Back in the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many automobiles that were out and out “muscle” vehicles. These kinds of cars 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 prices and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle vehicle mania is back, in spite of 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 times past, the Camaro.
Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of autos produced that at a previous previous point or another should have been considered a muscle automobile. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane five hundred and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model ; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette ; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; 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 4 door muscle automobile along 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 current muscle vehicle age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating recent technology. The result has been that the Mustang now sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Mustang has been electrifying DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at automobile shows across the United States, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. Additionally, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the USA auto show circuit.
So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back in the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle automobiles averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and fifteen or 16 miles per gallon on the road. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable twenty-eight miles to the gallon the road. So, though fuel mileage will definitely be lower than plenty of other models, the new group of muscle autos will still better the previous generation vehicles with fuel mileage 80% or more above the cars from the 1970s.
Fortunately, we live in a reasonably free country and what the customer wants, the consumer gets. So, V8 powered muscle autos paired to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will probably appeal to many. No, they will not be actual copies of yesterday’s muscle automobiles, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.
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