The History Of The Muscle Car | Big Engines And Raw Power

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Even though muscle cars are considered to be most synonymous with the 60s and 70s, for good reason, they actually got their loud and raucous start with the hot rod subculture of the 1940s. It was hot rods that first popularized the idea of modifying vehicles to incorporate a larger engine as a means to improve both speed and acceleration, a now-defining trait of the American muscle car. But there are distinct differences between the two car classes and the world wouldn't see its very first authentic muscle car until 1949 with the production of the Oldsmobile Rocket 88.

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When the Rocket 88 hit the market, it maxed out at a top speed of 97 mph and was capable of reaching 60 mph in just about 13 seconds. By today's standards that may not sound like much at all. In fact, it may be considered almost laughable. For 1949 however, this was quite the feat. It caught the public attention and, perhaps more importantly, the attention of its competitors.

By the mid-1950s, the Rocket 88 had been made obsolete by companies like Plymouth, Dodge, and Pontiac, who had all released their very own overhead valve V8 cars that outperformed the 88 in nearly every category. Still, despite the eventual outperformance by new and emerging muscle cars, the Rocket 88 deserves credit for being the vehicle to jump-start the muscle car trend.

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The Tempest GTO, contrary to its resemblance to Pontiacs earlier and more standard Tempest models, was a powerhouse under the hood. It came with a 389 cubic inch V8 engine, 325 horsepower, dual exhaust pipes, chrome valve covers, a floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission, wider wheels, and hood scoops. Even its name, GTO, stood for Grand Turismo Omolgato, which translated essentially means racing approved. If that wasnt enough, the car was surprisingly affordable at a mere $3,200. Due to its low price and impressive specs, Pontiac was able to sell more than six times as many Tempest GTOs as it anticipated

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Despite the nation's growing fascination with these high-performance vehicles, the early 70s also saw the beginning of their decline. Due to regulations put in place by the Clean Air Act of 1970, automobile makers effectively had their hands tied when it came to building more powerful machines. The horsepower began to fade away and, coupled with new safety standards that required sturdier metals that significantly added to the cars weight, muscle cars became significantly less impressive. Add on top of all that the 1973 fuel crisis and muscle cars weren't just weaker, they were now wildly impracticable.

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Since their decline in the 1970s, muscle cars have seen periodic resurgences over the years.
The 80s and 90s saw V8 engines thrown into cars like the Camaro Z28 and the third generation
of the Pontiac Firebird. Then in 2004, Pontiac ushered in the relaunch of its classic GTO, although this particular model was met with much disappointment. As the years went on, several other classic muscle cars would get relaunched for the modern era. These included the relaunch of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in 2006, the Dodge Challenger in 2008, and the 2009 Camaro which bears a striking resemblance to its 1969 counterpart.

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As for the path to the future muscle cars, the road is unclear. Due to growing environmental concerns and the heavy fuel use of high performance V8 engines, companies like Ford and Chevy are continuing to explore electric options for the future of American muscle. Keep an eye out for the all-electric Mustang and Camaro that have already been teased so you can decide for yourself if this where the future of American muscle truly lies. Remember your next muscle car may be powered by batteries instead of gasoline.

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THE HISTORY OF THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR

CRUISING THROUGH THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSCLE

OLDSMOBILE ROCKET 88 - THE FIRST MUSCLE CAR

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE V8 ENGINE
MORE AIR - MORE FUEL - OUTRAGEOUS POWER!

AFTER THAT THE HITS JUST KEPT COMING!

1968 Plymouth Road Runner Prints

1969 Ford Torino GT Prints

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Prints

1970 AMC Rebel Machine Prints

1969 Mustang Mach 1 Prints

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Prints

1970 Dodge Challenger Prints

1969 AMC AMX Prints

The 60s and early 70s saw the rise of iconic muscle cars like the Ford Mustang in 1964, Plymouth Barracuda and
Road Runner, the Chevrolet Camaro in 1967, Chevrolet Chevelle in 1969, and the AMC Rebel, also know simply as
The Machine, in 1970. Plus the Dodge Challenger and Charger and many more.

THE FALL OF THE MUSCLE CAR ERA

MUSCLE CARS TODAY

THE AUTOMOTIVE ART OF DANNY WHITFIELD

THE HISTORY OF THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR

CRUISING THROUGH THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSCLE

OLDSMOBILE ROCKET 88 - THE FIRST MUSCLE CAR

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE V8 ENGINEMORE AIR - MORE FUEL - OUTRAGEOUS POWER!

AFTER THAT THE HITS JUST KEPT COMING!

1968 Plymouth Road Runner Prints

1969 Ford Torino GT Prints

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Prints

1970 AMC Rebel Machine Prints

1969 Mustang Mach 1 Prints

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Prints

1970 Dodge Challenger Prints

1969 AMC AMX Prints

The 60s and early 70s saw the rise of iconic muscle cars like the Ford Mustang in 1964, Plymouth Barracuda and Road Runner, the Chevrolet Camaro in 1967, Chevrolet Chevelle in 1969, and the AMC Rebel, also know simply as The Machine, in 1970. Plus the Dodge Challenger and Charger and many more.

THE FALL OF THE MUSCLE CAR ERA

MUSCLE CARS TODAY

THE AUTOMOTIVE ART OF DANNY WHITFIELD

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE V8 ENGINE
MORE AIR - MORE FUEL - OUTRAGEOUS POWER!

The 60s and early 70s saw the rise of iconic muscle cars like the Ford Mustang in 1964, Plymouth Barracuda and
Road Runner, the Chevrolet Camaro in 1967, Chevrolet Chevelle in 1969, and the AMC Rebel, also know simply as
The Machine, in 1970. Plus the Dodge Challenger and Charger and many more.