Post a pic of your favorite American "Muscle Car".

[maveric]

Mine is the 68 Shelby Cobra.

[Maddy McCall]

1. 67 GTO

Look at this cherry. I'm salivating.

[maveric]

3. Didnt that have a 442?

A friend of mine had a 69 and he would race it at New England Dragway. The dude had some trophies!
But then drugs took him over and he sold that wonderful machine for peanuts. So sad!

[flvegan]

5. Actually, it think it was a choice between a 400 and a 421.

The 421 was overbored to an odd number, like 428 (rather than 427).

I think...

[Maddy McCall]

6. 400 V8. I think Pontiac started putting 442s in them in 68.

My friend in high school had one...not a convertible...wrecked it. So his dad bought him a 69, which did have a 442. Wrecked it. So his dad bought him ANOTHER one, and he wrecked it, too.


I cried not for him, but for the loss of those beautiful cars. In case it's not obvious, he was a spoiled, careless brat. He's still irresponsible, but his parents no longer support his irresponsibility.

[maveric]

30. 69 GTO

[ReadTomPaine]

31. Over the years, the GTO was offered with 3 engines; a 389, a 400 & a 455

The best was the 400 Ram Air with the Bobcat option.


My fave GTOs are these models:

[Maddy McCall]

35. Thanks for the info.

That's a beaut!

[Capn Sunshine]

49. You might be thinking of the Olds 442

which was the sister to the GTO

[DS1]

59. That's not a car

It's a rocket with a passenger compartment attached at the last minute

[flvegan]

2. 1987 Grand National and the 1969 Yenko Camaro

I owned one of these:



I'll never be able to own one of these, but I saw one on a hauler the other day:

[ReadTomPaine]

39. The Buick guys used to smoke the C4 Corvettes of the day at the ...

GM testing grounds with the GNX's .. Pontiac made a version of the Trans Am with that engine, but only for a single year as they had ego problems putting a Buick engine in their baby.

1989 Trans Am GTA w Buick Turbo V6

[flvegan]

43. The T/A was faster and more nimble too. They used the GNX engine

in that one. Pace Car, too, as I recall.

I smoked a Ferrari Testarossa in mine. Granted, if we went top speed, or hit the curves, I'd be done. But, in a straight line...he looked pretty dumb, albeit in a very pretty car.

[ReadTomPaine]

45. The FBI ordered a bunch as government cars in the day...

Now that is one car you don't want to have tailing you!

[flvegan]

48. In 1987, Car and Driver called it "the car Darth Vader would drive"

And I would have to agree. Maintenance/warranty nightmares, though. Big reason they were discontinued.

[ReadTomPaine]

52. I have that issue, actually!

My C/D and R&T collections run back to around 1974, with some gaps

Never having owned one, it's ashame to hear about the warranty problems. That 3800 V6 is usually known for it's toughness, and it's still in wide use as GM's premier midsize engine, tho I believe they just supercharge it these days.

[flvegan]

57. The engine is bulletproof.

The failures are in the turbo and the tranny. For one, the turbo would blow seals like crazy, and the hoses, if you didn't upgrade, were worthless. The transmission wasn't beefed up to handle the torque, so they went pretty quickly, as well.

Never heard of head gaskets going, ring failure, nothing.

I loved mine, and I still miss her.

[ReadTomPaine]

63. The N/A ones I've driven are really strong right off the line...

They lose steam in the upper RPM areas, but they pull like a V8 at first. Forced induction seems a perfect fit to that engine.

[maveric]

65. For you Buick lovers. The 56.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. '74 Pinto Squire with Rally Wheels and Wood Paneling

Seriously, is there anything hotter or more muscular?

[maveric]

8. Exploding gas tank and all.

My Ma had a 71 Pinto and it was such a POS.

[LeftyMom]

10. My 'rents had one when I was a kid

The only nice thing I can say about it is that it was slightly more reliable than thier other car, an AMC Javelin.

[blondeatlast]

29. Of course there is, and I owned one back in the day. Aaah, memories...

I've since moved to this--can't be bothered to drive myself now:


(Both are from the movie Wayne's World and from here: http://www.amcpacer.com

[maveric]

7. Here's what I drive now.

Its pretty close to Muscle Car status.
2006 Mustang GT. 4.6L.

[Maddy McCall]

9. NIIICE.

My best friend had a Mustang, but she said the gas mileage was terrible. (Are you seeing this, too?) So she sold the Mustang and bought a freakin' Explorer.

Hmm. Let's see. Which would I rather have? A fine-ass Mustang or a Shitbox? I'd go for the Mustang everytime.

NICE CAR.

[maveric]

13. Mine is a 5-speed so my mileage isnt too bad.

26 on the highway and about 17 in town.
I love the retro style and the low to the ground look that makes cornering superb.
Last December, after I bought my Stang, I took a cruise up CA HWY1. Ohh Baby! What a fun ride that was!

[Maddy McCall]

17. Yes, they do look retro.

I bet that was a fun trip. I'd love to do something like that after I buy my next vehicle, which is looking like it's going to be a Subaru Baja.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Oh, you bastard! I'm stuck with a 2003.

I won't be getting the new style Mustang until I can buy a used one. DAMN nice looking Mustangs! I love the new style. I especially love the look of the convertible ones.

[ReadTomPaine]

51. How is the low end torque on the new 4.6?

I recall driving an older one years ago, and tho it's a sweet engine, it seems a touch soft off the line compared to the Chevy LS1 & LT1.

Ford has a read winner in this new Mustang... it's one sweet ride.

[maveric]

56. Mine's not too bad off the line. It could be faster IMHO.

But once you bang it into 3rd, your gone!

[maveric]

11. How about a 69 Chevelle SS?

[flvegan]

15. 1969 had the 454, and 1970 went to the 496

Something like 600 horsepower. The LS6 and LS7 creations won't even be owned up to as having been sold.

Crazy fast.

[bridgit]

14. here's mine...

and hubby's, he was raised with race cars so...

[maveric]

16. WOW! That top one is awesome! What is it?

A Plymouth?

[bridgit]

18. Chrysler 300, my dad left me one, i still have it in storage...

the bottom one is a 300 also, just updated

[maveric]

21. Hold on to that one.

Is it in good condition?

[bridgit]

23. needs new upholstery, and the rubber products: belts, hoses, that...

stuff from being in storage but the rest of it is all there = 392 hemi = hauls ass; oh, and a new rag-top

[ReadTomPaine]

38. Wow, a 300 with a Hemi is a true gold chip car...

Congrats. That's a nice piece of automotive history you've got there.

[maveric]

19. Here'a a 69 Nova SS. 460.

This one also "Screamed"!

[Blue Belle]

20. 1962 Corvette

This pic was taken from an old brochure:

[maveric]

22. A friend had a 60 Vet. The Black & White model.

on edit to add pic:
We went stoner cruising one night and he took it up to 140 mph.
Scared the shit out of me.
It looked just like this one.

[Blue Belle]

26. My boyfriends is just like the one I posted...

although it needs a little work done to it. He's had it sitting in storage too long.

[Richard Steele]

24. My Uncle had a 68 Shelby when I was a kid...

That's totally a classic!

My dad's side of the family are definitely FORD people;
so small wonder that THIS is my dream car:

[flvegan]

25. Another 2: 1973 Detomaso Pantera and the 67 Corvette 427

Technically, it IS a Ford. I'm ballparking the year, too.



And with an understated 435 horsepower...

[lizziegrace]

27. '67 Corvette

My father has that car - Lynndale Blue with sidepipes. I've only driven it once. Sigh...

[ReadTomPaine]

58. The '67s had that great two tone hood...

Tho - and this is one of my irrational automotive guilty pleasures, I love the late 1970's C3 Corvettes the best.



Yes I know, worst Corvette ever made! I just love the way they look, what can I say!

[flvegan]

75. Actually, that one is an '80 or an '81

The late 70's had the spoilerless back end, and the rubber front bumpers. It's not an L-82, as it lacks the fender badges. If it were more close up, I could tell you. Looks like silver around the crossed flags mark, which would make it an '80. I don't see a "Cross-Fire Injection" on the fender, so it's not an '82.

I had an '80, black on black, auto, L-48. I was a Vette afficionado at one point. It takes up a lot of brain cells now.

[ReadTomPaine]

77. Yep, it was the best shot of the body style I could find quickly!

I'd take any late C3 really. I love those cars, even tho I should know better....

[flvegan]

80. Actually, the '80 was a great car.

Dana rear end, TH350 was already beefy, no computer, 4 wheel discs, tilt/tele, etc. All it needed was some extra horsepower. Easily added by swapping heads, manifold and carb, and letting the exhaust open up (Flowmasters or Borla, headers). Let her breathe, and she'll fly.

By the time I was half done, my bad girl was in the 12's in the 1/4, street legal and passed Massachusetts emissions. Probably cost me $3000.00 to get there.

[ReadTomPaine]

81. They are pretty inexpensive these days for a used Corvette as well.

You're sorely tempting me LOL.

Park one of these next to a 911 and no one would look twice at the Porsche. They have amazing presence, even today.

[flvegan]

82. As I told friends of mine at the time

that were into the 5.0 Stangs at the time...

My Vette has curves like a woman, as she should. You drive a box.

The 911 is a fine vehicle, but will never escape two things:

1. VW Bug heritage (shape, etc)
2. You have to drive that car like you hate her.

[Spider Jerusalem]

84. Heh. I used to have a '69 Stingray.

Whenever I found myself next to a Mustang GT at a stoplight, they ALWAYS wanted to race. And they always found out that the combination of more torque, more horsepower, lower weight and positraction meant they got smoked by a nearly 30-year-old car.

[flvegan]

85. A '69? What was under the hood?

Not that it really matters. In that day, even the base engine would sully a 5.0, and I've owned 2 5.0 myself...

[maveric]

86. 427?

[Spider Jerusalem]

89. 350, ported heads, mildly stroked (to 377)...

high-flow Quadrajet carb and polished intake. Not too modified from stock, but it had enough power (especially with the low-end torque) to make going up against even one of the early 4.6 Mustangs not much of a race.

[ReadTomPaine]

28. When it comes to this era, I prefer Mopar...

[maveric]

32. 71 Camaro 402.

Sweet ride!

[ReadTomPaine]

34. I love the split bumper 1970 Camaros..

I think they are the one of the best looking variants of the model, very under appreciated. The styling seems almost Jaguar/Aston inspired.

[maveric]

33. Remember this beast? 1967 Dodge Charger.

[ReadTomPaine]

36. I prefer the later ones - 68 & 69... tho by 1970 they lost a lot of charm.

But those early ones do have more of a retro charm, I'd agree...

'69 front fascia

[yorgatron]

37. Hudson Hornet

[ReadTomPaine]

44. I *love* the interior...

[maveric]

55. And the 1970 Dodge Challenger.

[ReadTomPaine]

60. Nice shot! Never saw one in metallic blue before...

I like the 'Cuda a little more, but it's really splitting hairs since they are virtually identical. I think the 'Cudas were a little faster, and the Challengers were a little more comfortable.

That new Challenger Dodge is considering looks very interesting.

[TheBaldyMan]

40. Don't know if this counts as a muscle car ...

but in my book it is the only american sports car ever produced



The Ford GT40 - Daytona, 1965

[ReadTomPaine]

42. Recent reunion shot of GT40's...

The new one is pretty nice, also...

[flvegan]

46. The new one is a beast.

Sure, it'll get eaten by some of the German/Italian exotica, but 11 sec 1/4 times are very nice.

[TheBaldyMan]

50. I dunno, that was the GT40's beauty, it was a muscle car that could handle

It wiped the floor with the opposition when it came out, years ahead of its time and stunning to look at. The new GT40 should do OK if it inherits the handling of its predecessor.

[flvegan]

54. Big difference, though.

The original, you're talking a race car. The few production models weren't that incredible. Excellent, yes, but even the Shelby AC Cobra could post the same numbers. I won't even get into the Corvette Grand Sports. The new one is a production car.

[TheBaldyMan]

47. I would have loved to have been deafened by that lot.

I've only seen two ever and they make an unholy sound.

[ReadTomPaine]

53. The dollar value in that photo tallies like a Defense Dept. budget sheet!

Neat GT40 site: http://www.gt40.org.uk /

Tho given your preferences, you've probably read most of what's there!

[maveric]

41. 1970 "Mickey Thompson" Trans Am.

[Capn Sunshine]

61. '68 Corvette L-88

Fastest of the Sixties muscle cars that required no mods to win at the strip.

Also, my Favorite all-time Corvette (but impractical due to its 2.1+mill price tag- there are like five surviving cars) 63 Grand Sport Nassau
This is a quality replica:


Thanks to the dedication of a few very serious collectors, all five of the original Grand Sport Corvettes still exist to this day (the photo shows their historic reunion at the 2003 Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

[ReadTomPaine]

62. Great shots!

Esp that last one...

[maveric]

64. I just had to post this one again. Oh so beautiful!

[ReadTomPaine]

66. Is that Eleanor?

[maveric]

68. Her name could be Priscilla for all I care. I LOVE this car!

Living in SoCal you still get to see a few of these on the road.

[Capn Sunshine]

70. "Eleanor " resides in Santa Barbara

That was the Shelby used in "Gone In Sixty Seconds" and I'm pretty sure a collector in Montecito bought her ar Barrett-Jackson last year; at least I see an identical car to that on the road up here; that one in the pic could be her or is a great interpretation of the same...

[ReadTomPaine]

78. There's a cottage industry selling replicas of that car..

I can see why.

[ReadTomPaine]

76. "Eleanor" was the name of the Mustang from "Gone in 60 Seconds"

Both the original and the remake of the movie - that style (with the shaved bumpers, graphite grey paint, billet grill, foglights etc) is the one they used for the later film. The original featured a '74 I think

And you're right, it's one of the slickest variants they ever produced...

Orignal poster:


PR shot of Nick Cage leaning on the car from the remake

[Capn Sunshine]

67. I really like the 66

Partly because it wasn't as "together" as the 67- the genuine Shelbys all have these kind of decrepit hoods where the fiberglass was kind of wavy, and a few other details, but it was just oh-so-hot in it's day, and 66 was a good year for me. So I'm endeared to that year's cars


But there was also the HERTZ model Shelby -with an automatic! and special black paint with gold stripes that they actually RENTED back then:

[ReadTomPaine]

69. Yes that's what the "H" is for on the side of the car in the second photo.

People used to rent them, race them, and then wash them off and bring them back!

No wonder Hertz didn't try anything like that again for decades!

[maveric]

71. Here's a 2007 Shelby SVT Cobra.

In a Homer Simpson voice: "OOOOO, Cobra!"

[Capn Sunshine]

83. oooooh....Cobra

:drooooooool:

[DainBramaged]

72. Toss up

[flvegan]

73. Here's one you might not have ever seen...

The Vector W2 TwinTurbo

Even today, would still take the milk money of Lambos and Ferraris...

[DainBramaged]

74. Vector, such a troubled story

the Big Block car would have been amazing. The small block turbo before Vortec heads was amazing in itself.

[ReadTomPaine]

79. "Automobile" magazine did a piece on these about a year or so ago..

Seems the few that were delivered are still cherished by their owners and driven regularly. They are serviced by a few of the old company principles who make themselves available to the remaining owners for resources like parts, repairs, special fabrication info etc. These cars were almost entirely made with aviation style technology and materials, if memory serves.

[Oeditpus Rex]

87. The original, and still the champeen

1964 Pontiac GTO.





But why, why, why do so many people put "modern" wheels on classic cars? It ruins the whole look.

[flvegan]

88. Do NOT get me started on the wheel issue.

If I see one more 60's era Stang with American Racing's on her, I'm gonna hurl.