Even though the original muscle cars were fast and powerful, there was always a segment of discriminating customers wanting more. For such an exclusive bunch, a small but impressive group of dealers, tuning companies, and shops delivered fantastic machines based on the standard models. In most cases, those tuned muscle cars saw the track work but often raced on the street. Here are the 10 best-known muscle car tuners from the ’60s.
1. Dana Chevrolet
Dana Chevrolet’s story begins in Southern California, founded by Peyton Cramer with Dick Guldstrand, who later became famous as a Corvette racer. The duo initially sold and serviced Chevys while immersing themselves in the local racing scene. As the muscle car era hit, Dana Chevrolet capitalized on the performance car market, offering a showroom packed with high-performance vehicles and rare racing parts.
In the late ’60s, General Motors’ regulations restricted cars to no more than one horsepower per 10 pounds of weight. This rule meant a vehicle like the 1967 Camaro couldn’t be fitted with a 427 V8 engine. Dana Chevrolet, however, broke the mold by offering conversion services, turning regular cars into high-performance machines. They became one of the first on the West Coast to provide big-block engine conversions. Additionally, Dana Chevrolet gained recognition when Guldstrand won a Trans Am race in a Camaro Z28 they prepared, providing the dealership with significant publicity.
2. Berger Chevrolet
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Berger Chevrolet has been in business for over 90 years, but its reputation peaked in the late 60s and early 70s. Under Dale Berger’s leadership, the dealership became synonymous with performance parts and engines unavailable through regular GM outlets.
Berger Chevrolet had strong connections with Chevrolet’s research department, ensuring that the parts they sold were top-notch. The dealership’s most notable contribution was offering the first crate engine, a concept that predated Chevrolet’s crate engine offerings. By selling fully prepped performance engines, Berger Chevrolet became an iconic destination for muscle car enthusiasts.
3. Shelby American
The legend of Carroll Shelby began in the ’50s when he rose to fame as a race car driver. After winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959, Shelby retired early due to heart issues but remained focused on his dream of building sports cars. After unsuccessful talks with Chevrolet, he turned to Ford, who agreed to provide engines for his dream car.
The Shelby Cobra was born, powered by Ford’s 260 and 289 V8 engines, and quickly dominated races. Shelby’s most significant triumph came when Ford hired him to transform the Mustang into a high-performance vehicle. The result was the Shelby GT350, a 306-hp muscle car that became a symbol of the era. Shelby continued his work with Ford, producing models like the GT500 and GT500 KR while also managing the Ford GT40 race team, securing four consecutive wins at Le Mans.
4. Nickey Chevrolet
Nickey Chevrolet was a major player in the high-performance Chevrolet market in the late 60s. Based in Chicago, Nickey specialized in transforming ordinary Chevrolets into high-performance machines, with the 427 V8 being the centerpiece of many conversions. Nickey was also well-known for sponsoring local racing teams and drag racers, expanding its reach beyond Chicago.
The dealership was unique in offering mail-order performance parts, allowing customers nationwide to transform their cars. Nickey even provided a free airline ticket for buyers interested in visiting the dealership to purchase their cars. Though the dealership closed in the 70s, it has since been resurrected and offers high-performance vehicles today.
5. Dick Harrell Performance Center
Dick Harrell was a key figure in the muscle car world, known for his work with Yenko, Nickey, and Gibb conversions. In the late ’60s, Harrell opened his shop in Kansas City, where he created performance parts and full car conversions. He was a successful racer himself, giving his tuning work credibility.
Harrell’s shop became famous for its racing successes, particularly with the 1969 COPO Camaro ZL1, unavailable through regular dealerships. Harrell’s famous builds included a 427-powered 1968 Nova, which became a drag racing legend.
6. Mr. Norm Grand Spaulding Dodge
Norman Kraus’s Mr. Norm Grand Spaulding Dodge dealership became a hotspot for performance-minded buyers during the muscle car era in Chicago. While Dodge offered powerful cars like the 383 and 426 Hemi engines, Mr. Norm provided even more powerful performance upgrades.
Kraus’s most famous creation was the Dodge Dart GSS, a compact car with a 383 V8 engine that Dodge engineers said wouldn’t fit. Kraus created a muscle car that would forever change the landscape by overcoming this obstacle. The dealership closed in 1980, but Kraus remained active in the performance car world.
7. Yenko Chevrolet
Yenko Chevrolet, founded by Don Yenko in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, became one of the most well-known high-performance Chevrolet dealerships of the ’60s. Yenko’s first big success came with the 1966 Corvair Stinger, a race-prepared version of the Chevrolet Corvair.
In 1967, Yenko started converting Camaros into 427 V8-powered “Yenko Super Cars,” adding more power and unique visual details. These cars became highly sought after, particularly the 427 Camaro, and Yenko even offered factory warranties for his custom vehicles. Yenko expanded his business to include models like the Chevelle, Nova, and Vega. Tragically, Don Yenko died in a plane crash in 1987, but his legacy lives on in the world of performance Chevrolets.
8. Royal Bobcat Pontiac
Royal Pontiac, established by Ace Wilson in Royal Oak, Michigan, made a name for itself by tuning Pontiac GTOs in the ’60s. The dealership’s popularity exploded when Wilson, with the help of Pontiac’s Jim Wagners, secretly installed a 421 V8 in the GTO, disguising it as a 389 V8. This trick made the GTO appear even more powerful, contributing to its legendary status.
Royal Pontiac also sold performance parts and provided conversion kits for the GTO, becoming a key player in Pontiac’s racing efforts. Wilson’s dealership remained influential in the muscle car world for years, sponsoring numerous racing teams and producing high-performance Pontiacs.
9. Hurst Olds
The collaboration between Hurst and Oldsmobile produced one of the most successful performance cars of the 60s: the Hurst Olds 442. GM’s engine size restrictions limited Oldsmobile’s 442 model, but Hurst, an independent company, could install a 455 V8 engine in the car, bypassing GM’s rules.
The Hurst Olds 442 was a limited-production car with significant performance upgrades, including heavy-duty suspension and brakes. While Hurst’s involvement in Oldsmobile performance cars continued until 1979, the best-known Hurst Olds models were produced in the late 60s and early ’70s, making them a sought-after collector’s item today.
10. Baldwin-Motion
Baldwin-Motion, based in Long Island, New York, was a key player in the performance car market during the late 60s and early 70s. The dealership, a partnership between Baldwin Chevrolet and Motion Performance, offered high-performance conversions for cars like the Camaro, Corvette, and Chevelle.
Baldwin-Motion became famous for its precise tuning and performance guarantees. For example, its Phase III 427 V8 Camaro offered 500 horsepower and guaranteed 10-second quarter-mile times. Baldwin-Motion’s work gained international recognition, and its performance parts were exported worldwide.
11. Tasca Ford
Established by Bob Tasca in 1953, Tasca Ford became a critical Ford partner on the East Coast, particularly in the racing world. Tasca was instrumental in developing the Ford Thunderbolt drag racer and played a key role in creating Ford’s 428 Cobra Jet Mustang in 1968.
Tasca’s dealership specialized in high-performance engine conversions and was an essential partner for Shelby American. Tasca’s reputation grew through his racing successes and his work with Ford’s performance cars, helping to shape the company’s muscle car legacy. The dealership continues to operate today, maintaining its legacy in the performance car world.