15 Forgotten Muscle Cars That Hit Harder Than a Hellcat

7. 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO is often hailed as the car that started it all—the original muscle car. With a potent 389-cubic-inch V8 tucked into a relatively lightweight frame, the GTO delivered exhilarating acceleration and set a new standard for American performance.
Its blend of power and agility inspired a generation of imitators, laying the groundwork for the muscle car era that followed. This legend’s legacy still echoes on the streets today.