What gets your vote for the greatest muscle car? There might be a handful of cars that you would objectively consider as strong candidates for this title. However, if you said that the ‘64 Dodge Dart with the straight six, for example, this would be an answer that you simply couldn’t defend, regardless of the guidelines we might establish.
The word “greatest” can mean many things to many people. I think that this question could be restated as “Which muscle car best represents the era?”
I suggest the following guidelines for consideration of this question:
- Car must be from the muscle car era (1964 – 1974) *.
- Must be widely available–no limited production numbers.
- Can’t have a price that makes it super exclusive.
* Our definition of the Muscle Car Era includes model years 1964 through 1974, inclusive. There were cars with large, high performance engines before this, and these cars and engines are covered in the “Pre-Muscle Car Era” section.
Notice that we’re not necessarily talking about the quickest car or the highest horsepower car. You also have to factor out your personal preferences. I’ll always have a special spot for Pontiacs, but in considering this question, that really shouldn’t enter the equation.
Later model performance cars, as nice as some are, don’t qualify; we’re talking vintage only. The Shelby Cobra doesn’t qualify, nor do the L88 and L89 Corvettes. Same for COPO or Yenko Camaros.
What further guidelines might we use to qualify candidates? (This is purely subjective, mind you)
Consider these:
- Cars that earned a special place in American culture.
- Models that were particularly popular.
- Trendsetters.
- Set benchmarks for power or performance.
- Big block engines only.
- Had at least one package with 13 second capability.
- Cars that had no low-po, “mom’s car” four door models offered.
(Some might not agree with 4 – 7)
The Candidates
Some vehicles do come into mind. In no particular order:
Pontiac GTO
This was the vehicle that created the market segment. It had plenty of image and market appeal, and sold in good numbers for most of its life. Features like Tri-Power helped, too. Never the fastest, but always competitive. Ram Air IV heads with round exhaust ports were killer, factory rated a mere 4Hp more than the RA III. Sounds like they didn’t want to sell many.
Candidate: 1969 Pontiac GTO Ram Air IV; Alternate: 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power
Ford Mustang
An absolute trendsetter, like no other. This vehicle established the pony car segment and was widely copied. Offered in anything from ho-hum straight six to rubber burning 428, but always sporty. Array of body styles, and constant refreshing of styling. What weight should you give the fact that it is still built, more or less continuously since 1964? Boss 429 is too rare, and the Boss 302 was a low production small block. The 428 was hilariously underrated at 335Hp, helping to keep the insurance guys happy.
Candidate: 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet; Alternate: 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390.
Chevrolet Corvette
A unique kind of American car. Not really a trendsetter, given its uniqueness. Tons of image, though. Instant recognition–nobody asks “what’s that car?” Bar setter in terms of overall performance, even excluding the “race only” big blocks that were sold in small numbers. In terms of acceleration, as quick as anything. Performance small blocks were available, too. Kind of expensive for the average person, though. Continuous production since ‘53!
Candidate: 1967 Chevy Corvette 427 Tri-power; Alternate: 1968 Chevy Corvette 427 Tri-power
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
A late comer to the party. First seen in 1969, but in really small numbers. The ‘70 – ‘74 models were gorgeous. I’d say classic styling. Oodles of image. Built in large numbers. The only versions that were true performance contenders were the ‘71-’72 455 HO and the ‘73-’74 SD 455. These would run with about anything built in the previous decade.
Candidate: 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty 455
Chevrolet Camaro
A bit of a late comer, with its introduction in 1967. The 396 was “the” engine to have. No performance small blocks, with the notable exception of the Z28. The first generation (‘67-’69) holds a place of honor, even though the early ‘70’s were striking. A huge number of 396 cars were sold.
Candidate: 1969 Chevy Camaro 396 375Hp RS SS; Alternate: 1970 Chevy Camaro SS 454
Chevrolet Chevelle
This model predated the muscle car era and played a huge role in it. Tons of options and wonderful 325/350/375hp 396 rat engine. The top shelf 396 was shy of cubes compared to the Fords and Mopars, but when well set up, it could run with almost anything. The 454 LS5 and LS6 were great, but arrived when the party was pretty much over. Yeah, there was aunt Nelly’s 307 4dr version, too, so the claim to any exclusivity was gone, but still. ‘70 LS6 gets the nod for highest factory horsepower rating for the era.
Candidate: 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 (375hp); Alternate: 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 LS6 (450hp)
Dodge Charger
This car had it all–longevity, popularity, killer styling and a wealth of power plants, including the 383, 440 Magnum, 426 Hemi and 440 Six-Pack. It played a part in American culture, too, being well represented on both small and big screens.
Though it came after the era a bit, what bigger automotive star was there than the General? (Please, please, please don’t say K.I.T.T.)
Candidate: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 4bbl; Alternate: 1970 Dodge Charger 440 Six-Pak
1970 Buick Gran Sport 455
I’m specifying the 455 specifically, since this engine was extraordinary and Buick had no other engine that you can say that about. Might as well specify the 1970 while we’re at it, as this was unquestionably the Buick high water mark. The best example of comfort and performance. Stage II over-the-counter offering had the racers covered, too. GSX was striking even if it was a blatant rip-off of the GTO Judge. Rather low production numbers, though. A big stone dropped into a bigger pond.
Candidate: 1970 Buick Stage 1 GSX 455
Plymouth Road Runner
This vehicle absolutely has to be on the list. It was the first and most successful “budget muscle car”. It was affordable, it had recognition, it had broad market appeal, it had a beep-beep horn! Wide range of great engines, including the elephant. What didn’t it have? A truly sporty interior, a good ride quality and roll down rear quarter windows. 383 was affordable, with huge bang-for-the-buck.
Candidate: 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner 383; Alternate: 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner 440 4bbl.
1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W30
This car deserves to be on the list for more than one reason. The 442 had a sort of image that was hard to define. Innumerable people asked “What does ‘442’ stand for?” The answer: 4bbl carb, four speed trans, dual exhaust. “Elephant Engine Ernie” and “Dr. Oldsmobile” marketing was brilliant. W30 option had some special appeal. An adult’s performance car.
Candidate: 1970 Olds 442 455 W30
Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
This model can only be represented by the 426 Hemi; everything else is an also-ran. Great pony car, but late to the party. Sure, some copies have gone in later years for $1M+, but that’s not a qualifier. Eye catching colors and graphics available. Fabulous model that died young.
Candidate: 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
All Hail the Coke Bottle
Many of the performance cars at this time had “Coke bottle” styled bodies, with the middle of the car being pinched in, as with a waist. This reflected the jet fighter design of the day, which followed the Whitcomb Area Rule. Richard Whitcomb was working at the predecessor of NASA in the early ‘50’s and came to realize that this design drastically reduced drag in the speed range of Mach .8 to Mach 1.2. Modern aircraft, including airliners, still follow this rule, though it’s usually not as obvious.
What’s Missing?
There are plenty of great models that didn’t make the list, for one or more reasons. Don’t get me wrong–I’d proudly own any of these cars.
Let’s look at a few that we’re going to disqualify. Both the Boss 302 and the Camaro Z/28 were small blocks, and the GMC has to be a big block, doesn’t it? We’re talking about the one car that best captured the flavor of the era, which was defined by big block engines, despite the fact that there were some outstanding small blocks to be had. Same for hi-po 340 and 350 powered cars.
Fuel Injected Corvettes were too exclusive and too expensive. In fact, we really have to disqualify all Corvettes. They were key fixtures during this era, and they are justifiably well represented on any “Top Muscle Cars” list. I think that the Corvette was a parallel phenomenon that intersected with the mainstream muscle car market and was influenced by it, but didn’t itself influence the muscle car in return. The ‘Vette existed before and after the muscle car era and one might imagine what the Corvette would have looked like had the muscle car era never occurred. (It’s an interesting topic to think about!)
Shelby Cobras, Plymouth Super Birds, and Dodge Daytona’s were also too exclusive and expensive. You might notice that there are no contenders from Mercury or American Motors. This doesn’t mean that they didn’t have any great cars, just that none that would make our short list.
My Choice?
I’m going to put forth my choice, which is a car that I’ve never owned: the Dodge Charger 440 Magnum 4bbl, in particular the newly restyled 1968.
This car had everything you could ask for: killer styling inside and out, a great engine in the 440, with other very capable offerings (383, 440/6, 426), image and sex appeal, great transmissions, and huge market acceptance. The 440 was a strong performer and this option wouldn’t break the bank, like some optional engines of its competitors might. A well setup Charger 440 didn’t need to back away from anyone.
I struggled to justify my choice over the Chevelle SS 396 375hp. This is, in fact, a car that I’ve long envied. I couldn’t see giving the nod to the Chevelle, though. As well rounded a vehicle as it was, there isn’t a category where it exceeds the Charger.
The Charger had you covered from mild to wild, and while there were tame versions, there were no 4-door “mom’s car” versions offered. If I had to pick a single car to represent the muscle car era, this would be the one. Maybe not the “best” or the “fastest”, but to me it’s the quintessential muscle car.
