| Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, | | | | incorporating contemporary technology. The |
| Detroit automakers produced several cars that | | | | result has been that the Mustang currently |
| were out and out "muscle" cars. These types | | | | sells its entire 150,000 model capacity |
| of vehicles shared the same characteristics: | | | | without incentives. |
| they were two door coupes with souped up | | | | |
| engines, responsive transmissions, an | | | | The Mustang has been inspiring |
| aggressive exterior design, and a sporty | | | | DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro |
| interior. High fuel prices and changing | | | | cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger |
| tastes eventually limited sales to the point | | | | concept car, appearing at auto shows across |
| where only a few models were produced beyond | | | | the USA, has been a huge hit and Chrysler |
| that period of time. Today, muscle car mania | | | | plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model |
| is back, despite even higher gas prices. | | | | back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is |
| Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser | | | | considering giving its blessing on the |
| extent to sedan and wagon models from Dodge, | | | | Camaro, another car also making the rounds of |
| there is new interest in a category long | | | | the USA auto show circuit. |
| given up. The future is bright for the muscle | | | | |
| car segment as one more manufacturer, | | | | So, isn't it silly to bring back such gas |
| Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its | | | | hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then |
| darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro. | | | | current crop of muscle cars averaged only |
| | | | 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and 15 |
| Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole | | | | or 16 miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks |
| host of vehicles produced that at one time or | | | | to computer technology and efficiency, even |
| another might have been considered a muscle | | | | the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 |
| car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford | | | | miles to the gallon the highway. So, although |
| Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty; the | | | | fuel mileage will certainly be lower than |
| Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet | | | | many other models, the new group of muscle |
| produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the | | | | cars will still better the previous |
| GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442; | | | | generation cars with fuel mileage 80% or more |
| American Motors' had its Javelin; Plymouth | | | | above the cars from the 1970s. |
| had the 'Cuda, and Dodge produced the | | | | |
| Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the | | | | Fortunately, we still live in a fairly free |
| Mustang and Corvette survives although the | | | | country and what the consumer wants, the |
| Dodge Charger has returned as a four door | | | | consumer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars |
| muscle car along with its sibling, the hot | | | | mated to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, |
| Dodge Magnum wagon. | | | | with sport handling, bucket seats, and better |
| | | | fuel economy will likely appeal to many. No, |
| Interestedly, it took Ford's redoing of the | | | | they won't be exact duplicates of yesterday's |
| Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the | | | | muscle cars, but they will provide the |
| current muscle car era craze. Styled after | | | | nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I |
| Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current | | | | can't wait! |
| Mustang embraces a retro look while | | | | |