What happened to muscle cars?

Question

Before the movie fast and the furious came out, these buzzing, christmas light, NOS equipped little annoying cars (usually some import) were found in small numbers. I hate these stupid cars, it makes driving anywhere a pain since these idiots think that they are in the third fast and furious flick. I noticed that these "euro" styling is not only on imports, but also on mustangs, camaros, and the most painful of all firebirds. What happened to the muscle car of yesteryear? Remember seeing a Mustang pull up next to you and as you glanced over you swore you were in some drag race starting line after seeing that 'stangs engine boasting a supercharger and half the engine sticking out the top of the hood. I used to love to hear these cars ROAR down the road...now I see Mustangs and other muscle car types being downgraded to euro crap and when they drive off, a loud farting sound is what they make. Why don't we bring back muscle cars and lose the euro trash? (no offense to europeans)

Answer 1

Muscle cars have and will always have the distinction of being in a class all their own. Who cares about the namby/pamby limpwristed versions? You bring up a good point. Not only do the original muscle cars have great visual appeal, but their performances on the road excelled above and beyond most anything available today. Yeah, gas is expensive, but damnit, why can't companies use some slight modifications and avoid these "styles" you refer to? Heck, SUVs and Gargantua vehicles are still being spat out, why not make a "comeback" for the muscle cars of not-so-long ago? Fashion trends and music seem to recirculate, hopefully this might find its way into the automobile industry. Great question.

Answer 2

FINALLY someone with a brain everyone you ask will say 4 cylinder maybe 6 nobody relizes the are wimpy i totaly agree with you the first thing that started the downfall was in 76 when the goverment said no more big car moters thats why its hard to find a numbers matching 455 /454 a in a gm car after 76 the second was the first fuel crises and then the 80's hit and they were all pretty much wiped out from there former selfs the closest thing to servive would be the corvette and camero wich have slowly been coming back but will never be the same as for the euro parts i think they should stay on imports and off real cars

Answer 3

I think a number of factors decided the fate of muscle cars. The insurance companies jumped all over them making it hard to afford. Then the EPA mandated unleaded fuel, so the manufacturers reduced compression to compensate starting in 1971. The gas crisis in 1974 was the death of big engines.

It does make me laugh to see all the "ground effects" on some economy compact, but don't forget the excess of fake scoops, spoilers, air dams, stripes, hood pins etc that came on some of those 60's and early 70's muscle cars.

I give credit to Chevy for sticking with and improving the small block to the state of tune, and reliability it is today and fuel efficiency to boot. I don't however understand them not having an uninterupted line of Camaro's. Importing the Holden Monaro was cool (just was a mistake to badge it GTO) but why on earth didn't they have a rear wheel drive platform for the small block in say the Impala and Monte Carlo.

Answer 4

the problem is that with gas prices on the rise.....nobody wants to deal with them anymore. But I have noticed a slight comeback in the muscle cars. There has been a slight rebirth going on in the muscle car area. Manufacturers are bringing back some of the old cars but with newer technology. Recently the charger was reborn....but have you seen the pics for the new challenger? Mopar fans need to really look at this. Chevy has plans for the new camaro that resembles the 69. But for those of us interested in the real classics....TV has been bringing them back and bringing a renewed interest. Shows that are rebuilding these old cars are showing the younger generation what fun a real classic can be. There is even a company that sells a completely metal 69 camaro convertible (NEW) so that you can build your own classic! So while they are not as popular as they use to be....they are slowly starting to come back. Parts for them are not even all that expensive anymore compared to replacement parts on new cars. But as far as gas prices go....you own a classic for one reason...to be fast, cool, and stand out........gas in not an issue to real classic enthusiast!

Answer 5

I have a 1972 Buick GS convertible, and I have a lot of friends who have muscle cars and are not euro-styling them. As a matter of fact i am about 85% of the way to restoring mine to stock. It even has an AC Delco radio, the original 8 track, and a 3 speed column shift! ("three on the tree") Only problem is that I will be about 35k into it when I'm done.

"Wouldn't you really rather drive a Buick?"

Schey

Answer 6

A lot of them have been wrecked from being raced, more of them are sitting in junk yards waiting for someone with the time and money to restore them, others are sitting in garages and sheds collecting dust. I wish there were more around. I found most of them as hot wheels for my son so he'd know what a real car was since by the time he's older they'll probably be gone.

Answer 7

The OEM and after market parts to build a muscle car are extremely expensive. Also, gasoline is at an all time high price so people are thinking less and less about straight muscle cars or hot-rods anymore.

Answer 8

The price of gas and insurance going up is what happened to muscle cars.

Answer 9

I plan on getting a job as a dressmaker for ford and that i plan to deliver the golden age of elegant vast and efficient autos lower back to u . s . a . of america so dont situation if i'm getting the interest your objectives will come genuine.

Answer 10

I do miss seeing the muscle cars around. Now they are kept under garages, in museums etc..