High Performance Motors

Back in the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” vehicles. These types of vehicles shared the same characteristics : they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel costs and changing tastes ultimately limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period. Today, muscle automobile mania is back, notwithstanding even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and wagon models from Dodge, there is new interest in a category long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as another manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of autos produced that at one time or another could have been considered a muscle auto. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane five hundred and Ford Torino did duty ; the Mercury Montego was another model ; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Storm ; Olds the 442; American 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 four door muscle automobile along 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 automobile age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating recent technology. The result has been that the Mustang now sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept auto, popping up at auto shows across the States, has been a massive 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 vehicle show circuit.

So, isn’t it daft to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle automobiles averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and fifteen or sixteen miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and potency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable 28 miles to the gallon the road. So, although fuel mileage will definitely be lower than many other models, the new group of muscle automobiles will still better the prior generation autos with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we continue to live in a reasonably free country and what the buyer wants, the buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle autos paired to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will probably appeal to several. No, they will not be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle automobiles, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.

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