Top 10 Muscle Cars

[Tom B.]

TV Programming Experts are ready to write another page into the annals of American History for the 1960's and 70's. These new officials of Americana-Panorama have now determined the Top Ten Muscle Cars of ALL TIME. (I think these folks are probably in the same building with the Advertizing Experts --- the ones that have purchased the rights to all the early rock and roll songs --- those same songs that now have lyrics that jingle to house-hold cleaning products and cereals.) Anyhow, here is what A & E says are the Top 10 Muscle Cars of All Time. And these are the A & E names and descriptions, as well as the 1/4 mile times that they dug up from somewhere, too:

10. The 1962 Chevrolet 409 / 12.5 (No particular car mentioned, just the 409. 409 cubic inches and 409 horsepower.)

9. The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 / 14.2 (The 442 stands for 4 barrel, 4 speed, and dual exhaust --- Woo Hoo!)

8. The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona / 13.9

7. The 1969 Camaro ZL1 427 / 13.16

6. The 1973 Trans Am SD-455 / 13.54

5. The 1970 Plymouth Hemi-Cuda / 13.95 ("Hemi" is the "abbreviation" for Hemispherical Combustion Chamber)

4. The 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner 426 Hemi / 13.95 ("Hemi" is the "abbreviation" for Hemispherical Combustion Chamber!!!)

3. The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 / 14.09

2. The Chevrolet Chevelle SS Yenko 427 / 13.16

And the Number One Muscle Car OF ALL TIME that all others have EVER tried to live up to: The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge / 14.6

Is anyone wondering what happened to the Corvette? Well, the TV experts had an explaination for this. They panned a camera shot at an open book. A dictionary. And this dictionary just happened to be opened to the word and listing of "sports car". And by golly, there was the "proof" that a sports car is a two-seat car. "Muscle Cars" had to have more than just two seats. And since General Motors has claimed that the Corvette has always been America's only true Sports Car, it therefore could not under any circumstances be considered a Muscle Car.

It sorta makes me want to go out and put one of those "Chevrolet 409's" in my driveway. Also, A & E has a website at a&e.com for anyone that may have watched and thoroughly enjoyed their show. TBarr #24014

[g.r.rogers]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

What ever happened to the 64 or 65 GTOs. I grew up in the sixties and can remember the GTOs in particular the first two years were the cars to have. These were the really first "termed" muscle cars I recall. Heck they even made a song after the car.GRR#33570.

[Frank M.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

Tom, I saw the show last night. Back in the sixties, when I thought of a muscle car, I didn't care aboult how many seats were in the car, I thought of power. The first car that always came to mind was the Corvette. I mean really, how often did you drag race someone with all four or six seats filled.Perhaps the real reason for not including the Vette, was to keep those lesser foreign pretenders out of the program.Maybe it was Ford's fault since, the T-Bird never took off as a sport car. Anyway, it was a good show.

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

Hi Tom:

Happy Easter.

Well they certainly are Big Block fans, (like me) but it appears they are Mopar fans also, (unlike me). They are right about the Corvette not being CONSIDERED a muscle car , at least by muscle car guys around here, go to a muscle car club sponsored show, you'll do well to take a top 75, never a "Best of ", blow their doors off out on the street though.

jer

[Jerry Clark]

MAJOR screw up,

omitting the 64 GTO, like the 09 inclusion though.

jer

[David K.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

I didn't see the show.But they ought to at least get it right.Only in'64 442 does it stand for 4speed,4 barrel,dual exhaust.'65 and later it stood for 400cu,in.,4 barrel,dual exhaust.

[Tom B.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

I'm with you on this Frank. TBarr #24014

[Tom B.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

Jer,

While they were explaining the exclusion of the Corvette, they were showing a red 69 with an L88 427 hood. They didn't show the engine, but it was a really nice clean and correct car. Had some good shots of it going around street corners and stuff. It looked really fast and quick on the show. They also spoke with a couple of movie stars that loved Corvettes. Charlton Heston said he had six over the years. TBarr #24014

[Tom B.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

GR,

They showed the earlier GTO's when they picked the 70 GTO Judge. I liked them too and they got it close, but no banana. And I wouldn't have picked it as number one over the Corvette, either, though. TBarr #24014

[motorman]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

the top muscle car was the 450HP??? 454 1970 chevelle. i had one new in 1970 and i have never driven a more powerful street car in my life. mine with headers,4.10 gears,9" slicks and auto trans would run 12.70s all day long.

http://clemz9@hotmail.com

[g.r.rogers]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

Tom, don't get me wrong about my feelings about our cars. There is only one true American sports car, the Corvette. I've had seven. They say because it has only two seats it's not a muscle car. Well, that's their call we know better. Fact, I nearly got a ticket once in my 61 when I was just 18yrs old for having two girls riding with me. I asked the State Trooper what's the problem sir,and he said the car only has two seats son it's made for two passengers. I was thinking this guys going to be a hassle.While digging through my wallet (not to happily) I showed him my latest I.D. Card from Uncle Sam called a DRAFT CARD, Class 1-A. I could see him actually gulp for some reason.Then he said he has a son my age in the Army who was drafted and just shipped out to Vietnam. Obviously this state trooper knew more than he was putting on.He suddenly turned into Mr.Nice guy. I got no ticket. About six months later I found out why. So that's how I learned about the corvette being a sports car.A state Trooper explained it to me.Take Care GRR#33570. Best Regards,GRR#33570.

[Tom B.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

Motorman,

I must have confused you. The Chevelle SS was number 2. The 1970 GTO Judge beat all the muscle cars in the world, of all time, for the number 1 spot, according to them. TBarr #24014

[Tom B.]

Re: Top 10 Muscle Cars

Thanks, GR, and I didn't mean to imply something else. I was just a kid in the 60's but instead of driving, I was riding, in my uncle's 66 coupe 427/425. I always love to hear about what else was going on, and what everyone else did, too. TBarr #24014

[Jeff]

Weird to get into tuners' car like the Yenko...

... I mean, then why not say the ultimate muscle car was Jimmy Addison's Silver Bullet if you want to get into "homebuilts"? Not that what they say matters, (I realize your point was that it's a rather poor list) but to not see a 67 Z28 or a 69 TransAm on the list is a little weak.

But I do agree with the exclusion of the Corvette for not fitting the commonly accepted definition of a 'muscle car'. It can't be all things to all people, so just be glad you didn't need a back seat for 6 or 7 kids or a 300 pound girlfriend like all the guys who bought the Mopars... ;)

JP

[Jerry Clark]

300 lb. Mopar girls

It must be a national epidemic.

jer