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3 Unlikely Muscle Cars

0 comments By Sam Filed in Uncategorized December 2nd, 2012 @ 8:04 pm

Muscle cars used to be ultra masculine sedans with super hefty V8s under the hood. Today, the definition has become a bit looser, as we usually tend to consider a car “muscular,” as long as it seats 4 and offers some intense horsepower and pickup. Although it was tough, we decide to narrow down the massive list of higher end cars that fall into this category, to what we think are the top 3.

1. Jaguar S-Type R

So, maybe in the old fashioned sense of the word, this Jaguar is not a muscle car, but we couldn’t help but include it in this short list as it out-raced top muscle cars in the 60′s. On top of that, it’s agile, stylish, and ultra luxurious, which certainly doesn’t hurt our attraction to it. After all, who can resist that patented grill and headlights?

2. Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

It never ceases to floor us how quick the E55 AMG is off the line, while remaining as upscale and sophisticated as ever. It’ll make you forget about a 0-60 rating, and make you focus on 0-150. Yes, it is that fast. We guarantee nobody will be laughing at your rev of the engine at a stoplight.

3. BMW M3

Finally, there the BMW M3. Really, what’s there not to like about this vehicle. It’s nimble, it’s compact, and it delivers a whopping 333 hp. Not to make you nervous, but we have no doubt the valet guy will get a kick out of parking this one.

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5 Incredible Muscle Cars of the 1970s

0 comments By Sam Filed in Ford, Pontiac Tagged with October 10th, 2012 @ 8:23 am

Unfortunately, the 70′s was a time of disco and bell bottoms, but don’t get us wrong, the decade wasn’t all bad – it actually produced some of the classic muscle cars America is still obsessed with to this day. We’d actually like to take a moment to tell you about the few that really continue to encourage our need for speed.

We’re all familiar with “Smokey and the Bandit,” and this is where America truly became infatuated with the Pontiac Trans Am SD 455. Although the model featured in the movie was the ’77, we think the ’74 was the superior vehicle, as it had a stronger engine that we still can’t help but put the pedal to the metal.

What kind of shortlist would this be if we didn’t include a Mustang? Not a very good one. Another 70′s muscle car that needs to be mentioned is the 1971 Boss 351 Mustang. We get chills just thinking about its incredible 429-cid big block V-8, and actually hearing the bad boy in action is an otherworldly experience, to say the least. Also who couldn’t love its patented aerodynamic aesthetic and its sleek racing stripe?

A pick of ours that may surprise you for one reason or another is the 1970 Buick Skylark GSX — one reason for this is probably that the “muscle car” wasn’t and isn’t exactly Buick’s forte. Nevertheless, the ’70 Skylark GSX proved to be a powerful car, and is still an interesting little nugget in muscle car history.

If you like articles like this one, check out our review of the best musclecars of the 1960s. You can also check out our sponsor, Amerifleet Solutions for all your fleet maintenance needs.

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History Of The Dodge Coronet

0 comments By Sam Filed in Dodge September 11th, 2012 @ 3:25 pm

With Dodge’s rich history of vehicles, one of the badges now retired is the late, great Dodge Coronet. As one of the first vehicles to hit the post-war streets, the Coronet was once a top trim among Dodge sedans—though after being replaced for a time in the ‘50s by the flagship Custom Royal, the Coronet finally got to go out with a relative bang in the form of the suped-up Dodge Coronet Super Bee, a premium, limited-production muscle car.

The Early Years (1949-1954)

As the model leading the Dodge line straight out the door in post-war America, the Dodge Coronet began as a symbol of refinement and power; its flat-head straight six-cylinder engine allowed the Coronet to move pretty well at up to 90 mph with 103 hp, but it was also the only model offered in a four-door limousine trim. Throughout the early ‘50s the Coronet would get several relatively minor upgrades to its exterior and interior look, except for in 1953 when the Coronet got a full makeover—particularly a 3.9L “Red Ram” HEMI V8. The 1953 model would actually go on to set several land-speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Middle Years (1955 – 1959)

The early fifties were rough years for Dodge, having nearly been driven bankrupt. The line of 1953 and ’54 model Dodge vehicles were not selling the way parent company Chrysler needed them to; so, armed with an enormous bailout loan from Prudential, Chrysler Corporation moved in a completely new direction with a fresh Dodge lineup. The Coronet badge would survive the transition, but as a lower-level base trim, with models like the Royal and Custom Royal taking precedence.

The release of the D-500 Coronet signaled a potential change for the classic; designed almost exclusively for competition in NASCAR, the D-500 and the D-500-1 were the fastest cars from Chrysler that year.

The Muscle Era (1965 – 1970)

After a couple years on hiatus, the Dodge Coronet returned in force. Taking over the Dodge Polara namesake, it went on as a mid-sized sedan to outsell every other Dodge vehicle that year. The urge to use the Coronet for muscle was still there, as a few vehicles went into production modified for NHRA drag racing. In 1968, the Coronet began to engage in the muscle wars in full force with the R/T and Super Bee trims which featured the raw power of the 426ci HEMI V8; the Super Bee in particular was a formidable racing model, boosting upwards of 390 hp.

The End of the Coronet (1971 – 1976)

While the Super Bee and R/T were in production up until 1970, the Coronet sales began to fall as redesigns brought the model closer and closer to Chrysler branding and model overlap. With only minor changes, the 1976 model was the last year of the Coronet name, which was retired in favor of the Dodge Monaco. While the Coronet may be gone now, it leaves a legacy of muscle power that won’t be forgotten.

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The Awesome 1984 Corvette

0 comments By Sam Filed in Chevy August 21st, 2012 @ 7:42 pm

The 1984 Chevrolet Corvette represented a revolution in the sports car world. It represented the first of Chevy’s C4 (or fourth-generation Corvette) platform, and represented the first redesign of the Corvette in 15 years. The C4 would continue to evolve until 1996, when it was redesigned, but nevertheless, drivers all over the country have a particular fondness for the legendary 1984 model. In its heyday, it drew praise for its performance and sophistication, and it certainly stands the test of time.

The 1984 Corvette bore a modern, sleek look that has shaped every Corvette since, bearing a distinct, aggressive set of styling cues. For one thing, molding plastics were used to construct its rear bumpers and panels, whereas fiberglass was used for its predecessors. The 1984 model also bears the distinction of a glass hatchback — the first production Corvette to have one. Meanwhile, the digital LCD instrument cluster lent it a futuristic look and feel on the inside.

As emissions regulations were very in instable at the time, the focus of the 1984 Corvette was very much on style and handling as opposed to power. New brakes with aluminum calipers speak to this design choice, as was the unit-body frame, which, frankly, has its share of detractors. This choice, coupled with the emphasis on providing precision handling, made this car susceptible to squeaks, rattles, and other noises due to compromises with regard to sound deadening features. It also features deep door sills, making entry and exit difficult for some.

This isn’t to say that the 1984 Corvette didn’t pack a fair amount of punch — after all, we’d be hard-pressed to call it a classic sports car otherwise. It came equipped with a 5.7L L83 V8 engine that was good for 205 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. It was also available with a Doug Nash 4+3 transmission, in which a four-speed manual was paired with an automatic overdrive on the top three gears — this is an option that would continue to be available through the 1988 model.

While it has its fair share of merits, the unit-body construction is a major negative. That said, the 1984 Corvette is notable for being a foundational vehicle in the Corvette’s evolution.

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A Brief History Of The Chevy Nova

0 comments By Sam Filed in Chevy Tagged with August 19th, 2012 @ 8:21 pm

Most muscle cars have prime years that their legendary status is based on, and the Chevy Nova is no exception. Though originally designed as a stripped-down budget car, it eventually featured hopped-up features gearheads loved.

The four decade long history of the Chevy Nova begins in 1962 when GM premiered it as the Chevy II. With a modest six-cylinder 120 hp engine with rear-wheel drive, its unassuming looks managed to charm some drivers. This was most likely due to the range of body choices, such as convertible, sedan and station wagon. The first and second generations of production from 1962-1965 and 1965-1967 where somewhat lack luster, mostly because Chevy introduced other powerful cars during this time, like the Chevelle and the Camaro.

It wasn’t until 1968, when the third generation of this compact pony car began, that it was finally named the Nova for the 1969 model year. A variety of improvements were introduced, like maximizing the displacement of the V8 engines to 402 cubic inches. In that same year, the Super Sport trim, originally introduced in 1963, came into its own. The Nova SS was the most sport-oriented design yet, which included a more firm suspension and V8 options that could churn out 375 hp. It’s this third generation of Nova that became the most well known, thanks to race car driver Don Yenko. He began customizing the coupe and made it clear to fans how well it could perform when modified with a heftier body frame and burlier suspension.

The fourth generation of the Nova lasted from 1974-1979. GM shifted to a more luxurious design for this iteration. The two-speed gearboxes were discontinued and drivers began seeing it as a dependable option on the market. Ironically, the demise of the Nova line came about when GM shifted their product focus to front-wheel drive models, and production was ended in February of 1978.

In a strange twist of fate, the Nova nameplate was resurrected from 1985-1988. GM reintroduced it as a boxy subcompact vehicle with a soupy suspension. Gearheads wept, but thankfully the manufacturer retired the Nova badge in 1988 and renamed the line Prizm, which was housed under the Geo wing.

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Brief History Of The Chevrolet Corvette

0 comments By Sam Filed in Chevy July 22nd, 2012 @ 7:42 pm

Are you a fan of the all-American muscle car Chevy Corvette? This classic luxury sports car has been a fan favorite among drivers all over the world for many years – and with good reason. Between the high class interior, high-tech technology, the sleek interior, and powerful engine, it’s no surprise to see the Chevrolet Corvette land on the top of must-have and dream car lists.
For all you car history buffs, here is a brief history on the popular Chevrolet Corvette.
It all started in 1951. GM designer Harley Earl invented the luxury sports car after drawing inspiration from great European sports cars. He then wanted to create an American sports vehicle that people can take and compete with on the racetrack. In June 1953, the Chevy Corvette was first rolled out of the factory in Flint, Michigan. The name Corvette came from a line of small, but very fast ships that were used in World War II. Now, more than 1.5 million Corvettes have been built and sold all around the world to many happy car owners.
During the early 1960s the Chevy Corvette really started growing. During this time, production nearly tripled from 10,000 cars each year to almost 27,000 cars per year. There were a few engine options and multiple special performance editions being offered, including the original racing-oriented Corvette Grand Sport.
The growth of technology didn’t hold the Chevy Corvette back. In fact, the most recent edition is a technologically advanced sports car that was designed to have the ability of competing in the highest levels of performance. It didn’t take long for Chevy to join the competition of other automotive makers to add racetrack horsepower engines. The latest edition of the Corvette ZR1 has amazing speed capabilities of more than 200 mph.
The Chevrolet Corvette has always been a classic luxury sports car and it’s going to be interesting to see what the future has in store. One thing is for sure, car buyers will continue hitting the Internet and various dealerships to see the amazing new and returning features that are sure-to-be included in future models.

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Top 10 Muscle Cars Of The 1960s

0 comments By Sam Filed in Ford Tagged with , July 15th, 2012 @ 10:50 am

With the austerity and veneer of the 1950s safely under the rug, the American automotive industry took off in a way that seems natural now, but that no one at the time could have predicted with the advent of what is now known as the ‘muscle car’. Car enthusiasts before the 1960s had defined performance in scientific terms, but the muscle car movement made it into an art form. These high performing and highly customizable vehicles spawned a whole new culture of vehicles for the average American, who could now afford a hot rod. This attitude has been depicted in movies like American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused with great success. So now Muscle Car Federation is here to give you a rundown of some of the vehicles that defined the genre we have become fervently attached to. There may be a few notable omissions, but we’re just getting started; see our follow-up top-ten for more cars in the twilight of the muscle’s heyday.

● The 65’ Pontiac GTO package: essentially a performance-driven trim option, the GTO was one of the first muscle configurations available to US drivers. The first of anything should always be on a list.

● The 69’ Ford Mustang 429: Known as the ‘boss’, the 69’ Mustang came outfitted with a hemi engine and a reputation for endurance street-racing. Its legacy survives to this day.

● 67’ Camaro: Built in 66’ for the 67’ model year, the original Camaro made baby-steps into the muscle world with its 140hp engine, but later added a near 300hp model to satisfy drivers.

● 66’ Shelby Cobra: Known for being ‘too powerful’ for its design, the Shelby Cobra is prized among collectors and is one of the most unique-looking American muscle cars of the 60s.

● 68’ Corvette: Nothing substitutes for a late 60s Vette. The Corvette Z88 or Stingray is one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time, and still a collector favorite.

● 69’ COPO Chevelle: This car catered specifically to hobbyists and enthusiasts; it was, in fact, a ‘mail-order hotrod’ with a limited 320 model run.

● 68’ Plymouth Road-Runner: Nothing cartoonish about the Roadrunner. This Plymouth boasted a Hemi engine that the Mustang found hard to keep up with.

● 69’ ZL1 Camaro: The baddest of the bads. This model Camaro had an amazing 500hp engine and was a rare and deadly weapon for those lucky enough to use it.

● 68’ Dodge Charger: If there was a number one spot on this list, the Charger would be in it. V8? Check. Upwards of 400hp? Check. Reference by Vin Diesel? Check.

● 69’ Ford Mustang Cobra Jet: This was the one that broke the bank at Ford. The most widely competed for and competed against muscle car of the 60s and 70s. Still in high demand.

If you haven’t gotten your fill of muscle yet, read our rundown of 1970s performance legends at Muscle Car Federation.

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Top 10 Muscle Cars Of The 1970s

0 comments By Sam Filed in Uncategorized July 8th, 2012 @ 10:50 am

While it was the 1960s, particularly the Ford Mustang, that literally created the ‘high performance’ market known today as the ‘muscle’ segment, it was the 1970s that brought about the most improvements and widest variety of models. As someone who considers themselves an automotive classicist, I thought it would be a worthy exercise to rundown a few of the shag-carpet-era’s best cars that I’ve had the privilege to drive; in case you were considering picking one of them up for yourself:

● The Ford Thunderbird: Oddly enough, this car was also prompted by the advent of the Ford Mustang to add a performance package — the market was literally that huge. The “T-Bird” shifted from a luxury sedan to a performance coupe around the late 60s, with its best models hitting the streets in the early seventies before yet another redesign.

● 1970 Buick GSX: Muscle was so hot that even Buick got on board in the 70s. Yet, the GSX is a perfect contender: nearly 400hp and did the quarter mile in just a shod over 13 seconds.

● 1970 Dodge Challenger: Now this was the car I remembered from my youthful Saturday nights. The Dodge Challenger was the car to beat, with 425hp and a limited production-run, this car was gold as soon as it came off assembly lines.

● 1970 Plymouth Barracuda: Yet another year 1970 entry, the Hemi-outfitted Plymouth boasted over 400hp and some eye-catching designs. Easy choice for our list.

● 1970 454 Chevelle SS: This one was so proud of its overall horsepower that it included the number in its name. That’s right, this car could get an amazing 454 horses out of it.

● 1970 Oldsmobile 442: Another sedan manufacturer turned muscle-monster, the Olds 442 got — you guessed it — 442hp, and had a classic look to boot.

● 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner: Although it made its debut a few years earlier, Plymouth did quite well in our segment given their ability to pump out muscle without pumping up the price. Here’s to another Roadrunner.

● The last three slots on our list rightfully belong to the Mustang, which grandfathered the muscle-market and dominated it with three performance options throughout the 1970s: the Mustang Cobra 429, the Mustang Mach 1, and the classic Mustang ‘Boss’ 351.

I hate to see the Mustang take up so much space, but I must admit, I took the safe route in high school and bought a used one so I wouldn’t have to lose to my friends on our suburban adventures. All in all, you couldn’t go wrong with one of these cars on our list at Muscle Car Federation.

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro – Old School Pony Car Muscle

0 comments By Sam Filed in Chevy Tagged with , June 19th, 2012 @ 9:45 am

In September of 1966, Chevrolet debuted the first line of what would become a staple of the American sports car for the next 50 years. Just three years later, the 1969 Chevy Camaro was produced and would be forever known as one of the greatest muscle cars ever made. Not only was the 1969 the last model of the first generation Camaro, but it is also the inspiration behind the new, retro fifth generation Chevy Camaro.

In 2010, Chevrolet celebrated their 100 birthday and named the 1969 Camaro the best Chevy EVER! Its extreme popularity, revolutionary technology and timeless design all played into being named Chevy’s best ever automobile. The aggressive look of the ‘69 Camaro was longer and lower than the other first generation models. The wheel wells were flattened out and the frame featured sculpted lines that flowed off the rear. Single, round headlights were featured at the ends of the grille to give the Camaro a unique and sporty front end. This Camaro was also featured in an astonishing 18 exterior colors, including Tuxedo Black, Dover White, Garnet Red, Hugger Orange, Rallye Green and Burgundy.

Under the Hood of the ‘69 Camaro
The ‘69 model was the only year the legendary aluminum Z1 engine was offered, and the Z28 SS/RS performance package allowed the Camaro to compete in the Trans-Am racing series. This Camaro was far more than average under the hood, as the Z28 carried a 302-cid V8 with an 85-cfm four barrel carburetor that was good for close to 400 hp. Another option for the 1969 Camaro Z28 was the cowl-induction hood. This hood has a valve that snapped open at 80% throttle to draw in cool air from the base of the windshield to cool down the engine. A Hurst-shifted close-ratio four-speed transmission was standard in all 1969 Camaro models.
As one of the premier sports cars in American automotive history, the 1969 Chevy Camaro was a trendsetting vehicle for many classic muscle cars. Its unique exterior design and cutting edge technology paved the way for sports cars for years to come.

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Pontiac Trans Am : A Brief History

0 comments By Sam Filed in Pontiac June 19th, 2012 @ 9:38 am

The Pontiac Trans Am is one of the first muscle cars produced by Pontiac. After watching the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro become successful, Pontiac introduced the Firebird in 1967. Like most pony cars of that era, the Firebird came with either six or eight cylinder engines that produced a lot of horsepower. The Firebird shared a lot of common parts with the Chevrolet Camaro; however the Firebird was able to produce its own unique identity with its distinctive grille and beaked hood. In 1968 the Firebird underwent some slight upgrades that included offering a more powerful engine. The 400 HO, which stands for High Output, produced 335 hp and established that the Pontiac Trans Am was going to be a performance car that will stand the test of time.

Pontiac continued to make the Firebird Trans Am, which became a very popular vehicle for Pontiac. Muscle car companies looked up to the Trans Am for its aggressive styling and outstanding performance. The Trans Am was featured in some classic films that helped establish the pony car as the car that everybody wanted. The Firebird Trans Am was also known for the Firebird logo that was placed on the hood of the vehicle. The Firebird logo helped to cement the vehicle as an American icon and made the Trans Am a vehicle that would go down forever in American automotive history.

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