Let's settle this, who makes the greatest American muscle car?

RallyPoint Team — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:32:11 -0400

Response by SGT Mason Demant made Jun 26 at 2017 3:35 PM

SGT Mason Demant — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:35:19 -0400

I'm rebuilding a 1974 Chevy Nova Custom "Spirit of America" Edition with the original 350 V8 SBC.

https://www.gofundme.com/ez-dream-car-rebuild-for-disabled-vet

Click here to support Dream Car Rebuild for Disabled Vet organized by Mason Demant

I'm not the first person I would choose to write something like this, but here goes nothin! I spent 7 years of my life as a soldier and combat engineer in the US Army. I did two deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Served in the hardest areas, in the worst of times...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2017 3:52 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:52:16 -0400

Really are you trying to get a rise out of me, maybe none of the above

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 26 at 2017 3:58 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:58:29 -0400

Come on, RallyPoint Team seriously? No Dodge?! The lack renders your list suspect.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jun 26 at 2017 4:22 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:22:54 -0400

Technically the GT40 designed by Carroll Shelby and produced by Ford is the greatest muscle car ever produced. It was a vehicle designed out of hatred of Enzo Ferrari specifically to win at Le Mans. It won three years in a row. The first year the MKII, as it was know at the time, swept the podium. It took Ferrari 3 years and teams of engineers to best the plucky car built by Shelby. It is still the coolest looking car I've ever seen. So because of that one car Ford wins.

Response by CMSgt Tom Fenyoe made Jun 26 at 2017 4:34 PM

CMSgt Tom Fenyoe — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:34:13 -0400

The E-Body with a HP 440...nothing better!

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 26 at 2017 4:41 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:41:32 -0400

Where are the Dodge (MOPAR) products? AMC?

Response by Alan K. made Jun 26 at 2017 4:55 PM

Alan K. — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:55:23 -0400

I don't see Mopar as a choice......? Didn't see a Buick GS 455 Stage 1....13.38's all day off the showroom floor in "D" In the 12's with very minor tweaking...

Ford: Boss 9
Chevy: ZL1 Vette or Camaro
Pontiac: Any S/D

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Jun 26 at 2017 5:08 PM

PO1 John Johnson — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 17:08:45 -0400

Here's a few that were missed in the above commentary: The '94 Chevy Impala SS (the black car for anyone who has no idea); I guarantee this not your father's Oldsmobile. Awarded "Sleeper Muscle Car" of the century because stock it blew the doors off anything on the line, and it could run long with the best of them. The red car is a '70 Chevy El Camino 454 SS. My friend Jim Long had one in the early '80's and this was a fun car to drive. Kudos to everyone who weighed in with their picks! There is no #1 All-time "muscle car" in my book; good 'ole American Ingenuity produced many outstanding rides.

I will also say that today, Dodge is knocking it out of the park with their line of upgraded street sweepers! All you little girls driving them loud, tricked out little Honda's beware. You're about to get eaten!

Response by Capt Christian D. Orr made Jun 26 at 2017 5:37 PM

Capt Christian D. Orr — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 17:37:51 -0400

Mustang. That is all.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jun 26 at 2017 6:16 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 18:16:38 -0400

If I read the question correctly, it is in the present tense. That is, who makes the best American muscle car one can actually go down to a local dealer and buy brand new today. I would respectfully ask the Rally Point Team to modify their survey to include brand names offering performance models being produced today(Hint, Hint Pontiacs haven't been produced since just after GM went bankrupt). And FCA produces at least a couple of hot rod Dodges. Even Cadillac produces some pretty quick sedans.

Response by SCPO Ysmael Ramos made Jun 27 at 2017 12:32 AM

SCPO Ysmael Ramos — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 00:32:18 -0400

Dodge, Plymouth had the muscle cars. I remember back in 1969 overseas in VietNam in DaNang to be exact. All the manufactures of American Motors, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were at the exchange. I wanted a Roadrunner 1970. You could order them by color, interior, engine, wheels, rear end and transmission. Ordered mine cost 3200 hundred dollars. 426 Hemi 425 horse, 4spd on the floor, pistol grip shifter, 411 gears, blue, fiber glass hood, and had a good time. The only problem was I did not keep it. I hate to think of it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 1:05 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 01:05:02 -0400

Toyota

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 27 at 2017 10:05 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:05:00 -0400

Being old enough to have bought most of the original muscle cars new, my two choices would be the Mopar powered Roadrunner/Charger/Challenger series of vehicles and the Pontiac GTO. The 426 Hemi was an awesome, if somewhat sensitive, power plant and the big block GTO wasn't a slouch either.
What's even more amazing for those of us that survived the Muscle Car era is that we aren't all dead. 500 HP on heavy cars with bad suspension, what today would be minimal brakes and some pretty crappy tires is a recipe for a disaster.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Jun 27 at 2017 6:46 PM

MSgt Richard Randall — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:46:01 -0400

Everyone seems to think muscle cars are geared to how quick they are in the quarter mile. There is so much more to a muscle car than quarter mile trap speeds. My top 15 list is based on “cool” factor as well as how quick they were compared to the competition:

1. 1961 Chevrolet Impala with 409 4 speed
2. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible with 327 fuel-injected 4 speed
3. 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt with 427
4. 1965 Pontiac GTO with 421 Tri-Power
5. 1966 Ford Galaxy 500 Police Interceptor with solid lifter 428
6. 1966 Shelby Mustang 350
7. 1967 Ford Fairlane GT 427
8. 1967 Plymouth GTX with 426 Hemi
9. 1968 Dodge Charger RT with 426 Hemi
10. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
11. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
12. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
13. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle with 454
14. 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible with 426 Hemi
15. 1970 Buick GS455

There are a number of other cars that are interesting in their concept, i.e. AMC AMX 390, Matador 401, and the Pontiac Firebird 455, but they didn’t rate very highly on my "cruising through the Dairy Queen parking lot" scale. Most cars in the 70s and 80s were a wash.

Today anyone with a wad of cash can walk into almost any dealership and buy a car that will outrun most of the cars produced in the 60s and early 70s. To me the cars produced today, while interesting, just don’t have that “cool” factor. Perhaps that’s because they’re all computerized, sanitized and industrialized. No mortal can actually work on the things! Also, anyone who buys a Dodge Demon really needs to have their meds adjusted.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 2:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:04:09 -0400

This did just happen recently..

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jun/0622-zl1.html

2018 ZL1 1LE Sets Camaro Record at Nürburgring

The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE has conquered the Green Hell in a new video from Chevrolet, lapping the Nürburgring’s 12.9-mile (20.8 km) Nordschleife (“north loop”) in only 7:16.04, making it the fastest Camaro to ever lap the famed German track.

Response by SGT Johnathon Bevil made Jun 28 at 2017 2:31 PM

SGT Johnathon Bevil — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:31:16 -0400

Should have just made a poll for "gm","ford motorsport", and "mopar". Then this poll would be worth talking about.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 28 at 2017 2:46 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:46:12 -0400

Ford vs. GM vs. Chrysler

Engineered by those who went to the same engineering schools.
Managed by those who went to the same business schools.
Designed by those who went to the same design schools.
All built by the UAW.

Verdict: Don't overthink it; just go with whatcha like.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jun 28 at 2017 7:55 PM

CWO3 Dennis M. — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 19:55:30 -0400

America's Sweetheart is Chevrolet.......the Heartbeat of America! The Trifives donated and still dominate the Drag strip! And the pre 1973 Corvette 454 was hard to beat.

Response by Dave Jones made Jun 29 at 2017 12:18 AM

Dave Jones — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 00:18:55 -0400

I am a die hard Ford guy, that being said there is not an American Muscle car I wouldn't be proud to have in my garage.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 5:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:41:56 -0400

MOPAR OR NO CAR!!!

Response by PO1 Dave Bowles made Jul 18 at 2017 4:04 AM

PO1 Dave Bowles — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 04:04:13 -0400

None of the above. One word - HEMI. By Mopar.

Response by CW3 David Covey made Jul 27 at 2017 2:22 PM

CW3 David Covey — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:22:43 -0400

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 5 at 2021 10:31 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 22:31:28 -0400

Thanks for sharing

Response by SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson made Jan 4 at 2023 1:19 PM

SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 13:19:43 -0500

To all the "lovers of the automobile" please keep in mind that there is one rule that applies to all auto manufacturers. All things are governed by the laws of physics!! It doesn't matter if you take a Chevy emblem and put it on a Ford or vice-versa the laws of physics still apply. Each individual automotive manufacturer (Ford, Chevy, Chrysler) all have contributed different, significant and very useful applications to the industry. Ford and Chevrolet have the two longest running car models of all with Corvette being the oldest and Mustang being the second oldest off all in terms of manufacturing. Corvette began in 1953, and Mustang in 1964 1/2. But truth be told all have always played follow the leader when it comes to Ford. Even today the Camaro which was brought back after the retro introduction of the 2005 Mustang was brought back but shall again die a slow death (again). and now Chevrolet has introduced the new Corvette as a Mid-engine which replicates the GT-40. Ford is also the only American auto manufacturer to EVER win the 24hrs of Le-mans. Not once, not twice, not even three times but FOUR years in a row. (Ford v.s. Ferrari). Automobiles are an extension of ourselves. All my cars have names and are treated just like one of the family. I am often saddened when I have to give one up or it "dies." To say one is better than another is simply a personal preference. I love all cars (except Yugo's). I've been into American muscle since the 60's and I even own a 1st Gen and 5th Gen Mustang. But I love 70's Chevrolet's and Dodge/Chrysler/ Plymouth's too, I even was a slight fan of AMC (Javelin, AMX,) I am a Blue Oval fan true and blue......
https://corporate.ford.com/articles/history/1901-sweepstakes-race.html

1901-sweepstakes-race.html

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Jan 4 at 2023 9:31 PM

Amn Dale Preisach — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:31:44 -0500

Dodge Charger .

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 5 at 2023 1:36 AM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 01:36:56 -0500

Just to clarify, how do you define muscle?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2023 4:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 16:20:27 -0400

Vanishing Point Car Specs (1971 Movie)

1970 Dodge Charger R/T
440 CID V8 “U” code
375HP
480 ft-lbs of torque
4bbl carburetor
4-Speed manual transmission “A-833”
4.10:1 Sure-Grip differential
Pistol grip shifter
Alpine white
Black vinyl interior
Bucket seats
Heavy-duty shocks
Rallye wheels

And —> RIP Barry Newman (aka Kowalski)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGVgrnRtrhE

Vanishing Point (1971) Trailer

Tighten your seat belt. You never had a trip like this before.Kowalski works for a car delivery service. He takes delivery of a 1970 Dodge Challenger to take...

Response by PO1 John F. Johnson made Jun 12 at 2023 7:38 AM

PO1 John F. Johnson — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 07:38:45 -0400

Every one of the major auto manufacturers in the US have all made excellent muscle cars; the only question is “which one is your favorite ?”. If I had the scratch, I want a Plymouth Barracuda with a 440 six pack. Actually, I want 1 of every one made.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 16 at 2023 5:36 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 17:36:52 -0400

Honestly of all the responses I read I am going to say all of you are wrong. With a 0-100 and back zero speed of under 10 seconds which would not be broken for decades the Shelby Cobra 427 SOHC pretty much spanked every other stock production, and many modified factory automobiles. It has atimeless look that still makes people turn heads. The 289 Cobra was no slouch either, but the 427 was the beast that others stayed away from for good reason. Power to weight was the secret tothe Shelby that many Detroit cars could never get over.

Response by SPC Michael Budzinski made Jun 16 at 2023 8:58 PM

SPC Michael Budzinski — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:58:46 -0400

1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible or realistically a 71 Hemi Challenger Convertible. Currently own a 66 Chevy ll Nova package with chopped top since convertible unavailable 9 out of 10 driver. Doesn’t matter the car if on a trailer