|
The definition of (muscle cars) is one that is very inclusive, although mostly an American ideal, it is a notion that has spread around the world and a notion in which many different areas are included. In order to truly be a muscle car though, a car should be a two door car, with a big engine, sold for drag and street racing at an affordable price. However, there are lots of different cars that have fit the trend, and many different cars that might be called muscle cars as well.
Opinions vary as to whether cars like full size cars, compacts, or even the Mustang pony cars can be considered muscle cars today. However, the early muscle cars were just that - muscle cars.
Early Muscle Cars
What was the first muscle car? It has long been thought that the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, which was created because the public wanted speed and power together, was the first old muscle car.
This car had an engine that was both innovative and powerful - America's first high-compression engine - overhead valve V-8. The body was lighter, which meant that the speed and power of the car were not matched by any other automobile out there.
The full sized V8 engine in a lighter body was what really did the trick. The lighter, 76 series body, combined with the bigger engine made the car outstanding at traveling at high speeds very quickly, and made the engine just that much more powerful. The car was able to quickly pin you to your seat, and keep you there until you stopped pushing on the throttle. (continued)
Growth of The Muscle Car Trend
After the vast success of the 88 Rocket by Oldsmobile, other car manufacturers jumped on board and began to manufacture muscle cars that would perform in the same way. These were mainly flashy, limited-edition models that were born and created to be competition to the Rocket. Chrysler brought out the 1955 C-300, which was a blend of Hemi power, and luxury car trappings, and this car fast became the newest star of NASCAR.
The C-300 could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 9.8 seconds, and could reach 130 miles per hour at top speed. It had a 300 horsepower, and was advertised as "America's Most Powerful Car". By 1957, the Rambler Rebel was the fastest stock car in America.
 Rambler
Rebel
In the 1960's, the popularity of the old muscle cars grew quickly. It was during this time that Mopar - made up of Dodge, Plymouth ,and Chrysler, battled Ford for drag racing supremacy. The 1962 Dodge Dart 413 cu in Max Wedge could run a mile drag strip in 13 seconds, at over 100 miles per hour. GM's lineup in 1964 included muscle cars by Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, and Pontiac. Buick joined in 1965. (continued)
|
