Identified and beloved because of their speed and power, the so-called “muscle cars” include a wide variety of high-performance vehicles. When cars were becoming as much about appearance and design as about function in the 1960s and 1970s, many auto manufacturers wanted to offer the best looking model. This is when some of the wildest muscle cars were created. Since that time, muscle cars have continued to evolve in style and capability. We have compiled a list of 10 America’s most popular muscle cars.
Pontiac GTO (1964-1969)
When it was first released in 1964, the Pontiac GTO had a bigger V8 engine than previous models, and it borrowed its trim design and name from Ferrari’s 250 GTO. The GTO featured a restyled body with optional hideaway headlights and splashy stripes or decals, which caught the attention of many buyers. The GTO remains a popular muscle car up to this day, with its value rising higher each year.
Specifications for the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge:
- Engine – 6.5L V8 Ram Air IV
- Horsepower – 370 hp
- Maximum speed – 112mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration –6.2 seconds
- Original price – $4,500 fully equipped
- Current top value* – $67,200
Chevrolet Chevelle SS/LS (1966-1970)
The Chevrolet Chevelle was originally conceived and manufactured as an under-powered family vehicle. However, the inclusion of an engine with more cubic inches transformed the Chevelle into a classic muscle car available as a sport coupe or a convertible, which made many muscle car enthusiasts want it immediately, and with specs like the ones below, who can really blame them?
Specifications for the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6:
- Engine – 7.4L V8
- Horsepower – 450hp
- Maximum speed – 118mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 6.1 seconds
- Original price – $5,100 fully equipped
- Current top value* – $186,000
Shelby GT 500KR (1967-1970)
Photo by Frank Schwichtenberg (Schwicht de Burgh Photography) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Ford created its ultimate pony car when it rolled out the Shelby GT 500KR, its “King of the Road.” This was the company’s most powerful Mustang that was redesigned from front to back end. The Shelby GT was a limited release model, only produced for a couple of years during collaboration between Ford and Carroll Shelby. The fact that the model was a limited edition made it more valuable over the years, and the price keeps on rising steadily.
Specifications for the 1968 Shelby GT 500KR:
- Engine – Cobra Jet V8
- Horsepower – 335hp
- Maximum speed – 140 mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 6.5 seconds
- Original price – $4,594
- Current top value* – $229,000
Dodge Charger R/T 440 (1968-1969)
The second gen Dodge Charger got its distinguishable Coke-bottle-shaped exterior, a design made famous by Steve McQueen and the television program The Dukes of Hazzard. However, it is not just the exterior appearance that makes this Charger one of the most beloved of the muscle cars; it is also the comfortable interior and the power under the hood that increased the car’s popularity.
Specifications for the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T 440:
- Engine – 6.2L V8, optional Hemi
- Horsepower – 325hp / 425hp (Hemi)
- Maximum speed – 113mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 6.5 seconds
- Original price – $3,100 base
- Current top value* – $179,000
Plymouth Road Runner (1968-1970)
Unlike many of the muscle cars on this list, the main goals of the Plymouth Road Runner were to be budget-friendly and available to everyone. To become a street racer, the Plymouth Belvedere sedan was given an upgrade to a bigger engine, a manual transmission, and no-nonsense bench seating without carpeting.
Specifications for the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner:
- Engine – 7.0 L V8 Hemi
- Horsepower – 425hp
- Maximum speed – 110mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 5.6 seconds
- Original price – $2,896 base
- Current top value* – $138,000
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 COPO Coupe (1969)
The ZL1 was born because of NHRA drag racing and Fred Gibb’s desire to have a more powerful option for his own Chevy dealership. This coupe was a special production made only in a limited quantity specifically for drag racing, and it was the fastest vehicle to be manufactured at Chevrolet for decades. The value of the ZL1 has held up, making this car one of the most sought-after and expensive muscle cars of all time.
Specifications for the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1:
- Engine – 7.0L V8
- Horsepower – 500hp
- Maximum speed – 125mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 5.3 seconds
- Original price – $7,269
- Current top value* – $500,000 (only 69 every produced)
Buick GSX (1970)
One of the fastest cars to ever come from Detroit, the Buick GSX was constructed on the Skylark Custom body with sporty upgrades. Only 678 of these vehicles in either Saturn Yellow or Apollo White were ever manufactured, driving up the value and interest in this powerful muscle car. Most feature the Stage I engine and performance package, but a few were given the more powerful Stage II Buick option.
Specifications for the 1970 Buick GSX:
- Engine – 7.5L V8
- Horsepower – 360hp
- Maximum speed – 130mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 6.5 seconds
- Original price – $4,000
- Current top value* – $196,000
Plymouth Barracuda / HEMI ‘Cuda (1970-1971)
Photo by Mr.choppers / Flickr / CC BY-SA 3.0
When Dodge decided to put its large Hemi engine into its small E-body platform, the Plymouth Barracuda was born. The muscle car was built in both convertible and hardtop styles. Because of the classic shape, impressive power, and limited production of just 1,500 cars in 1970, followed by only another 100 in 1971, the Plymouth Barracuda is a favorite among class muscle car collectors.
Specifications for the 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda:
- Engine – 426 Hemi
- Horsepower – 425hp
- Maximum speed – 155mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 5.8 seconds
- Original price – $4,300
- Current top value* – $2 million for like-new condition
Plymouth Superbird 440 (1970)
Shaped much like Plymouth’s Road Runner, the Superbird was the company’s winged version made for use on the NASCAR Grand National Superspeedway. It is best known for its extra-long nose and extra-high rear spoiler, both designs created to achieve a more aerodynamic movement. However, these two adjustments only improved the car’s performance once it passed 60 miles per hour.
Specifications for the 1970 Plymouth Superbird 440:
- Engine – 426 Hemi V8 (just 135 cars)
- Horsepower – 425 hp
- Maximum speed – 200mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 5.5 seconds
- Original price – $4,298
- Current top value* – $375,000
Oldsmobile 442 (1971)
With only a few changes from the previous year’s model, the 1971 Oldsmobile 442 featured lower compression and slightly less power in hardtop coupe and convertible body types. This Oldsmobile was part of the last wave of the muscle car popularity in the early 1970s, and this particular model has remained very popular up to this day.
Specifications for the 1971 Oldsmobile 442:
- Engine – 5.0L V8
- Horsepower – 340hp
- Maximum speed – 116mph
- 0-60mph Acceleration – 8.9 seconds
- Original price – $2,640 base
- Current top value* – $48,500
In recent years, Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge have all released new muscle cars, many with the same recognizable names of models from past decades. These new muscle cars will likely outperform and cost less than many of the classic vehicles of the 1960s and 1970s. However, there is nothing like getting behind the wheel of one of these rare, vintage muscle cars to feel the power and soul of what the automakers were creating all those years ago.
*The top value rating is based on the Hagerty Valuation Tool.
The post From Pontiac GTO to Plymouth Barracuda: The Most Popular Muscle Cars of All Time appeared first on Proctor Cars Magazine.