Back in the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many cars that were out and out “muscle” vehicles. These types of cars shared the same characteristics: they were 2 door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive 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, notwithstanding even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and lorry 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 yesteryear, the Camaro.
Besides the Ford Mustang there were an entire host of vehicles produced that at a previous point or another might have been considered a muscle auto. In addition to 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 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 age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating fresh technology. The result has been the Mustang currently sells its whole 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Mustang has been provoking DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the United States, has been a massive 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 auto also making the rounds of the States car 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 around town and 15 or 16 miles per gallon on the road. Thanks to PC technology and potency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, though fuel mileage will certainly be lower than plenty of other models, the new group of muscle autos will still better the prior generation cars with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.
Fortunately, we continue to live in a fairly free country and what the buyer wants, the customer gets. So, V8 powered muscle autos paired to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will probably appeal to several. No, they will not be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle autos, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.
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