| What do you think it takes to make a muscle car? Is | | | | But, what makes these automobiles muscle cars? |
| it foot/lbs of torque? Horsepower? Is it purely the | | | | When you think of muscle do you break it down into |
| image? The hype and build-up surrounding a muscle | | | | stock and modifieds, or do you include complete build |
| cars can get a little confusing when a new model is | | | | outs? A case can be made for all of these. In the |
| released, but the "tried and true" dream cars have | | | | average guy's mind a muscle car is one that is based |
| proven their power and performance year after year | | | | on an original factory engine, front end, and drive |
| and decade after decade. American, European, and | | | | train. Just adding a new Edlebrock intake does not |
| Asian cars appeal to different segments of muscle | | | | make a muscle car, either. There has to be some |
| car enthusiasts, for different reasons. | | | | significant change in torque, horsepower, time in the |
| Several cars immediately race into your thoughts | | | | quarter, and top end. |
| when you think about American muscle cars: | | | | Image has a great deal to do with it. Public |
| Corvette, Camaro's from the late 60's through the | | | | perception is more powerful than anything else in this |
| 70's, Mustang, and, the AMC Javelin. A car lover could | | | | era of media overload. When a car is initially |
| go on to mention the Charger and Challenger, | | | | marketed, it has a tag...muscle car, family sedan, |
| Chevelle, and Gran Torino. What you have there is a | | | | granny mobile...that it either lives up to or does not. |
| short list. The whole list of American muscle cars | | | | The guy who buys that car is the one who ultimately |
| goes on for miles. Those cars all have one thing in | | | | determines what stereotype the car endures under. |
| common...performance year after year. To back that | | | | If a car does not deliver, from pedal to repair, it will |
| up, they all have good PR. Except for the Javelin. | | | | never resell. Ease of repair, and the relative |
| AMC never could figure out how to sell its cars. | | | | infrequency of those repairs, has a lot to do with the |
| Should you want to talk European muscle cars, then | | | | long term image of a car. |
| you have: BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Opel, Maserati, and | | | | What makes a muscle car is a question that can not |
| Fiat, to name a few of the bigger ones. A lot of | | | | be answered with a short list of criteria. It is a |
| people outside of Europe are a little confused when | | | | feeling, a look, and a whole lot of passion. You have |
| they hear Opel mentioned, but all they have to do is | | | | to have a combination of the right factors. Try |
| check into racing to get their bona fides. All of these | | | | beefing up a Chevette or a Pacer. All you will get are |
| companies were fine tuning and marketing their cars | | | | some stares. a lot of laughs, and a whole bunch of |
| before WWII. The Asian car makers have run | | | | "Why"'s. You could get that thing down the quarter in |
| Formula 1 and Monte Carlo-style races for quite | | | | a heartbeat, 0-60 ahead of a Ferrari, but it still will not |
| awhile, but have only gained wide spread recognition | | | | be a muscle car. Public image carries most of the |
| in the last few years. They are mostly known for | | | | weight. The technical stuff is for the "grease |
| their four cylinder, nitrous backed performance. That | | | | monkeys" and "gear heads". Each group has its own |
| creates some debate over their being muscle cars or | | | | favorite muscle cars. I know which ones are mine |
| not. Personally, I have never had much respect for | | | | and you know which are yours. A guy has to respect |
| them, other than their gas mileage. With the right | | | | that, but don't cut me off on the highway...We may |
| equipment, they can put your back to the seat, | | | | have to run 'em to find out. |
| though. | | | | |