August 16th, 2009

Back during the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” vehicles. These kinds of vehicles shared the same traits : 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, notwithstanding even higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and truck models from Dodge, there’s 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 yesterday, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of cars produced that at a previous time or another could have been considered a muscle automobile. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 5 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 although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four 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 vehicle age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating fresh technology. The result has been the Mustang now sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been electrifying DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing 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 auto also making the rounds of the States vehicle show circuit.

So, isn’t it mad to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars 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 efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable twenty-eight miles to the gallon the road. So, though fuel mileage will definitely be lower than plenty of other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the previous generation autos with fuel mileage 80% or more above the cars from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we live in a reasonably free country and what the customer wants, the customer gets. So, V8 powered muscle vehicles paired to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will possibly appeal to many. No, they won’t be actual copies of yesterday’s muscle autos, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.

Do you like fast cars? If yes, you may also visit thesupercars.org to get more information about the fastest cars in the world. Also, you might want to check out used Dodge Caravan.

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