2. Pontiac Sunbird GT
The Pontiac Sunbird GT featured aggressive styling and sporty cues that hinted at high performance, making it a tempting candidate for muscle car glory. However, the late 1970s and 1980s brought stringent emissions standards and soaring insurance rates, forcing Pontiac to limit its power output. Even with available turbocharged engines, the Sunbird GT never achieved true muscle car status, remaining more show than go. For more on the Sunbird’s evolution, visit MotorTrend.