Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many automobiles that were out and out "muscle" vehicles. These sorts of automobiles shared the same characteristics : they were 2 door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes finally limited sales to the point where only a couple of models were produced beyond that time period. Today, muscle car mania is back, despite even higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and van models from Dodge, there is new interest in a class long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as another manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesterday, the Camaro.
Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of cars produced that at a previous previous point or another should have been considered a muscle auto. 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 though the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle automobile 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 present Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating latest technology. The result has been the Mustang currently sells its whole 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Mustang has been provoking DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept auto, popping up at automobile shows across the States, has been a big 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 auto 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 automobiles averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and fifteen or sixteen m.p.g on the highway. Thanks to PC technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, though fuel mileage will definitely be lower than plenty of other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the prior generation cars with fuel mileage eighty percent or more above the autos from the 1970s.
Fortunately, we still live in a fairly free country and what the buyer wants, the buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will possibly appeal to many. No, they will not be exact duplicates of yesterday's muscle autos, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can't wait!.
