out 360 horses
- 7.4L V8 with output power of 450 horses (LS6)
- Transmission: Manual and automatic.
2.Pontiac GTO (1964)
- The Pontiac GTO, 1964, is considered the first “muscle car’ with a significant contribution to automotive history. It has a design that is both curvaceous and aggressive, making heads turn with its unique styling. It was the Pontiac GTO that made it to the segment of the best muscle cars.
- Engine Options: 325 V8 engine 6.4 litres, 370 hp (The Judge model) 7.5L
- Transmission: Manual and automatic.
3.Plymouth Barracuda (1970)
- While the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda captivates with its features, what makes it stand out the most is the 426 Hemi engine that’s packed under the hood. The engine fitted with 4-barrel carburettors delivers immense power and performance. In addition, the energetic 1970 Plymouth Barracuda design makes it still stand as one of the most iconic muscle cars ever built.
- Engine Options: 6.3L V8 (330 hp), 7.0L Hemi V8 (425 hp)
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
4.Dodge Charger (1968)
- The 1968 Charger Daytona was one of the first cars with an aircraft wing inspired rear spoiler. For those fortunate enough to buy one of the 505 available units, this was an expensive buy. In road cars having a 7.0-litre 426 was able to unleash 425 horsepower with a 0-60 in just 4.8 seconds.
- Engine Options: Engine 6.3L V8 develops output of 330 horsepower
- Transmission: Available in both manual and automatic styles
- Must Read: How German Car Brands Redefined Performance and Safety
5.Plymouth Road Runner (1968)
- When it comes to epic automobiles from the 1970s that can accelerate to 60 mph in less than five seconds ridiculous for such times and come with a “Road Runner” horn look no further than the Plymouth division. The massive V-8 engine accompanied by a pair of Carter carburettors is rated at 425 hp by the manufacturer, Plymouth Road Runner was amongst the best muscle cars.
- Engine Options: V8 6.3L 339 hp and V8 7.0L 427 hp
- Transmission: Manual and automatic
6.Oldsmobile 442 (1968)
- The Oldsmobile W30 part of the best muscle cars in the 60’s added some more go-faster and go-farther elements such as a working hood scoop, an aluminium intake, and a better cam. Of the 442 that were produced, there were 3,100 such examples, however, only 264 were open-topped variants.
- Engine Options: 7.5L V8 at 365 hp
- Transmission: Available with both manual and automatic transmissions
7.Mercury Cougar (1967)
- The Cougar, of which 150,000 units were produced in 1967. Of those, 12 thousand units were dressed up to GT trim. Beneath those rotating headlamps sits a 390 cubic inch Marauder GT V-8 engine which churns out 320 hp. All that power easily pushed the Mercury Cougar into the top 10 best muscle cars.
- Engines Options: 4.7L V8 with 320 hp; 7.0L V8 425 hp.
- Transmission: Manual and automatic.
8.Ford Mustang (1964)
- The 1969 Ford Mustang is known for being an icon and easily in the top 10 best muscle cars with limited production. It was a modified version of the car, meant. Its components like the forged internals, emissions, and compression ratio were designed for competition rather than road use making it a competitive race car.
- Engine Options:271 HP with a 4.7 L V8 engine and 355 HP 7.0 L V8 shelby gt500
- Transmission: Both Automatic and Manual offered
9.Chevy Camaro(1967)
- Chevy Camaro Defined by its angular but muscular body and ‘dog-dish’ hubcaps, this was the quickest Bowtie-branded production car ever built. It was also painfully underrated; official figures suggested that the Chevy Camaro was rated at 430 hp, but testing on a dynamometer showed that it was in fact 525 hp. A strong contender in the best muscle cars division.
- Engine Options: 5.7L V8 engine, with a maximum of 295HP (in SS trim)
- 6.5L V8 engine rated at 375 HP (in Z/28 trim)
- Transmission: Manual and automatic transmissions offered
10.Buick GSX (1970)
- The horsepower and torque figures, upon testing on the Buick GSX, escalated to 300 hp. With a top speed of 0-60 in flat 4.7 seconds with stability that was unbeatable at that time. Made Buick a Good muscle car choice back in the day
- Engine Options: 7.5 L V8 with an output of 360 bhp;
- Transmission: Manual and an auto mode
The Pinnacle of Performance
Great Muscle Cars Will Always Be in Fashion The passion for muscle cars is everlasting. Their distinct V8 growls and sporty, yet elegant shapes are bound to attract and excite us. There will always be muscle cars in the automobile industry as long as there are automobile enthusiasts who enjoy power and a bit of excitement. Be it for the adventurous ride of speeding up or the beautiful forms of classic muscle cars, the history of these cars will never be forgotten.
Check this out: From the Streets to the Track: The Performance Legacy of Muscle Cars