Cool Classic Muscle Cars
87CLASSIC MUSCLE CARS
Classic Muscle Cars are high performance street machines built in the United States for formal and informal drag racing. Classic Muscle Cars had their heyday from 1965 to 1970. Today, they are highly prized by collectors and some sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ralph Nader led a lobbying group that decried Classic Muscle Cars because they were marketed to young men; and because they had powerful engines but mediocre brakes and poor handling. The insurance industry responded by charging hefty fees (about $1000) to insure Classic Muscle Cars for male drivers under age 25.
The higher insurance costs combined with the 1970 Clean Air Act killed the Classic Muscle Cars. The Clean Air Act lowered the top octane of gasoline from 100 to 91, which meant manufacturers had to lower compression ratios and thus engine performance. But the final blow to the days of the Classic Muscle Cars was the gas crunch of 1973.
Special thanks to Johnny Baker and Ward Morrill for helping me select six particular American Muscle Cars to highlight in this article.
1969 YENKO CAMARO
The Chevrolet brand reached its pinnacle in the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1963, ten percent of all cars sold in America were Chevrolets.
The small-block Chevy V-8 engine has been in continuous production since 1955, longer than any mass-produced engine in world history.
The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in 1967 to compete with the Ford Mustang. At its unveiling, reporters asked, "What is a Camaro?" The answer that was given was "A small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs."
Many people consider the 1969 model to be the best-looking Camaro ever built.
For young men who wanted a turn-key drag racer that was still street legal, 500 of the Yenko Camaro were produced with a 427 cubic inch 425 horsepower motor.
The Yenko Camaro ran the quarter-mile in under 12 seconds at 115 mph.
A Yenko Camaro sold at auction recently for $2.2M.
Don Yenko was a Chevrolet dealer from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
1970 CHEVELLE SS 454
Louis Chevrolet was born to French parents in Switzerland in 1878.
As a young man, he became an automotive engineer.
Louis Chevrolet moved to New York and became a race car driver for Buick, which was owned by the founder of General Motors William C Durant.
Louis Chevrolet and William C Durant founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911, which was absorbed by General Motors in 1917.
Louis Chevrolet lost everything he had in the 1929 stock market crash and was reduced to working as a mechanic for the company he once founded.
He died penniless in 1941.
The Chevrolet Chevelle was produced from 1964 to 1977 to compete with the Ford Fairlane.
The SS (Super Sport) was the Chevelle Muscle Car.
In 1970, the new 454 cubic inch engine (450 horsepower) was offered as an option.
No factory production engine had ever offered this much horsepower.
1969 DODGE SUPER BEE 440 SIX PACK
The Dodge Brothers were from Niles, Michigan, in the same county from whence I hail. Horace and John Dodge were perfectly matched as business partners because Horace was a mechanical wizard while John was a superb administrator and sales and marketing guru.
The Dodge Brothers started their company in 1900 in Detroit to supply carmakers with parts. Soon they were building transmissions for Oldsmobile and engines for Ford. In 1917, Dodge produced its first car and within three years they were # 2 in automobile sales. That same year, 1920, both brothers unexpectedly died. Horace only lived to be 52 years old and it is noteworthy that his widow outlived him by fifty years.
The Dodge Classic Muscle Cars were among the fastest and wildest. The Super Bee, based on the Dodge Coronet, was built from 1968 to 1971. The 1969 Dodge Super Bee was available with an optional 440 Six Pack—Dodge's big 440 cubic inch engine with three Holley two-barrel carburetors mounted on an Edelbrock Hi-Riser manifold—that produced 390 hp.
1970 HEMI CUDA
"The King of the Classic Muscle Cars" is the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda with the 426 Hemi engine, known affectionately as the "Hemi 'Cuda." The Plymouth Barracuda was produced from 1964 to 1974. Due to new federal emissions standards, the engines were downsized and detuned after 1970. Only 652 Hemi 'Cudas were manufactured in 1970. One sold at auction recently for $329,000 and they routinely fetch more than a Ferrari of the same year.
Walter Chrysler introduced the Plymouth brand in 1928 as a lower cost alternative to his Chrysler automobiles. Plymouth posted outstanding sales for many decades. In 1957, a new record was established when 726,000 Plymouths were sold. The all-time best for the company was 973,000 units in 1973. The last Plymouth was made in 2001.
Walter Chrysler (1875-1940) was the son of a Kansas railroad engineer. As a young man he was a mechanic and machinist whose brilliance landed him a job managing a locomotive plant. In 1912, Chrysler was hired to manage a plant for Buick Motorcar Company, and he soon upped its production from 45 to 600 cars per day. In 1916, he was rewarded by being named the President of Buick.
Walter Chrysler struck out on his own and founded the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. Three years later he purchased the Dodge Brothers Car Company. Chrysler named his parts and service division MoPar (motor parts). He also built one of the most beautiful buildings in the world in Manhattan in 1930, the Chrysler building—tallest in the world at the time.
1969 SHELBY MUSTANG GT 350
Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company of Detroit in 1903, after he convinced a group of investors to back his ideas with $28,000. Henry Ford developed the assembly-line for mass production. Because each worker only had to perform one simple task, Ford was able to provide jobs to unskilled, uneducated men. Henry Ford paid double the prevailing wage because he wanted his workers to be able to afford the car they were producing.
In 1926, Henry Ford introduced the 40 hour work week—unheard of in America—because he thought leisure time made for happier workers who were then more productive. Ford hated labor unions and his company was not unionized until 1941—after a decade of violence and work stoppages forced him to accept the UAW. The reason Henry Ford was against labor unions was because they always lower productivity, and their leaders usually lean toward Marxist ideas.
The Ford Motor Company is # 2 in the U.S. and # 5 in the world for vehicle sales. It is the 8th largest corporation in America with over 200,000 employees and annual revenues of $118B. Approximately five million Ford vehicles are sold each year.
My first car was an orange (with white stripes) 1969 Shelby Mustang GT 350. To say it was a hit cruising around McDonald's is an understatement.
Ford produced Shelby Mustangs from 1965 to 1969. The 1969 Shelby Mustang GT 350 featured a 351 cubic inch engine that produced 290 hp. This beautiful car had roll bars inside and the first eight-track tape decks. It topped out at 140 mph—for this you have my personal testimony.
1,085 Shelby Mustang GT 350 classic muscle cars were sold in 1969. Only 32 are known to exist today. One sold recently for $105,000. Carroll Shelby was an automobile designer and race car driver from Texas.
1969 BOSS 429 MUSTANG
The Ford Mustang debuted in 1964 at the New York World's Fair. The Mustang was the first Pony Car—a compact sports coupe. It weighed only 2,550 lbs. The Mustang was to become the most successful new Ford model since the Model A was launched in 1927. A record 318,000 were sold the first year. The Mustang served as Pace for the 1964 Indy 500. The first film it appeared in was Goldfinger. The Mustang got heavier every year until 1973.
My father owned one of the 849 Boss 429 "twisted hemi" Mustangs built in 1969 (a red one). To keep insurance costs down, Ford listed it at 375 horsepower but the 429 cubic inch engine actually produced closer to 500 hp. The Boss 429 disappointed expectations at the drag strip. It was too heavy overall at 3,870 lbs. but the rear end was too light to gain proper traction. Thus the Boss 429 ran the quarter-mile right out of the showroom in 14 seconds flat (103 mph).
All of the Boss 429 Mustangs were sold by Bob Tasca Ford in Providence, Rhode Island, for $5,000. Bob Tasca went to college with Henry Ford II and they became close friends. Bob Tasca was a drag racer and he designed the 428 Cobra Jet engine.
My father eventually replaced the 429 engine with a Holman Moody 427, which ran much faster (in the 10.60s). The car was sold to the chief machinist at our high performance engine shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mike Luyendyk. The last we heard he still had it in pristine condition in his garage in California. A Boss 429 Mustang recently sold at auction for $350,000.
CLASSIC MUSCLE CARS
My Dad was quite the drag racer back in the day. He had previously raced motorcycles and stock cars. In the early 70s, we built an auto parts store together in Kalamazoo, Michigan, that is still there today: J C Auto Parts (my Dad is J. C. Watkins).
Our store was unusual for the time in that we had a large display area in front of the parts counter. Before this, the parts counter was generally located right near the entry door. We were named the Jobber Topics magazine auto parts store of the year in 1973.
J C Auto Parts included a machine shop that built race car engines, included some for NASCAR driver Tiny Lund, who had won the 1963 Daytona 500. We also had a speed shop in which we sold the latest hi-performance parts for gear-heads to modify their cars. We were direct distributors for Holley carburetors, Edelbrock manifolds, Crane cams, Hooker headers, Mickey Thompson tires, Keystone wheels, and Stewart Warner gauges.
My apologies to fans of the awesome Pontiac GTO, and the hot Trans Am, as well as people who fondly remember the Ford Fairlanes and Torinos. Even American Motors built some Cool Classic Muscle Cars. I almost included the awesome 1978 Corvette L88 427 in this article, but while plenty musclely, it is a true sports car. But space was limited and I chose to highlight these six remarkable machines.
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I love all the old classics. My first car was a 1968 Red Chevy Nova. How I wish I still had that one.
You got my attention! AND you stole my idea for a hub :) – although you’ve done a lot better job of research than I would have done. IF I ever publish one I’ll make certain to link your hub. I will bookmark this. I loved and still love so many of the Classic Muscle cars. Thanks for sharing. Vote up and useful. ~ eddie
Sigh,I wish I was rich and could afford all of these cars. Soooooooooo wonderful! Much more personality than modern cars.
I never owned a factory muscle car. Many of us preferred to build our own.
My best friend bought a 1967, 396 Chevelle, Super Sport, and my cousin had a 1970 Plymouth Superbird with the high spoiler.
Great Hub!
Nice look back on a magical time. I also remember your father having a GT500 Shelby. A beautiful machine with a 428 big block.
I think, James, deep inside me resides a muscle car addict. I once owned a beautiful Yellow Mustang in the 80s. I loved that car. And much later I bought the first Mazda Miata for sale in Miami Dade County. It was red, stick shift and a thing of beauty.
Now you got my vote for everything, including funny! I really had a good laugh seeing the 1970 Chevelle because it looks like my dad's shirt (God rest his soul). Also, that was my dad's first car and I remembered in gradeschool, I rode at the back seat and it was noisy and hot! Of course, reading about its hp is something awesomeness! The 1969 Dodge looks like a bumblebee :)
Seriously, just tell me when and I will buy your book(s). You really are great in writing history of anything really, REALLY, really. Thanks!
It carries lot information
Great hub and love those mean machines! Great pics makes you want to just hop on in.
A brilliant hub and one for my partner to read as well.
So I am bookmarking and voting up as well.
Take care and have a great day.
Eiddwen.
Great article. I love classic cars. They carry a very special place in my heart. I own a 72' 442. Here is the link to an article I wrote about it.
Hi James,
My quickest car was a '53 Studebaker with a Chevy 283, a Duntov cam, two 4 barrel carbs, a Cadillac/Lasalle tranny, and a 4:56 differential. It also had genuine, Buick chrome wire wheels.
It's the car we drove to Arizona from Iowa. We spent a lot of time cruising Central here in Phoenix.
Delightful drive down Memory Lane. I was a shy nerdy teenager with no money back then. Nobody in my family owned any of them, but they were an impressive sight.
I cannot believe the price on the new retro Dodge Challenger, only for wealthy yuppies.
6 of 6! nice hub! love the classics...
I had a 1967 Camaro (first year it came out) had a 2 speed power glide transmission and those 2 speeds meant "fast and faster"
I sold it like an idiot in 1991 for $5,400...but that was nearly 3 times the retail price new in 1967.
It had a 327 and was Sycamore Green with a wide stripe that wrapped the hood.
I sold it right after I found myself racing a Porsche Targa and looked down to see I had the speedometer pegged.
I did not like that I was doing this, but the man in the Targa just kept provoking me at each red light, so I kindly gave him a moment he will not forget.
We went by a Brea California cop who just shook his head with a look on his face that said "why in the world would I want to try and catch them?"
Oh yeah, it was raining too.
The Targa finally caught up to me several miles later (after I backed off) and said..."dude, what is your problem?"
So in the interest of not going to jail down the road because I raced again, I sold it.
My kids still hate the day I did that.
Here are some real cool photos that include clay models of the car.
Imagine having the Camaro station wagon seen in the site I gave a link to?
Hi James! They just don't make cars like they use to make them! Thanks for the memories!
people use to be made from steel, just like cars...and today cars are made from plastic, just like people...but not this man.
Classic cars are a passion of my husbands. I don't understand the muscle car thing but I appreciate his energy for his passion as he appreciates my love of jewelry and the garden. Learning more about these hobbies helps all of us to grow closer. Thank you so much for sharing - great examples. And please do stop in at the Midwest Classics and Chrome Car Show - it really is the best in the Midwest but yes I am biased my husband is founding member and co-chair of the show.
Wonderful information about an important part of American culture.
Very cool!
Voted up and awesome.
The Shelby Mustang is my favorite. I love to watch the Meechams auction and pretend I could actually bid on one.
Great hub. A 57 Chevrolet also comes to mind.
"A 57 Chevrolet also comes to mind."
Oh, my gosh! The '57 Chevy. How could I forget. The classic 50's ride! Thanks for the reminder.
James: I'm not into muscle cars but one of my favorite cars is a Mustang, which, along with Monte Carlos and VW Bugs, are the only vehicles I'm guaranteed to recognize. I used to drive my friend's Trans Am, which is kinda sorta but not really like a Mustang, or so he told me.
So, even though this isn't really something I'd take out time to read, you have made it interesting. (I checked it out to see if you included Mustangs, even though I didn't know beforehand that they're considered muscle cars.) The photos are nice, too. And this is kind of a tribute in a way to your dad.
Kind regards, Stessily
I am from Westminster, CA. just a little West of Anaheim/Brea (yes it is north of Anaheim)...I forgot to mention that I went for a ride in a Shelby convertible (California Custom) owned by a friend of my dad's...there is nothing like going 140mph down the freeway with the top down, nothing!
I grew up in Orange County and muscle cars were everywhere, it is a very rich county, those were the days my friend, nothing compares to a car made of steel and you could work on the engine while standing inside the hood compartment eating your lunch and drinking a 6 pack and hand tools to the guy under the engine.
They were simple, so simple a 12 year old could fix them.
I also had a 66' Malibu, a 1958 Volkswagen Panel Van/Bus (had one window in the rear is all, and had an oil cooler mounted on the side, had a bed built after market, I lived in it),
this is the same model, but this guy I think spent a clutch and 2 tires to make this clip...LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-Fttm76v-w&feature
I had a 62' and 63' bug.
And yeah bro...a Camaro Wagon, who'da thought?
It is good to "see" you too my friend "drum basher James"
The early muscle cars were full size cars , like the 1961, 421 Pontiac Super Duty, in the Catalina, the 1962, Ford Galaxie, 406, and of course, the 'she's real fine', 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS, 409.
James: Heaven forbid: James A Watkins a prattler! That sounds like something Scarlet O'Hara would say: "How you do prattle on!" If you're afflicted with prattling, then uncontrollable drooling is next, old man! Honestly, I'm not seeing either the prattling or the incipient drooling.:-)
One of the things that I admire about your writing style is your clarity and elegance. And, from the enjoyment of your writing which is evinced in a plethora of enthusiastic comments, I would say that my perspective is echoed many times over in the hearts of all who visit your hubpages desk.
Thanks again for a wonderful hub and for a lovely tribute to your dad. Hopefully he will see it, read it, and treasure this wonderful tribute.
Stessily
thanks for the reply sir.
practicing? don't hurt your old man self!!!
and I want to see the videos.
yes, I wish to meet you to my friend, don't make me come looking for ya =)
no grater complement than a man can make than to say to another man, "I hope to meet you someday."
and those of us who are older, really know what that means.
I need a Kleenex darn it.
James A sorry I got busy and forgot you where doing this hub I helped a Young fella here in town build several 1969 Camero's 1970 chevell's and 1966 GT"s for sale at the Kruse International Auction in Auburn these cars where so perfect we sold everyone off the hauler in the parking lot before the sale. He sought out my help because he couldn't find anyone who could fit the pieces together better than they where new or even how to adjust the hoods,fender,doors ,windows or convertible tops to operate smoothly! Good thing we sold them outside the gate dale kruse had his license revoked for non payment to sellers after 40 years in the biz. Again sorry I let your request slip by me for input.... Great hub though Rory
(Luyendyk is still around?)
Cool piece, JAW...now I see where you and your dad both started flying...on the streets! Best, POH
I love fast cars maybe someone can take me for a spin?
Loved this hub, I remember the days of those muscle cars many years back. I love the car shows that share their cars with others to bring back many memories. Thanks for sharing wonderful memories.
I've always wanted a Boss Mustang. Great hub!
Very smooth James. Great article!
John
Thanks, James...it's www.AirandSpace.TV
Shiny side up (and rubber on the road),
Phillip
wow - some classic cars indeed. I recently went to a classic car show and saw some awesome vehicles. I am glad you have the Mustang in here because it is a thing of beauty. As for me, my muscle car is my Jeep. Great read...thanks...bill
Awesome pictures. Man I am drooling, I would love to own anyone of those cars. Voted up. :O
I've always been a sucker for the Mustang. I hated it when they turned it into a boring "city car" - what a terrible thing to do to an icon! '65 is my fav - like the one Ephram Zimbalist Jr. drove in the old F.B.I. series. God bless re-runs :D
up, useful, and interesting James. These are truly classic American muscle. I did not know everything about Ford. Him paying double the standard and giving a 40 hours work week. And still, look at where the company is now. Companies today should take notes. If I were making double, I would be a happy worker too. Good stuff.
American through and through, these muscle cars! Here in UK we didn't go in for the raw power so much, but still had a nice line in classic sports cars, like Morgans, Aston Martins, MGs etc.
Coolest hub I have read in ages. Up/awesome
I would love the new Chevvy Camaro as on Hawaii Five-o
Would have to be silver. Will have to do a few more hubs before I cab afford one. (lol)
Wow, James. You have many collections of muscle cars. It's a new term for me. But I thought they all great, strong and beautiful as well. I am glad to have one of these cars. You have done a great job here. One of my biggest interest to your hub is you always make it everything in detail. Rated up!
Prasetio
I had several in my day when you could buy one for $300 and fix it up for another $300 bucks. Great Hub. Of course, you know I still have my first car. Keep em comin James! - Harlan
You picked some of my favorites. I love the Yenko Camaros and I think the 1969 Mustangs are my favorites from that model's very long lifespan. They don't have the classic but wimpy styling of the first gen. Mustangs (and yes, I realize the 69 is technically first generation) and the Shelby and Boss have plenty under the hood, unlike some of the second gen. Mustangs that would come out in the following years.
Yeah we did worked many hours no one would believe either , lots of 24/6 and 24/7 we had the drive and spirit! Your right i had some Falcon sprints back than, the coupe is in houston the drop top is in southfield, yep I've cut more cars more directions than I can remember.
Yeah sorry about no input you can see how often I get on here though I knew you could handle It with out me my son.
Remember everyone up there thought we were brothers cus we looked related...which is hard to believe! I'm much better looking!
I wonder sometimes what ever happened to Luyendyk? Kinda a quirky fella much like lynn davis alis Colonel Dirt... than jeff caron and a few of the others like your pals the Rebel and gunett with his defective lacquer thinner drank half a can and didn't get a buzz!
Gald to hear from you too! Say Hi to JC for me... you have my number ring it sometime ...Is yours the same?
Later Friend
Oh! your welcome....
Love them!!! My husband just bought me a 2008 Pontiac Solistic GXP drop top, two seater, black on black, and I love it!! This year car, was only 15,000 made, so I am going to keep it! It's no muscle car but boy does it get up! it register 160! I had a 300. GREAT HUB James, Happy Thanksgiving!
69 camaro is just the most awesome looking car ever, although I do like the look of the charger 500. It is a shame that in the UK cars just aren't as cool and cars from that era are nowhere near. I know you get stuff like the E type Jag which is supposed to be cool, but they never floated my boat like lots of cool american cars.
I think the closest brand we have in the UK to cool as far as good looks with a big V8 are TVRs. Obviously much later era, but they are pretty awesome looking and I'd love to own a TVR Tuscan, shame the company went out of business.
Great hub!
I currently own a red 69 Boss 429 and I think it is the one your father owned. Would like to talk to you about it. John @ 660.864.7177
Nice hub. My first car was a 68' Camaro. Loved that ride. Thanks for sharing, it brought back great memories.













































Vladimir Uhri Level 5 Commenter 7 months ago
Wow, James, this is cool.