Best Muscle Cars
5 Reasons For Loving Muscle Cars
The sales of today’s muscle cars continue to drop. Not only does this raise questions about the future of muscle cars, but it also stunts an entire culture that is still fascinated with the high-horsepower, nostalgic feeling of getting behind the wheel of one of these beasts.
Despite the lack of popularity, there are still plenty of reasons to love modern muscle cars. Let’s review five of the top excuses you should be behind the wheel of a muscle car.
What are Muscle Cars?
An American muscle car features plenty of performance and is typically rear-wheel drive. Most models have been outfitted with a larger, powerful V8 engine. The term was originally used in the 1960s to describe some mass-produced cars that were meant for drag racing.
From the Shelby GT 500KR to the Chevrolet Chevelle SS/LS, there has never been a lack of muscle cars to buy.
With all the excitement and thrill surrounding muscle cars, why the drop in popularity? For many people, the models simply aren’t practical and certainly not fuel-efficient. Another reason is that the Baby Boomer generation was the leading purchaser of these vehicles. Now that the majority of them are in their 50s, they no longer have a desire to drive the lightest muscle car.
Despite their lack of interest in muscle cars, we appeal that there are enough excuses to love muscle cars in today’s day and age.
Reason #1: Storied History
There’s no question that muscle cars are iconic. The history behind the models is interesting, to say the least. If muscle cars aren’t made anymore, a part of American heritage will be taken away from us.
The first full-size muscle car is thought to be the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. It was the first time that a potent V8 engine was placed into a lighter, smaller vehicle. With the original Rocket, the engine was a 5.0-liter taken from a larger Oldsmobile 98. In total, this Oldsmobile pumped out 135 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. During the 1950 NASCAR racing season, this Oldsmobile won eight of the ten races.
Then, in 1955, the Chrysler C-300 was born. It contained 300 horsepower from a 5.4-liter V8 engine. It was quickly hailed as “America’s Most Powerful Car.” Chrysler was on a roll at the time, because they also produced the beloved 300.
As 1956 came to pass, the Studebaker Golden Hawk hit the scene. This American muscle car was equipped with a 5.8-liter Packard V8 engine that pumped out 275 horsepower. In 1957, AMC introduced the Rambler Rebel. This mid-sized car was the first to have a big-block V8 motor under the hood. These early cars paved the way for the Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers.
While these are simply the beginnings, there have been many firsts along the road. To get rid of muscle cars means losing this piece of history that every auto enthusiast should know about.
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Reason #2: Unique Personality
What’s not to love about the personality of a muscle car? It’s not the soccer mom SUV or stuffy luxury car; it’s meant to go fast and create hype. All muscle cars are fast, aggressive and usually loud. That’s what makes them fun.
Another benefit to most muscle cars is how tail-happy they can be. When you get behind the wheel of one of the best muscle cars, it’s hard not to start drifting or sliding. Let’s see you do that in a minivan.
Reason #3: Simple Design
While all other types of cars need to keep upgrading their style to remain fresh and relevant, muscle cars are timeless. Sure, the designs might be simple, but no one wants anything else. It’s these classic, sleek bodies that continue to bring auto enthusiasts back for more.
It doesn’t matter what era of cars you look at; you will notice the same thing. From the beginning until now, all muscle cars look raw and mean.
Reason #4: Fun to Drive
If you aren’t interested in having fun on the road, buy a compact car with a four-cylinder engine. If excitement and thrills are on your agenda, then driving a muscle car is the way to go. With big engines and plenty of horsepower, these beasts are made to be driven fast.
Sure, you could purchase a sports car if power was all you wanted, but it isn’t. Driving the tail-happy muscle car is far more fun. Yes, you might do better in a sports car if you want to race, but then you would miss the excitement of swinging around the corners.
Reason #5: Harmonious Sounds
Finally, there’s one more important reason to love muscle cars. With the V8 engine under the hood, it knows how to make a glorious sound. This tone is unique to this lineup of vehicles. When a muscle car revs and redlines at 7,000 RPM, the sound that comes from it is unlike anything else you’ve ever heard.
What’s even better is when you get a group of these vehicles together, creating the noise. It’s like a symphony of Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats. Where else can you experience the thrill?
Modern Muscle Cars
As manufacturers focus their attention on automotive marketing, there’s a battle raging for the top spot. The Ford Mustang continues to lead the pack, but the Challenger sales recently surpassed those of the Camaro. It’s anyone’s guess who will be the champion by the end of this year, but it sure has been a fun race to watch.
Whether you decide to drive a modern muscle car or you prefer the classics, you are part of a culture that can’t be silenced. You can love muscle cars because of the history or because of the speed; it really doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you help to create another 60 years of history with the new lineup of vehicles included. Our children and their children deserve to experience the same thrill and raw power that we’ve had the chance to feel.
What is your favorite muscle car and why do you love it. Let us know your thoughts.
Read more about The Best Muscle Cars For 2020
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