Top 10 Best Muscle Cars Of All Time

We are sure to suffer from nostalgia whenever we recall the muscle car era that existed in the 1960s and the 1970s. The brute power and extreme capabilities of those muscle cars have withstood the test of time.

Best Muscle Cars Of All Time

These cars are still a hit with automotive enthusiasts, therefore, we are refreshing your memories of the best muscle cars of all time.

1. 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power

 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power
Image Credit: Michel Curi

We are starting off our list of the best muscle cars of all time from this legendary powerhouse. It has also been dubbed by many as the first ever muscle car to be produced. The car was launched in 1964 as an option for the Tempest Lemans. The popularity of the car even surprised Pontiac as the company never expected the ride to be such a gigantic hit. Under the hood, it had a 389 cubic inch Tri-power V8 engine churning out a power of 348 horses and a torque of 428-pound feet hooked up to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The car could go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with a quarter mile time of 14.1 seconds.

2. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake

1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake
Image Credit: Wikipedia

This is another awesome addition to the best muscle cars of all time. The ride was equipped with a twin supercharged overhead valve V8 engine spinning out 800 horsepower engaged to a four-speed manual or a super three-speed automatic transmission. The car could speed from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and cover a quarter mile in 12.4 seconds.

3. 1971 Buick GSX with Stage-1 Performance Pack

1971 Buick GSX with Stage-1 Performance Pack
Image Credit: _salguod

This one was launched as a fun farewell to the muscle car era that saw some of the best muscle cars of all time. It was powered by a Stage 1 455 V8 engine pumping out 345 horsepower and 460-pound feet of torque. The ride can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and has a quarter mile time of 15.3 seconds at 96 mph.

4. 1968 Plymouth Road Runner

1968 Plymouth Road Runner
Image Credit: Jack Snell

This entrant of the best muscle cars of all time was as basic and mean as it can get with the legendary road runner carton bird affixed on it. Under the hood, the ride had a 426 Hemi V8 engine delivering a power of 425 horses and a torque of 490 lb-ft connected to a manual transmission. The car could ramp from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds with a quarter mile time of 13.55 seconds at 105 mph.

5. 1976 Ford Gran Torino

1976 Ford Gran Torino
Image Credit: Sicnag

This was an integral constituent of the best muscle cars of all time being a blockbuster hit not only on the road but on the TV screen as well. It had a 7.5-liter V8 engine generating 226 horsepower and 371-pound feet of torque coupled to a 3-speed automatic transmission.

6. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Image Credit: Sicnag

This supercar from Ford made it into the best muscle car of all time owing to the manufacturer’s sheer emphasis on performance. The ride was powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine yielding power of 290 horses and a torque of 290-pound feet hooked up to a 4-speed manual transmission. The car could rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds with a quarter mile time of only 14.6 seconds at 98 mph.

7. 1970 Dodge Charger

1970 Dodge Charger
Image Credit: Larry

This beast is a strong contender for the most aggressive muscle car ever produced. It was equipped with a 7.0 liter Hemi V8 engine creating 425 horsepower and 490-pound feet of torque connected to either a 3 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic transmission. The 1970 Charger could ramp from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and cover a quarter mile in mere 13.9 seconds at 105 mph.

8. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 454 SS

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 454 SS
Image Credit: Jerry Edmundson

It is arguably the most sought after muscle car of all time as well as the most powerful Chevelle ever produced. Under the hood, it had a 454ci V8 engine generating a power of 450 horses and a torque of 500 pound-feet. The car could cover a quarter mile in 13.1 seconds at 107 mph.

9. 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Image Credit: D. Miller

Although this second-generation Camaro was inspired by the European sports cars, it nevertheless packs quite a powerful punch. The ride was powered by a 350ci V8 engine producing a power of 360 horses and 380-pound feet of torque engaged to a 3 or 4-speed manual transmission. The car was capable to go from 0 to 60 in just 7.0 seconds with a quarter mile coverage in only 14.8 seconds at 98 mph.

10. 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda
Image Credit: George Thomas

Although the ride was much underrated at the time of its arrival, the performance and engine numbers tell a completely different tale. Under the hood, the car had a Hemi 426ci engine delivering 424 horsepower and 490-pound feet of torque. The muscular ride was capable to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 6.0 seconds and took a mere 13.0 seconds to cover a quarter mile.

FAQs

What are muscle cars?

Muscle vehicle” is really a term used to depict a wide assortment of strong, elite execution vehicles. Although it is debated which car should be called a muscle car.

Why are they called muscle cars?

As the name recommends, they are execution vehicles about muscle; the idea of a muscle vehicle comes from racing society and speedsters. The 1960s-1970s were the brilliant period of American car design; the most famous muscle vehicles were brought into the world during this powerful time.

How much do the muscle cars cost?

There’s a wide scope of choices: some begin at only more than $12,000, while others go for more than $150,000. That implies there’s in fact something for everybody.

What does mopar mean in muscle cars?

Short for the Chrysler Motor Parts Corp., Mopar showed up in the last part of the 1920s and turned into its own image in 1937 on a solitary item: radiator fluid. From that point, the Mopar index extended to incorporate waxes, cleaners, channels, and motor parts from there, the sky is the limit

What is the thing that sticks out of the hood on muscle cars?

A shaker scoop (at times called a shaker hood scoop or a shaker hood) is a car term for an air consumption for ignition air that is mounted straightforwardly on top of the motor’s air cleaner and juts through an opening in the hood.

Justin appreciates vintage cars, muscle cars, electric supercar, affordable used cars, and just about anything with wheels. He has 8 years of experience as a freelance writer and editor.