What's Your Personal Definition Of A Muscle car?
Over the years, I've seen strict ones like "Musclecars are American performance coupes starting with the '64 Pontiac GTO and ending with the '73 Ponitac T/A 455 SD". More likely these days it'll be much broader, such as "Any American car with a V8". I even vaguely remember a diecast channel(Diecast GT?) where that's pretty much all the hosts would argue about, that being the traditionalist 'Clutch' and his counterpart 'Straight Pipe' wanting to include tuners as well.
I've kinda thought about this off and on for awhile, sometimes spurred on by roster calls for muscle-themed races here when folks ask if they can use this or that casting. So, here's what I've whittled my somewhat in-between definition down to, based mostly on vibes ;)
A musclecar(or muscle car, either way) is a coupe, sedan, or station wagon with the ability to seat at least 4. It doesn't have to seat them comfortably, but the seats should be there. Therefore, things like Vipers and Corvettes don't count. Those are sportscars to me.
It should usually have a V8, but not neccessarily. It doesn't absolutely have to be American either. This allows for something like the Chrysler Valiant Charger, Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer, or Buick GNX.
It should also be front-engined and rear wheel drive. I know modern Chargers and Mustangs can be had with AWD, and I GUESS they still count, but it's not quite the same to me. A musclecar should be at least a little unruly and able to slide the tail out with relative ease, yanno?
Anyway, this is by no means authoritative or exhaustive. There's surely gray areas or blind spots I haven't considered. Again; vibes. But what say y'all?
Discussion
I have to disagree with the good Dr., I believe wagons can absolutely be muscle cars. The chevelle, Mustang, Vega, and pinto wagons for example. Now for straight from the factory, the Vega and Pinto won't qualify, but drop a v8 in there and ???? My favorite muscle car is always argued about and that is the El Camino. It came in all the same packages and performance trim levels as the Chevelle and meets the 2 door rule, but because it has a bed people call it a truck. In my opinion it is definitely a muscle car. I also think 1972 was the real end of the first muscle car era. There a a small number of exceptions from '73, but really only the Cuda and Challenger produced significant hp. I'm blessed to have lived in the original and modern revival.
- if you drop in the v8, that's a street rod. muscle cars are from the factory it came like that. and since the ranchero, and camino are useless as trucks, I'd call them muscle. — dr_dodge
- I’m with Doc on this, what you’re describing is a hot rod. — alva1370
- But the wagons? — Stickdog
- I’m thinking Boss 429 and Super Cobra Jet Mustangs. Thunderbolt Fairlanes too. A 351 Mach1 doesn’t make the cut. I’m a Ford guy from back in those days, Chevy and Mopar feel free to add too the list. AMX does make the cut. — alva1370
Dodge brought Muscle back with the Challenger and Charger, now alebit Modern Muscle 2008 to 2023. The Hellcat or Red Eye are/ were straight off the showroom floor and made to dominate. The number one factor is it has to be straight off the showroom floor period. Also, Muscle Cars are not strictly limited to the OG Muscle Car era which ended in '72-'73. The Fox Body Mustangs of the 80's and the IROC Camaros also fit the definition of Muscle Car.
I raced a GtO in the 70's, I had a 289 he had a 6 cylinder with a 6 pack, Tore me up!
Musle cars are ( as 64 says you can break the Rear end loose real easily, I wouldn't consider my 77' Bird a Muscle car s She is too new, Even with the Bumped up Engine and Compresion amped.
My 69 Cutlass, 69 Charger, even the 66' Buick ( 4 door ) All my Mercury's were Muscle except the 61' Comet Cat eye
North american car,
v8, 4 seats, 2 doors (sedan or hard top)
"tuna boats" (new yorkers, big buicks/lincolns, ect) are not muscle cars
1962-'80 (at the latest.) 120" wheelbase or less
wagons, 4 drs or trucks are not muscle cars
no tuners or turbos or FWD
Ex. a full optioned 2 door chrysler is Not a muscle car, even if it has a hemi in it
pony cars can be muscle cars, but all ponys are not muscle cars