American muscle cars got their name from the massively powerful V8 engines found under their hoods. The term was first used in 1966 but wasn’t common until the 1980s.
We haven’t included the rarest homologation specials here, as we’ve focused on models rather than trim levels. While pony cars were a different segment, we have included the top three models as they morphed into proper muscle cars in modern times.
Pontiac GTO
The Pontiac GTO is often credited as the first muscle car. It was the brainchild of none other than John DeLorean, who realized the market was ready for a new type of car with both style and horsepower.
Rolling off the assembly line in 1964, the first GTOs were simply an option package for the Pontiac LeMans. Two years later, the GTO became a separate model, now featuring the famous Coke bottle styling. The second generation GTO emerged in 1968, and in 1969, the legendary GTO “The Judge” was born.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Like the GTO, the first Chevy Chevelle arrived in 1964. The upscale Malibu two-door hardtop and convertible versions were available with the SS, or Super Sport, package. Over the years, Chevy updated the first-gen Chevelle, even giving it a complete overhaul in 1966.
The second generation Chevelle SS arrived in 1968, but the revised 1970 model is the one everyone wants—especially the rare 454 LS6 with 450 horsepower. There are no prizes for guessing it’s one of the fastest classic muscle cars money can buy.
Dodge Charger
Dodge introduced the first-generation Charger in 1966 as a luxurious hardtop fastback. However, due to its awkward design, it was never a big hit, so Dodge returned to the drawing board.
With the first-gen Charger’s low sales numbers fresh in the back of their minds, Dodge only planned to build 35,000 units of the new 1968 model. It proved so popular that they went on to make nearly 100k cars that year. Since then, the second-gen Charger has cemented its place in automotive history, thanks to its iconic 426 Hemi engine and appearance in movies and TV shows such as Bullitt, F&F, and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Dodge Daytona / Plymouth Superbird
Named after the motorsport hub, Daytona Beach, Florida, the Dodge Charger Daytona was built to annihilate the competition on America’s NASCAR tracks. Debuting in 1969, it became the first NASCAR racer to break the 200 mph barrier.
The following year, its cousin, the Plymouth Superbird, arrived. These two aero-cars, affectionately known as the Winged Warriors, went on to dominate NASCAR races, and in 1971, NASCAR banned aero.
Oldsmobile 4-4-2
Oldsmobile introduced the 4-4-2 muscle car in 1964 as an option package for the F-85 and Cutlass models, but it became a separate model in 1968.
The name 4-4-2 is derived from its four-barrel carb, four-speed transmission, and dual exhausts. W-30 equipped 4-4-2s with the 400 cu-in engine produced 360 horsepower, but the real monster was the Hurst/Olds with 390-horsepower 455 engines.
Ford Galaxie
Ford introduced the Galaxie nameplate in the late 1950s to capitalize on the fascination with the space race. The third generation Galaxie arrived in 1965, and in 1966, the Galaxie 500 7 Litre was born.
This beast was fitted with the new 428 cu-in (7.0-liter) engine that was also found in the Thunderbird and later in the Mustang. With 345 horsepower, the massive Galaxie packed a serious punch.
Buick GSX
Buick introduced the Gran Sport, or GS, name in 1965, and since then, it has appeared on multiple performance-oriented Buicks. The 1970 GSX option added an appearance, performance, and handling package to the GS455.
What really set the 1970 Buick GSX apart from other muscle cars was all its standard equipment. Other muscle cars could be ordered with basic options, suspension, or interior, but the GSX Stage 1 came with every available performance and handling part.
Ford Torino
Ford sold the Torino from 1968 to 1976. It was initially an upscale version of the Fairlane. In 1970, the roles were switched, and the Torino became the primary name, with the Fairlane as a subseries.
During its production run, Ford built the GT and Cobra high-performance versions of the Torino, using the 351, 390, 427, 428, and 429 V8 engines.
AMC Rebel “The Machine”
AMC initially marketed it as the Rambler Rebel in 1967, but the Rambler name disappeared the following year. The best version of the AMC Rebel arrived in its last production year, 1970. Known as “The Machine,” this stunning muscle car often featured an eye-catching white, red, and blue paint job.
The Machine had a high-performance version of the 390 cu-in V8 engine, producing 340 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This may not sound like much compared to Mopar’s 426 Hemi engine, but it’s the most powerful unit AMC ever offered in a production car.
Plymouth Road Runner
In 1968, Plymouth needed a simpler, more basic model to sell alongside the upscale GTX. After paying $50,000 in licensing fees to Warner Bros., Plymouth could now use the Road Runner cartoon’s name, likeness, and “meep meep” sound.
Plymouth built the Road Runner on the Chrysler B platform, and the iconic 426 Hemi engine was available as a $714 option. The Road Runner sold like hotcakes, and by 1970, it spawned the Superbird homologation special.
Ford Mustang
The Mustang is the only muscle car that’s been in continuous production since its introduction in 1964. It single-handedly started the “pony car” segment. While many enthusiasts don’t consider pony cars to be muscle cars, the Mustang has certainly grown into a proper muscle car in its modern iteration.
Over the years, multiple high-performance versions of the Stang have been produced, including GT, Mach 1, Boss 302/429, Cobra, Shelby Cobra 350 and 500, Bullitt, Dark Horse, and the most recent GTD.
Chevrolet Camaro
When Ford introduced the Mustang, Chevrolet picked up the gauntlet and unveiled its own pony car, the Camaro, in 1966 (as a 1967 model). It’s been around for six generations but was discontinued earlier in 2024.
Even those who don’t like to mix pony cars with muscle cars have to admit that the Camaro was a proper American muscle car for the last couple of generations. In 2018, the 650-horsepower ZL1 1LE with a supercharged V8 clocked a time of 7:16.04 around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Dodge Challenger
Dodge arrived a bit late to the pony car party, but they more than made up for it by dropping the 426 Hemi under the hood of the 1970 Challenger. While the second-gen Challenger is best forgotten, the third-gen is one of the sickest muscle cars money can buy.
While the regular V8 versions are decent, the supercharged Hellcat models produce more power than you’ll ever need. Still, that hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from extracting even more ponies from the highly tunable 6.2-liter supercharged lump.
