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American
Muscle: Ford, Dodge, and Chevy by Matthew
C. Keegan
America's
muscle car era peaked during the 1960s, but a new era may
soon be returning thanks to the Ford Mustang, Dodge
Challenger, and Chevy Camaro.
Back during
the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers
produced several cars that were out and out
"muscle" cars. 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 prices
and
changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point
where only a few models were produced beyond that period
of time. Today, muscle car mania is back, despite even
higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a
lesser 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 one more
manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of
its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.
Besides the
Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced
that at one time or another might have been considered a
muscle car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane
500 and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was
another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette;
Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; 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 car 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 car era craze. Styled
after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang
embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary
technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently
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
car, appearing at auto shows across the USA, has been a
huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi
powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is
considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car
also making the rounds of the USA auto show circuit.
So, isn't
it silly 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 around town and 15 or 16
miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer
technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a
highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So,
although fuel mileage will certainly be lower than many
other models, the new group of muscle cars will still
better the previous generation cars with fuel mileage 80%
or more above the cars from the 1970s.
Fortunately,
we still live in a fairly free country and what the
consumer wants, the consumer gets. So, V8 powered muscle
cars mated to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport
handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will
likely appeal to many. No, they won't be exact duplicates
of yesterday's muscle cars, but they will provide the
nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can't wait!
About the Author
Copyright
2006 - Matthew
C. Keegan is a full time freelance writer covering the
new cars as well as the classics. Get the most out of your
performance car by: http://www.recreationexhaust.com
http://www.recreationexhaust.com/perf-ex.html
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