Back during the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many automobiles that were out and out “muscle” vehicles. These kinds of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes ultimately limited sales to the point where only a couple of models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle car mania is back, in spite of even higher gas costs. 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 automobile segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of times past, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of cars produced that at one time or another should have been considered a muscle automobile. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane five hundred and Ford Torino did duty ; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette ; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Storm ; Olds the 442 ; Yankee 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 4 door muscle car 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 vehicle age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been that the Mustang now sells its complete 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the USA, 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 car also making the rounds of the States car show circuit.

So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back in the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and 15 or sixteen miles per gallon on the road. Thanks to PC technology and potency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the road. So, although fuel mileage will certainly be lower than many other models, the new group of muscle autos will still better the prior generation autos with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we continue to live in a fairly free country and what the customer wants, the customer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will probably appeal to several. No, they will not be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle automobiles, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.

For more reviews about sports cars, visit thesupercars.org and while you are at it, you might also want to have a look at Dodge Caravan auctions.

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