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autoevolution's Muscle Car Month

Rumbling muscle cars are about as American as fast food and at least as tasty to the eyes of gearheads as the latter. Coincidentally or not, neither is very friendly to the environment and yet most people can’t help but enjoy both as much as they can.

According to some, the term ‘muscle car’ was introduced to the world by chance, with the original 1964 Pontiac LeMans GTO, but automotive historians will probably disagree and make you go back about over a decade and have a good look at the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The Olds was simply ahead of its time, pairing the smaller and lighter body of the 76 with the larger and more powerful V8 of the Oldsmobile 98.

The golden age of muscle was during the 1960s and early ‘70s, but recent years have seen a downright massive revival of popularity with monsters like the Challenger Hellcat or the Shelby Mustang GT500.

No matter its origin, the muscle car recipe has always stayed the same, with a cacophonous-sounding V8 being cramped under the hood of a light and compact, by American standards, vehicle. With rear-wheel-drive and a propensity to go fast mostly in a straight line, they've always had a 'king of the road' aura and will always be part of American pop culture.

Somewhat antithetic with last month’s theme on autoevolution, which was all about Earth and green technologies, we’ve decided to dedicate the month of May to some of the most gas-guzzling and earth-shaking type of cars out there, muscle cars. We're pretty sure you'll forgive us for it.

Editor's note: This special feature by autoevolution was not sponsored or supported by a third-party.
Yellow 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Is Worth Close to $100K
Yellow 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Is Worth Close to $100K

29 May 2020, 14:08 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 with all the correct and original parts sells at an online Barrett-Jackson auction for a little under $100K

 
1959 Chevy Biscayne Coupe “Bisquick” Flaunts Matte-Black Paint, Crate V8 Motor
1959 Chevy Biscayne Coupe “Bisquick” Flaunts Matte-Black Paint, Crate V8 Motor

29 May 2020, 12:12 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / The 1959 Chevrolet Biscayne restomod isn't all that desirable stock, but with the right restomods, you can easily elevate it to this fellow's appeal

 
Chevrolet Chevelle SS "Big White" Is a Land Shark
Chevrolet Chevelle SS "Big White" Is a Land Shark

29 May 2020, 11:36 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / The pixel painting that sits before us aims to place the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS in the IMSA context enjoyed by the Chevy Monza

 
Modern Pontiac Firebird Looks Amazing, Shows 1960s Vibes
Modern Pontiac Firebird Looks Amazing, Shows 1960s Vibes

29 May 2020, 10:39 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / The pixel painting we have here aims to bring back the vibes of the 1967-launched original using the current sixth-generation Camaro as a base

 
1969 Chevy Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car Replica Packs the Right Hardware
1969 Chevy Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car Replica Packs the Right Hardware

29 May 2020, 07:38 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / A replica of the historic 1969 Chevy Camaro SS/RS Indy pace car just found a new owner for $46,000, went complete with original engine and transmission

 
This 1967 Chevrolet Impala Was Sent to the Junkyard Out of Spite by Angry GF
This 1967 Chevrolet Impala Was Sent to the Junkyard Out of Spite by Angry GF

29 May 2020, 05:15 UTC · By: Elena Gorgan / Reddit user recounts terrible experience with now-ex girlfriend, who sent his car project to the junkyard while he was away on a trip, tried to make light of it

 
15-Year-Old Racer Takes Dodge Challenger to Deliver Donuts While Doing Donuts
15-Year-Old Racer Takes Dodge Challenger to Deliver Donuts While Doing Donuts

29 May 2020, 04:34 UTC · By: Elena Gorgan / American Rallycross driver Gray Leadbetter partners with local filmmaker for a good cause, delivering donuts to first-responders as a thank-you

 
1967 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Comes With an L78 Surprise Under the Hood
1967 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Comes With an L78 Surprise Under the Hood

28 May 2020, 20:36 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / This restored 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car commemorative edition isn't only rare but also powerful thanks to the 6.5L big-block V8 with 375 ponies

 
Dodge Challenger Hellcat "Money Heist" Is a Widebody Offender
Dodge Challenger Hellcat "Money Heist" Is a Widebody Offender

28 May 2020, 15:03 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / This Dodge Challenger started out in life as a "standard" Hellcat (read: not a Widebody and not a Redeye), but it received an eye-catching transformation

 
This 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am "Bandit" Was Rescued from the Mud
This 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am "Bandit" Was Rescued from the Mud

28 May 2020, 13:05 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / This piece of America was recently rescued after spending a few years in a muddy yard and, at this point, the interior and the engine seem okay

 
Dodge Challenger "Baby SUV" Looks Adorable, Flexes Its Muscle
Dodge Challenger "Baby SUV" Looks Adorable, Flexes Its Muscle

28 May 2020, 12:06 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / Ladies and gentlemen, the rendering sitting before us is here to put a smile on our faces and prepare us for the upcoming Hellcat-ized Dodge Durango

 
UPDATE: Modern Pontiac Trans Am Looks Sharp, Shows Stunning Design
UPDATE: Modern Pontiac Trans Am Looks Sharp, Shows Stunning Design

27 May 2020, 15:45 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / The pixel painting we have here comes to portray a new-age Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that would be based on the sixth-generation Camaro

 
2023 Dodge Barracuda Rumors Return, But Will the Convertible Challenger Happen?
2023 Dodge Barracuda Rumors Return, But Will the Convertible Challenger Happen?

27 May 2020, 20:38 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Dodge is certainly working on an all-new Challenger coupe, but only time will tell if the Barracuda convertible will return in 2022 for the 2023 model year

 
Dom's Charger Gets JDM Look, Matte Skyline Is Supercharged: Fast & Confused?
Dom's Charger Gets JDM Look, Matte Skyline Is Supercharged: Fast & Confused?

27 May 2020, 17:38 UTC · By: Mihnea Radu / In opposite land, Dom is into V8 swapping Japanese cars and Brian wants his classic muscle cars downsized, chromed and slammed

 
Pontiac GTO "Shortie" Is Chopped Muscle Done Right
Pontiac GTO "Shortie" Is Chopped Muscle Done Right

27 May 2020, 16:32 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / We're looking at a 1969 Pontiac GTO that now only lost three inches off its top, but also saw its body losing 4.5 inches

 
1,000 HP "Vicious" 1965 Ford Mustang Costs $1,000,000, Is Twin-Charged
1,000 HP "Vicious" 1965 Ford Mustang Costs $1,000,000, Is Twin-Charged

27 May 2020, 16:21 UTC · By: Mihnea Radu / The Vicious Mustang is currently sitting with Autotopia LA, a vehicle curator. There's 10,000 work hours and $1,000,000 in this thing

 
Custom 1965 Ford Mustang May Be the New Face of Cool, But Still Not a GT350
Custom 1965 Ford Mustang May Be the New Face of Cool, But Still Not a GT350

27 May 2020, 15:49 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Custom 1965 Ford Mustang with enhanced looks and a bigger engine than stock under the hood is one of the better examples of muscle car tuning

 
1962 Chevy Nova Pro-Touring Lowrider Hides Monster V8 Under Its Cowled Hood
1962 Chevy Nova Pro-Touring Lowrider Hides Monster V8 Under Its Cowled Hood

27 May 2020, 13:01 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / An awesome restomod inside and out, this 8.8-liter Nova is much obliged to thrill you and your passenger to the tune of 600 aspirated ponies

 
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle with Massive Engine Is Worth Close to $80K
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle with Massive Engine Is Worth Close to $80K

27 May 2020, 12:30 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle sporting a massive 434ci (7.1-liter) stroked V8 got sold earlier this month for $78,100, one of the high earners of the auction

 
This R-Code 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 With Side-Oiler V8 Engine Is Very Collectible
This R-Code 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 With Side-Oiler V8 Engine Is Very Collectible

27 May 2020, 11:24 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / The R-Code 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL isn't only rare, but it's a true strip-slaying classic capable of running the quarter-mile in less than 13 seconds