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Whether you’re a fan of the late 1960’s, the styles, or the movie stars tooling around in their cool cars, that genre can be identified by American muscle cars. But what are American muscle cars really?

Defined, American muscle cars are high-performance automobiles, typically American-manufactured models made between 1964 and 1971.

In more specific terms…

  • A mid-size car with a large, powerful engine (typically, but not always, a V8 engine)
  • Special trim intended for maximum acceleration on the street or in drag racing typically defines American muscle cars
  • American muscle cars are distinguishable from sports cars as being much larger than these smaller, two-seaters – or two-plus-two-seaters – intended for high-speed touring or road racing
  • Excluded from this category are high-performance full-size or compact cars, as well as compact sport coupes and pony cars
  • American muscle cars are typically defined by fewer than 12 pounds per rated horsepower, although not exactly calculable due to the distortions of gross horsepower ratings of the day

The definition of American muscle cars is important, to distinguish them from other period vehicles. Some examples of American muscle cars, according to a 1965 issue of Road & Track magazine:

  • 1964-1965 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans GTO
  • 1965-1975 Buick Riviera Gran Sport
  • 1965-1969 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
  • 1965-1970 Dodge Coronet/Plymouth Belvedere
  • 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
  • 1965-1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442

You’ll notice Ford muscle cars are conspicuously missing from this list. Excluded from early muscle car lists, Ford muscle cars do appear on later muscle car lists. In 1965, Road & Track viewed Ford muscle cars slightly differently than most. Arguably, Ford muscle cars do include:

  • 1966-1969 Ford Fairlane GT, GTA and Cobra
  • 1964-1973 Ford Mustang
  • 1968-1974 Ford Torina GT and Cobra

Whatever sort of American muscle cars you’re shopping for – Ford muscle cars or Dodge, Pontiac, or Buick muscle cars – you’ll find a great selection of quality vintage muscle cars online at CollectorCarsForSale.com.

For the collector, the automobile enthusiast, or the lover of a classic performance machine, you’ll find a dreamland of American muscle cars right here! Browse online today!


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American muscle cars - Ford muscle cars