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.