THE TOP 10 CLASSIC MUSCLE CARS OF ALL TIME

For those who were lucky enough to grow up in the muscle car era, you'll probably have vivid memories - the smell of a carbureted engine, the sounds of a high-displacement powerplant, and the throw-you-in-your-seat torque. But what about the younger generation that wasn't allowed to experience this?

Sure, it can be argued that muscle cars are still being produced - and while that may be true, there's something about the new-school counterparts that don't own up to the beloved classics. Cars like the Plymouth 'Cuda or Dodge Charger Daytona were all legends of their time, but those aren't the only notable models. Confining all the cars from this era into a top 10 list proved to be quite a daunting task.

Related: The Top Muscle Cars Of The 60s And 70s

Mustang Boss 429

0-60 MPH: 7.1 Seconds

Mustangs are a common occurrence, whether we're talking about classic muscle cars or even modern muscle cars. From the Cobra to the Boss, or even the Roush - every model has its unique characteristics, and the 429 is certainly no exception.

1969 Mustang Boss 429 Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

The Mustang came about in 1964, and a few years later, well - five to be exact, it saw a new generation come to the market. Alongside these updates came the Boss 429, and a new muscle car icon was crowned. The 429 became a respected powertrain, and while it didn't quite have 426 Hemi-like power, it still had no problems holding its own.

Oldsmobile 442

0-60 MPH: 7.0 Seconds

The Oldsmobile 442 began as a trim option for other models such as the Cutlass. It wasn't until 1968 that the 442 became its model. This lasted for four years until the 442 was once again made an optional trim package on various Cutlass and Holiday models.

1968 Oldsmobile 442 Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from ultimatespecs.com)

The 442 name, or 4-4-2, wasn't because the car had a 442 cubic inch engine. This came from it having a four-speed transmission, a four-barrel carburetor, and a dual exhaust. It is worth mentioning, however, that the 442 did feature a 400 cubic-inch engine as its most popular option.

Related: 10 Fastest Classic Mopar Muscle Cars

Chevrolet Camaro Z28

0-60 MPH: 6.7 Seconds

The Z28 was another trim option made available for the Camaro among a few others such as the Base, RS, and SS. The first generation of Camaros (1967-1969) was still affected by GM's high displacement engine ban. Because of this, a high-compression 302 V-8 was featured in the '69 model, making just under 300 horses.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

290 horsepower and pound-feet of torque may not seem like a lot, and that's true when you compare it to some of the Z28's competitors. With this being said, I'll let you in on a little secret - the 302s featured in the Z28 were highly underrated by Chevy. According to MotorTrend, "The production engines generated over 375 horsepower, with power coming on strong from 3,500 RPM to 6,500 RPM and still pulling at 7,000 RPM".

Chevrolet Chevelle SS

0-60 MPH: 6.0 Seconds

The Chevelle SS is, in many muscle car enthusiasts' opinion, was one of the best-looking cars from this time. GM had been restricting the displacement of their vehicles for some time, and when this ban was lifted - Chevy made sure to take full advantage of the 454 mills.

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

When paired with the big block power plant, the Chevelle was easily one of the most powerful vehicles on the market in 1969. A Holley four-barrel carburetor was added to increase the performance further, allowing this car to exceed 400 horsepower - that's more than the majority of cars being produced today, over 50 years later.

Related: 10 Muscle Cars That Were Never Sold In America

Shelby Mustang GT350

0-60 MPH: 5.7 Seconds

There have been many variations of Mustangs over the years, but the Shelby editions have always held a place of their own. The GT350 is also a car that we've seen two iterations of, with the first generation being made from 1965 to 1970 and the more recent edition produced from 2016 to 2020.

1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from ultimatespecs.com)

The GT350's legacy began with someone whose name you've likely heard of - Carroll Shelby. He wanted to turn the Mustang into a truly capable race car, and so in 1965, he set off to do just that. The Mustang's weight was drastically reduced by removing unnecessary parts, while other performance modifications were made to transform the GT350 into one of the most iconic classics of all time.

Plymouth Cuda

0-60 MPH: 5.6 Seconds

The Plymouth Cuda was one of the last men standing in the muscle car scene. The year was 1971, and emissions restrictions had just been implemented. For many enthusiasts, the muscle car era was thought to be long gone. That was, until the '71 Cuda emerged, and it did not disappoint.

1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

The 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda was the last true big-block muscle car, featuring a 7.0-liter V-8 that made 425 horsepower. Plymouth really made waves with this car, and due to that, it limited production to one year to keep the car's reputation intact - and also to adhere to the incoming emissions regulations.

Related: The Evolution Of Chrysler’s Hemi Engine

Pontiac Firebird

0-60 MPH: 5.6 Seconds

The Pontiac Firebird is worthy of being a top contender on this list. The second generation stands out among many other competitors, not just because of the high-displacement, fire-breathing Ram Air V-8, but also due to its involvement in movies like Smokey and the Bandit.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from ultimatespecs.com)

Starting in 1970, the Firebird featured a 6.6-liter Ram Air III V-8 that made 335 horsepower. Six years later, a bigger, higher displacement 455 was featured, which at first glance, definitely garnered some attention. It wasn't until the numbers came out for the 455 that people began to realize the ship had sailed for muscle cars. 310 horsepower and 395 lb-ft. of torque was advertised for 1976, meaning it wasn't even up to par with the previous powertrain in terms of performance.

Dodge Charger Daytona

0-60 MPH: 5.2 Seconds

The Dodge Charger Daytona was essentially the same car as the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird apart from some minor visual distinguishments. The 426 Hemi, due to its incredible power, was somewhat of a Holy Grail at the time - further adding to the desirability of the Charger Daytona.

Dodge Charger Daytona Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

This car boasts some of the best performance numbers seen from a classic muscle car. The horsepower, torque, 0 to 60 times, and top speed are all capable of embarrassing a wide range of modern vehicles. This incredible performance came from Dodge's desire to dominate in NASCAR after a bit of a struggle with the '68 Charger 500 - and the Daytona proved to be exactly what was needed.

Related: 10 Forgotten American Muscle Cars Every Enthusiast Should Know About

Pontiac GTO

0-60 MPH: 5.1 Seconds

The Pontiac GTO is arguably one of the most popular classics from the golden era of muscle cars. And while it was one of the most popular cars at the time, it was also one of the first ones on the scene. It first appeared in 1964 as a trim option for the Pontiac LeMans, and in 1966 became its model.

1969 Pontiac GTO Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

Like many other popular muscle cars at the time, the GTO featured the Ram Air III V-8 alongside the Ram Air IV. The more desirable option, the IV made close to 400 horses while the Ram Air III had about four horsepower less, at 366, due to multiple upgrades such as high flow exhaust manifolds, cylinder heads, a high lift/long duration camshaft, and much more.

Plymouth Road Runner Superbird

0-60 MPH: 4.8 Seconds

The Road Runner Superbird is without a doubt one of the most iconic cars that has ever come from the classic muscle car segment. The aerodynamic nose cone, along with the wing - that's big enough to use as a jungle gym, makes it something truly unforgettable.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Fastestlaps.com)

Similar to the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Superbird was only produced for one year, and that was 1970 - while the Daytona's claim to fame lasted throughout '69. This, alongside the immense popularity of these cars, has caused prices to drastically rise over the years - to be more specific, well over one million dollars.

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