Re: 11 Great Muscle Cars
VERY subjective topic but having come of driving age in the 70's (yes, I realize how much I just dated myself) I really don't think of any of the newer versions as true muscle cars. And nothing that is a two-seater falls in the category for me either.
One thing about the real muscle cars of the mid to late 60s into the 70's (and possibly a few early 80s models) beyond the outrageous engines being crammed into what essentially started out as family sedans was their awesome size yet sleek styling. As you perhaps guess, I am way more about the hopped up, old school Impalas, Monte Carlos, Chevelles, GTOs, 442s, etc. etc. types of cars. Never cared for the somewhat squat look of the 'tangs and such. Nor even the later Camaros, Trans-Ams, et al.
Which is why I'm not very impressed with the "new" muscle cars. For one thing, the three (arguably 4) main ones out today are nearly interchangeable looks wise (with surprisingly the new Mustang having the edge in my book) but they are fat and squat and just don't have that same feel about them. They don't make my heart race like the cars I grew up with did. In fact, the new Challenger that we test drove not long ago left me feeling, gulp, bored. Not to mention a lil sick from the decidedly chemical (not new car-ish but more like is there an exhaust leak in here?) smell. They may handle better (? perhaps), have bigger engines (? perhaps) and not be able to completely roll over, and still be drivable (like my Mom's Monte - her driving not me) but really, they just feel a little lifeless to me. Maybe too safe, maybe too generic? Dunno - just not the same for someone who was there the first time around.
Last edited by Bat; May 1, 2010 at 10:33 AM.