Sign up now to join the JEGS email newsletter and be the first to learn about new products, special deals and e-mail only offers!
America is one of the best car manufacturers in the world, and in every country, it is known for its muscle cars. Whether you’re a fan of classics, track cars, or modern production cars, you’ll surely find many cars to like among the American muscle. Below we present some of the highest regarded muscle cars from these three categories.
Classic Icons
Car enthusiasts can never agree on what the first muscle car in American automotive history was. For many, it's the Pontiac GTO from 1964 but others will argue and go back to 1955 when the Chrysler C-300 came out. Even earlier than that, in 1949, the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 was introduced, which could arguably be considered as the first too. The discussions find more common ground on the classic muscle icons. Here are the best American muscle cars from the classic times.
1967 Shelby Cobra 427
The 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 is an undeniable icon of American muscle, blending raw power with timeless style. Equipped with a ferocious 427 cubic-inch V8 engine, the Cobra delivered an astounding 425 horsepower, setting new benchmarks for speed and performance in its era. Designed by Carroll Shelby to dominate both the track and the streets, this lightweight roadster features a sleek, aerodynamic design paired with an aggressive stance that captures attention from every angle. Its limited production makes it a highly sought-after collector's item today, embodying the spirit of innovation and power that defines American-made muscle cars.
1970 Dodge Charger R/T
You’re more than likely to know the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, as it appeared in many movies and shows, such as The Dukes of Hazzard and Bullitt. Another iconic aspect of the car is the “Coke bottle” design, - a narrow and sleek center of the car and flaring fenders. R/T stands for Road/Track and has stuck around even for later Dodge models. Under the hood, it offered a range of engines, the most famous of them being the 440 Magnum V8 and the 426 HEMI, which delivered 425 horsepower, an extra 50 over the 440 Magnum, and made the Charger one of the fastest in straight line among production at the time.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
After all these years, the 1969 Camaro ZL1 remains a legend among collectors and enthusiasts. It was born from Chevrolet’s COPO (Central Office Production Order) program with the intent to dominate drag strips. Under the hood was a 427-cubic-inch aluminum big-block V8, derived from Chevrolet's racing program, which officially produced 430 horsepower, but real-world testing showed even more. Chevrolet paired the engine with heavy-duty components, such as reinforced suspension, which improved the handling over the standard Camaro even further. Only 69 units were produced, which makes the ZL1 one of the rarest and most sought-after Camaros.
Modern Muscle
Older muscle cars have been quite barebone with little comfort. Modern American muscle cars changed that, as now you can have a 600+ hp monster with heaps of comfort features and a great style. Here are some of the most talked about new models.
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak
The Jailbreak edition is a celebration of internal combustion engines and Dodge’s farewell to them, as the brand transfers to all-electric vehicles. What sets the Jailbreak apart from other Challenger SRTs are the wide options in terms of personalization. Dodge allows owners to customize nearly every detail, from exterior colors and stripe designs to interior trims and finishes - nearly anything goes. In terms of the drivetrain, it uses a 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 engine, delivering an astounding 807hp and 707 lb.-ft. of torque. This results in a 0 to 60 time of just 3.25 seconds. It also uses the SRT Power Chiller, which redirects air-conditioning refrigerant to cool the supercharger’s intercooler, reducing intake air temperature, and thus improving engine performance during intense driving.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
If you want everyone to hear you starting your car from far away, the Chevy Corvette Z06 is your perfect choice. It uses a characteristic and unusual engine for this day and age - a naturally aspirated, flat-plane crank 5.5-liter V8 that generates 670hp. The Z06 is the most aggressive of the Corvette Stingrays’. Just in numbers, it is 3.5 inches wider than the Stingray and has 13.5-inch tires at the rear. Consider the optional carbon-fiber wheels, 8,500 RPM redline, RWD, dual-clutch automatic transmission, and other ingredients that have been used in making this beast, and you have something really special in front of you. After all, it gets to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and can beat the Porsche 911 GT3 RS in the 0-150-0 race, which it completes in less than 23 seconds.
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
The Dark Horse edition of the latest Ford Mustang is a limited run of a track-focused muscle car. The 5.0 V8 engine under the hood may seem like a standard engine put into any other Mustang but here it is tuned and reaches 500 hp. What’s important for the purists is that it can be had in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox, with the typical 10-speed automatic also available. Compared to standard production runs, it has quite a few unique styling elements like darkened trim, special paint options but also optional carbon-fiber wheels, and track-tuned suspension.
Track Stars
Some will say that muscle cars are fast in straights but do poorly when you get on a curvy road. While this was true about some of the first muscle cars, modern production has repaired this image, showing that they can handle well on all types of roads. If the modern muscle has still not convinced you of it, these track stars surely will.
2024 Ford Mustang GT3
By some considered the best American muscle car for the track, the Mustang GT3 was unveiled for the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2023. It first competed in the famous race in 2024 and placed 3rd, which was a great achievement. It is powered by a 5.4L naturally aspirated V8 generating 550hp. It has a nearly perfect weight distribution, especially thanks to the new 6-speed gearbox which was shifted closer to the rear axle than in its predecessor. The chassis is based on the seventh-gen Mustang, but it was significantly reworked to comply with FIA regulations and to withstand even the toughest conditions, such as those typical for the Le Mans.
2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X
2010 was a special year for the automotive community, as the last Dodge Vipers rolled off of the line and marked the end of a true spectacle and a definition of a muscle car. Every version of the Viper, even the most basic one, has been insane but the ACR-X took it even further. By putting an 8.4L V10 generating 640hp and 605 lb.-ft. of torque in a car with a track aero package providing 1,100 pounds of downforce at 150mph and a true racing suspension, Dodge has made the best farewell possible. Compared to standard versions of the SRT10 Viper, the ACR-X was a good 160lbs lighter too, totaling 3,190 pounds.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R
The C8.R is a quite special version of the Corvette. A grand tourer racing car for endurance racing and a replacement to the C7.R. It has an aluminum monocoque with a mid-engine setup using a 5.5L V8 paired to a 6-speed sequential manual transmission. For the 2024 season, it was replaced by a Z06 GT3.R but even in the relatively short period between 2020 and 2023 it has claimed many victories and has been always occupying the top positions. This was also due to the new compact sequential Xtrac six-speed manual transmission and lighter chassis, compared to its predecessor.
Leave a Reply