Back during the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” cars. These sorts of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel costs and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period. Today, muscle car mania is back, notwithstanding even higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and truck models from Dodge, there’s new interest in a class long given up. The future is bright for the muscle automobile segment as another manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesterday, the Camaro.
Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of cars produced that at one point or another should have been considered a muscle auto. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette ; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Storm ; Olds the 442; American Motors’ had its Javelin; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle vehicle together with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.
Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the present muscle automobile time craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating latest technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at car shows across the States, has been a big hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the States automobile show circuit.
So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle automobiles averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and fifteen or sixteen m.p.g on the road. Thanks to computer technology and potency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable twenty-eight miles to the gallon the road. So, though fuel mileage will certainly be lower than lots of other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the previous generation vehicles with fuel mileage eighty percent or more above the cars from the 1970s.
Fortunately, we live in a fairly free country and what the customer wants, the buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will likely appeal to many. No, they will not be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle autos, but they’re going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.
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