What was the first muscle car?

Answer 1

Well obviously the big three would beg to differ on this question, but in my opinion the birth of the muscle car was by Pontiac.

In 1964 Pontiac introduced a high performance option package for their popular Tempest and Lemans vehicles.

The following is taken from www.greatoldcars.com:

"The $295.90 GTO option, RPO 382, joined the 1964 Pontiac Tempest/LeMans option list. The heart of the GTO option package was a 325-horsepower 389-cubic-inch V8 with a 421 style cylinder head, dual exhausts, Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, a mild hydraulic camshaft, special hydraulic lifters, manual three-speed transmission with a Hurst shifter, a heavy-duty clutch, heavy-duty suspension, US Royal red-line tires, a 3.23:1 rear axle ratio, twin hood scoops, an assortment of GTO emblems, twin simulated hood scoops, bucket seats."

Ford at that time only had the Mustang and it was by no means a sports car. It had a V6 in it and a sloppy suspension. It wasn't until 1967 that Ford introduced a reasonably powered street machine to compete with the GTO.

And as for Dodge, they were content with selling family cars at that time. Once again it took a couple of years for them to hop on the boat as well.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Although I am at an extreme disadvantage here, consider a dissenting opinion.

I agree that the GTO did its part to make the muscle car era popular. However, if you look back into the post WWII product lines, the first car fitting the classic muscle car mold with rear-wheel drive, a large, powerful V8 and a bad attitude, was the 1955 Chrysler C300. Its 300hp (hence the name "300") 331cid Hemi engine with a racing cam, dual four barrel carbs and dual exhaust (all of which were standard) made this car the performance contender in its time. In its stock form, a C300 went more than 130mph on the sand at Daytona. Inspite of its weight, the C300 was a dominant force in NASCAR.

Due to its low production numbers and relatively high cost, the C300 never caught the fancy of the public as did later muscle cars. Nevertheless, it demonstrated in 1955 that fun and performance in a mass produced car could co-exist.

Answer 3

The 1964 Pontiac GTO was the first "true" muscle car. It was the first production car which incorporated a manufacturer's big car engine inside a smaller car body. It became the fastest street sedan, and could give the smaller, more expensive Corvette a run for its money. Such power from a car delivered off a dealers showroom floor was unheard of.

Answer 4

I owned new a 65 GTO and it was a hot car. I also drove a Chrysler 300C. This was the first "Brick" as far as I am concerned. It was big and fast and would burn rubber at will in spite of its' over 2 tons of weight. I remember the crossover intake plumbing under the hood it was immense. But there was another car to consider. It was an early 50's car, the Studebaker Golden Hawk with a huge Packard engine. It was also a screamer. I remember at the time that we had to remove one of the accessories under the hood to remove one of the spark plugs. I think it was something like a 456 CI engine.

Answer 5

The GTO is the first real American muscle car made in 1964 Pontiac.

Answer 6

The Pontiac GTO

Answer 7

1964 Pontiac GTO

Answer 8

MUSCLE CARS FROM 60S-70S THERE WERESOME FROM THE 1930S ON UP

Answer 9

64 Pontiac GTO
66 Chevy Cobra

Answer 10

The GTO