Back in the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” cars. These kinds of cars shared the same characteristics: they were 2 door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel costs and changing tastes finally limited sales to the point where only a couple of models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle automobile mania is back, despite even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and van models from Dodge, there is new interest in a category 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 a whole host of autos produced that at a previous point or another could have been considered a muscle auto. As well as 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 Tempest; Olds the 442 ; Yankee Motors’ had its Javelin ; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives though 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 current muscle car era craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating latest technology. The result has been that the Mustang now sells its complete 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 automobile shows across the States, has been a big 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 States automobile show circuit.
So, isn’t it mad 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 in town and fifteen or 16 miles per gallon on the road. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the road. So, although fuel mileage will definitely be lower than lots of other models, the new group of muscle cars 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 buyer wants, the customer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will possibly appeal to several. No, they won’t be actual copies of yesterday’s muscle cars, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.
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