20 Most Groundbreaking Classic Muscle Cars That Changed the Game for Good

2. Chevrolet Corvette

Despite the fact Corvette was never a muscle car per se, its introduction was the biggest automotive news for 1953. And it was a big boost for the American performance scene since nobody expected Chevrolet to build such an exotic car. However, the most interesting thing about the new Corvette was its fiberglass body.

Back in the early `50s, plastic was still the material of the future and they rarely used it in the industry. The Corvette was the first car with a full plastic body and Chevrolet was one of the pioneers of fiberglass construction. Under the hood was an inline six engine they called the “Blue Flame.” It featured 3.9-liters of displacement and a modest 136 HP rating.

The engine came from Chevrolet’s standard lineup, but they equipped it with three Carter carburetors. Also, the engineers at Chevrolet tried to keep the costs down by borrowing mechanical components from other vehicles to use on the Corvette.

3. Chevrolet Bel Air

The biggest news for 1955 was the introduction of the legendary Chevrolet small-block engine in the form of the 265 CID V8. The engine featured casting that proved to be lighter than the regular six-cylinder. And it came with 162 HP in its base form and 180 HP with the “Power Pack” package. With its four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, it was an affordable performance car in the gorgeous new-for-1955 Bel Air body.

The new engine could reach 5,500 rpm, delivering much more power than they advertised. Soon, it became the favorite basis for hot rodders and racers, and an automotive legend today. In late 1955, Chevrolet offered the Power Kit to boost power to 195 HP and with that upgrade, the ‘55 Bel Air could accelerate to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds, which was unbelievable for the day.

4. Chevrolet Impala SS 409

The legendary Super Sport (SS) package has its place in muscle car history as an important model that promoted performance to the general public. This was one of the first high-performance automobiles that were relatively affordable and fast. Everything started when Chevrolet decided to transform its 409 truck engine to use for passenger cars.

They found out that the unit was so powerful, it could outrun all other cars on the road. Just by mild modifications to the engine, it could produce up to 409 HP. And that was enough to propel the Impala from a standstill to 60 mph in six seconds flat.

However, at that moment, that was Corvette territory. So, as a mid-year introduction, Chevrolet presented the SS package that featured bucket seats, sports trim and other details. Also, it came with the 348 V8 engine with 350 HP. However, the most interesting option was the 409 V8 with up to 409 HP if you optioned for dual quad intake system.

Despite the fact that Chevrolet sold over a million of its full-size models, they only made 456 Impalas SS that year. And, out of those only 142 Impalas came with the 409 engine. Although the exact number of Impala SS 409 Convertibles is unknown, Chevrolet historians speculate they made around 45 of this cool-looking, immensely powerful open-top cruisers.

Interestingly, the 409 option was available for all Chevrolet full-size models in 1961. So it was possible to install this engine into other plain-looking sedans and wagons, but those cars have yet to surface. Today, as expected, 1961 Impala SS 409 is one of the most valuable cars in Chevrolet’s muscle car history.

5. Pontiac Tempest GTO

In the early ‘60s, Pontiac had much success on the drag strips across America. Little by little, the performance aspect became a powerful marketing tool since the new generation of buyers wanted powerful, fast cars. Pontiac wanted to capitalize on its success, but the company was reluctant to invest in a sports car they had to build from scratch. Also, all their production models were big, heavy vehicles.

However, a young engineer named John Z. DeLorean thought of a genius idea. He wanted to install a big, powerful 396 V8 into a light, intermediate Tempest two-door body. The goal was to easily and affordably create a true performance machine. And the result was the Tempest GTO, an option on the Tempest intermediate model. So, for just $295, buyers could get a high performance 396 V8 with 325 HP in standard or 348 HP in the famous Tri-Power form.

Also, it came with a manual transmission, unique trim, GTO decals and a dual exhaust. Best of all, since the car was light, the Tempest GTO delivered a convincing performance. So, in 1964 it was one of the quickest American cars on the market. Even the Corvette owners weren’t safe from the Tempest GTOs lurking at stoplights across the country.

But Pontiac’s sales manager wasn’t fond of the model and thought the GTO package didn’t have any perspective. His estimate of a maximum 5,000 cars per year was drastically surpassed by the official sales figures of over 32,000 copies. So, it was clear the GTO was a hit among younger buyers and a star was born.

6. Ford Mustang HiPo

Most of the market was fascinated when they first saw the Mustang in 1964. They came with compact and sporty looks, a long hood and a short deck. Also, the car had an affordable price that seemed unreal. But there was a small portion of knowledgeable car enthusiasts who were disappointed. The reason was the technology and engine choices.

The Mustang shared modest underpinnings with the economical Falcon. In fact, its engine lineup included mild versions of inline six and small V8 units. So, the power output was nothing special and the performance was below most driver’s expectations. Ford responded by hiring Carroll Shelby to produce the almost race-ready GT 350 in 1965.

But for those who wanted the screaming 306 HP 289 V8 engine in the GT 350, Ford offered the K-Code. The K-Code was a 289 V8, but with a milder, more street-friendly tune and 271 HP. And it was more than enough for the decent performance Mustang fans craved. With the optional GT package that included a stiffer suspension, better equipment and lots of exterior details, the 289 HiPo (High Power) was the best choice.

Ford introduced it in 1965 and made it available until 1967. Also, the 289 HiPo was the first Mustang that ran as well as it looked, especially if you ordered it in the gorgeous Fastback body style.

7. Plymouth Roadrunner

When it first appeared in 1968, the Plymouth Roadrunner was an influential and important muscle car. Not only did it introduce the new trend of inexpensive and fun cars, but it was also a strong seller that affected the whole segment. The whole idea behind the Roadrunner was simple. They wanted to present an affordable, but powerful model with a crazy name and graphics.

The goal was to attract people on a limited budget with a strong need for performance. The Roadrunner had a bench seat, no luxury options and manual steering. But it came with the powerful 383 V8 as the base engine. Buyers could also opt for the 440 or mythical Hemi 426. In 1969, the Roadrunner got a convertible option for those who wanted an open-air driving feel.

However, most Roadrunners they produced were two-door hardtops. So, for just above $3,000, you could be the proud owner of a Roadrunner in 1970. However, if you wanted a few options and the Hemi engine, the price would quickly rise to over $4,000.

8. Mercury Cougar XR7

When they introduced the Mustang in 1964 it was not only a global hit, it also started a revolution among Detroit’s major players. So, just three years later, almost everybody had a pony car in their lineup. Chevrolet introduced the Camaro, Pontiac presented the Firebird and Mercury had the new Cougar. Since Mercury was a luxury division of the Ford Motor Company, it was obvious the Mustang and Cougar would have a lot in common.

However, Mercury tried its best to hide its plebian roots and introduced a true luxury GT model. They built the Cougar on the Mustang platform but stretched it a couple of inches to add comfort and achieve a better ride quality. Also, the Mercury Cougar was available with V8 engines only, while they saved the smaller six-cylinder units for their entry-level Mustangs. The body panels were all unique, as well as the front fascia and hidden headlights.

In the interior, Mercury offered wood trimmed dash, leather seats and all kinds of creature comforts. Some could say the Cougar was just a luxury Mustang, but in reality, it was an independent model and a successful car in its own right. But until 1969, they didn’t offer any convertibles, just coupes.

The ultimate version to perfectly combine muscle car power and luxury was the mighty Cougar XR-7. This model had the 390 V8 engine with 320 HP. But, buyers could also opt for the GT package that included a beefed-up suspension, and stronger brakes and steering. Also, the XR-7 was a popular model with over 27,000 in production in 1967.

9. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Even though the 1967 Z/28 wasn’t the most powerful Camaro, it was the best choice for handling, braking and overall driving dynamics. The SS 350 and SS 396 were pure muscle cars with big engines and loads of tire smoke. However, the Z/28 was a driver`s machine and a road racing model that could handle most challenges.

The Z/28 package included front disc brakes and a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission. Also, it had a revised suspension and steering and exterior trim details like racing stripes. And although they included a vinyl roof and headlight covers, the real treat was under the hood. The power came from a 5.0-liter V8 with 290 HP and high revving nature. This engine was ideal for the Z/28, giving it a thrilling performance while retaining its low weight and nimble handling.

The Mustangs didn’t have such a version, so the Z/28 was a unique offering. But they only produced 602 of them in 1967, making it rare today. However, in 1968 and 1969 Chevrolet produced many more, winning several Trans Am races, and even beating the Mustang on the race track.

10. Plymouth Barracuda 440

Pony cars wars were getting more serious as the Mustang defended its position as the bestselling model in its class. And the Camaro/Firebird duo was attacking it with everything GM had at the moment. But Chrysler was a formidable competitor since the restyled Barracuda had more muscle with the optional 383 engine and two body styles, the convertible and notchback coupe.

However, the biggest news for 1969 was the Barracuda 440 V8. It was a monster pony car with the biggest engine ever under the hood of a car in that segment. But Plymouth wanted to be a dominant force in the stock class of drag racing championships. So, they needed a proper weapon with a big block engine and tons of torque. And the Barracuda 440 was exactly what they needed even if it was a handful to drive.

Interestingly, it required a complicated production process since the big 440 would not fit in the small Barracuda engine bay without extensive modifications. The Barracuda 440 had 375 HP and a massive 480 lb-ft of torque. Although that made it fast, it was also hard to launch due to loads of wheel spin.

Due to the tight fit of the engine, there wasn’t any space for the power steering pump. That meant drivers had to use their muscles to turn this compact but overly powerful car. Also, Plymouth only made a handful of these models, which makes them sought after today.

11. Ford Mustang Boss 429

Ford conceived the Mustang in 1969 as a pure racing engine for the NASCAR championship. But, the Boss 429 featured a different engine architecture than the rest of Ford’s big blocks. Also, the Boss 429 was much wider and had semi-Hemi combustion chambers. This helped it achieve higher revs and better flow inside the head. So, ultimately, it produced more power and torque.

Although it had factory ratings of 375 HP, it produced over 500 HP in reality, and even more in race trim. Ford decided to put this engine into the Mustang, creating a limited production Boss 429. But NASCAR decided not to homologate it since the series only accepted intermediate and full-size cars and the Mustang was a pony car model.

12. Dodge Charger Daytona

One of the most famous and influential muscle cars was the 1969 Charger Daytona. But they only produced 504 of them, strictly as a homologation special. And despite winning some races, the Charger 500 wasn’t good enough. So, Dodge decided to create a racing car with a special front end, flush rear glass and a big rear spoiler.

The Charger Daytona was one of the first cars they developed in a wind tunnel using new materials in its construction. And the Charger Daytona proved to be successful on the race tracks. It even managed to do a record 217 mph run in almost stock configuration, which shows how good the design and engineering were. And lastly, the standard engine was a 440 V8, but only approximately 70 cars received the legendary 426 Hemi.

13. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

GM had a notorious corporate ban on engines bigger than 400 cubic inches. And that meant Ford and Chrysler with their Mustang and Barracuda had more power than the Camaro. So, the Chevrolet engineers decided to build big block Camaros. And in 1969, they made exactly 69 ZL1 COPO Camaros.

Those cars were drag strip monsters with over 500 HP from the all-aluminum 427 ZL1 V8. But, despite being racing cars, the Camaro ZL1 made its mark on the muscle car market. And, it is still one of the most famous Camaros from the ‘60s.

14. Studebaker Avanti R2

In 1962, Studebaker presented the sleek and modern looking Avanti. The innovative design, construction, and technology were interesting, so the car received praises from the motoring press. And because the base version was not powerful, Studebaker introduced a supercharged R2 option that delivered 289 HP.

The R2 version didn’t come with an automatic transmission or air conditioning. In fact, it was only available with a close ratio manual gearbox. Besides that, they included lots of performance upgrades, turning the Avanti into a fast machine.

15. Buick GSX

With steady sales and a great reception of their muscle models, Buick decided to present the ultimate muscle car. It was the legendary and scarce Buick GSX. The GSX stood for Gran Sport Experimental. And it was, in fact, the visually upgraded Gran Sport with a Stage 1 performance package. The GSX debuted in 1970 with an aggressive graphics package not typical for Buick products.

It was available in two bright colors, Saturn Yellow and Apollo White. And it came with a front and rear spoiler, functioning hood scoops, side stripes and Rally wheels. The power output was the same at 345 HP. However, because the 455 was significantly lighter than the Chevelle 454 or Plymouth Hemi 426, the GSX was a winner in street races across America.

16. Pontiac Trans AM Turbo

You probably know that the late ’70s weren’t the greatest times for American performance and muscle cars. So, to fight those low output numbers, Pontiac decided to install a turbocharger on a 301 V8 engine. And doing so created the first and one of the most popular turbocharged muscle cars ever.

The engine became an option in the 1980 and 1981 Pontiac Trans Ams with 210 HP and 345 lb-ft of torque. Although the output wasn’t high by today`s standards. But for the early ’80s, those were respectable numbers.

17. Chrysler C-300 “Letter Car”

The C-300 got its name for the 331 V8 Hemi engine with 8.5:1 compression numbers. Also, it had a race camshaft and twin four-barrel carburetors to produce 300 HP. And that was a magical figure for the mid-50s. The performance was outstanding with a nine-second 0 to 60 mph acceleration time and 130 mph top speed. The car was expensive and full of luxury items.

But it proved successful in racing, winning 37 stock car events. Today, the Chrysler C-300 is a valuable early muscle machine and an extremely rare one, too. Chrysler built just over 1,700 of those Hemi-powered cruisers.

18. Pontiac Firebird Sprint

Since 1968 was the height of the muscle car era, the public paid attention to those high powered V8 models. However, Pontiac managed to sneak an interesting model into its lineup they called the Firebird Sprint. The secret of the Firebird Sprint was the engine. It was a 250 CID straight six with a single overhead camshaft. It produced 215 HP in the 1967-68 model years and 230 HP in 1969.

But compared to the 350 and 400 CID V8, this was not impressive. However, the Sprint six had serious torque and a small weight so it revved happily to 6,000 rpm. Instead of those nose-heavy V8 models, the Sprint was light. So it could provide balanced handling and great driving dynamics.

19. Oldsmobile Jetfire

The Oldsmobile Jetfire is an important model for the automotive history that never got the respect it deserved. It was the first turbocharged passenger car along with the Chevrolet Corvair Monza. However, the Oldsmobile system was far more complex and powerful than Chevrolet`s and it deserves a detailed look. The engineers took the compact F-85 model and retained its small 215 CID V8 engine that developed 185 HP.

Also, they gave it a new forced induction intake system that included a Garett turbocharger. They added a special “Turbo Rocket Fuel” tank that consisted of distilled water, methanol and a corrosion inhibitor mixture. It was injected into the fuel and air mixture to prevent a detonation. Also, the new V8 delivered 215 HP, which was one HP per cubic inch, making it one of the best performance cars of the day.

20. Shelby GT 500 Super Snake

The 1967 Shelby GT 500 was a landmark muscle car in terms of design, but also in terms of power and performance. However, Shelby wanted more, so he envisioned the special high-speed record-breaking GT 500 Super Snake.

But what made the Super Snake so special was that it had a 500 HP 427 V8 straight from the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 race car. This engine pushed this Mustang to over 170 mph top speeds. The idea was to produce a limited run of these cars, but the cost was too high. So, in the end, they only built one. But it was by far the fastest muscle car of its time.

These are the 20 most groundbreaking classic muscle cars. They are the cars that changed the game forever. Which one was your favorite? Although some are too rare to find, there are cars on this list you can still buy. But, you should move fast before they are all gone forever.