25 Muscle Cars That Fail On The Racetrack

16. Mercury Capri RS

The introduction of the third generation, Fox-body Mustang had a big influence on Mercury. In fact, the brand got its own version in the form of the Capri in 1979. But from 1970 to 1977, Mercury sold the Capri which was an imported model from Germany with four and six-cylinder engines. However, in 1979, thanks to the Mustang, the Capri was new, featuring a unique front end design.

Since it was a Mercury product, it was more upscale than the Ford. But other than a few aesthetical changes it was identical to the Mustang. As a performance version, Mercury introduced the RS model that featured a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine delivering a whopping 135 HP.

The performance was expectedly bad, but the car looked cool with the big air intake on the hood, RS badges and a rear spoiler. Today, those RS models are quite rare although not valuable or sought-after by car collectors.

17. 1983 Dodge Charger

The Charger from the late ‘70s was a lame, slow car that threatened to kill the muscle car reputation of the glorious late ‘60s and early ‘70s cars. Even so, Dodge felt the name deserved another chance. In those days, the Chrysler Corporation was all about the K-platform front wheel drive cars.

So, Dodge introduced the Charger as an option on the compact and boring Dodge Omni for 1981. The appearance package was popular enough to convince Dodge to try it as a separate model for 1983. And that is how the L-Body Charger was born.

18. Dodge Charger Daytona

You are probably familiar with the original Dodge Charger Daytona from 1969. It was a big coupe they based on the Dodge Charger with a pointy nose and massive rear wing. In fact, they designed this car for racing in NASCAR, producing only 500 examples. The Daytona with its cousin, the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird still are the craziest muscle cars they ever produced.

Less than 10 years after the memorable Daytona, Dodge had a terrible case of self-reinventing, so they decided to reuse this glorious name. However, this time they put it on the Dodge Charger. It was basically a Chrysler Cordoba, a big two-door personal luxury coupe with no muscle car credentials whatsoever.

The move was not well received since the Cordoba had a lame 145 HP V8 engine. It was more focused on luxury and its well-appointed interior than performance and driving dynamics. Unfortunately, the car buyers punished Dodge for using the precious Daytona nameplate for a boring car. In the end, they made only 250 examples, and this Daytona’s reincarnation remained on the margins of muscle car history.

19. 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra

1979 brought several major improvements to the Mustang range. First, it was a newer model that featured a modern design, better chassis and wider track. Second, Ford offered an interesting performance version they named the Cobra.

Although not as powerful or crazy as the Cobra Jets before it, the 1979 Cobra featured a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 140 HP. This was pathetic, even by the standards of the day. But, it was a step in the right direction since American performance vehicles were finally starting to recover.

20. 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3

It is kind of funny when you think of it, but the 1970 and 1980 Chevrolet Corvettes were basically the same car with 10 years between them. The design was the same, although the 1980 model had a more sculpted front and rear end with much less chrome. Even the technology and engines were the same on the outside. In 1970, the hottest Corvette produced 435 HP but in 1980, the hottest Corvette delivered a modest 180 HP.

However, due to the stricter emission standards in California, it pumped out 10 HP less. So, what happened in just 10 years and where did all those horses go? It was the recession, emission standards and safety regulations that killed almost all performance from the legendary Corvette. The 1980 Corvette was a dinosaur with its old technology under its plastic skin. Also, it came with lazy engines and an outdated interior.

Although the Corvette still looked like it meant business, the years caught up with it and the disco era was over. They sold the tired C3 with its slow performing engine up to 1982. But, in 1984 Chevy replaced it with the Corvette C4, which was a more modern, much faster model.

21. 1974 Mercury Cougar

Mercury presented the third generation Cougar in 1974. It marked their departure from the athletic and performance models of the past. They no longer based the car on the Mustang but instead moved to a heavier, bigger chassis.

And that meant Cougars were more like personal luxury cruisers than muscle cars, even though Mercury tried to present them as such. Sadly, even with its optional 460 V8 delivering 220 HP, the acceleration times were disappointing.

22. Dodge Aspen R/T

Like the Plymouth Volare Road Runner, the Aspen R/T was Dodge’s effort to present a muscle car at a time when such vehicles were almost impossible to construct and sell. However, the Dodge Aspen R/T looked like the real deal. It even possessed some power to distance itself from similar attempts of other brands with disgraceful power outputs.

Under the ram air hood of the Aspen R/T was a 360 V8 engine that pumped out 170 HP. The selling point of this car was its attractive looks. It came fully equipped with all the bells and whistles of the late muscle car era. It came with a body kit, stripes, white letter tires with wide wheels, spoilers and even a T top option.

It is just unfortunate those cars didn’t have the power of their ancestors because they could easily earn top spots in muscle car history. Similar to the Volare, the Aspen had big problems with rust, so there are just a few surviving examples today.

23. 1975 Buick Gran Sport

To connect this 1975 model to the fire-breathing 1970 GSX and other muscle cars, Buick introduced the Gran Sport car they based on their Century lineup. Unfortunately, gone was the powerful 455 big block, so car buyers were only left with a 350 V8 delivering 175 HP. It goes without saying the 1975 Grand Sport was an extremely slow muscle car because it weighed almost two tons.

24. 1974 AMC Javelin AMX

1974 was the last year for the legendary Javelin AMX despite all the effort from AMC`s engineers. The power output went down by 20 HP to 235 HP from its optional 401 V8 engine. Even with all performance goodies, sports suspension and manual transmission, the 0 to 60 mph times were just over eight seconds. And that is not fast, especially for a muscle car. The Javelin did enjoy some success on the Trans-Am circuit, but it didn’t win many street races.

25. 1974 AMC Matador X

When they discontinued the Javelin AMX, AMC was left without a muscle car in their lineup. So, they quickly decided to introduce the Matador X. But AMC redesigned the Matador for 1974 featuring a signature coupe body style that was aerodynamic.

Next, the company presented the “X” package drivers could get with a 360 V8 or an optional 401 V8 producing 235 HP. Regardless of the dress up kit, big V8 and all performance goodies, the Matador X wasn’t any faster than the Javelin. AMC killed the option after only one year.

These are the muscle misfits and the 25 slowest, ugliest and strangest muscle and performance cars they ever built. Do you remember any of these vehicles? If you were a driver during the recession, there’s no doubt you do. While some of these are still around, many have gone to the wrecker due to rust and other issues. But, it would be fun to bring some of them back, like the Gremlin.