Custom Muscle Cars

Buying and Selling Muscle Cars at Auction - The January 2010 Guide

2010-03-07T03:36:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

Since January is here it is not only the start to a new year - it's the start to a new auction season! January has traditionally been "auction heaven" when it comes to collector cars, and the last ten years have been incredible for muscle cars! Here are a few little tips to get understand the process of an auction......and how if you can particiapte!

Selling at auction:

If you are a fan of the auction process, selling a car at auction can provide an incredible thrill. Why? Well, the best way to get a good price when selling a car is to drop your Reserve Price (the lowest price point you'll sell the car for) at just the right time. You're taking a gamble that the crowd is excited and that the people bidding on the car will stop at nothing to have it. They'll feed off of the crowd, be caught in the moment, and buy your car at a high price.....or will they? It can just as easily go the opposite way, so it's always a gamble! (Just as a side note - if the car does not sell it's quite common for a deal to be worked after the fact between the seller and an interested buyer).

If you choose to go the auction route (and many people do) go in with your eyes open to the process. Prepare your car ahead of time and bring as much documentation on it as possible. The potential buyers will have the opportunity to scout your car prior to the car going over the auction block, and many times the real "sale" is made then! If you have a minimum dollar price you'll sell the car for, get that determined up front - don't guess at the last second when emotions are running high. Then all that's left to do is run the car across the block and cross your fingers! Go for it!

Buying at Auction:

When buying a car at auction it's best to go in prepared with a few things:

* Knowledge of the cars coming across the block
* Knowledge of the buying/selling prices in the industry for that make/model
* A resolve to walk away....without the car

Knowledge of the cars:

As mentioned above in the Selling section, you will have the chance to scout the cars ahead of time. This is your big chance to get the history on the car and find out those little things that you'd never be able to guess by only seeing it cross the auction block once. Peek under the hood. Look underneath. If the owner has documentation on it, it'll be there to review - you can count on it!

Knowledge of the buying/selling prices:

In just the same way you wouldn't buy a used car without looking up it's Blue Book value, you can do quite a bit of research on the auction prices that cars have been bought/sold for. There are many resources available for this, but one of the slickest available is Keith Martin's Collector Car Price Tracker (which you can get a free one month subscription to by signing up for the newsletter on our website). Use this service to see what the car of your dreams has been going for recently... and be sure to compare apples to apples when doing so (i.e. rough cars vs nice ones, true cars vs clones, etc.). Proper preparation ahead of time will prevent you from paying too much... which leads us to our next topic!

Be prepared to walk away....without the car:

It is hard to not become caught up in the emotional moment of an auction... but try to think more with your head than your heart when doing so, unless you're really wealthy and buying a muscle car to you is like buying a dozen eggs. You need to be prepared to walk away from the auction without the car you came to buy. Stick to your set price point and don't deviate. If you don't you're almost guaranteed to spend too much, and if you're buying the car as an investment that can be the kiss of death!

If you're buying a car because it's what you've always wanted (maybe that Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am you wanted since you were 15 years old), you still need to go in prepared with a price point in mind. Now is not the time to mortgage your house. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. If not, there is another muscle car out there somewhere.....and that was the one you were supposed to be with anyway.

Not Selling or Buying....just there for the show?

All of that being said, if you're just into the spectacle of auctions but have no interest in buying or selling, they'll all let you in for a small ticket price... or better yet, you can watch them on TV! Barrett Jackson is typically on the Speed Channel, and Mecum is on HD Theatre. Either one will offer you hours of watching beautiful muscle cars in the full glory of High Definition. Be careful though as watching those auctions is like a moth to a flame - you won't be able to take your eyes off of it!

Muscle Cars Still Make a Statement

2010-03-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

By Mark McElhinney

American muscle cars were known for their solid V8's, brawny engine roar, and for demolishing their contention on the race track or street circuit. Off the strip they reek of testosterone and uninhibited power, whether we are talking about Cameros, GTO's or Firebirds.

And muscle cars weren't just the providence of American manufacturers, Australian and English car manufacturers were also busy producing their own versions such as the Jaguar XJS 12 or the Australian Monaro. Today Australian Muscle cars are still much in demand. The Holden Monaro was first introduced in 1968 and was manufactured through the 70's. and was reborn in 2001 when Holden released a limited edition 2 door V8 and V6 series which was a sellout.

Muscle cars comprised a class all their own; the cars that aspirations were made of. They descended rumbling out of Detroit with persona and style in the mid 1960's and would become a mania for generations to come. Muscle cars were a special breed of machine that were born in the 1950s, developed throughout the 1960s, and for the most part died in the early 1970s. They continue a cultural symbol of expressive style, mild rebellion, and a personal statement of independence.

These cars may be engineered by auto-mechanics to perform as they desire. In that respect there comprised different models of the big name auto manufacturers that fit this class. Muscle cars were produced from the mid-1960s into the the 70s, but the output of such wildcats fell drastically due to an amount of factors. Initially was the argument over whether it was wise and prudent to make such powerful vehicles available to the general public, chiefly due to road racing.

One of the other downsides was the increasing cost of fuel and if you had a fender bender, then you wallet was in for a shock.. Similarly Insurance coverage was also high due to the cost of parts and labour on these beauties. Insurance firms enlarged their rates and charges on all high-powered models of cars, in effect causing any future purchasers to move to another category of vehicle as the muscle cars were out of their budget. For the main part, the makes and models were retired, though some were reinvented as top end cars instead.

American Muscle Cars

2010-03-01T03:30:00.000-08:00

By David Urmann and Wasim Ahmad

American automobile models produced between 1960s and 1970s are called muscle cars. These vehicles are called "super cars" during that period. The term "muscle cars" was initiated by the horsepower race. Credits were given to John Z. DeLorean who was the president of Pontiac division. He violated General Motor's policy by putting large engine to small cars. This gave birth to 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO which started the muscle cars explosion.

The popularity of DeLorean's project inspired General Motors and its competitors to produce their muscle car brands. The 1960s muscle car brands include Barracuda, Road Runner, Camaro, Superbird, Cyclone, Firebird, Super Sport, Toronado, and Mustang.

Muscle Car Engines

I. V8 Engine
V8 muscle engine was developed by General Motors. It was the first one to use a high compression overhead valve. It assembled eight cylinders in two sections in one crankshaft. The use of single crankshaft gave the muscle cars faster speed and acceleration.

II. Hemi Engine
Chrysler developed this engine in the 1950s. Hemi came from the hemispherical shape of the combustion chambers. The design of the chambers allows the engine overhead valves to be positioned at an angle. The position of the valve gives an optimum flow of the fuel into the engine.

Popular American Muscle Car Models

1965 Pontiac GTO
This is the first model that started the American muscle car craze. It runs from 0-60 mph at 6.6 seconds. It has V8 engine with 389-cid. This car weighs a staggering 3,470 lbs. The total number of units sold was 32,450.

1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
This model is the first one to use 401-cid V8 engine and has convertible's beefed-up frame. Performance is 0-60 mph at 7.8 seconds and weighs 3,200 lbs. The total number of units sold was 69,367.

1967 Pontiac GTO
This is considered as one of the most stunning muscle cars of all times. Certain features include 400-cid V8 engine, four-barrel carburetor, optional hood-mounted tach and power front disc brakes. It runs from 0-60 mph at 6.6 seconds and weighs 3,425 lbs. The total number of units sold was 81,722.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
This is one of the most unique models of Mustang. This car was built to satisfy the rules of NASCAR. It has V8 429-cid and runs from 0-60 mph at 6.8 seconds. Features include husky tires, suspension tweaks, and wide front track. It weighs 3,870 lbs. The total number of units sold was 858.

1969 Z28 Chevrolet Camaro
This model has one of the most desirable looks in the muscle car era. The unique feature of this car is its cowl-induction hood. It has a 302-cid V8 engine. It runs from 0-60 mph at 7.4 seconds and weighs 3,765 lbs. The total number of units sold was 20,302.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
This is one of the most extravagant muscle cars ever produced. It has a 440-cid V8 engine with a single four-barrel carburetor. Certain features of this model include big rear wing and wind tunnel shaped snout. It runs from 0-60 mph at 6.7 seconds and weighs 3,841 lbs. The total number of units sold was 1,920.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda
The features of this car include sporty interior with four-speed manual transmission and 426-cid V8 engine. It runs from 0-60 mph at 5.6 seconds and weighs 3,900 lbs. The total number of units sold was 666.

1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
The features of this car include 454-cid V8 engine, F41 suspension, power front disc brakes, five-spoke wheels, blackout grille, and cowl-induction hood. It runs from 0-60 mph at 6.0 seconds and weighs 4,000 lbs. The total number of units sold was 9,502.

Muscle Cars For Sale

2010-02-26T03:29:00.000-08:00

By Gregory Jean

When searching for muscle cars for sale there are several approaches you can take. Many publications, such as Hemmings Motor News, contain a large classified section listing muscle cars of all makes and models. There are also many make-specific (i.e. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc.) magazines featuring cars of those particular companies that are available for sale.

The Internet has become a great source for locating hard to find muscle cars. Searching by name for a particular car of interest will reward you with many sites to investigate. E-Bay is another internet source where many people, private parties and/or dealerships, offer muscle cars for sale through an auction-type method. Internet sites such as Manheim Gold will help determine value of a muscle car for sale.

There are many factors in muscle cars for sale that contribute to the overall value and price of the car. Some people are looking for a muscle car as a project where they can begin with a minimum investment, likely on a car requiring much work, and are hoping that over time and with much money and time spent, their car will increase in value considerably. The most important factor is making sure the car is not full of rust, requiring a total frame-off restoration that will end up being quite costly.

Muscle cars for sale that have been kept in pristine original condition or have had a total frame-off restoration demand much higher prices, keep their value better, and make a great investment. The size of the engine also determines overall value in muscle cars for sale, with the high performance big block engines seeming to be more desirable.

Dodge Charger SRT8 - Welcome the Return of the Muscle Car

2010-02-23T03:26:00.000-08:00

By Paul S Fitzgerald

The muscle car era of the early 1960s and late 1970s. The era where Cars were equipped with large powerful V8 engines and sold at an affordable price. An era where cars where use for both street and drag racing. Oh, how fast the days have gone by. But don't despair, because one of the great American muscle car has returned.

Welcome the real deal. Welcome the return of the muscle car. Welcome the 2008 Dodge Charger SRT-8. The Dodge Charger SRT-8 first became popular through its NASCAR dominance and later through its television shows. It is now acknowledge as an icon of the muscle car era and one of America's most revered performance nameplates.

It all started when the Dodge Charger SRT-8 debuted during the mid 1960s as a response to America's muscle car phenomenon. The Dodge Charger SRT-8 was a two-door coupe that boasted an aggressive fastback styling and a big V8 power. Then it all ended after 1970 when rising insurance, gas prices, higher emission standards and changing consumer tastes ended the Dodge Charger's glory.

And then fast forward to 2008, the modern muscle car has arrived. The new Dodge Charger SRT-8 may not be the two-door muscle car everyone expects but it is a modern take of a legendary icon. It is now a sedan packed with a usable interior and plenty of standard equipment. The Dodge Charger SRT-8 is now a muscle car that the whole family can enjoy.

The new Dodge Charger SRT-8 model debuted in 2006 and was based on the Mercedes-derived platform that was used for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. This model has four doors and is a little larger than the average mid size sedan. It had a front-end styling that was much more aggressive, had rear roof line slopes downward in a coupe-like fashion. In 2008 the design was updated with a revised interior which now featured improved materials and more upscale appearance.

The Dodge Charger SRT-8 comes from the Chrysler's special SRT (street and racing technology) performance division and is known to be the fastest of the Charger models. It has got a 6.1 liter Hemi V8 engine that is capable of 425 hp. Its powerful V8 engine is backed up with other SRT features such as a stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and a modified front fascia. It also has got a secure handling and roomy, comfortable interiors.

With the new Dodge Charger SRT-8, the muscle car has returned. The muscle car has been reborn. And what better way to try it first hand by renting it a LAS Vegas car rentals. You don't only get to enjoy the car but you also enjoy cruising it around Las Vegas strip. What a cruise would that be!

You now know the car, you now know where to find it. What are you going to do about it?

VIN Number Decoding For Classic Muscle Cars

2010-02-20T03:24:00.000-08:00

By Timothy Leary

One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given in regards to buying a classic muscle car was to invest in high quality resource materials so I could crack the code on Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to make sure that I was not getting scammed.

The best way to find a high quality book is to find what the experts are using. With the internet, you can type a subject like Camaro restoration book into the Amazon search box. You can also Google it and follow the links, which will take you to various forums and websites. Chevrolet by the Numbers, by Alvin Colvin, is the best book I have ever found for Chevrolet part numbers, Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), trim tags, and model ID. The book is an easy read, with chapters designated to the different components. Again, I used this process in my quest to purchase a rare Camaro. Just Google the car you are looking for and follow the links. The best resources will be obvious.

Here is a list of objects you will need when decoding your car.

Small flashlight, notebook, resource or reference book, mechanics mirror, pen or pencil, cordless or corded droplight, floor jack and jack-stands, coveralls, rags, brass wire brush, brake cleaner, yellow or white colored grease pencil, digital camera or camcorder.

If you are continuing to read this information, I can only surmise that buying a classic muscle car with the proper numbers and matching parts is important to you! Good! It should be! If this is true, I will walk you through an example of decoding a car. This will give you an idea of what it takes to properly decode a car.

Be prepared to take your time. I also discovered a sure fire way to determine who your true friends are. Ask them to go along to help you decode a car! Having an extra body can sometimes cut your time in half. I also recommend finding an expert or consultant on your car, and buying a couple of hours their time, especially if you are looking to purchase a special model classic car. It's been my experience that an extra set of eyes can only help the cause. I found an expert through one of my reference books. Prior to me going to look at my current car, I spent about an hour talking with him, and making a list of things I should be looking for. (Of course, if you want someone to handle the process from A to Z, services are available. This is a great option if you are buying the car from remote.)

The Process

Before I arrived the owner told me the car was basically a roller project, meaning the engine and transmission were removed from the car. The engine, transmission and other components were placed in a pile where it would be easy to look at the numbers. The owner also claimed it was a limited edition Camaro, yet he didn't have any paperwork like an original order invoice, or a protect o plate (a special metal plate shaped like a credit card that is used for warranty and repair services). This type of paperwork trail eliminates the need for further documentation. If you do not have this type of paperwork, then follow along. When I arrived at the location where the car was stored, the first thing I did was to check the VIN number. The VIN number is probably the most important number on a car. If you do not know how to decode a VIN on a particular Chevrolet, you will be unable to verify other components or numbers. What is nice about the book is it actually walks you through the whole decoding process, including providing the specific numbers location. As a sidebar, any good resource book on your particular make and model car will outline the way to decode your car, including number locations and decoding info. On 1968 and 1969 Camaros, the VIN number is located on the top of the dash board, on the drivers side. The number is visible through the windshield. I wiped the dirt and dust off of the VIN tag, and copied the numbers into my notebook.

VIN number

I was able to determine that my car was originally a V8, it was a 2 door sport coupe, made in 1969, assembled in Norwood Ohio, and it was the 662,8XXrd car built at that plant in that year.

Trim tag.

In 1969, all Camaro trim tags were located in the engine compartment, riveted on the upper left hand corner of the firewall. I took my rag and cleaned all of the dust and gunk off of the trim tag. Since the numbers were not that clear, I recleaned the trim tag, and removed the rest of the gunk. I used my flashlight to illuminate the numbers, and then copied the numbers into my notebook. Some of the trim tag numbers matched up with the VIN tag numbers, which was a good sign. The remaining numbers indicated that my car body was number 353,XXX to come down this plant's assembly line. The interior was originally a standard black interior, and the car was built in the first week of June, 1969. The car was originally painted dusk blue and it was equipped with a spoiler package and a chrome trim package. So far everything was lining up. The reason for all of this detail is to illustrate how you can confirm that what you think you are buying is exactly what you are getting.

Before I move on, I want to share how this is relevant. A husband and wife from my car club went to look at a Chevelle. The car was advertised as a Super Sport. During the inspection process, and referencing the above book, they uncovered a number of inconsistencies. According to the numbers, the car had originally started out as a plain Jane 6 cylinder car. The car was now painted a different color, had a different color interior and a different engine. You get the picture. Over the years, one (or more) of the previous owners modified the car and tried to make it into a Super Sport. The point is it may have not been done maliciously, but the car still did not start out as a true Super Sport. And having the Super Sport option obviously raises the value of the car.

Engine code identification.

The engine is stamped in (2) places on a 69 Camaro. One is on the right front engine pad. The other location is on the rough casting portion on the rear of the engine, just above the oil filter. Again I wiped off the areas I just described with brake cleaner sprayed on a rag. You need to have a clean surface, and normally brake cleaner will do the trick. The front engine pad numbers appeared to have been restamped at one time, maybe after the engine block was decked (Decking in a machine process to check the flatness of the block deck for irregularities that cause compression and water leaks.) The tricky part is reading the numbers on the area above the oil filter. I recommend a really bright light and a magnifying glass. If that doesn't do it, then I suggest taking a little muriatic acid an applying it to the numbers. This should make the numbers readable. The reason this number is sometimes hard to decipher is because these engines were hand stamped, and punched onto a rough surface. According to the numbers, I determined the engine was a 425 horsepower high performance engine, with a 4 speed manual transmission. The last numbers also corresponded with the last numbers in my VIN, which meant this was the original engine to this car. The numbers told me the engine was assembled June 14, which fell in line with the build date. The engine block part number that is cast into the rear of the block was cleaned with a rag and brake cleaner as well. The block part number indicated ahigh performance block used for Camaros. Another piece of the puzzle confirmed.

Rear axle identification.

The numbers on a Camaro rear axle are stamped on the top of the right axle tube. My experience has been that this area is normally pretty crusty and rusty. And this rear axle was no exception. After considerable wire brushing, I wiped the area clean with brake cleaner. Laying on my back, I shone the light on the area, while holding a mirror. It still wasn't clear enough for me to read accurately. I then took my grease pencil, and ran it over the numbers. The purpose of the grease pencil is to provide contrast with the metal of the axle tube. When I put the mirror back over the area, I was rewarded with a very sharp image of the part numbers, which I copied into my notebook. According to the numbers, this rear axle assembly had a 4.10:1 gear ratio, limited slip. The axle was assembled June 16, 1969. Are you seeing a pattern starting to appear here? The axle numbers also indicated the axle to be original to the car based on the dates codes referencing June 1969 build date. I took the same approach with the other parts.

Here are my findings. The cylinder heads, intake manifold, carburetor, and transmission were the correct part numbers for the car. However none of these parts were date coded to the car. One of the heads was manufactured in April 1968, the other head was manufactured in February of 1969. The transmission was manufactured Jan 24th 1969. The reason I know all of these parts are not correctly date coded to the car is I decoded each one, by researching the part numbers, and date codes. All of this information is important, because not only did it verify what the owner had told me, and it also showed that the other parts were in line with the build date. Thereby providing further confirmation of what I was looking at. During my investigating, I took pictures with a digital camera of all of the parts and part numbers, as best as i could. I spent about 30 minutes walking around the car with a video camera and editorializing what I was taking footage of. I also took the list of things the Camaro expert had told me about and checked them off one by one. Later in the week I called the Camaro expert and shared my findings. I reviewed all of my research, including going over the individual part numbers, and the "things to look for" checklist. By the end of the phone call, I was 99 percent positive that this Camaro was what it was being advertised as.

The last thing I did was to have the car documented and certified by a Certified Camaro appraiser.

GM also stamped hidden VIN numbers in (2) different places on the car. The reason for the hidden VIN numbers was to add another step in preventing and identifying a stolen car. Because it is fairly easy to remove and swap out the VIN tag on the dash, the hidden VIN's provided a back-up system of check and balances. For example, someone could possibly swap out a VIN tag, but if they didn't know about the Hidden VIN numbers, a person in the know could easily identify the numbers not matching up. Because the car was bought a roller project, it was easy to check these hidden VIN's, against the VIN tag on the dash. I wanted the appraiser to check them personally, and he confirmed the numbers as matching and authentic. In other words the certificate authenticates the car. Many appraisers will also supply you with a report on their findings. The nice thing about having a car certified is this type of paperwork is normally viewed as iron clad documentation. It normally raises the value of the car, because of the authenticity certificate. And if you ever go to sell the car, now you have documentation to provide the seller that the car is a real (Super Sport, Rally Sport, Z/28, etc. You fill in the blank)

Some people may wonder why would anyone go through all of this work.

However, keep in mind that many of these muscle cars are 20 plus years old and have gone through numerous owners and modifications. All of that history is prior to it being restored back to showroom original condition. In other words, many parts are bolt on and interchangeable from other models and different years. So just because the parts look ok, doesn't mean that they even belong on the car. In the above example about the couple and the Chevelle, the car was priced as a Super Sport, yet the trim tag and other numbers reflected a totally different story. Even though the car was beautifully restored, it was really nothing more than a modified 6 cylinder, base model Chevelle that someone converted over to a V-8 at some time in it's life. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with modifying a car to an individual owners taste. The issue is when the car is sold and the seller forgets to mention (consciously or unconsciously) and inform the new owner of the modifications. Our Chevelle couple would have gladly paid the asking price if the car was a true Super Sport. But, because they knew how to decode the car, they were able to save themselves a lot of time, money and aggravation. At the time the difference between a plain Jane Chevelle and a real Super Sport was over $10,000. Just to throw some numbers out there, let's be conservative and say it takes 6 hours of research to decode a car. Using our $10,000 figure, that equates to approximately $1,600 an hour. Not a bad return on your time investment. As muscle and classic cars have become more popular, I have seen many cases where just for the fun of it, an owner will start to do research on a car he or she owns.

Discovering your car isn't really what you thought you purchased can really knock the wind out of you. By investing a small amount of money, and time, in researching and decoding your prospective muscle car purchase you can sleep at night knowing that you received the value you paid for. Anyone else interested in investing a couple of hours for peace of mind when purchasing a classic or muscle car???

Cheap Muscle Cars For Sale - The Benefits of Buying and Restoring Your Dream Muscle Car

2010-02-17T03:22:00.000-08:00

By Arthur Dent

Benefit 1: They are cheap!

Due to the concern over environmental issues, with car emissions being a major contributor to global warming (and muscle cars unfortunately emit more than most) and the financial concern over the cost of gasoline (again, these old girls guzzle fuel like it's going out of style), even cars in great condition (often not too far from showroom condition) can be had for bargain prices these days. Just remember if you do buy a muscle car as a project, or if you get something fully restored and ready to go, be responsible to the environment (and your wallet) by only driving on special occasions, such car shows, vintage car runs, or just that one weekend a month roar through those old country roads. This will have less impact on global warming and your bankbook, and has the added benefit of keeping the experience of driving your dream car special and fresh each time you take it out.

Benefit 2: It's a learning experience!

If you've ever wanted to learn more about cars and engines, restoring a muscle car is by far the best way to go about it. The beauty of these old cars is there's no high tech computer controlled engine systems to worry about, and many repairs and upgrades can be done by yourself from home with the right parts, a copy of the workshop manual and a little trial and error. Lots of online communities exist where you can trade tips and tricks, and local car clubs can also yield lots of advice from friendly fellow enthusiasts.

Benefit 3: You can get your friends involved!

Working on a project car is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with your fellow rev-head friends, or even your family and kids if they are old enough. Put on a barbeque and a case of beer, invite a few friends over (after promising them a drive or two once the car is finished) and you can make light work of the most daunting parts of a restore, ie. sanding back paint and patching rust comes immediately to mind.

Where To Find Cheap Muscle Cars For Sale

2010-02-14T03:20:00.000-08:00

By Katie S Turner

Are you racking your brains trying to find out where there are cheap muscle cars for sale?

Oh for a time machine to take us back to the early 70's when we could have got a great Pontiac, cherished it and have a great muscle car for the 21st century.

But, short of waiting around for someone to invent a time machine any minute, we're going to have to look elsewhere.

There are a few options open to you, some fair better than others. But it's worth trying them all.

1. Ebay. I don't know if you've already thought of looking here but do consider it as you can quite easily find a treasure. I don't know whereabouts in the Country you are reading this, but don't be put off because Ebay is nationwide. Local (to you) sellers also use Ebay and infact, there's a website that exists that lists muscle cars for sale on Ebay too. Of course, you'll have to bid and you may come across stiff competition. There again, you may not. It's a bit of a gamble but if you're serious about your muscle cars this may be an avenue worth investigating.

2. Another option, but the one that involves the most work and dedication, is to go out and find one for yourself. By this I mean; drive around and if you happen to see a classic muscle car, sitting all forlorn in someone's yard - take the plunge and find out if the owner's interested in parting with it for cash. I've actually known this work for some people, so at least consider it. Chances are if the car's just collecting cobwebs, the owner may not know its worth & you could end up with a real bargain.

3. Don't overlook the obvious alternative to both of the above when looking for cheap muscle cars for sale. Scour your local newspaper. Chances are that a local seller isn't going to be a collector & so won't be asking an extortionate price. Once again you could make a steal whilst leaving the vendor with a smile on his face at the same time.

4. Lastly, & by no means least. Turn your attention towards the online auction sites that have police or government seized cars for sale. I know that the majority of the cars that they seize are only a few years old but occasionally they have also been known to repossess classic muscle cars. You have to become a member of these sites, but by doing so you have immediate access to over 3000 updated auctions nationwide. Some sites even offer live auctions. It's a great way to see exactly what classic muscle cars are out there. Again, these sites also guarantee to have auction sites that cater for your State. So if you find one that you're after you won't have too far to go. Using this option to find the muscle car of your choice means that you can be a step ahead of everyone else that's looking.

There are cheap muscle cars for sale out there, & now you know just where to look.

Cloned Muscle Cars - A Pain Staken Effort

2010-02-11T03:18:00.000-08:00

By David Atkin

People these days will go to horrible lengths to build an exact replica of a muscle car, I still haven't decided if this is a good thing, or a bad thing, on one hand people are giving it their best not to let these cars just disappear from the planet, and on the other hand they are using their knowledge and muscle car prowess to rip unsuspecting people off, and that is by no means a good thing.

I live for these old cars, and I love them to the core, a person, or shop should never use their knowledge to rip another person off, it makes them, and the entire industry look bad, you know how it goes, you may never hear one thing about a shop, until god forbid they do something wrong, and it's wrong to rip people off, it doesn't help anybody, not the cars, not the people, and most of all, not the shops.

Over the time I've been in the industry I've seen a lot of things, and the most disturbing of all is the cloning of muscle cars for fraudulent purposes, with intent to do an other person harm, it's just fine to clone them for posterity, and to keep the memory alive, or just because a person wants a car that is impossible for them to find, or afford if they did.

As you know, if you read my articles on the web with regularity, I will try to help people all I can when it comes to muscle cars, or classic American cars, because without people there are no cars, and without muscle cars, I might as well be dead, I would love to have a 1969 ZL1 camaro, but with out a doubt I can't afford to buy a real one, even if I could find it, the last I seen sold for $880.000 at auction.

I will probably clone one some day, but if I sell it, I will make 100% sure that the person buying the car knows that it's a clone, I won't sell it as a restored original, or a factory un-restored true survivor, I love those cars way to much for that, I love L88 corvette's, and I love ZL1 corvette's, and nothing will ever change that, but nothing will ever change the fact that I can't afford one of them either.

People with the knowledge of how these cars were built can make an almost exact copy of one, in all but two respects, original engines are very hard to find, and to build a numbers matching clone is almost impossible for the ordinary shop, it may take years to find some of the parts to do the job, although anything is possible if you have the time.

People also go to great time and expense to build clones of the mopar hemi cars also, and there getting truly hard to find, some fetching over $2,000,000 on the market, obviously not in most people's price range, I see clones going for very high prices also, so look hard, get as much information on the car that you want as you can, if the person selling the car is unable to give you the information that you need, be very leery about the purchasing of the car.

Classic car can be a risky venture, unless you study and learn all you can about the particular car that you want to buy, it's hard for the person selling the car to argue with true knowledge, it's hard for them to fool a person who really knows the about the car that they want to buy, know what engines were available in that car, know what transmissions were available, know how to identify all the things that are important when buying a classic car.

The Twenty Fastest Muscle Cars

2010-02-08T03:16:00.000-08:00

By Brian Edwards

From the mid to early 1970's a new breed of cars ruled the American streets. The majority of these were intermediate sized automobiles with large block engines stuffed inside. At first these cars were called "super cars" and over time they became know more accurately as muscle cars. The quarter mile was the performance standard and weekend drag racing became very popular.

Many of these cars pulled weekday duty as commuter vehicles, taking their proud owners to work and school. But, on the weekend the guys at the wheel were full fledged "amateur" dragsters. For the first time (and many would argue the only time) in American automotive history, high performance vehicles were available to the masses. The average Joe with a decent job could go to his local dealership and drive away with a ground pounding, tire smoking muscle car. Additionally, in a time before complicated emission controls and computer chips, an average Joe could actually working on his pride.

As the list of the twenty fastest muscle cars points out, the majority of the beasts had domesticated roots. The Road Runners, Chevelles and Chargers were all basic family cruisers. What made them special was those wonderfully powerful big block engines. Even the Camaros and 'Cudas were decent transportation for the young man with a couple of small children. Only the Corvettes and the Cobra were initially created as sports cars.

As everyone over this generation knows, the muscle car became extinct in the early 1970's. Rising fuel costs, rising insurance premiums and new safety concerns marked the end of this era. Today the original muscle cars are one of the hottest automotive collectables. Men of a certain age are aggressively bidding for the car of their youthful dreams.

So take a look at the list and see who really owned the streets when muscle cars reigned supreme. For more information about all the great Muscle Cars of the past visit Muscle Car Facts.

Rank - Model - - ¼ Mile Time and Speed - - Engine - - HP - - TRANS - - Source

1 - 1966 427 Cobra - - 12.20 sec @ 118 mph - - 427 8V - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR CRAFT 11/65

2 - 1966 Corvette 427 - - 12.80 sec @ 112 mph - - L72 427 - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR AND DRIVER 11/65

3 - 1969 Road Runner - - 12.91 sec @ 111 mph - - 440 Six BBL - 390 - - 4-Speed - - SUPER STOCK 6/69

4 - 1970 Hemi Cuda - - 13.10 sec @ 107 mph - - 426 Hemi - 425 - 4-Speed - CAR CRAFT 11/69

5 - 1970 Chevelle SS 454 - - 13.12 sec @ 107 mph - - 454 LS6 - 450 - - 4-Speed - - CAR CRAFT 11/69

6 - 1969 Camaro - - - 13.16 sec @ 110 mph - - 427 ZL1 - - 430 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 6/69

7 - 1968 Corvette - - - 13.30 sec @ 108 mph - - 427 6V - - 435 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 5/68

8 - 1970 Road Runner - - 13.34 sec @ 107 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - automatic - - SUPER STOCK 12/69

9 - 1970 Buick GS Stage I - - 13.38 sec @ 105 mph - - 455 Stage I - - 360 - automatic - - MOTOR TREND 1/70

10 - 1968 Corvette 427 - - 13.41 sec @ 109 mph - - L72 427 - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR AND DRIVER 6/68

11 - 1969 Charger 500 - - 13.48 sec @ 109 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - HOT ROD 2/69

12 - 1968 Charger - - - 13.50 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - 425 - - automatic - - CAR AND DRIVER 11/67

13 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird - 13.50 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425

14 - 1968 Road Runner - - 13.54 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - automatic - - CAR AND DRIVER 1/69

15 - 1973 Trans Am - - 13.54 sec @ 104 mph - - 455 SD - - 310 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 6/73

16 - 1969 Corvette - - - 13.56 sec @ 111 mph - - 427 L88 - - 430 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 4/69

17 - 1969 Super Bee - - 13.56 sec @ 105 mph - - 440 Six Pack - - 390 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 8/69

18 - 1969 Boss 429 Mustang - 13.60 sec @ 106 mph - - Boss 429 - - 375 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 9/69

19 - 1970 Challenger R/T - - 13.62 sec @ 104 mph - - 440 Six Pack - - 390 - - automatic - - CAR CRAFT 11/69

20 - 1970 Torino Cobra - - 13.63 sec @ 105 mph - - 429 SCJ - - 370 - - automatic - - SUPER STOCK 3/70

Factory Muscle Cars Today and Yesterday

2010-02-05T03:14:00.000-08:00

By Shawn Low

A new breed of Pony

When Ford introduced the 1965 Mustang, they not only created a new car, but started a craze. Before the introduction of the iconic Ford Mustang, the Big Three's stylists' idea of a powerful factory car, was a vehicle that in many ways, resembled a large metal boat with fins and then stuffed in, the biggest motor they made.

The Mustang changed all this. Lee Iacocca, at the time, Vice President of Ford had a vision of the future for a new sports car that seated 4 people, had bucket seats, a floor mounted shifter, and weighed less than 2,500 lbs.

Nicely styled, light and quick and priced at only $2,368 f.o.b. Detroit, the car was an instant hit. In fact, 22,000 of these little pony cars flew out of showroom doors the very first day. Not only did the buying public sit up and take notice, so did the competition and it didn't take long for a swarm of other cars to compete against these soon to be called "pony cars".

It also didn't take long for the marketing people to try to outsell the other guys products, by boosting performance. And that was the start of the factory Muscle cars and the Muscle car wars.

The 60's and early 70's were heady days for muscle cars, with cheap gas and money burning a hole in people's pockets. Then came the Arab oil embargo and gas rationing. All of a sudden gas prices increased outrageously. That was, if you could find any gas at all.

Hard to find, and expensive gas as well as new pollution and emissions controls, made quick work of the factory muscle car until the late 1980's, when gas prices fell and manufacturers finally had a handle on making a clean engine that could perform respectably. Interest really never waned, but what was there to buy that was as good or as cool to look at as those 1970's muscle cars?

Chrysler has to be credited with dusting off some of those dreams of yesteryear, with its Prowler and other show car turned production machines. But the factory Muscle car war really started back in earnest with a beautiful retro-styled coupe with 300 horsepower, that Ford called the new 2005 Mustang. And new dreams were being made.

Since then, we've seen the new Dodge Challenger, the new Camaro and of course the new Hemi. Even with a poor economy, the Ford Mustang has brought the factory muscle car to a feeding frenzy, and horsepower wars have started all over again. But although these new muscle cars, have a family resemblance that at once makes them familiar, they are in no way just automotive portraits of a different era.

The first Mustang V8 made a very respectable 210 horsepower and in a 2,500 pound car, that meant a lot of get up and go! Today, however, a 300 horsepower car is a V6 powered car while today's V8 muscle car may now boast 400 to 500 horsepower.

And the biggest turn of events? Factory Muscle cars turn just as well as they perform in a straight line. Not only that, they are fuel efficient, much easier on the environment and safer. And with that, I have only one more thing to say, "Make mine a six speed!"

Muscle Car Insurance Policies - Five Common Restrictions on Specialty Auto Insurance Policies

2010-02-02T03:12:00.000-08:00

By Keith Farren

There is no doubt about it, if you own and drive a classic muscle car, there are many advantages to getting your insurance from a specialty insurance provider. They can offer you much more appropriate coverage for less money than a standard insurance policy from the company that insures your everyday driver. However, the way that the muscle car insurance companies are able to offer better coverage for less money is that they place a number of limitations or restrictions on the policyholder and how the car is used. Some of these limitations may disqualify you from being able to get specialty insurance, or may be too restrictive for how your car is driven.

The first restrictions to consider are your age, driving experience, and driving record. Most vintage car insurance companies require that you be of a certain age or have a certain number of years behind the wheel. All of them that I have researched require a good driving record, and have a limit on the number of accidents or moving violations that you have had within a specified time frame.

The second restriction to consider is that most if not all specialty insurers require that you have a currently-insured daily driver vehicle in addition to your classic car. Some companies require that you have a daily driver vehicle for each licensed driver in your household. They will not offer a specialty insurance policy if your muscle car is your main mode of transportation.

The third restriction to be aware of is that many classic car insurance policies have limits on how many miles the car can be driven each year. This may be a concern if you drive to a number of distant car shows or take it on vacation. Most will not allow you to use your muscle car for your daily commute or for running errands, even if you meet the previous criteria of owning a daily driver. If you drive your car quite a bit, there are muscle car insurance companies that offer unlimited mileage policies, but the number of providers you have to choose from will be limited.

Fourth, you will likely be required to store your muscle car in a fully enclosed, locked garage when not in use. Some classic car insurance companies even require that you send them photos of the garage where the car is stored! If your car is kept outside or even under a carport, you may have trouble getting a specialty insurance policy.

The fifth restriction you may run in to is that some collector auto insurance companies will only insure vehicles that are valued above a certain amount. If your classic muscle car happens to be a rusty four door sedan, your number of choices for specialty insurance providers will be somewhat limited.

Each insurance company is somewhat unique in their limitations and restrictions, but the above points are common to most muscle car insurance companies. As long as you can meet the qualifications above and can live with the mileage limits, a specialty muscle car insurance policy is most likely your best choice. It will save you money and provide you better coverage than using a conventional auto insurance policy and provider.

Is Your Muscle Car Cool Enough?

2010-01-30T03:10:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

Ahh, to be cool. Little kids grow up having no concept of "coolness", and then they hit the 6th grade. From that point on, being "cool" is on the top of their to-do list. Muscle cars are perpetually cool. They've been cool since day #1, and their legend has grown ever since. A friend of mine (who grew up in the 1960's) recently commented that there is nothing on the road as cool as a muscle car, and he said it in a way that that made it seem as certain as the fact that 2+2=4. The question I wonder is, how do you know if your muscle car is cool enough?

Just like the hallways of high school, one could argue that there is a pecking order of coolness when it comes to muscle cars. Being popular seemed to help make some people cool, but many cool people were never popular. Muscle cars are the same way. (As a side note I've seen a few of the popular kids from high school later in life.....and they don't seem quite as cool as I remember.)

Having a popular model car (like a Mustang) gives it an instant coolness factor, while having a less popular model leaves it up to the car's merits to determine it's coolness. Let's take a look at 3 muscle cars in particular and judge the Cool Factor...and then you can determine if it's cool enough for you to drive!

Car #1 - 1st Gen Camaro (1967-1969)

1st generation (1967-1969) Camaro's were popular the day they were unveiled. They were Chevy's answer to the Mustang and were similar in that they were built off of an economy car (the Chevy II...where as the Mustang was built off of the Falcon). You could get one with a small block, a big block, one ready to drag race, or one ready to run the road course (Z/28 style). Just order it up and be sure to book a date for Friday night...which won't be hard to do. They're still popular today and are one of the most sought after by collectors and hot rodders.

High School Equivalent: The QB of the football team. Athletic. Great looking. He can bench press....uh, a Camaro. Girls dig that.

Car #2 - 1966-67 Dodge Charger

Early generation Mopars are kind of the Apple 'Mac' of muscle cars. A small percentage of muscle car guys love them with utter devotion and would drive nothing else. To them, driving a Ford or Chevy would be like cheating on their wives. That being said, the '66-'67 Charger is a very cool car just from a styling and feature standpoint - the gauges alone are awesome - but it's not for everyone. It didn't sell with the popularity of the '68-'70 models (or live on eternity thanks to the Dukes of Hazzard), but it does have it's fans and can definitely hold it's own against the competition.

High School Equivalent: The Captain of the Drumline. Not everyone knows him, but those that do know he's got rhythm from head to toe. He's jammin' on drums with his buddies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Car #3 - AMX

And then there is that other guy. American Motors cars were always kind of a fifth wheel. Some of their passenger cars were dorky looking (the Pacer, the Gremlin, the Matador, etc.), but the AMX was genuinely good looking. It was just a little different than the norm, mainly due to it's short wheel base (VERY short) and the fact that it was a 2-seater!

High School Equivalent: That one guy that wore a leather jacket and shades. No-one knew his name. I think he's a famous artist now.

Summary:

So just why is it that we're trying to determine if a muscle car is cool enough for you to drive? Well, quite honestly...what other reason would you have to drive one? They're brash, noisy, smelly, and can be hard to drive at times. They hate being driven slowly and give you feelings of sheer joy and simultaneous terror while being pushed to the limits. They need constant wrenching and "tweaking" just to stay in fighting shape. Why on earth would you put up with all of that when you could drive a nice happy Toyota Camry? You know why....because just like the Fonz, muscle cars are cool, and coolness rubs off. So, in the end, if you think your muscle car is cool - it is. That's all that matters. It's cool enough. Remember though, if it's popular, it's probably already cool, but just like high school....some of the coolest people were never popular.

Muscle Car Insurance - How to Get the Best Rates

2010-01-27T03:08:00.000-08:00

By Andy Darwinson

It may have taken months or years for you to put together, repair, restore and trick out your muscle car but she's finally ready for the road. You need to find the best insurance for your little beauty that reflects her real value, not the value of a depreciated car. That's when you need to get muscle car insurance.

Like other specialty cars, muscle cars link us to the past and those sweet memories of the first date, the big road trip with Dad or cruisin' the drag. They're a moment in time put together piece by piece with loving devotion to detail. These cars require specialty policies instead of traditional auto insurance policies.

The value of the reconditioned muscle car is individual and doesn't come from a book but knowledge of car collecting. Don't leave your estimated value in the hands of your insurance agent or company. Take proactive action before you start looking for insurance.

Look for a specialty car appraiser and secure a written appraisal of the true value of the car. This is proof of the value before you insure the vehicle. A copy of the appraisal should go to the insurance company's underwriters so you can both come to an equitable decision on the amount of coverage.

Take plenty of photos. If you incur damage to your vehicle, you want to prove the quality of the parts, motor, exterior and interior. Pictures speak 1000 words when it comes to insurance and proof of value.

Photograph the building where you store your beauty. Secure housing is an important factor when it comes to insuring muscle cars. Insurance companies offer the best rates when they know the asset they insure has adequate protection from theft and the elements.

Investigate the amount of time you can drive your vehicle on the road. While some classic car and muscle car policies offer protection if the car is at a show or parade, they offer limited open road coverage. Muscle cars beg you to drive them and as a dutiful owner, you sometimes have to give in their whims. Find a policy that allows you this freedom.

Check out specialty insurance companies and get online quotes for your muscle car. The more places you look for competitive quotes, the more likely you'll be to find the best rates. Insurance on specialty cars is expensive and worth every penny, but if you can find better coverage at a lower price, it leaves more money to buy a few extra touches for your car and maybe a poodle skirt for the woman in your life.

Learn All About Muscle Car Insurance

2010-01-24T02:58:00.000-08:00

By Byron Stuart

Question: How do I know if my car fits in a high performance insurance category?

Answer: A good place to start would be to ask your dealer. A dealer will generally know if your car fits in the muscle car insurance category. To qualify as high performance, your car must meet a specific weight to power ratio. Most cars that are insured as high performance vehicles are considered sports cars and have a corresponding price tag. However, there are several models available in the fifteen thousand to twenty-five thousand dollar range. For example, the Dodge Caliber is a lower priced sports car. Ask your dealer or agent for the specific criteria in the your area.

Q: Why is my car more expensive to insure?

A: The first reason is that these cars are generally more expensive to buy. The rates for muscle car insurance depend on the cost to replace your particular vehicle. Secondly, statistics prove that drivers of sports cars take more risks. Because of this, their accident rates are higher than average. To account for the increase in accidents, agents raise the prices accordingly. Lastly, these cars are often not used as a main family or commuting vehicle. A person is much more likely to utilize a high performance sports car for a weekend trip or joy ride. Again, this driving behavior increases accident risk and raises insurance costs.

Q: Should I insure my older car under a classic car or a muscle car policy?

A: Which policy is best for you depends on your usage of the vehicle. If you plan to utilize the high performance capacity of your older car, you may well be better off choosing a specific muscle car insurance policy. However, if your older car is more for show and you plan on spending a lot of time in the garage, strolling country lanes or at car shows showing it off, you may want to choose a classic car policy. Each policy has different coverage parameters and specifications. Ask your insurance agent which policy would be best for your older car.

Q: Will my agent insure my older muscle car?

A: This is going to depend on several factors. The foremost will be the current condition of the car. If the car is not roadworthy, the odds are your insurance provider will not want to issue muscle car insurance for your particular vehicle. If you are actively restoring the car, you will probably be able to obtain a policy. If your car is in good running condition, you will most likely have no problems. Whether your muscle car is old or new, be sure to maintain your vehicle appropriately in order to protect it's value.

Do You Have Questions on Muscle Car Insurance?

2010-01-21T02:56:00.000-08:00

By Byron Stuart

Question: What is a muscle car and how does it affect my insurance rates?

Answer: This kind of car is now commonly known as a sports car. It has a lot of horsepower under the hood, goes very fast and often looks flashy. These are the cars that any aficionado just loves to play with. Because of these features, when investigating muscle car insurance you'll find that the rates are higher. Drivers of these cars tend to take more risks and drive faster than average, making this car a higher risk to insure.

Q: How can I save money on my insurance?

A: There are many ways to save money while driving a car with lots of power. The first thing you'll want to do is go to one or more insurance websites. By typing in your zip code, this will give you quotes specific to muscle car insurance. Secondly, make sure you have all safety features available for your car and a clean driving record. Good driving always makes for cheaper insurance rates! One more thing you can do is increase the deductible on your policy. This will only apply to claims made against your policy, so with safe driving, this makes for an excellent money saving strategy.

Q: How do I find an insurance agent for muscle cars?

A: You already know what qualifies under this category. You've also learned some things you can do to keep the expenses of muscle car insurance to a minimum. The first thing you may want to investigate is the dealer that sold you your high performance car. They are in the business of facilitating your purchase and this includes getting your car insured. Don't just take this quote, however! Compare prices at an online based system. Also check with your regular insurance provider. As an existing customer, they may be happy to match the rates to keep your business.

Q: Are rates different for classic cars and muscle cars?

A: Rates can vary quite a bit between different types of high performance vehicles. When you research muscle car insurance you will find that most of the variation depends on the value of the car and the features it includes. Classic cars are older and can be difficult to appraise. Some can be antiques and are hard to replace. However, some equally fun cars have lower values and would be cheaper to insure. While new muscle cars are at the high end of the value spectrum, they come equipped with many safety features that decrease potential damage in a crash. The best way to know what the difference and criteria are is to contact your insurance agent with the specifics of your particular vehicle.

Classic Muscle Cars For Sale - Rolling Pieces of Americana

2010-01-18T02:53:00.000-08:00

By Mike Piston

Who doesn't love a fully restored muscle car? The way one popular site describes the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda says it all, why we have such an obsession with muscle cars: "The roar of the engine, mimicking the rumbling sound of thunder and a vibration felt deep down to your core, the sleek body styles, candy for the eyes, classic and primal." For those of us with a love, or maybe an obsession, for these rolling pieces of Americana, there is nothing more exciting than finding new places with classic muscle cars for sale, even if we are only looking.

I myself am partial to Novas, Camaros, and GTO's, and for those of us who love muscle cars, the Internet has opened up a whole new arena for finding classic muscle cars for sale. Before the advent of the Internet, those of us looking to find classic cars to restore devoted out time to the hunt: weeks and months searching local, and sometimes not so local, newspapers for that one special car. Of course, when you are a little obsessed with cars, part of the fun is in the hunt itself, and now with the Internet opening up the entire country right at our fingertips, the hunt is even more fun now. With an entire country full of beautiful cars for sale, it is important to follow a few guidelines. Even though you might feel like a kid in a candy store, you don't want to act like one.

When you are on the hunt for classic muscle cars for sale on the Internet, it is important to follow a few guidelines, so that the wealth of choices doesn't overwhelm or frustrate you. First off, it is helpful to know what make, model, and year of car you want - but be flexible also. Have some alternatives in mind; while you can find exactly the car you are looking for, you don't want to pass up a great deal just because the car is one year older than what you had in mind. Know what condition you want your car to be in, and how far, geographically, you are willing to go for it. If you live in Florida, there is no sense in driving all the way to Montana to pick up a car, when you can probably find a comparable car closer to home. Unless of course it is worth it! It is also helpful to decide beforehand how much you want to spend.

The joy of finding, and then restoring, a beautiful muscle car tops my list of the best things in life. Following these guidelines should make your online hunt for classic muscle cars for sale faster and more enjoyable, letting you restore, and then drive your dream car sooner.

Muscle Cars - The Corner Stone of American Performance

2010-01-15T02:51:00.000-08:00

By David Atkin

Way back in the 1960's the big three decided that they need a way to create more interest in their car, and with it more sales, so they came up with the idea for a competition between them, this competition would spawn what became lovingly known as the muscle car.

I realize that this article is a little off base for my blog, but it does have a purpose, the articles that I write are written to create an inters in muscle cars, and the restoration of them, so it's necessary to do a little history every once in a while.

With that said I'm going to take you back to 1964, the year of the muscle car, and Pontiac would be the first true player, enter John Delorian would create a car called the GTO, John went to Pontiac with his idea, they told him that it would never fly, if you know muscle cars at all, you know that's not true.

The GTO took off and really gave Pontiac the edge in the muscle car wars of the 1960's, the GTO just launched like a rocket in to the ionosphere of the muscle car world, it gave Pontiac a true platform to work off of, not to mention it's great styling, and good looks.

In 1965 Ford would enter the game when they put the first V8 in to their Mustang, this would launch their bids in the muscle car wars of the 1060's, not to mention the sales that it would create, the Mustang became the most sold muscle car of all times.

The story goes on with Chevrolet releasing the Camaro in 1967, a car that would quite literally change the face of Chevrolet, the Camaro it's own persona, not a modified version of another Chevrolet with different sheet metal.

It was a whole new idea, and it was meant to be a legend in the Chevrolet hall of fame, a long with a few other cars, like the Chevelle, the Nova, and the Corvette of course, the Camaro made a real name for it's self, a name that still stands to this day, and is my favorite muscle car ever built.

A lot of things can be said about the American muscle car, but the one thing that can never be denied is that the muscle car built a loyal following of gear heads, people that would love their cars, and would do whatever they could to show that love.

Muscle Cars - The Sweet Smell of Burnt Rubber and Octane and How Muscle Cars Were Born

2010-01-12T02:49:00.000-08:00

By Rob Springer

Reign of The Muscle Cars

Back in the late 1950s and the 1960s a car revolution took place with the big motor companies in the business. It took the nation by storm, where people were buying up these cars as quickly as they would come out. It was an exciting time in the industry for both the manufacturer and they consumer. The public was hot on Muscle Cars.

By mid 1950, motor companies offered lots of different performance vehicles to the general product. The aim was on functionality and practically than anything else. This trend was fine for the traditional consumer, but there was a small pocket of the market that this did not work for. There were people who were not satisfied with the speed and performance of these vehicles and would enhance their traditional Model Ts to make them run faster. This is where the original hot rods originated from, and muscle cars were on the horizon.

When the industry car makers realized that this market was out there, they began producing cars a little bit differently. Dropping a powerful engine into a light weight mid size vehicle was the first step in the direction of designing cars that were built for speed and for power. Now people could get a very quick and powerful car off the assembly line, instead of doing various adjustments to meet their needs. This trend quickly caught on and Muscle Cars were born.

What is interesting is that this type of car manufacturing did not just happen in America, but muscle cars also shared the roads in Europe and Australia. Ford Australia, Holden ealer Team, and Chrysler Australia were all major contributors to the movement in Australia. The first true Muscle Cars produced in Australia were Windsor powered XR Falcon, in 1967. The popularity of muscle cars increased to the point that the government had to step in to regulate speeds that were being accomplished on public streets. One notable case took place in Sydney when a young male was caught driving his 1971 Ford Falcon GTO Phase III at speeds over 150 mph on a very busy street.

It is no doubt that this kind of speed and power were of interest to people around the world. There was something about having the engine in a car to make it go extremely fast that people found very appealing. Muscle Cars have a very storied past with lots of different makes and models from different companies that you can still see driving around to this day.

Muscle Cars - Looking at the Timeline

2010-01-09T02:45:00.000-08:00

By Tom Tessin

The classic muscle autos that ruled the era of sixties and seventies are back. Car manufacturers have begun making modern muscle autos and are bringing them in market with a new futuristic image. Although, most people are not huge fan of such muscle cars, they are actually for individuals who love thrill, fun and adventure.

The significant thing about such muscle cars is that they might not be attractive, but they are robust and tough. The outer bonnets of the cars were tough and clumsy, but despite this, muscle autos, of the 60's and 70's were classy. However, they had some aerodynamic related problems within them. These problems can be attributed to the fact that in those days, car technology was not progressed so much.

In addition, upgrading the transmission system in muscle cars was not possible in yesteryear. People had to find parts of autos, accessories, and shift adaptors to make the upgrade.

Later, modern sleek cars restored these muscle cars. With the improvement in automobile technology, modern day cars became smoother, have utmost horsepower, optimum fuel efficiency and they run well on tracks and on terrain. As, a result new breed of cars look same. They are compact in size, with higher acceleration power and accommodate few people.

Thus, car manufacturers have increased the size of autos and kept the mechanism same and bought the modern day muscular autos in market.

Features Of Modern Day Muscle Autos:

Earlier, if people were to buy muscle autos, they had few options regarding the same. However, now you have different options, because there are several automobile manufacturers in present days. Modern day autos, launched by big automobile manufacturers have mainly upgraded the transmission range of vehicles.

The system incorporates five to six manual transmission systems and has five to six automatic overdrive transmission systems too. These features are present in almost every modern muscular auto, thereby offering greater efficiency to car enthusiast.

These muscular autos are fuel-efficient and give maximum mileage by consuming less amount of fuel. It includes power steering system and an intellectual GPS system. The stress free air extension technology allows you to drive the auto on rough roads with ease.

You can also buy these cars in customized form. The internal system of these autos will remain same as that of the original muscular cars, but automobile design engineers will create a superior and unique exterior for the car, as per your requirement.

Electric Muscle Cars:

If you are concerned about rising gasoline costs, opt for muscular cars that run on electricity. Many big manufacturers have started manufacturing electric autos and very sooner people will start using such autos on road. All you need to do is just charge the battery of such an electricity car for fixed hours before driving.

However, many people are not in favor of electric cars, because of high consumption of electricity. There are also some other technical difficulties in these automobiles. Once, manufacturers overcome these problems, there might be some downfall in the fuel prices.

Cheap Muscle Cars For Sale

2010-01-06T02:44:00.000-08:00

By Arthur Dent

There has never been a better time than now to buy a used American muscle car for a bargain price. If you've always wanted to buy your dream car, or if you need a project or hobby to work on and restoring a muscle car is something you might be interested in, now is the time to buy!

Why are they going cheap?

These babies are going extra cheap nowadays due to a few factors. The first is of course, the cost of fuel. With gas prices soaring, and as we know a big block v8 engine (especially one from the 60s or 70s) guzzles through gas fast enough to make your wallet shrivel up in fear, the fact is that many people simply cannot afford to run these old girls any more. As we all know, consumption of gas is not just a financial concern either...

The second main factor is environmental concerns. Aside from burning ridiculous amounts of fuel, the old big block engines of classic muscle cars put out a lot of bad emissions. It is simply not environmentally conscious to have an old muscle car as your daily driver, let alone cost effective.

The third main reason is the time factor. These beautiful old machines are getting ever so old now, so those who have managed to restore them will be asking top dollar, but for every restored muscle car, there's 3 forgotten project cars rusting away in garages across the country. They'll take some work to get on the road again, but they can be had for bargain bin prices.

So this is good news?

Well, the good news is that the above concerns mean that a lot of people are now unloading their cars for a lot cheaper than they previously were. This is great news for collectors, hobby restorers and repairers of muscle cars. Just remember, be environmentally friendly and use another vehicle for your daily driver, keep your muscle car for shows and cruising on the weekend. By doing this you can own your dream car, save on fuel, and be responsible to the environment.

A Muscle Car Enthusiast Community; Domestic Power

2010-01-03T02:42:00.000-08:00

By Nick Steiner

Domestic Power is a community site for muscle car enthusiasts that allows like minded people to get together and talk about just about anything, admire each others cars, learn new things, and just have a good time. Domestic Power includes extensive information on the definition of the muscle car, the origins, the politics of the muscle car, muscle cars outside of the U.S., the modern muscle car, American classified muscle cars, Australian classified muscle cars, and detailed model information.

Members gain access to the message board and chat room and can submit photos to the online photo album to show case their car to everyone. Domestic Power is a free site and was built with the sole purpose of getting muscle car enthusiasts together. It doesn't matter if you don't know anything about them or if you know everything about them you just have to love them to belong here. Future plans for the site include; Muscle Of The Month, where one member will be selected from applicants and their Muscle Car will be spotlighted that month, a video page, members will be able to submit videos to the site as long as they are relevant to the site, merchandise will also come up for sale on the site with exclusive items such as hat's, shirts, stickers, etc., etc., etc., and last but not least members will be able to submit a classified ad for the sale of their car or a wanted ad for parts or a project car. I hope you stop by and give it a good look.

Muscle Cars, Like Dinosaurs, Once Ruled the Earth

2009-12-31T02:39:00.000-08:00

By Brian Edwards

Detroit, or the world, has never produced an automobile that rivals the muscle cars of the 1960's and early 1970's. They were big, powerful and wonderfully unrefined. No one would call them sports car in the traditional sense. They were not nimble and curves were dangerous at most any speed. However, what they lacked in sophistication they made up for in brut force. In many ways the GTO's, Mustangs, Road Runners and their brethren represented the American character better than any vehicle past or present. Simplicity, dependability, strength and singularity of purpose were their calling cards. No one could confuse the purpose of these beasts. It was plain for all, and it was straight-line performance for one quarter of a mile. Nothing else mattered.

Contrast that with today and the lore of days past becomes even more apparent. A new Corvette will defeat even the most powerful Corvette of old in every category. The current generation of performance cars thumps the muscle car in safety, comfort, reliability and, yes, performance. But, that does not tell the whole story and it doesn't explain the current interest in and corresponding sky rocketing values of classic muscle cars. The clarity of purpose these super cars exuberated just feels good. It awakens the cave man in each of us! These automobiles have a particular hold on the generation that came of age in the late 1960's. Many feel that this is their last chance to re-live their youth and they are willing to pay for the opportunity.

For example, a 1970 Dodge Hemi 'Cuda sold for $4,035 new and well-preserved models are routinely offered and $150,000 today. That represents and 10.6% annual return. Not a bad return considering the stock market has returned 7.4% annual over the same period. Similarly, and 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS convertible with a 454ci engine sold for $4,200 new and to will cost around $115,000 or a 9.7% annual return. Finally, a 1969 Boss Mustang with a 429ci Engine originally cost $4,150 and today trades for $115,000. That is a 9.6% return over the same period.

Granted these are examples of the rarest and most sought after muscle cars. However, even "common" muscle cars have experienced notable gains. The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner with a 440ci engine sold for $3,500 and today trades at $55,000. A 1967 Pontiac GTO cost $3,750 and now goes for $45,000. That's a 6.8% compounded rate of return.

The investor in muscle cars must consider a few very important points. First, all investments have risks. This market, like real estate or technology stocks, could fall as fast as it has risen. Second, unlike stocks and money market investments, muscle cars do not pay dividends or interest. Indeed, they cost money to maintain, store and restore. Third, rarity matters. As the numbers above show, the rarest muscle cars have preformed the best. Finally, get a second opinion when considering a classic muscle car. Mechanics are a good choice and a mechanic that has actually restored a few cars is the best choice. Nothing beats experience.

Obviously, one of the most important variables to consider when considering muscle cars as an investment is the condition. Only the most original and accurately restored examples fetch these prices. More common versions or cars in lower conditions will sell for significantly less. For the collector that actually wants to drive their cars regularly these more common versions may actually be a better value.

The choice of a rare collector muscle car or a common daily driver depends on the budget and the purpose of the collector. Both offer unique benefits to the owner and much enjoyment. The chance to re-live our youth is always a pleasant experience.

What Bad Economy? Muscle Cars Still Sell Like Hotcakes!

2009-12-28T02:38:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

Now that the first round of January 2010 auctions are behind us it's time to take a guess at what 2010 will hold for the world of classic muscle cars......and my guess is that it's going to be a great year! It's been said that regardless of what happens in the economy, toys will always sell (like airplanes, yachts, and apparently muscle cars)!

Even horrendous weather didn't stop Barrett Jackson from moving $68 Million dollars worth of inventory through their auction last week, which was 11% up from 2009. More telling than that even was the fact that 40 % of the bidders were doing so for the first time ever, and 35% of the sellers were new to Barrett Jackson as well. These statistics are impressive and show that the collector car hobby is as strong as ever, but does it prove muscle cars are the reason? Well......7 of the top 10 sellers at Barrett Jackson were muscle cars! Here is the list of the top 10 priced movers and shakers - and see if you can spot a trend:

1929 Hamilton Metalplane H47 Serial #65 Airplane - $671,000

1964 Shelby Cobra Roadster - $478,500

1963 Shelby Cobra Roadster - $401,500

1935 Cadillac Series 40 Fleetwood Imperial Convertible - $302,500

2011 Ford Mustang Gt Glass Roof Coupe - $300,000

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird 2 Door Hardtop - $286,000

1952 Watson Roadster Custom By Blastolene - $280,500

2008 Ford Mustang Fr500s Fastback Racecar - $275,000

1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback - $275,000

1967 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback - $253,000

That's right - muscle cars own 70% of the top 10 cars sold! If you dismiss the fact that an airplane was on this list (and no, it wasn't a "muscle airplane"), that means that 7 of the top 9 cars were pure American muscle, and I think that I know why that's the case.

1) Timing

Without question, muscle cars are the hottest segment in the collector car industry right now, and some quick math will show you that the young boys that couldn't afford these cars when they were new are now in their mid 50's to early 60's.....and they have some money to spend. They're going after that dream they always wanted to fulfill! It'd be like asking out your wife again for the first time - only you're 58 and she's 18! Actually, that comparison could lead us down a dangerous road. Moving on.

In the industry of collector cars there appears to be a consistent trend in that the vintage of hot collector cars is generally about 40 years old......but does that mean that the reign of muscle cars will someday end? Maybe, but I don't think so. Keep reading.

2) Style

For whatever reason, 1960's and 70's era muscle cars don't appear to age at all. Model T's look like old cars. Packard's look like old cars. Desoto's look like old cars. Even a '57 Chevy looks older......but a '69 GTO doesn't! Kids today flock to these style of cars just as much as the older crowd does. There is a BIG reason that the 2010 Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro have some familiar lines, and it's no coincidence that the fast car in the latest block buster movie was made in 1967, not 2007.

3) Customization

The aftermarket has never been hotter than it is right now creating parts to make old muscle cars just as fast - and comfortable - as new ones....but without giving up the style. Crate engines, brakes, suspension, R-134 air-conditioning, overdrive paddle-shifted automatic transmissions.....it's all there, and people are buying it up like crazy. Many people have wondered how quickly the world of combustion engine cars would come to an end if in the next 10 years we moved from fossil fuels to something else....but I'm guessing that where there's a will, there's a way. Someone, somewhere will come up with a way to run a big block Ford on cow manure, if that's what it takes. I guarantee it.

Here's to a bright future....and let's hope that it's cow manure free under the hood.

Restore Muscle Cars - Bring That Mustang and Camaro Back to Life

2009-12-25T02:36:00.000-08:00

By Bob Rutledge

Bringing the muscle cars like Ford's Mustang and Chevy's Camero back to its original appearance and structure is a pastime for a few individuals but a line of work for others. There's just something about the archetypal high-performance cars that racers and common car fanatics find enthralling. If you are a hobbyist who is concerned about a muscle car restoration, you will in all probability benefit from a few reinstatement tips.

The restoration of muscle cars begins with shopping for a muscle car that can be restored. Before purchasing a car for the purpose of renovating it you have to make sure that the parts wanted for the restoration are obtainable and you can afford to buy them, and that you can manage to complete the project once you start it.

Prior to going shopping for a restoration of muscle cars, decide what your intention is for restoring the car. Once you've decided on the purpose behind your muscle car restoration you'll have a vivid picture. Before you go shopping, doing the groundwork is crucial. Go through different car magazines to become knowledgeable and find out all about their performance, their price and so forth to ensure that the car you opt is fitting your purpose

If you have an antique car in possession then these steps may be implemented in your muscle car restoration process.

1. Plan the restoration process in advance. Muscle cars are vital and are responsive. Any slip-up or mistake on the upgrading could have an impact on them and alter the visual appeal of the exterior.

2. Take care while renovating the body of the muscle cars. The overall body of the car should be handled with care as the fragile parts may get dented. Do you want to alter and do little alterations at the engine and the overall structure?

Consulting experts is better in this case and they shall do the necessary.

3. Clear up to do a major auto detailing. When the insides of the muscle autos are tailored and enhanced, take time to do a major auto detailing process.

4. To finish off the project, verify their electrical system. Check the electrical wiring that are accountable for the proper operation of lights and horns. Make sure the battery is working well.

5. There is no need to change the external appearance or the body, not unless you want to enrich their visual appeal.

As your muscle cars take a new upgrading and appearance, always bear in mind that they would not ever function like the contemporary cars. During their age, muscle autos were the mainly powerful vehicles. In no time, the muscle autos would look as overwhelming and brand new.

The Best Time Ever to Be a Muscle Car Guy - Or Gal!

2009-12-22T02:30:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

I have the chance to interact with a lot of fans of American Muscle cars on a regular basis. I also speak with a lot of people in the automotive and restoration industry as well as those that sell classic cars for a living. Everyone seems to whole heartedly agree - there has NEVER been a better time to be a muscle car guy...or gal!

The year 2009 has had many highs and lows, but it seems that the wonderful world of muscle cars has nothing but positive things going for it. Whether you prefer old muscle cars or new ones, restoration projects or hot rodding projects, or just like investing in some of the best Detroit Iron ever made, 2009 has offered you absolutely everything you could ask for. Let's review a few highlights!

"New" Muscle:

Right now the Big 3 (despite any other troubles they may have) are cranking out some of the best, fastest, and safest muscle cars ever made - and they're even environmentally friendly. The new Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger are all fantastic cars - and the aftermarket has latched on to them like crazy. SLP, Shelby, Hurst, Hennessey, and the like are absolutely in love with the new Detroit muscle. In fact, a 500 horsepower version of their cars seems a little tame by today's standards! If a new ride is to your liking you need go no further than your local Chevy, Ford, or Dodge dealer and check all the boxes on your order sheet. It's that easy. (Well, you'll have to pay for it, but other than that it's pretty easy.)

Perhaps you prefer a new - old - car? No problem. Order a Dyacorn replacement body for your favorite GM or Ford muscle car and start wrenching.

Restoration and Hot Rodding Muscle:

If you're restoring an old muscle car, or hot rodding one, nearly everything you need to get the job done can be delivered in a box to your front door. Year One recently started producing the long awaited 1968 and 1969 Charger taillight panels along with brand new 1970 'Cude grilles. Until now, things like these had to be hand repaired out of multiple donor parts!

If you're hot rodding a car, life really has never been easier - or faster! You can order any brake and suspension combo from mild to wild to help your old muscle car corner and stop like a new one. Not enough? Order up a brand new chassis - with all of the latest goodies - and simply bolt your body to it. (Look for a future podcast on this subject featuring Street Rod Garage!) Still not enough? Throw in a 500hp fuel injected and computer controlled crate engine. (If you're a GM person, GM Performance Parts just released their new E-Rod line at the 2009 SEMA Show. You can drop the entire engine and emissions control system from a 2010 Camaro SS into your car!)

Investment Muscle:

If you're a traditionalist and want to keep the the old muscle cars the way they were born, you're not alone....and your options to get one are plentiful. Barrett Jackson and Mecum are offering some of the finest auctions around to purchase any muscle car you've ever dreamed off.

If auctions aren't your thing, all of the online classifieds sites have cars galore listed as well. Whatever your price range or intention for your car is, you're covered!

Summary:

Quite honestly, if you're into muscle cars, the world is your oyster right now. New, old, resto, original, hot-rodded, etc. - it's all out there for you. Better yet, tomorrow is looking even better!

Stay tuned, and prepare to burn a lot of gas - and a lot more rubber!

Rookie Guide - How to Buy a Muscle Car, Part 3 - Determine Your Price Range and Payment Method

2009-12-19T02:26:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

This series is designed for the person new to the muscle car world. You know you'd like to own one, but in all honestly, they all look great to you and you have no idea where to start. We'll assume that you want to really like the car as well - even if you are purchasing it as an investment. Our series will deal with the following topics (and by the end you'll be ready to wheel your new ride down the road):
1) Determine the make and model you want
2) Determine how you want to use the car (drive often, show car only, etc.)
3) Determine your price range and payment method
4) Evaluate the car, set up insurance, and purchase

Since we've already deal with Topic #1 (Deciding which make and model car to choose) and Topic #2 (Determine how you want to use the car) we can now move on to the next step.

Today's topic: Determine your price range and payment method.

After completion of steps 1 and 2 you should now have your make and model choice fairly whittled down, and you've likely already started noticing a few prices. Now let's dig into determining what a reasonable price range would be for a particular car, and then go about deciding how to pay for it.

* Price Range:

Determining the price range on a major purchase, whether it be a muscle car, a fighter jet, or a dishwasher generally comes down to evaluating your personal financial situation and determining what you can afford. We'll assume that you already understand that and will stick to determining the price range that the make and model car you are looking at may fall in.

So just how do you really determine the price range for a classic muscle car? Simple - you need to take a look at what the market thinks it's worth. Just like real estate, muscle car values are determined by what the market thinks the cars are worth, not by calculating the sum cost of all of their parts. The price that people are currently paying for muscle cars is key. It's a subjective thing that relies on supply and demand. Also, unlike 99% of modern cars, 1960's and '70's muscle cars are really not going down in value anymore. Their value bottomed out long ago and has been on the rise ever since. Over the past few years we've seen somewhat of a bubble in values, but they still remain quite high.

Now that we understand how value ranges are established for a make and model, it's clear to see why understanding how you will use your muscle car is critical when doing your car shopping (refer to our previous post for more details). If you are planning to have a weekend funmobile, a mid-price range car is going to serve you quite well, and you may even be able to go cheaper. If you're buying a car for an investment a mid-price range car is likely the LOWEST value of car you would go with. Remember, the unique cars, the popular cars, and the all original cars are going to be at the high end of the price range for that particular make and model.

To see what the market thinks various make and model cars are worth based on their varying condition, simply visit Keith Martin's Collector Car Price Tracker. It's one of the best resources on the web to get an idea of the trends in the industry based on SALE prices of cars, and you can look at values over the last several years on a model by model basis. (The cost is fairly inexpensive, but as an option you can get a free one-month membership to Keith Martin's site by signing up for The MuscleCar Place newsletter.) Remember, HOW you plan to use the car is a must when looking at car values. You may come to the conclusion after looking at the sale prices cars have gone for that you need to look at a different make/model, or change your plans in how you will use the car.

In addition to Keith Martin's Collector Car market, start taking notice of all the prices listed in the Classifieds section of the good online sites. Most asking prices for cars are consistent with what the market will bring (give or take), so you should at least be able to develop a trend.

* Payment Method:

Now that you have the make/model down, how you're going to use the car determined, and have a good idea of what the car will cost you to buy it's time to put your payment method together. Do this BEFORE striking a deal for the car. Being prepared with information in this step is key to making a purchase that is fair to both you and the car owner, so do your homework ahead of time.

Most dealers do offer financing of some type as a courtesy, but in all honestly the best payment method is the old fashioned one: cash. Buying a car in cash will help you do a couple of things:
1) It will allow you to negotiate the best price possible
2) It will secure you from (potentially) being upside down in a loan - and remove other risk as well.

If you are buying a car for an investment, the car really can be considered part of your overall portfolio (just as real estate might be). Never cash out a 401k early to buy a muscle car (or anything for that matter), but instead use cash available on hand or transfer it from other cash investments. Remember, while muscle car values have been doing well in the past 10 years investment growth is not a guarantee. Bill Paweski at Arizona Classics routinely recommends to his clients to be mindful of the market - and to be prepared to hang on to the car until the market is ready before even thinking about selling it (which is another good reason to purchase in cash)!

Wrap-up:

Doing your homework up-front will save you a lot of pain later on. Now is not the time to shortcut the process. The last thing you'd want to happen would be to end up hating the muscle car that you purchased, and if you follow the process laid out here that will not happen. Go for it!

In our next and final post in this series we will discuss how to evaluate the car, set up insurance, and purchase!

Rookie Guide - How to Buy a Muscle Car Part 2 - Determine How You Plan to Use the Car

2009-12-16T02:25:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

Welcome to Part 2 of our 4-Part Series: A Rookie's Guide to Buying a Muscle Car!

This series is designed for the person new to the muscle car world. You know you'd like to own one, but you have no idea where to start. We'll assume that you want to really like the car as well - even if you are purchasing it as an investment. Our series will deal with the following topics (and by the end you'll be ready to wheel your new ride down the road):

1) Determine the make and model you want

2) Determine how you want to use the car (drive often, show car only, etc.)

3) Determine your price range and payment method

4) Evaluate the car, set up insurance, and purchase

Since we've already deal with Topic #1 (Deciding which make and model car to choose) we can now move on to the next step.

Today's topic: Determine how you want to use the car

This portion of your muscle-car-to-be process is a critical one, as when it's all said and done.....what you end up doing with the car is almost the entire reason to purchase one! Below are the six most common uses of muscle cars today:

* Weekend Funmobile

* Car Show Winner

* Pro-Touring Car (i.e. - a muscle car that can go, stop, and turn)

* Drag Racer

* Investment

* Drive Anywhere, Anytime

Now that we know what the common uses are, let's break those down a bit - and see which one if a fit for you!

Weekend Funmobile:

A car that fits this category is one that you purchase simply for the please of driving it on nice days. It's never going to see snow, and will only see rain if you can't beat the storm clouds home. It need not have it's original engine, transmission, etc., nor does it need not have a $20K paint job. It's only real goal is to be a reliably running, comfortable driving car that is likely in stock condition with the addition of a set of nice sounding mufflers. Hop in and take the friends and family over to the Dairy Queen!

Car Show Winner:

A car that fits this category on a consistent basis will either be an all original numbers-matching car (meaning it has it's original engine and transmission) that is in meticulous condition, or is a modified car - also in meticulous condition. As a general rule of thumb, the popular models (Camaro's, Charger's, etc.) are a good fit here. If they are a modified car, the modification will need to be unique and really well done (it needs to look expensive). This is a car that won't be driven all that much - perhaps only a few times a year. It's main goal is to sit, look pretty, and win you some trophies!

Pro-Touring Car:

A Pro-Touring car is a muscle car modified with some of the latest "go fast" suspension, wheels/tires, and braking components required to make a world-class handling cars. It will likely have some engine mods done as well. (View products from Heidts, Detroit Speed, Hotchkis, and Griggs to get a general idea of what I am referring to.) You can purchase an existing car and bolt on the fun parts, or purchase a car that is already modified. A numbers-matching car in this category is not overly important. This is a car that you will take autocrossing or to open track events at road courses. It's main goal is to give you the driving experience of a new Corvette with the classic lines of American muscle. Gas-brake-gas-shift-go!

Drag Racer:

A drag racing car is one......that you will take drag racing! This category is fairly straight forward, but is specific to cars that have been purposely modified to run the 1/4 mile. (As a side note, you can take any car you own to the strip and run it, but a purpose built car will beat you ever time!) This car will run free flowing exhaust, a hopped up engine and transmission, will have a sparse interior, and will (likely) have a roll cage. It's not one for the faint of heart and DOES need a mechanically inclined owner.

Investment:

An investment car is one that you purchase strictly for it's potential growth in value. You're buying it now to sell it later (hopefully) at a higher price. We'll still assume that you want to like the car, but truthfully, an investment car simply needs to hit a few (or most) of these criteria: be a popular make/model, be a rare model, be all original, be meticulously kept, be well documented, and be in as close to original condition as possible (it should look like it just rolled off of the assembly line). These are the reaaaaaly high dollar cars you may find at a Barrett-Jackson auction. Think of cars like original COPO Camaro's, Plymouth Superbirds, and BOSS Mustangs.

Drive Anywhere, Anytime:

A drive anywhere, anytime car is one that you would (almost) treat just like a regular car, and is essentially a mix-match of the other 5 categories mentioned. Want to run it to Wal Mart? No problem. Taking a road trip to New York? Top off the tank and let's go. Cars that fit this category need not be numbers matching, nor do they necessarily need to have terrific paint and body work. On the flip side, if money is no object, it can have flawless paint work, a hot engine, great suspension, and still fit this category. It may or may not be a car that goes to car shows, but it does need to run well, be reliable, and (above all else) be incredibly fun and enjoyable to drive.

Which category fits you best? Put your thinking cap on. The next section of our series will help whittle things down even further: "Determine your price range and payment method." Take your time through this process and give it a lot of thought. Know this though - somewhere out there a muscle car, which is a perfect fit for you, is waiting on you!

Rookie Guide - How to Buy a Muscle Car Part 1 - Determine the Make and Model You Want

2009-12-13T02:23:00.000-08:00

By Robert Kibbe

I thought it would make sense to answer the big question that seems to come up more often than not when shopping for a muscle car: just how do I buy a muscle car anyway? For some, there's not a lot to it - it's just love at first site, a price is agreed upon, and the car has a new owner. For others, it can be a bit more intimidating.

We'll assume that you're starting at the ground floor and have decided to buy a muscle car as an investment and for enjoyment, but don't have a lot of experience or historical knowledge of the muscle car era. We'll also assume that you want to really personally like the car you plan to buy and that you're not simply planning to buy it based on it's investment potential only. Now what?

Over the next 4 posts in this series we'll dig into the following topics:

1) Determine the make and model you want

2) Determine how you want to use the car (drive often, show car only, etc.)

3) Determine your price range and payment method

4) Evaluate the car, set up insurance, and purchase

Today's topic: Determine the Make and Model you want

The best method period in determining the make and model of car you want is to first start looking at all of the options available. GM, Ford, Chrysler, and AMC all made some incredible muscle cars during the 1960's and '70's, and they all had their own style. Go through these steps to clarify the car of your dreams. Remember - there is a muscle car out there for you....and it's been waiting a long time for you to find it!

Step 1) Begin looking through the Classifieds listings of cars on the various online listings site. The more you see, the better. Take note of the shapes you like first. Nothing more. See which one grabs your fancy and jot it down. Having a lot on your list at this point is a good thing. Look at the stance of the car. Look at it from every angle - not just the front. Do you like cars with bulging fenders, or do you prefer something a little straighter? Do you like something that looks like a race car, or a street car? Do you dig hidden headlights? Take note of all of these factors. Don't get too hung up on the colors at this point, as almost all models came in many different fantastic colors and paint schemes. Do take note that a particular model of car may be EXTREMELY different from year to year (a 1966 Charger vs a 1971 Charger, for example).

Step 2) From the previous step, you may be interested in a half dozen to a dozen models at this point. Now it's time to do a little more homework and see what trim levels, engine combinations, and the like were available on those cars (a few minutes on Google can get you this information), and then move on to automotive magazines (Hot Rod Magazine, Super Chevy, Mustang Monthly, etc.). These magazines will be plentiful at your local shopping center, library, and so forth. Nothing will beat the benefit of seeing these cars first hand though, so attending a local car show is an absolute must - and try to hit a big one (like a Good Guys show) if you can.

Step 3) After completing the first two steps, it's time to get more specific. You've likely whittled the list down to 2-3 at this point, and now it's time to start looking at those cars, and only those cars. Look again through the Classifieds on the online sites. Look for color combinations of cars that you like, taking specific note of the options they have or don't have. If you're a stick shift guy and you plan on keeping the car original, only look at manual transmission cars. The same goes for engine combination, wheels/tires, etc - even paint colors can be changed if you're not inclined to keep the car original. Revert back to the research you've done if you need more details or get lost in things that seem similar but aren't (as an example, Chevy made 3 different versions of their big-block 396 ci engine). If a particular couple of cars keep coming up (or that you keep coming back to), that's a good thing.

You may be down to one model at this point, but if you've still got two or more, not to worry - that will likely get sifted out in the next section: Determine Your Price Range and Payment Method!

Muscle Cars For All Ages

2009-12-10T02:20:00.000-08:00

By David Urmann and Wasim Ahmad

American muscle cars are the collective term for any high performance vehicles. It looks just like any ordinary car around. The only difference is seen in their large and powerful engines. These high performance cars have 2 door rear wheel drive cars. And the engine is no less than V8.

The first recorded muscle cars were in the 1960s. It was used mainly in the streets for racing. They are different from sports cars and GTs. They are actually made not just with the power but also faster than any other produced cars.

Muscle cars have the philosophy of the hot rodder which is equipping small cars with bug engines. It has the 98 hp or 73 kW weaklings. They are usually made for straight line speed. They have neither sophisticated chassis nor European lithe appearance of high performance cars.

There are much debated opinions regarding these racing cars. Some say that it is a full-sized car. Others see it as a pony car or compact. But it does not construe its powerful engines. Everyone agrees to it.

There is recent information that the first muscle car was made in 1949. It was called Oldsmobile Rocket 88. This was actually the start of the creations of the early cars. This is where the idea of muscle cars came from. It all came from the Oldsmobile Rocket 88.

After the Oldsmobile Rocket 88, other car manufacturers came out and showcase some high performance cars. In 1955, C-300 or Chrysler 300 was developed with a Hemi Power. It can accelerate up to 60 mph or 97 km/h in just less than 10 seconds. Rambler Rebel was the developed in 1957. This was the fastest American sedan.

Because of these, the performances of these cars were developed into one and the new cars were developed. The cars were developed with popularity. In 1962, the fastest muscle cars were produced by Dodge. But the newer visions that were made by Chevrolet and Oldsmobile were built to join the invention of Dodge. There were also other manufacturers that made fastest cars during these years.

The version of the Ford of cars came in the year 1964 to 1965. Their kind of muscle cars is in Hemi engines. The Cars for turn key drag racers were then developed during these times. They were patterned and made as another type of muscle cars.

There are many other types of muscle cars that were made. There are different kinds of designs and styles in different parts of the world. The modern muscle cars of America are in just like the size on ordinary cars seen in the streets, and have four doors. The popular productions of these types came out in the year 1994 to 1996.

Modern American muscle cars today are mostly procured for collection. It is bought yet hardly used. They come very expensive and only a few could afford its luxury. They come around 500 thousand US dollars. The younger generation is mostly drawn to this type of car because it looks very chic.

Such high-end cars last for so many years. They are made with only the highest quality materials and are very durable. Some low profile owners will also use it in their everyday routine. Some hardly join races. They just want to own fast cars.

How to Choose a Muscle Car Insurance Company

2009-12-07T02:18:00.000-08:00

By Vav Karter

Muscle car is a term which was coined for a high performance car. Usually, the cars made in United States, Australia and South Africa between 1964 and 1974 were referred to as muscle cars. These cars are mid sized cars having a powerful V8 engine. These cars are used for street or drag racing. These cars are specially designed for maximum torque and high performance.

Some of the very famous muscle cars are Plymouth Road Runner, Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac GTO, Dodge Superbee, Chevrolet Chevelle, Dodge Daytona, Mercury Cougar etc and the list goes on. A few modern day muscle cars are Chevrolet Impala SS, Dodge Charger Daytona, Mercury Grand Marquis, Ford Terminator SVT Cobra etc.

Muscle car insurance is different from the standard car insurance. Usually, the standard car insurance companies will not give you insurance policy for muscle cars. Even if they do, they will charge exorbitantly high premiums for that. Therefore, it is necessary to get the insurance from a reputed company which specializes in muscle car insurance.

Some of the things which you should keep in mind while choosing an insurance company for your muscle car are:

- Does this company specialize in muscle car insurance?
- Whether the company offer stated car value or agreed car value? Usually, the specialty car insurance companies and insurers will agree upon a value of coverage for your car depending upon certain guidelines.
- Does this company require a professional appraisal of car?
- What are the terms regarding deductibles and liabilities?
- Is there any mileage limitation on the car per year?
- Who else will be able to drive your car after taking insurance?
- Are there any restrictions for modification after policy approval?
- Does the company give any discounts on safety features?
- What is the policy on roadside assistance?
- How simple and reliable is the customer support, payment process, claim process etc.

The best way to find a good muscle car insurance company is to do some research on internet. You can get reviews from existing customers, compare terms and conditions, get quotes etc easily sitting at home.

Using Modern Technology to Find Classic Muscle Cars For Sale

2009-12-04T02:13:00.000-08:00

By Trent H Gamble

Car people are labeled many ways. Some of them are enthusiasts, people who are passionate about the hobby of collecting classic muscle cars, but who make a living doing something else.There are also some people who simply enjoy looking at the old cars, but will never actually look for classic muscle cars for sale.We can't forget about the other type of person in the middle, the ones who do seek out these highly collectible automobiles, and have had a few of them, but still enjoy other pastimes as well. At the top of the heap, there is the aficionado. The guy who is in love with muscle cars, he collects them, he works on them and he drives them and probably has multiple classic muscle cars in his garage at any given time. This is the guy, you know the one, who would probably pay any price for the right muscle car, but also loves when he finds the great deals on classic muscle cars for sale.

Avid collectors learn to locate classic muscle cars from many sources, the main one being the internet lately. But, because money and costs speak volumes and a good deal gives him bragging rights, this man will also readily avail himself of the ability to search for classic muscle cars for sale online.|Since everyone likes to brag about a good deal, the web has become the most popular place to find classic muscle cars for sale. The internet has brought amazing opportunities to the serious collector. You can now find the best deals on classic muscle cars for sale nationwide with just a few mouse clicks. Many collectors have contacts, but lots of people do not, the net levels the playing field.There are various sources for finding these muscle cars besides the net. Newspapers, local old car traders, and dealers.

This hobby is one that you do not want to make a mistake in when buying your classic muscle car. Make sure you do your research to save you the headaches.Most of them would ignore a small difference since that happens every now and then in every business transaction, but it's hard to swallow when he realizes that he could have purchased that car significantly cheaper from someone else.This is where the internet comes in. Being able to see 10 or more of the same classic muscle car for sale you are looking for, means you will probably be able to pick out a winner.

If you make efficient use of the internet, you will soon uncover many classic muscle cars to choose from.

Muscle Car Auctions - Get the Street Car of Your Dreams

2009-12-01T02:11:00.000-08:00

By Dan Kiely

A muscle car is a type of vehicle that is manufactured by a company based in the United States. Its performance in terms of production is relatively high in comparison with other types. In the past, the most common models of muscle cars were the gas models. However, in early 70s, almost all muscle cars were phased out and there were almost none left. Muscle cars are now making a comeback and this has been witnessed mostly in the recent car auctions.

Tips To Getting A Great Deal At A Car Auction

Making hasty decisions should be avoided as one could end up with a vehicle that may not have been of his choice. It is worth mentioning at this point that most of the times people are conned of their money at muscle car auctions and other car auctions because they do not have the right information. Therefore, it is important that a person is well conversant with the undertakings of a muscle car auction. Not every car in a car auction is of a desirable quality and features and for this reason, caution must be taken to ensure that only the best deal is achieved.

Steps to be Taken

First, ensure you thoroughly inspect the vehicle you intend to buy. This helps to detect any defects that the vehicle may be having and also familiarize oneself with the features of the vehicle. The second step is to start the vehicle to ascertain the state of the engine. Inspection of the car should be both external and internal. Some things to look out for are the dents, cracks, rust, and mismatching paints among other defects.

Take a look at the transmission fluid; it should not be any other color but clear. It is also good to ensure that there is no part of the vehicle that is leaking. When going to a muscle car auction, have someone who understands better the activities of car auctions. This is to protect you from getting a raw deal, especially if you have not been to a muscle car auction before. It is also important to carry some extra money with you, because sometimes one may find better vehicles at the auction than the one you initially intended to buy but maybe a bit higher in terms of price.

Once in a while, take a look at the reviews provided for muscle car auctions. This equips one with important information that one may need when going to a car auction. When going to a muscle car auction, it is also wise to be there at the earliest possible time. This gives one an opportunity to have a look at as many vehicles as possible.

Conclusion

Although muscle car auctions are places where one can get their dream cars, it is not an easy task. One needs to be conversant with the various activities that take place in a car auction. As much as one is at an advantage of getting the best car ever, it is also a place that if caution is not taken, one may end up incurring heavy losses and expenses.

Muscle Car Madness

2009-11-28T02:09:00.000-08:00

By David Atkin

With Dodge re-releasing the challenger, and Chevrolet re-releasing the camero, I think that a return of the muscle cars is up on us, and for a muscle car freak like me, this is a good good thing, it's one of those that I thought would never happen, with all the tree huggers, hippies, and general whiners out these, I just figured that my dream to see the old American muscle again would be flushed away like so many classic American cars.

With all the people in this country that seem to think that import cars are built better, and so many people that just don't believe in our country any more, I never thought that this day would come, I heard all the whining about these cars that first time around, I still remember t copy of car craft magazine that had a head stone on the front, the head stone read something like this high performance born in 1950; died in 1979, how true it was, and this due to the whiners, like Ralph Nader, the high performance world's fly in the ointment.

They tried to assassinate American muscle, by making muscle cars out to be the bad guy, they singled then out as monsters, as dinosaurs, that had a hunger to destroy the world, while just ignoring the luxury car that were doing the same thing at the time, you could no longer buy a muscle car, but a Cadillac, or a Lincoln was no problem for the powers that be, a gas guzzling Mercedes, or Bentley was no big deal, but a camero was just horrible, a corvette was a step below that, and it got worse that more hungry you were for American muscle.

When they discovered that people like Ralph Nader couldn't kill the American muscle car, well then it was time to get the insurance companies involved in this little issue, they came in and raised the insurance rate that the dealers had to pay to have these car on their lots for sale, but it still didn't take down the big boys, like Yenko, Baldwin, and a few other select companies, they kept the faith, until it no longer made sense to them.

That was the 1960's and 70's, it's now 2008, and a return of American muscle in in the works, with Ford re-releasing the mustang, and Chevy continuing work on the corvette, and the 2008-2009 camaro being released, and Dodge is re-releasing the challenger, I'm loving it, this is very very good for a guy like me, I guy who eats, sleeps, and breathes muscle cars, I guy who is still and American, a guy who does not believe that import cars are better the our American cars, a guy who believes in our country, and it's cars.

I'm proud to be an American, and I'm proud to drive an American built truck, I have owned Toyota's and other import cars, and they did not in any way out last, out perform, or out do in any way a good old American car, a Chevy, a Ford, or a Mopar product, and it will never happen in my eyes, because I love American cars, I can rebut any point that an import car lover brings up, it can never be proved that imports are a better choice then an American car.

Top Five Classic Muscle Cars

2009-11-25T02:07:00.000-08:00

By Brian Edwards

Today the term muscle car refers for all sorts of cars with large engines and great performance. However, "back in the day" it described mid-sized automobiles that had big engines stuffed between the fender wells. Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs were not considered muscle cars by the purists. Even today many gear heads only consider the mid sized cars from the 1960's as true muscle cars. Everything else is a sports car, pony car or just a plain old car.

So what was the most important of these original muscle cars? We have chosen five of the most popular cars for a retro comparison to determine the king of the hill. The selectees are the 1961 Chevy Impala SS, the 1964 Pontiac GTO, the 1964 Ford Fairlane, the 1966 Dodge Charger and the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner. Let the showdown begin.

1961 Chevy Impala SS

Many consider this the first true muscle car. A 409 cubic inch motor was dropped into the Chevy Impala and a legend was made. With the help of the Beach Boys and their song about the car ('She's so fine, my four-oh-nine') it became an icon for the baby boomers. Chevy's marketing for the car described it as designed "for young men on the move...(who) won't settle for less than REAL driving excitement."

Performance was very good for the era with Motor Trend driving one from zero to sixty on seven seconds and completing the quarter mile in 14 seconds at 98 mph. The car became a legend.

1964 Pontiac GTO

The GTO was another marketing success for General Motors. Although the car was not the fastest car on the market it quickly became successful as an all a round muscle car. It was relatively affordable, relatively fast and relatively handsome. Many consider it the first modern muscle car. Although that is debatable, it is definitely the first successful muscle car in terms of sales.

Performance was very good with Car Life and Motor Trend both measuring zero to sixty times of less than seven seconds and quarter mile times of around 14 seconds.

1964 Ford Fairlane

In 1964 the Fairlane was redesigned and the tail fins were removed. Other improvements included upgrades to the suspension in order to improve ride-quality. Interior enhancements included full carpeting for the floors and turn signals that turned themselves off after the steering wheel was turned. However, the big news for 1964 was the Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt was one of fastest dragsters ever produced by a manufacturer. Ford stuffed a heavily modified 427 cubic inch engine with two four-barrel carburetors mounted on a high-riser manifold into the relatively light weight Fairlane. The car had a ram-air induction system with air vents mounted in openings in the grill left by deleting the inboard headlights.

Other modifications included: equal-length headers, a trunk-mounted battery, fiberglass hood, doors, fenders and front bumper, Plexiglass windows, and other lightweight options included deleting the rear door window winders, carpeting, radio, sealant, sun visors, armrests, jack, lug wrench, heater, soundproofing, and passenger side windshield wiper. Performance was amazing. Gas Ronda dominated NHRA's 1964 World Championship by running his Thunderbolt through the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 124 mph. Later, the NHRA changed the rules to require 500 models of a car to be manufactured for Super Stock competition, and Ford, which had been losing $1500 to $2000 on each Thunderbolt sold at the sticker price of $3900, gave up. In the end, it was the NHRA and its ability to change the rules that stopped the Ford from dominating the drag strips for many years.

Although the Fairlane faded form Ford's performance spotlight as the Mustang took off. It came back in 1966 and 67 as a very nice looking car. Large engines 'encouraged' great performance numbers also.

1966 Dodge Charger

Although it resembled a Coronet with a fastback, the production Charger carried design cues from the Charger II concept car. Both maintained the swoopy fastback that was very popular during the mid-sixties. The electric shaver grill used fully rotating headlights that when opened or closed made the grill look like one-piece. Inside, the Charger used four individual bucket seats with a full length console from front to rear. The rear seats and console pad also folded down which allowed for more cargo room inside. In the rear the full length taillights carried the Charger name.

The car was radically different than anything else on the road and when fitted with a street Hemi it was one of the fastest cars on the road. A Hemi equipped car could do zero to sixty in less than seven seconds and the quarter mile in about 14 seconds. It was a big and radically designed car. And best of al, it was fast.

1968 Plymouth Road Runner

By 1968, muscle cars had become fast, luxurious and expensive. The young people that consisted of the primary market for these types of transportation had been priced out of the market. Plymouth recognized this and exploited to its fullest potential. First, the stripped down a Belvedere to its most basic form and then gave it a large motor. Then the marketing department found a simple way to change the image of the car from that of a bare bones racer to a unique automobile. A popular cartoon character and a unique horn was all that was need to bring this car to the masses.

The Road runner was an instant success. The combination of affordability plus outstanding performance had won the day again. Performance was remarkable with 13 second times for the Hemi and 15 second times for the base engine in the quarter mile.

The Winner

All five of these muscle cars were trend setters in their day. But the one that appeals to this author as the greatest of the early muscle cars is the 1966 Dodge Charger. It was a radical departure from the past with its fast back design and the four passenger bucket seats. It just looked like a muscle car. Performance was strong and the price was reasonable. The 1961 Chevy Impala Super Sport is a close second and if more had been made it may have actually won this little compression.

Find Muscle Cars For Sale Easily

2009-11-22T02:05:00.000-08:00

By Zack Benjamin

Buying muscle cars usually involves working through classified ads, either local ones, or nationwide ones like the Thrifty Nickel papers, or online classified advertising listings like Google Sales, Yahoo Sales, and Craigslist to find muscle cars for sale.

Local classifieds may work for you if the car you want to buy is available from a local seller. It may not be though, particularly if it's a car that was never made in large numbers, or a car that's simply old enough to qualify as "vintage". At that point, you need to broaden your search horizons, and look farther afield. And that usually means going online.

Google, Yahoo and Craigslist replicate the formats of classified ads, even down to breaking them down regionally, but you'll still have to work directly with the seller. If you want some third party escrow protection, the best place to go is eBay.

EBay seems to be a counter-intuitive place to buy cars, but it's a good venue to find muscle cars for sale. And not just any cars, but cars meeting specialized tastes and market niches, like vintage muscle cars and hot rods.

A lot of car buyers are nervous about buying a car that they can't test drive, and while there are hazards to buying a car online, they're not as pronounced as many people seem to think. EBay and specialized car sales sites like CarsOnline all offer buyer protection programs of various sorts.

If you're buying through eBay, which has the most extensive set of protection programs, your options include a $20,000 vehicle protection program, a conditional guarantee by the seller, and a roadside assistance program good for the first 30 days of ownership, bought through Hagerty Plus, a nationwide auto services broker.

Before you finalize your purchase, you'll want to do a title search and check out blue book values; most online car dealerships give you direct links to this sort of information. You'll also want to check out CarFacts.com, which, for a small fee, allows you to get the entire accident history of any car you have a VIN number for. This is a great way to suss out cars that have had serious mechanical issues and verify that the seller is telling the truth.

When looking for a muscle car, be aware that you're looking for something that is, ultimately, an investment. Muscle cars date back from a time when raw performance mattered more than amenities, and compared to a lot of modern sports cars, muscle cars seem lacking in conveniences. On the other hand, they do have a feeling of raw power when a V-8 engine revs up and propels a solid steel chassis down the road at 90+ mph that really can't be replicated with modern over-engineered cars.

Muscle cars appeal to a certain masculine primitivism, and are pure testosterone poisoning cast into solid steel. As you hunt muscle cars that are for sale be prepared to compete with other muscle car fans as there's nothing remotely like these old hot rods being made for the market anymore.

What to Look For in a Muscle Car Restoration Business

2009-11-19T02:03:00.000-08:00

By Lamar Burns

Do you have a muscle car that you would like to have restored? Whether you are looking to create the car of your dreams, restore your vehicle back to its original beautify, or raise the overall value of your car, for financial purposes, you may be interested in having your muscle car restored. If this is the case, you will need to find an individual or company who can perform the work for you. Although it may sound like an easy enough decision, it is one that shouldn't be made on a whim. When it comes to choosing a muscle car restoration company, there are a number of important factors that you should take into consideration.

Perhaps, the most important thing to keep in mind is experience. Muscle car restoration is not an easy task. In fact, that may be why you are seeking professional help instead of trying to restore your own muscle car. To achieve perfection, you must have some knowledge of cars and restoration. The same criteria is needed for professional muscle car restoration experts. An experienced individual or business should be more than willing to share their past history with you. Look for individuals or companies that have years of experience with muscle car restoration. Training is also important. Did the individual in question or any of the company's employees undergo any training pertaining to muscle car restoration or car restoration in general? Although everyone needs to start somewhere, you are urged against going with a brand new individual or company, it is considered a risk.

In addition to just discussing training, education, and experience, you may also want to ask for proof, namely with samples. An experienced muscle car restoration expert or company will document their restoration projects. In fact, you should be shown before and after pictures. An individual or company that shows you pictures of their vehicles while the project is in the process of being completed are true professionals. In fact, ask if you will receive these same types of pictures. They are a great way to know exactly how your muscle car was restored, as well as have pictures to show your friends, family, or potential buyers!

Of course, cost is an important factor when choosing a muscle car restoration business or expert. As you likely already know, restoring a muscle car can be considered an investment due to its high cost. If you are a budget, you may still be able to have your muscle car restored, but it is important to be on the lookout for individuals or companies that have "rock bottom prices." These prices are often a sign of the quality you will receive. If you want the best, you need to be prepared to pay for it. Also, it is quite common that a deposit be required, especially with well established muscle car restoration businesses. This is not a scam; in fact, it is quite common.

Who you choose to restore your muscle car is an important part of the end result. By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should achieve the end result that you were hoping for, a beautifully restored muscle car.

You Just Have To Love That Classic Muscle Car

2009-11-16T02:01:00.000-08:00

By Harvey Ong

They're tough. They're masculine. They're high-performance. Those words often come to mind when one speaks of the classic muscle car. These vehicles are considered some of the finest examples of the time when American automobile production had reached its zenith. The classic muscle car, with its trim design and unusual suitability for drag racing, has attained a fame that has earned it a place as one of the signature vehicle design movements of modern automobile history.

The classic muscle car design is one that does not emphasize power over appearance. Instead, the design embraces both the power of the machine and the aesthetics of the design. These cars have larger engines than conventional automobiles, are bigger than the average sports car, and have a toughness of frame that other types of cars don't have. The typical definition of what a muscle car is tends to exclude any cars made outside Australia and the US, and even then, only cars made in the years between 1964 to 1973. Among some of the more popular models are the Dodge Charger, the Chevrolet El Camino, and the Plymouth Road Runner.

These machines enjoyed the peak of their popularity in the car market almost immediately after being introduced. They cashed in on the growth of the racing trend among the youth market, which was only an emerging market in terms of spending power at the time. Taking advantage of that trend, the manufacturing companies began to design tougher cars that appealed to the sense of aesthetics that the youth market had and combined it with technical and performance statistics that made them suited for street racing. While, initially, the implementation of the new designs and technical upgrades nearly doubled the costs of the car, many companies eventually developed "budget muscle" models that compromised some of the performance and design aspects in favor of reducing costs. In time, both the classic muscle car and budget muscle car designs were accepted into the market and began to drive their way into the American driver's psyche.

Sadly, politicians caught on to the trend and effectively killed the classic muscle car by pointing out the inherent dangers of such powerful engines in vehicles being targeted to the youth. Some opponents pointed out the fact that the muscle cars did not have the same braking and turning capacity as other cars and stated that it was a major safety risk. Insurance companies also increased their rates and charges on all high-powered models of automobiles, effectively making any prospective buyers turn away because the muscle cars were out of their budget. For the most part, the makes and models were retired, though some were reinvented as luxury cars instead. Environmental concerns also began to wear away at the power of the muscle car era as control over engine emissions was placed ahead of power and performance as the priority for engine design.

However, there have been some attempts at reviving the original classic muscle car. The Mercury Marauder, the Ford Crown Victoria, and even the Pontiac GTO are considered models intended to recapture the magic of the classic muscle car years. While they have not yet come back with the same force they once had when they originally appeared, reports show that there is still a market for them. Despite sharing the same attacks over environmental concerns that the modern SUVs are getting, manufacturers are still producing limited quantities of the modern muscle cars.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars

2009-11-13T01:59:00.000-08:00

By Jimmy Wilson

Hot Rods & Muscle Cars

If you are of the 50's 60's or 70's era generation you know that hot rods and muscle cars dominated the average male gender, and yes, even the females couldn't help but turn their heads when a slick vintage car drove by. The times have changed but the desire to see those vintage cars has not. Those who have preserved those classic cars are as appreciated as the disc-jockeys today, that spin the classic tunes of yesteryear.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars are forever etched into our being as the ultimate personal statements that we proudly display to one and all who see them at car shows or if you should see one pass by on the highway. Hot Rods and Muscle Cars say a lot about what makes America the proud nation we are. To delve into the psychic just a bit, hot rods have always been notorious for rebellion and attention getting tools for whatever the teenage group of the times was encountering. Whether it was rebelling against their parents, or rebelling against the establishment, hot rods and muscle cars are and always will be a nostalgic part of our culture.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars come in every imaginable shape condition and modification. The amount of customization done to a hot rod is the extension of the builder's imagination and frustration of his views on conventional styling. This in itself is not a bad thing. One can draw from one perspective as a new dimension on life and style in the hallowed United States. A sense of pride in country cannot be dismissed by the mere existence of hot rods and muscle cars.

To catch a glimpse of the ever-popular hot rods and muscle cars one merely needs to ask around their local auto repair shop for any upcoming car shows. The auto mechanics are forever mindful of those elusive hot rods and muscle cars from years gone by. The near forgotten auto mechanics or shade-tree mechanics we choose to refer to them, have all but waned away due to the computer diagnostic age. A mechanic now-a-days must be equipped with all the latest in electrical diagnostic equipment to compete with the dealerships to eek out a living. But fear not, there are still those die hard mechanics who love nothing more than to get there hands on a classic hot rod or muscle car just to rekindle the rumble of those quadra-jets or three duce's in a slick bodied car from days gone by.

We found one gentleman that has taken his love of the classic t-bucket roadsters and set up his garage to produce new roadsters from yesteryear designs. He can build one from his laser sighted frame jig, all the way to completion right from his own shop. Every detail is hand crafted so he knows what went into making the finished roadster. He will gladly build you a custom made roadster for a very reasonable price. It's his way of keeping the tradition and styling alive for generations that missed the golden years of hot rods and muscle cars.

To see more about Hot Rods and Muscle Cars :

http://wealthsmith.com/hot-rods-muscle-cars.htm

History of Muscle Cars in America

2009-11-10T01:57:00.000-08:00

By David Urmann and Wasim Ahmad

A "muscle car" is a term referring to the high performance variety of automobiles. This term usually refers to Australian, South African and American automobile models. It is generally a 2-door mid-sized vehicle with a rear wheel drive. It also has a powerfully large V8 engine and sold at a very low price.

The very first one that came out was produced between 1960s and 1970s. In most cases, the two main purposes of muscle cars are for racing and street use. They are different from GTs and sports cars. These have two seats or 2+2, intended for touring and road racing. These are different from the muscles cars because of the small size, special nature and high cost. There are varied opinions as to whether compacts, high-performance cars as well as pony cars qualify as classic muscle cars.

The country of origin and age of a car determines if it is a classic muscle car or not. The use of the term "muscle car" occurred only after the end of the vehicle's production. During the time when the production of muscle cars is still at its peak, the American media regard them as "super cars."

History of American Muscle Cars

Some say that the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 from 1949 was the very first breed of muscle car. It aroused the public interest for its power and speed. It featured a powerful and innovative engine, consequentially America's very first high-compression overhead valve or V8. This engine is present in the earlier Oldsmobile body. A magazine for muscle cars said that putting a V8 engine in the hood of a typical car and running faster like a sports car belongs to the Oldsmobile.

Some manufacturers showcased a performance of limited edition and flashy models. Chrysler is among the first ones that led such vehicles to become popular. An inspired mixture of Hemi luxury car trappings and power found in Chrysler's 1955 C-300 became the newest attraction of NASCAR. This particular model became "America's Most Powerful Vehicle" due to its 224 kW or 300 horsepower.

The model is also one of the best selling cars of its century. The C-300 has the ability to accelerate from 0 up to 60 miles per hour or 97 kilometers per hour within 9.8 seconds. The car can reach up to 120 miles per hour or 200 kilometers per hour. After two years, another fast car became available in the market. This honor belongs to the Rambler Rebel. As said by Motor Trend, Rambler Rebel is the fastest American sedan.

Muscle cars gained popularity in the 1960s. It happened when major companies such as Plymouth, Chrysler, Ford and Dodge battled in drag racing. The Dodge 1962 Dart Max Wedge, for instance, can run a quarter of a mile drag strip with just 13 seconds. This 1962 Dart Max Wedge can run more than 110 miles per hour or 170 kilometers per hour.

Muscle car productions from other manufacturers such as Pontiac, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile occurred in 1964. Between the years 1964 and 1965, Mopar introduced its 7-liter or 426 cubic inches V8 engine, special trim and sift linkage with shifted transmission. Ford released its Thunderbolts model in the same year.

We still see these vehicles today but the owners seldom use them. They have a second car which they use to go to work everyday. Meanwhile, the muscle car is stored in a safe place in their garage, kept as a collection.

What Really Makes a Muscle Car?

2009-11-07T01:55:00.000-08:00

By Jerry Coffey

What do you think it takes to make a muscle car? Is it foot/lbs of torque? Horsepower? Is it purely the image? The hype and build-up surrounding a muscle cars can get a little confusing when a new model is released, but the "tried and true" dream cars have proven their power and performance year after year and decade after decade. American, European, and Asian cars appeal to different segments of muscle car enthusiasts, for different reasons.

Several cars immediately race into your thoughts when you think about American muscle cars: Corvette, Camaro's from the late 60's through the 70's, Mustang, and, the AMC Javelin. A car lover could go on to mention the Charger and Challenger, Chevelle, and Gran Torino. What you have there is a short list. The whole list of American muscle cars goes on for miles. Those cars all have one thing in common...performance year after year. To back that up, they all have good PR. Except for the Javelin. AMC never could figure out how to sell its cars.

Should you want to talk European muscle cars, then you have: BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Opel, Maserati, and Fiat, to name a few of the bigger ones. A lot of people outside of Europe are a little confused when they hear Opel mentioned, but all they have to do is check into racing to get their bona fides. All of these companies were fine tuning and marketing their cars before WWII. The Asian car makers have run Formula 1 and Monte Carlo-style races for quite awhile, but have only gained wide spread recognition in the last few years. They are mostly known for their four cylinder, nitrous backed performance. That creates some debate over their being muscle cars or not. Personally, I have never had much respect for them, other than their gas mileage. With the right equipment, they can put your back to the seat, though.

But, what makes these automobiles muscle cars? When you think of muscle do you break it down into stock and modifieds, or do you include complete build outs? A case can be made for all of these. In the average guy's mind a muscle car is one that is based on an original factory engine, front end, and drive train. Just adding a new Edlebrock intake does not make a muscle car, either. There has to be some significant change in torque, horsepower, time in the quarter, and top end.

Image has a great deal to do with it. Public perception is more powerful than anything else in this era of media overload. When a car is initially marketed, it has a tag...muscle car, family sedan, granny mobile...that it either lives up to or does not. The guy who buys that car is the one who ultimately determines what stereotype the car endures under. If a car does not deliver, from pedal to repair, it will never resell. Ease of repair, and the relative infrequency of those repairs, has a lot to do with the long term image of a car.

What makes a muscle car is a question that can not be answered with a short list of criteria. It is a feeling, a look, and a whole lot of passion. You have to have a combination of the right factors. Try beefing up a Chevette or a Pacer. All you will get are some stares. a lot of laughs, and a whole bunch of "Why"'s. You could get that thing down the quarter in a heartbeat, 0-60 ahead of a Ferrari, but it still will not be a muscle car. Public image carries most of the weight. The technical stuff is for the "grease monkeys" and "gear heads". Each group has its own favorite muscle cars. I know which ones are mine and you know which are yours. A guy has to respect that, but don't cut me off on the highway...We may have to run 'em to find out.

Muscle Car Mania

2009-11-04T01:53:00.000-08:00

By Kevin Schappell

Anyone who has been flipping though the channels has seen the Barrett Jackson auctions on The Speed Channel and the insane prices muscle cars bring. Do you have a hunkering for a tire burning, fuel guzzling muscle car? Here is how to go about it.

I classify muscle cars into three categories... Restored, Resto-Mod and Survivors. All three have their advantages and disadvantages, but all three are true muscle cars. Your budget and skills will dictate what category you build your muscle car.

The restored muscle car is one that has been totally ripped down to the frame and rebuilt with NOS (new old stock) parts and refurbished original parts. This method of restoration is the most expensive, but often results in a better than new vehicle. Some cars can be over restored. When muscle cars left the factory back in the 1960's they were never perfect. The build quality was nothing like it is today on modern cars. During a full restoration often times the body panel fit, paint work and details are finished to a level never dreamed of from the factory. If you are interested in building a fully restored muscle car you can brush up on your restoration skills, or pay someone to do it. Be warned, if you pay a professional, you will almost never get your money back when it's time to sell. If you do the work yourself and view your time spent as a hobby and recreation, you will make money if and when you sell it. If you are not interested in doing the work yourself, consider buying a car already done, as mentioned before, you can buy it for less than the expense to have one restored. Search Ebay, local magazines and online sites like classicjunkyard.com for some hot deals.

It used to be that modified muscle cars would never bring big money at auctions and were thought to be impure. In recent years at auctions this way of thinking has been turned upside down. Resto-Mod cars are cars that have been restored and modified to make them better than the factory product. The owner may have added an aftermarket exhaust, carburetor, or even put a more modern engine in the car. Creature comforts like a cool stereo or air conditioning may be added, even if it was never an option from the factory. A resto-mod muscle car can be the most fun to build and one of the cheaper ways to get into the hobby. You get the personal satisfaction of building the car the way you want without the expense of a full restoration. Matching numbers are not critical in a resto-mod car, so you can avoid hunting down those NOS parts at the swap meets.

The last category of muscle cars, is the survivor car. A survivor is just what the name implies; it's an original car, which has survived the years in its mostly original states. Hoses, belts and tires may have been changed, but the rest of the car is largely original as it came from the factory. The paint may be a little faded or chipped, but it's still all one color and looks good from 10 feet away. Many survivor cars serve as a library of information for people restoring their cars. If you own a true survivor, plan on having your car photographed and inspected by restorers, so they can get their restoration as close to factory original as possible. Survivor cars are rare, but they can still be found and many times at a reasonable price since the owner sometimes believes that the car is not worth a mint since it's not fully restored. If you are short on skills and don't have the money, a survivor car can be a great way to get into a muscle car. You can maintain the vehicle, drive it, and enjoy it for a minimal investment. If you later get the skills and or money, you can then take it to the next level and turn it into a resto-mod or full restoration.

No matter what kind of muscle car you buy or build, enjoy it! It's a great investment if done right, and will provide tons of smiles from you and everyone who sees you cruising down the street.

Muscle Cars - It's a Love

2009-11-01T01:49:00.000-07:00

By David Atkin

After years and years of hearing how muscle cars are out of here never to be seen again, I'm beginning to think that all these people that hate muscle cars are losing the battle. Back in the mid to late 1970's I heard that gas prices would kill American muscle cars.

Then again in the 1980's when the government got tough on emissions, and began to kill power that all cars had, yet still the muscle car had made it through the storm, maybe you just can't kill American automotive history.

We had Ralph Nader telling us that cars were the cause of all of the pollution problems on our planet, when in actuality cars only encompass about 1% of the problem, and you can get less emissions and still have power. This entire thing is just people that don't like cars.

American muscle cars are a part of our countries history, and you don't just wipe out history. I see different agencies and companies that are restoring all kinds of houses that are considered historic landmarks, and people are stopping them from being torn down all the time.

What is the difference between this history, and our country's automotive history, just explain that to me. You can't because automotive history is just as important, and car lovers will always love classic cars and muscle cars and they will always restore them.

I love classic American cars and I have from the first time I ever seen one, and I will until the day I die. Of all the classic cars and the American muscle cars are my favourite of all times, if you want to know why, I'll try to explain it to you.

Have you ever felt pure raw horsepower and torque, if not it feels kind of like getting pushed really hard, but at the same time your pinned to a seat, and you can't move the car is so powerful that your immobilized in your seat, until you feel this you can't know what I mean.

It's a feeling of being the only one in a car just like yours. It's respect for American ingenuity and know how, it's the body lines of a classic American muscle car, it's the feeling you get when your behind the wheel, it feels just like pure satisfaction that can't be belittled by anybody.

It feels like you're the king of your domain, it feels like driving a work of art, and it feels like your god, it the ultimate high that you can achieve driving a car, there is nothing else like it on the earth, muscle cars will always be here, and men will always love them.

Nothing else is quite the same as driving an American muscle car, and I'll be here to stand up for them for a long time, every time I hear people blaming muscle cars for yet another atrocity, and telling people how much better the import companies build cars.

I'll always come running to the defense of American cars, and yes that will always include muscle cars. Nobody builds a better car them we do, and nobody ever will, rather it's a classic car, or a brand new car America will always build the best car period.

I'm American to the core, I believe in all things American, and that makes it my duty to defend American muscle cars. It's not that hard when you love the thing that you defend, I love America and it's cars, so if I have anything to say about it.

Nobody will ever belittle the American muscle car, nobody will destroy it's legacy, and the Detroit motor companies will always be god in my eyes. They have always built cars that America loves, cars that are like no other car, they build American cars.

Muscle Cars - Cars With An Attitude

2009-10-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

By Alex Baumm

Eleanor is not a person but a muscle car. This Gone in 60 Seconds 1967 Mustang is the complete embodiment of what muscle cars are all about.

Usually powered by a V8 engine, muscle cars were monsters of drag racing world back in the 1960's until early portion of 1980's. With extremely powerful torque, these cars are really going to give you a jaw-dropping ride. Muscle cars are no doubt fast cars with high horse power capability.

The moment you look at such cars, the first things you will see are their bulky curves and high-performance z rated tires which are true affirmation of the reputation that muscle autos are very much known of.

Muscle cars are different from sports cars we have today though some models are inspired by cars like the Ford Mustang. Though sports cars are fast cars like muscle autos, they surely won't last a minute with the supreme torque that muscle autos have - which perhaps makes Eleanor the perfect Gone in 60 Seconds car.

The interiors of muscle cars are real statement of high performance, road warrior type of vehicle. The almost nil sign of elegance and the all heart-pumping design of muscle autos' interiors match their rock and revving integrity that many a cars today try to copy but all in futility. The moment you turn it on, you can't help but notice the fiery breathing of muscle car's engine. The hissing and guzzling is like that of a dragon sleeping always ready to get the tracks burning.

When you hit the gas, the dragon's V8 engine charges in an instant ready to devour all things that block its way... just like when Vin Diesel of The Fast and The Furious rages against the wall and hits the road with such awesome roar.

If what you are looking for is the car with an attitude that never allows being a second rater, muscle autos are the right choice. But prepare to be awestruck with the price because as of now it's of a collector's item kind of thing since you can not easily find one in the market.

However, there are companies and groups that want to bring back muscle cars on the road and these groups are actually buying old muscle autos and reconditioning them to make them roadworthy again.

There are a number of reconditioned muscle cars that can still be found nowadays. There is the all-time favorite 1966 GT 40, 1970 Superbird, 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback or 1969 Barracuda Convertible. These models of cars were once kings of the road in the 1960's up to early part of 1980's.

Although muscle autos are now rare species, there are a number of clubs that relive the greatness of muscle cars. These groups stage races and events all with the purpose of having some fun and reminiscing those days when muscle autos ruled the streets.

And thanks to the Internet, people around the world who share common interest in muscle cars now have a dependable means to showcase the glory of muscle autos and allow the younger generation to see the real muscle in high-performance driving via muscle cars.

Muscle Cars - How to Rebuild and Modify Your Muscle Car

2009-10-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

By Alex Baumm

After the World War II, muscle cars became an instant hit, as motorists and car buyers aimed to acquire vehicles that would showcase and show great power and speed. The term was basically a name description of what the car was to the industry.

Muscle cars were considered the instruments to bring back the glory and profitability of the global car industry. Muscle autos were hugely popular in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

With the emergence of many other car brands and more superior car models, muscle cars are now nowhere in the map of global cars. However, there are still some of those vehicles that are in circulation within the market.

Those muscle autos are now considered novelty and collectors' items. If you happen to own one, it surely would be your interest to improve and revitalize the look and performance of your old car. Thus, you would certainly find ways on how you can rebuild and modify your muscle auto.

Here are some suggested procedures on how you can rebuild and revitalize the look and feel of your muscle autos. Take note that some auto detailing techniques may already be familiar to you, especially if you are into regular auto detailing.

1. Plan the restoration process ahead of time. Muscle cars are important and are sensitive cars. Any error or mistake on the rebuilding and auto detailing procedure could greatly harm and alter the overall appearance of the exterior of the car.

Thus, it would be advisable if you would do a research and ask experts on what to do right about your muscle auto. Make a simple list of things to do and do a checklist to serve as a guide as you do the rebuilding and modifying process.

2. Spend time and more effort rebuilding the body of the muscle cars. Pay particular attention to details. The overall body of the car should be given more care and proper treatment. Do you need to modify and do little changes at the engine and the overall system?

If you are not too familiar with it, just leave it to the experts. Just tell them what you want, what you aim and what you intend to do and let them do the rest.

3. Settle to do a major auto detailing. When the insides of the muscle autos are modified and improved, take time to do a major auto detailing process.

When you auto detail muscle cars, you aim to revamp and overhaul the total exterior and physical package of the vehicles. Repaint. Spend to repair damaged parts. Check the wheels. In no time, the muscle autos would look as awesome as new again.

4. To wrap things up, check the overall electrical system of the muscle autos. Pay attention to the electrical wirings responsible for the proper functioning of lights and horns. Make sure the battery is functioning well.

5. There is no need to change the overall physical appearance or the assembly of the body packaging, not unless you want to remodel your muscle autos. If you do so, your muscle cars would cease to be muscle cars and should be called through other names.

As your muscle cars take a new rejuvenation and look, always remember that muscle cars would not ever function like the modern powerful cars. During their time, muscle autos were the most powerful vehicles on the road.

Muscle Cars For Sale - The Art Of Finding a Bargain

2009-10-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

By Jon Yarbrough

Due to the recent popularity of Muscle Cars the price on these vintage rides has increased dramatically. The current demand is also making it harder to find a good deal on a classic muscle car, but if you know where to look it is still possible to get your hands on one at a price you can afford.

Your local Newspaper

This may seem like an obvious place but you can still find good deals on muscle cars from local newspapers. In most cases local sellers are not muscle car collectors and do not have an idea of what these cars could be sold for in a national market, this leaves the door open to find a steal right in your backyard, but you have to be quick, these cars have a huge demand. You can also use your local paper to place want ads; this will get potential sellers to call you. This is great because you're not competing against others that are searching the classifieds to find a deal on muscle cars. You will most likely get calls from people who were not even thinking about selling until they seen your ad.

Online Classified Ads

Online classifieds can be a great place to find your muscle car. The prices may be a little higher than your local market but you can still find a good deal. Just use caution with these, and be sure you contact the seller so you can talk to them one on one and get more details.

Get In Your Car and Drive

This is possibly the best way to find an unbelievable deal on a classic muscle car, but it also involves the most work and it is not for everyone. Right now there are thousands of muscle cars sitting in barns, under carports, and out in yard just waiting on you to find them. Many times the owner of these cars will not part with them because even thought they have not even touched the car in years it carries some sort of sentimental value, but if you catch one on right day you can usually get an amazing deal on a classic muscle car for much less than you would pay anywhere else. You just have to get out there, find the cars, and convince the sellers to part with it.

Ebay

This is my personal favorite place to find a bargain on a muscle car. Even though this is a national market you will find local sellers (unaware of the national market prices) placing their valuable ride for sale on ebay. You will definitely have competition for these rights but with careful bidding you can land yourself a great deal on your dream muscle car. http://www.Musclecars-forsale.com is a site that list muscle cars that are for sale on ebay, the list is updated several times daily so you are sure to find the classic ride you are looking for.

You don't have to spend a fortune to own the muscle car of your dreams. Check you local papers, visit online classified sites, Drive around your area, and check on ebay. If you do these things you are sure to find the classic muscle car you are looking for.

The Benefits of Muscle Car Restoration

2009-10-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

By Lamar Burns

Have you recently purchased a muscle car? If so, how is its shape? Unfortunately, there are many individuals who sell their muscle cars because they are unsatisfied with their current states. Many of these individuals are unable to afford muscle car restoration, but you might be able to. If you just recently purchased a muscle car and it could use some restoration work, you are advised to try and get that work. One of the reasons for that being the benefits; muscle car restoration has an unlimited number of benefits.

One of the many benefits to muscle car restoration is your options; they are literally unlimited. First off, you can decide how you would like to have your muscle car restored. In fact, you can have a small portion of your muscle car restored or you can choose to have all of it restored; the choice is yours to make. In addition to the muscle car restoration done, you can also decide how that restoration would be done. For instance, you can work on restoring your own muscle car, have a friend or someone that you know do it, or hire a professional to do the restoration. Once again, the decision is yours to make.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of having your muscle car restored is related to the above mentioned benefit. That benefit is getting the car of your dreams. Being able to have your muscle car restored, whatever way you want, will enable you to have the car of your dreams! For instance, if your dream is to have your muscle car restored back to its originally state, it can be done. If you are looking to have a portion of your car restored back it is originally state and modernize another portion of it, that can also be done. This is type of restoration is often referred as "resto-modification."

The value of your muscle car may also increase after it is restored. This is great if you are looking to sell your restored muscle car right a way or in the near future. Many muscle car restoration projects have been known to increase the value of the restored cars. Whether or not your muscle car will increase in value, because of a muscle car restoration project, will depend on a number of factors. These factors include the make and model of your car, who did the restoration work, the amount of restoration that was done, and the quality of it. For your car to increase in value, the restoration done must be quality work. Anything less may actually result in your car depreciating in value!

Choices, the car of your dreams, and the possibility for an increase in value are just a few of the many muscle car restoration benefits. For additional benefits, contact a muscle car restoration company or expert for more information.

Muscle Car Restoration: What It May Entail

2009-10-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

By Lamar Burns

Do you own a muscle car? If so, have you ever thought about having it restored? If not, you may want to examine muscle car restoration. Muscle car restoration has a number of benefits. These benefits include having your dream car, restoring your car back to its original state, and possibly the increase in your car's value. If these benefits appeal to you, you are urged to give muscle car restoration serious consideration.

When it comes to muscle car restoration, there are many car owners who wonder exactly what it entails. In all honesty, it depends. Muscle car restoration depends on the make and model of your car, your wants and needs, as well as the muscle car restoration expert or company that you choose to do the work on your vehicle. Although there are a number of variations, there are a number of restoration projects that are completed on many muscle cars. These projects are briefly outlined below.

Overtime, many cars develop rust. The developing of rust can happen faster in some areas of the United States, especially if salt is used to combat snow and ice problems. Although most muscle car owners try and refrain from driving their vehicles in the wintertime, not everyone does. In fact, if you were not the original owner of your muscle car, you do not know what the driving habits of the previous owners were. This is why you may have a rust problem. Fortunately, if your muscle car has a rust problem, it can be taken care of. This is a common type of muscle car restoration project.

Additional muscle car restoration projects may include the repainting of a muscle car. The installation of older car parts that need to be replaced is also considered a form of muscle car restoration. These items may include, but should not be limited to, driver and passenger seats, steering wheels, tire rims, and in-car music players. One of the reasons why it is best to have a professional do this work for is the parts. Some of the previously mentioned parts may be difficult to find, but most professionals have experience finding hard to find muscle car restoration parts.

In addition to restoring your muscle car back to its original state, you can also restore and modernize it at the same time. Many experts refer to this as "resto-modification." This type of modification is when you restore its car back to its original beauty, as mentioned above, but they you also modernize it. This modernization may include installing a new CD player, a DVD player, a new speaker system, or even a navigation system. Most muscle car restoration experts will perform just about all kinds of muscle car restoration projects, including a "resto-modification," one.

As it was mentioned above, different car restoration experts and businesses have different methods of restoring muscle cars. It is in your best interest to contact one of these companies or experts for further information. While you are making contact, it may even be a good idea to request samples of previous work. This will help to let you know that your "baby," is in good hands.

Professional Muscle Car Restoration Versus Do It Yourself Restoration

2009-10-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

By Lamar Burns

Are you the owner of a muscle car? If so, would you like to have that muscle car restored? Muscle car restoration is a great way to get the car of your dreams, while restoring your car's original beauty. If you are interested in having your car restored, you have a number of different options. Those options involve doing your own restoration work or hiring a professional to do it for you. If you have yet to make a decision, it might be a good idea to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each.

When it comes to do it yourself muscle car restoration, the main benefit is that will get to have your car restored exactly the way that you wanted it to be. Since you know what you want, there won't be any miscommunication or other problems that could result in something other than your original desires. Although this is a major benefit to do it your car muscle restoration, you will find that it is one of the few. There tends to be more disadvantages to do it yourself muscle car restoration than there are advantages.

One of the biggest disadvantages to do it yourself muscle car restoration is experience. How many muscle cars have you restored in the past? Although it is possible to learn, do you want your first learning experience to be on your "baby?" If you have your heart set on restoring your own muscle car, it is best if you first undergo some training, such as a course offered at a local college or restoration shop. A poor quality restoration job can have a negative impact on your car, both with its appearance and its value, which is why it is advised that you do not attempt your own muscle car restoration without the proper training, experience, and knowledge first.

As you likely assumed, there are a large number of advantages to having your muscle car professionally restored. One of those benefits is experience. If you take your car to a muscle car restoration shop, there is a good chance that your car will be worked on by highly trained and qualified individuals. Even with this good chance, it may be best to ask about previous work experience or even request to see photograph samples of other recently restored muscle cars.

Muscle car restoration parts are another benefit of having your muscle car professionally restored. Although it is possible to find your own muscle car restoration parts, it can sometimes be difficult to do, especially if you are looking for unique parts for a unique car. In most cases, it is easier for a professional muscle car restoration expert or business to find muscle car restoration parts. This is because most have developed relationships with restoration part sellers or scouts. Not having to find your own muscle car restoration parts may be able to save you a considerable amount of time and money.

Of course, there are also a few disadvantages to having your muscle car professionally restored. One of those benefits is the cost. A professional muscle car restoration does not come cheap. The amount of money will vary, depending on who you choose to do business with, as well as the amount of work you are having done on your car. Despite a relatively high price, it is almost always worth it in the end. In addition to getting the car of your dreams, you car may also seen a slight increase in value.

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of each of your options, you may be better prepared to make a decision. No matter which decision you make, you will likely be pleased with your initial decision, to have your muscle car restored in the first place.

Muscle Car Restoration: What It Can Do For You

2009-10-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

By Lamar Burns

Are you a muscle car owner? If so, how long have you owned your vehicle? If you have owned it for quite some time now, you may be looking for a change. This change doesn't necessarily mean that you have to go out and buy a new vehicle, but it may mean changing the car that you have. If you have a well-known and popular type of muscle car, you may not want to change your car too much. In fact, you may want to think about restoring it back to its original beauty. This process is known as muscle car restoration. If you have yet to think about muscle car restoration, you are advised to do so. After a close examination, you will learn that there are a number of things that restoration can do for you and your car.

Perhaps, the best thing that muscle car restoration can do for you is give you that change, which you may have been looking for. It is no secret that car owners often become bored with the vehicles they have, even if those cars are muscle cars or considered their owner's "baby." It is also important to note that muscle car restoration projects come in all different sizes. If you want, you can have a specific portion of your muscle car restored or all of your muscle car restored; the decision is yours to make. This means that you can essentially decide how much you would like to spend on having your muscle car restored, as well as how much of a change it would take to make you happy again.

Muscle car restoration can give your dream car. Although there is a good chance that you take great pride in your muscle car, it might not necessarily be the car of your dreams. There are many car owners, even muscle car owners, who wish that one thing or another was different with their cars. Muscle car restoration can allow you to get the car of your dreams. Although muscle car restoration often involves restoring a car back to its original state, there is another popular form of restoration. This type of restoration is often referred to as "resto-modification." "Resto-modification," involves restoring a car, while modernizing it at the same time. For example, if you would like to add in a navigation system, this is still, in a way, considered a form of muscle car restoration. "Resto-modification," gives you your dream car, without altering it too much.

Although it is most important to examine what muscle car restoration can do for you, it is also important to examine what it can do for your car. Muscle car restoration may be able to increase the value of your car. Of course, for this to happen, the work needs to be professionally done. That is why it is important that you know who you are dealing with when you hire another individual or company to restore your muscle car for you. A poor quality restoration job might not increase the value of your car, but it might decrease it!

As stated above, muscle car restoration can give your dream car and possibly increase the value of your muscle car. If you like what muscle car restoration can do for you, you are advised to speak with a muscle car restoration expert for additional information, including information on the many benefits of having your muscle car restored.

Classic Cars For Sale

2009-10-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

Building, restoring and or looking for Classic Cars for Sale, Classic Muscle Cars for Sale, and Classic Cars and Trucks for Sale has be come a tremendous hobby for the baby boomers. Yes American muscle cars of the 60s and the big boats of the 50s are the most popular at car shows and Classic Car Auctions. The Classic Cars for Sale at these Classic Car Auctions number in the hundreds and seem to be growing in numbers every year. These cars are no longer in production but have not lost their value or their appeal. In fact the Classic Old Cars for Sale in today's market can cost as much as 100 times what they sold for new. I think one could replace a stop sign at many intersections with the words Classic Cars for Sale and get a better response rate. If the Classic Cars for Sale, Classic Muscle Cars for Sale, is any indication the Classic Cars for Sale fever is alive and well in America. It is a major television event in the month of January every year one any Classic Car buff would not want to miss.

The amount of Classic Cars for Sale there number in the thousands and not all are expensive or over priced many are very affordable for the average person. The events and the Vender's are also very extraordinary to see, every thing from road side memorabilia such as old signs and old fashion gas pumps, to 900%2Bhp Vipers and big block V8 powered motorcycles. So if you can make it to Scottsdale Arizona next January for the fantastic Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction you won't be disappointed. This year at Barrett Jackson there was a great show put on by event controllers and that was an exhibition of Drifting. In case you don't know what that is it is basically when a Driver or Drivers as in this case place their cars in a some what controlled slide. It was amazing to watch these two Ford Mustangs Gets race side by side around just a few feet apart sending up a cloud so smoke from the tires and never collide. One more thing I have to mention was the side by side drag racing on a stage. This was accomplished by chaining two Ford Mustangs to portable dyno machines with huge three foot tachometers and speedometers for the crowd to watch. Then two driver's names are drawn from several hundred names of the drag racing hopefuls and the race is on. The cars hit second gear the tires chirp and the speedometers climb. In all of the races that I witnessed the speeds reached well over 100mph in the Quarter mile that each car was driven on the imaginary track Barrett Jackson you really know how to throw a party.

So before you go running off to the nearest Classic Car for Sale auction to pluck your hard earned money on your favorite Classic Car, here are a few things to remember. First remember UN-restored Classic Cars are cheaper but you have to be ready to spend a lot of time and or money to restore the car to 100% original condition. You can sometimes find Classic Car Parts at some of your local junkyards but the chance for finding a rare Classic Old Car or undiscovered Muscle Car for Sale are very slim. The third thing that I highly recommend is when you go to view any Classic Car for Sale that you have available some way of checking engine numbers and VIN numbers. Because every Classic Car collector knows that the right engine numbers with the right VIN numbers are a must. If you have ever had Classic Car for Sale you know the first words out of your mouth are DO THE NUMBERS MATCH.

Old Classic Cars For Sale
I just been recently introduced to classic cars and I have to admit they are slowly growing on me. Although I am yet to buy one I now find myself searching for classic cars for sale online, almost every day now.

I clicked on the link and I ended up on one of the classic car classified sites. There's just something about the vintage shapes and designs that make these cars sometimes look even better than the latest Cadillac Escalade. You have to see this monster of a car, there is still a slight resemblance to the current 2007 models.

Browsing the muscle classic cars for sale section of a popular site you can not help but want to buy, not just one, but all of them. I am noticing a trend of too many Pontiac GTO models being offered for sale. Is this the muscle car of the moment? Maybe, or it's probably famous because of it's speed and power, after all most guys like their cars powerful and super fast. When you add the classic edge to it, you definitely have yourself a chick magnet.

If you are the do it yourself kind of guy or maybe you have a lot of time on your hands you might want to check out the project classic cars. Come on this is like the grown up car fanatic's jig saw puzzle, it should be fun looking for the car parts, but probably very stressful at the same time.

Since my 'day job' involves designing and setting up websites, my new found fascination of classic cars has led me to develop a classic car classifieds site. Over the next couple of months, I will be developing this site to feature the best deals on old classic cars for sale on the internet.

American Muscle - Ford, Dodge and Chevy

2009-10-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out "muscle" cars. These types of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle car mania is back, despite even higher gas prices. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced that at one time or another might have been considered a muscle car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442; American Motors' had its Javelin; Plymouth had the 'Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford's redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle car era craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the USA, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the USA auto show circuit.

Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and 15 or 16 miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. No, they won't be exact duplicates of yesterday's muscle cars, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek.

You Just Have To Love That Classic Muscle Car
They're tough. Those words often come to mind when one speaks of the classic muscle car. The classic muscle car, with its trim design and unusual suitability for drag racing, has attained a fame that has earned it a place as one of the signature vehicle design movements of modern automobile history.

The classic muscle car design is one that does not emphasize power over appearance. Instead, the design embraces both the power of the machine and the aesthetics of the design. These cars have larger engines than conventional automobiles, are bigger than the average sports car, and have a toughness of frame that other types of cars don't have. The typical definition of what a muscle car is tends to exclude any cars made outside Australia and the US, and even then, only cars made in the years between 1964 to 1973. Taking advantage of that trend, the manufacturing companies began to design tougher cars that appealed to the sense of aesthetics that the youth market had and combined it with technical and performance statistics that made them suited for street racing. While, initially, the implementation of the new designs and technical upgrades nearly doubled the costs of the car, many companies eventually developed "budget muscle" models that compromised some of the performance and design aspects in favor of reducing costs. In time, both the classic muscle car and budget muscle car designs were accepted into the market and began to drive their way into the American driver's psyche.

Sadly, politicians caught on to the trend and effectively killed the classic muscle car by pointing out the inherent dangers of such powerful engines in vehicles being targeted to the youth. Some opponents pointed out the fact that the muscle cars did not have the same braking and turning capacity as other cars and stated that it was a major safety risk. Insurance companies also increased their rates and charges on all high-powered models of automobiles, effectively making any prospective buyers turn away because the muscle cars were out of their budget. Environmental concerns also began to wear away at the power of the muscle car era as control over engine emissions was placed ahead of power and performance as the priority for engine design.

However, there have been some attempts at reviving the original classic muscle car. The Mercury Marauder, the Ford Crown Victoria, and even the Pontiac GTO are considered models intended to recapture the magic of the classic muscle car years. Despite sharing the same attacks over environmental concerns that the modern SUVs are getting, manufacturers are still producing limited quantities of the modern muscle cars.

You Just Have To Love That Classic Muscle Car

2009-10-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

They're tough. Those words often come to mind when one speaks of the classic muscle car. The classic muscle car, with its trim design and unusual suitability for drag racing, has attained a fame that has earned it a place as one of the signature vehicle design movements of modern automobile history.

The classic muscle car design is one that does not emphasize power over appearance. Instead, the design embraces both the power of the machine and the aesthetics of the design. These cars have larger engines than conventional automobiles, are bigger than the average sports car, and have a toughness of frame that other types of cars don't have. The typical definition of what a muscle car is tends to exclude any cars made outside Australia and the US, and even then, only cars made in the years between 1964 to 1973. Taking advantage of that trend, the manufacturing companies began to design tougher cars that appealed to the sense of aesthetics that the youth market had and combined it with technical and performance statistics that made them suited for street racing. While, initially, the implementation of the new designs and technical upgrades nearly doubled the costs of the car, many companies eventually developed "budget muscle" models that compromised some of the performance and design aspects in favor of reducing costs. In time, both the classic muscle car and budget muscle car designs were accepted into the market and began to drive their way into the American driver's psyche.

Sadly, politicians caught on to the trend and effectively killed the classic muscle car by pointing out the inherent dangers of such powerful engines in vehicles being targeted to the youth. Some opponents pointed out the fact that the muscle cars did not have the same braking and turning capacity as other cars and stated that it was a major safety risk. Insurance companies also increased their rates and charges on all high-powered models of automobiles, effectively making any prospective buyers turn away because the muscle cars were out of their budget. Environmental concerns also began to wear away at the power of the muscle car era as control over engine emissions was placed ahead of power and performance as the priority for engine design.

However, there have been some attempts at reviving the original classic muscle car. The Mercury Marauder, the Ford Crown Victoria, and even the Pontiac GTO are considered models intended to recapture the magic of the classic muscle car years. Despite sharing the same attacks over environmental concerns that the modern SUVs are getting, manufacturers are still producing limited quantities of the modern muscle cars.

American Muscle Car Drawings
Eventhough I am from Europe I cannot help but loving the good old muscle cars! I started drawing a few muscle cars a couple of years ago and I love the challenge this drawings gives me! Getting a muscle car drawing right is not always very easy though.

One thing that I often have a hard time while drawing muscle cars is to get the proportions right. These classic car shapes are quite complicated to get right as you might have experienced from drawing them yourself.

After many screwed up muscle car sketches I am finally getting the hang of it. My advise is to just focus on the general lines of the shape. And then just try sketching them, and don’t be afraid of redoing it until you are satisfied.

I also enjoy doing Mustang drawings, it is something about the older ones that really scream ”drive me”! While just to sketch the general shape of a mustang shouldn’t take longer than 1-2 hours.

Another car I enjoy to draw is Firebirds, they look so aggressive and to get that rawness into the drawing is very challenging but fun!
My best advise on how to improve your car drawings is simply to spend more time on them. For example if you are not fully satisfied with the front lights, don’t just continue with the drawing and hoping that the lights will get better by some magical touch! If you love Muscle Cars you should get your favorite pencil and sit down with a clean sheet of paper and just relax and start sketching your favorite muscle car. Remember patience is the key to success when drawing a muscle car.

American Muscle - Ford, Dodge and Chevy

2009-09-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out "muscle" cars. These types of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle car mania is back, despite even higher gas prices. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced that at one time or another might have been considered a muscle car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442; American Motors' had its Javelin; Plymouth had the 'Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford's redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle car era craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the USA, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the USA auto show circuit.

Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and 15 or 16 miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. No, they won't be exact duplicates of yesterday's muscle cars, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek.

Fast Cars - The American Muscle
In the 1960s there was a class of cars introduced to the world known as muscle cars. These cars were sleek and sporty and contained a powerful engine. Most of these cars boasted a V8 engine which was geared for speed. As these cars were produced the manufacturers were in stiff competition with each other. As each manufacturer tried to out do the other, we were led into an era of some of the fastest cars of our time. With no thought to gas and fuel efficiency, Americans seemed to be having the time of their lives. Racing stripes and flashy decals made a statement about both the car and the driver. It seemed the flashier the car the more desirable.

At a time when the luxury automobile was the king of the road for the married set, the younger crowd wanted something smaller, faster, and sportier. The Shelby Mustang and the 440 Roadrunner are two of the fast cars which were built to satisfy the desire for high performance and speed. There were many more fast cars to come. Corvettes offered speed and sleek style, but they also had a high price tag. Most of the other high performance cars offered a price that was affordable to the average working class people.

The Fuel Effect
During the 1960s and 70s auto manufacturers were riding high on a wave of speed and performance. We reluctantly let go of our fast and sporty cars and took to the streets with a V6 and even a V4. Gas mileage and cheaper insurance costs forced the fast cars onto the race track and off the roadways. We will probably never again see a time when speed and high performance engines are sold for the every day street car but we can get a glimpse of these cars at the raceway or at vintage car shows.

Top Five Classic Muscle Cars

2009-09-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

Today the term muscle car refers for all sorts of cars with large engines and great performance. Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs were not considered muscle cars by the purists. Even today many gear heads only consider the mid sized cars from the 1960's as true muscle cars. Everything else is a sports car, pony car or just a plain old car.
So what was the most important of these original muscle cars? We have chosen five of the most popular cars for a retro comparison to determine the king of the hill. The selectees are the 1961 Chevy Impala SS, the 1964 Pontiac GTO, the 1964 Ford Fairlane, the 1966 Dodge Charger and the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner.

1961 Chevy Impala SS
Many consider this the first true muscle car. A 409 cubic inch motor was dropped into the Chevy Impala and a legend was made. Chevy's marketing for the car described it as designed "for young men on the move...(who) won't settle for less than REAL driving excitement."
The car became a legend.

1964 Pontiac GTO
The GTO was another marketing success for General Motors. Although the car was not the fastest car on the market it quickly became successful as an all a round muscle car. It was relatively affordable, relatively fast and relatively handsome. Many consider it the first modern muscle car. Although that is debatable, it is definitely the first successful muscle car in terms of sales.
Performance was very good with Car Life and Motor Trend both measuring zero to sixty times of less than seven seconds and quarter mile times of around 14 seconds.

1964 Ford Fairlane
Interior enhancements included full carpeting for the floors and turn signals that turned themselves off after the steering wheel was turned. The Thunderbolt was one of fastest dragsters ever produced by a manufacturer. Ford stuffed a heavily modified 427 cubic inch engine with two four-barrel carburetors mounted on a high-riser manifold into the relatively light weight Fairlane. The car had a ram-air induction system with air vents mounted in openings in the grill left by deleting the inboard headlights.
Other modifications included: equal-length headers, a trunk-mounted battery, fiberglass hood, doors, fenders and front bumper, Plexiglass windows, and other lightweight options included deleting the rear door window winders, carpeting, radio, sealant, sun visors, armrests, jack, lug wrench, heater, soundproofing, and passenger side windshield wiper. Performance was amazing. Gas Ronda dominated NHRA's 1964 World Championship by running his Thunderbolt through the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 124 mph. Later, the NHRA changed the rules to require 500 models of a car to be manufactured for Super Stock competition, and Ford, which had been losing $1500 to $2000 on each Thunderbolt sold at the sticker price of $3900, gave up. Although the Fairlane faded form Ford's performance spotlight as the Mustang took off. Large engines 'encouraged' great performance numbers also.

1966 Dodge Charger
Although it resembled a Coronet with a fastback, the production Charger carried design cues from the Charger II concept car. Both maintained the swoopy fastback that was very popular during the mid-sixties. The electric shaver grill used fully rotating headlights that when opened or closed made the grill look like one-piece. Inside, the Charger used four individual bucket seats with a full length console from front to rear. The rear seats and console pad also folded down which allowed for more cargo room inside. In the rear the full length taillights carried the Charger name.
The car was radically different than anything else on the road and when fitted with a street Hemi it was one of the fastest cars on the road. A Hemi equipped car could do zero to sixty in less than seven seconds and the quarter mile in about 14 seconds. It was a big and radically designed car.

1968 Plymouth Road Runner
By 1968, muscle cars had become fast, luxurious and expensive. The young people that consisted of the primary market for these types of transportation had been priced out of the market. Then the marketing department found a simple way to change the image of the car from that of a bare bones racer to a unique automobile. The Road runner was an instant success. The combination of affordability plus outstanding performance had won the day again. Performance was remarkable with 13 second times for the Hemi and 15 second times for the base engine in the quarter mile.
All five of these muscle cars were trend setters in their day. It just looked like a muscle car. Performance was strong and the price was reasonable.

Ten Classic Muscle Cars
The main measure of these cars is power, with Brake Horse Power (bhp) being the term flung around most commonly. What this refers to is the power released by the engine before the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump, and other components sap its power. If you are used to Kilowatts, then take into consideration that 250kw translates to 335.26bhp.

The 1969 Pontiac GTO
Conceptualised to gain appeal to the younger market, Pontiac put a 6.3 litre V8 engine into the midsized Tempest shell, making for a cheap fast car. To the surprise of Pontiac’s marketing team the GTO became massively popular and in 1969 they fitted it with a 6.5 litre V8 which could kick out 366bhp. The Judge was born.

The 1970 Buick GSX
In 1967 the Buick GS became recognised as a standalone model available as a sedan and convertible.
The 1970 model was given a monstrous 7.5 litre engine capable of producing 400bhp. The GSX body came in yellow or white only, adding to the image which made this car a distinct classic.

The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
With a 4.9 litre engine, power steering, disc brakes on the front and a four speed manual gearbox, the Z28 was made for racing – producing up to 400bhp.

The Plymouth Roadrunner
It featured a beefed up steering, brake and suspension systems and a 6.3 litre engine which pushed 335bhp. An optional boost came from the 7.0 litre version’s 425bhp.

The Dodge Challenger
Although various options were made available, the R/T is the model which attracts the most attention with its 7.0 litre Hemi engine kicking out 425bhp. Later models lost the plot, with the ’72 model dropping to a measly 240bhp. See the Challenger in the cult classic movie, Vanishing Point.

The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT
Launched in ’62 with a 3.6 litre V8, the Ford Fairlane was given a makeover in 1966, complete with a 6.4 litre engine capable of 335bhp. As if this were not enough they decided to upgrade to a 7.0 litre NASCAR engine with 435bhp. Rigid front suspension and disc brakes gave the car better handling, and the brute power kicked the dial over 60mph (100km/h) in six seconds.

Oldsmobile 442
The Cutlass model was equipped with a police specification engine capable of 310bhp. The 442 refers to the four barrel carburettor, four speed manual gear box and the twin exhausts. The 442 had a reputation for its handling when compared to other muscle cars, thanks to its improved springs, shocks and the comforting safety of an anti-roll bar.
The 1968 edition was redesigned as a shapely coupe, with a 7.5 litre block blasting 390bhp.

Plymouth Barracuda
Although the Barracuda was launched in 1964, just a couple of weeks before the Ford Mustang, it was not until 1970 that Plymouth gained wider popularity with sexy lines and some serious growl under the hood in the form of a 7.2 litre 390bhp. The other choice was a smaller 7.0 litre Hemi block which knocked out some extra power at 425bhp!
Even with a revamped suspension the power was so much that the ‘Cuda gained a reputation for difficult handling.

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
The 1965 Chevelle SS sported a 6.5 litre block pushing 375bhp, which was all too much for the front end of the car, making for some pretty horrible handling. 1969 saw the introduction of the top engine spec, which was featured in the El Camio pick-up as well. Later models were adjusted for unleaded fuel and the power output suffered considerably.

Dodge Charger
Bo and Duke’s ride of choice, the Charger was launched in 1966 and some 37,000 cars were sold in the first year. A 7.0 litre Hemi reputedly kicked out around 500bhp, though it was officially rated at 425bhp. The Hemi engine option was available until 1972.

Find Muscle Cars For Sale Easily

2009-09-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

Buying muscle cars usually involves working through classified ads, either local ones, or nationwide ones like the Thrifty Nickel papers, or online classified advertising listings like Google Sales, Yahoo Sales, and Craigslist to find muscle cars for sale.

Local classifieds may work for you if the car you want to buy is available from a local seller. It may not be though, particularly if it's a car that was never made in large numbers, or a car that's simply old enough to qualify as "vintage". Google, Yahoo and Craigslist replicate the formats of classified ads, even down to breaking them down regionally, but you'll still have to work directly with the seller. EBay seems to be a counter-intuitive place to buy cars, but it's a good venue to find muscle cars for sale. And not just any cars, but cars meeting specialized tastes and market niches, like vintage muscle cars and hot rods.

A lot of car buyers are nervous about buying a car that they can't test drive, and while there are hazards to buying a car online, they're not as pronounced as many people seem to think. EBay and specialized car sales sites like CarsOnline all offer buyer protection programs of various sorts.

If you're buying through eBay, which has the most extensive set of protection programs, your options include a $20,000 vehicle protection program, a conditional guarantee by the seller, and a roadside assistance program good for the first 30 days of ownership, bought through Hagerty Plus, a nationwide auto services broker.

Before you finalize your purchase, you'll want to do a title search and check out blue book values; most online car dealerships give you direct links to this sort of information. You'll also want to check out CarFacts.com, which, for a small fee, allows you to get the entire accident history of any car you have a VIN number for. Muscle cars date back from a time when raw performance mattered more than amenities, and compared to a lot of modern sports cars, muscle cars seem lacking in conveniences. Muscle cars appeal to a certain masculine primitivism, and are pure testosterone poisoning cast into solid steel. As you hunt muscle cars that are for sale be prepared to compete with other muscle car fans as there's nothing remotely like these old hot rods being made for the market anymore.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
If you are of the 50's 60's or 70's era generation you know that hot rods and muscle cars dominated the average male gender, and yes, even the females couldn't help but turn their heads when a slick vintage car drove by. The times have changed but the desire to see those vintage cars has not. Those who have preserved those classic cars are as appreciated as the disc-jockeys today, that spin the classic tunes of yesteryear.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars are forever etched into our being as the ultimate personal statements that we proudly display to one and all who see them at car shows or if you should see one pass by on the highway. Hot Rods and Muscle Cars say a lot about what makes America the proud nation we are. To delve into the psychic just a bit, hot rods have always been notorious for rebellion and attention getting tools for whatever the teenage group of the times was encountering. Whether it was rebelling against their parents, or rebelling against the establishment, hot rods and muscle cars are and always will be a nostalgic part of our culture.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars come in every imaginable shape condition and modification. The amount of customization done to a hot rod is the extension of the builder's imagination and frustration of his views on conventional styling. A sense of pride in country cannot be dismissed by the mere existence of hot rods and muscle cars.

To catch a glimpse of the ever-popular hot rods and muscle cars one merely needs to ask around their local auto repair shop for any upcoming car shows. The auto mechanics are forever mindful of those elusive hot rods and muscle cars from years gone by. The near forgotten auto mechanics or shade-tree mechanics we choose to refer to them, have all but waned away due to the computer diagnostic age. We found one gentleman that has taken his love of the classic t-bucket roadsters and set up his garage to produce new roadsters from yesteryear designs. Every detail is hand crafted so he knows what went into making the finished roadster. It's his way of keeping the tradition and styling alive for generations that missed the golden years of hot rods and muscle cars.

Find Muscle Cars For Sale Easily

2009-09-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

Buying muscle cars usually involves working through classified ads, either local ones, or nationwide ones like the Thrifty Nickel papers, or online classified advertising listings like Google Sales, Yahoo Sales, and Craigslist to find muscle cars for sale.

Local classifieds may work for you if the car you want to buy is available from a local seller. It may not be though, particularly if it's a car that was never made in large numbers, or a car that's simply old enough to qualify as "vintage". Google, Yahoo and Craigslist replicate the formats of classified ads, even down to breaking them down regionally, but you'll still have to work directly with the seller. EBay seems to be a counter-intuitive place to buy cars, but it's a good venue to find muscle cars for sale. And not just any cars, but cars meeting specialized tastes and market niches, like vintage muscle cars and hot rods.

A lot of car buyers are nervous about buying a car that they can't test drive, and while there are hazards to buying a car online, they're not as pronounced as many people seem to think. EBay and specialized car sales sites like CarsOnline all offer buyer protection programs of various sorts.

If you're buying through eBay, which has the most extensive set of protection programs, your options include a $20,000 vehicle protection program, a conditional guarantee by the seller, and a roadside assistance program good for the first 30 days of ownership, bought through Hagerty Plus, a nationwide auto services broker.

Before you finalize your purchase, you'll want to do a title search and check out blue book values; most online car dealerships give you direct links to this sort of information. You'll also want to check out CarFacts.com, which, for a small fee, allows you to get the entire accident history of any car you have a VIN number for. Muscle cars date back from a time when raw performance mattered more than amenities, and compared to a lot of modern sports cars, muscle cars seem lacking in conveniences. Muscle cars appeal to a certain masculine primitivism, and are pure testosterone poisoning cast into solid steel. As you hunt muscle cars that are for sale be prepared to compete with other muscle car fans as there's nothing remotely like these old hot rods being made for the market anymore.

Classic Cars - Muscle Cars and Hot Rods Available to Buy Online All Over USA
There are various locations to purchase classic cars around the internet and all over the United States. These items can include classic cars, muscle cars and hot rods. An individual would have a fabulous time looking for these items to purchase of to add to their wish list. It is the dream of almost everyone to own and maintain different styles of cars. An individual may choose to purchase classic cars, restore them then sell them for a profit. This method is an excellent venture for people that are avid car collectors, likes the styles of these automobiles or someone who wants to make a profit. Classic cars, muscle cars and hot rod can all be found for whatever reason an individual desires.

Several classified ads can be found on the internet for classic cars. The prices can range from very expensive to fairly inexpensive. A person could locate a 1958 Chevy Apache 3100 for just a little over 10,000 dollars. There is a 1946 Mercury 2dr Coupe for sale for around 50,000 dollars. It is a beautiful item for from grabs. A 1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster is inexpensive at 50,000 dollars. Usually, these classic cars are of show quality. However, with extensive research, a person could locate the car of their dreams that they can restore to a beautiful quality. An individual needs to be especially careful when they shop online for classic cars. Muscle cars could be located for sale as well. These vehicles are specialty stocked for an individual's pleasure. Again, though a person could purchase these styles of cars for restoring as a hobby or a business venture. There is a 1936 Mercedes Benz for around 20,000 dollars. An individual could locate a 1939 Plymouth 4dr, which needs to be restored badly that still runs! This beauty is price for a cool 4,000 dollars. Some of the older models need to be restored to their original conditions. Even though, a person could locate a hot rod already stock from several locations. A person could acquire a 1966 Chevy Nova 2dr Coupe that is completely stocked for 20,000 dollars. An individual may be able to purchase a fully loaded 1967 Pontiac Firebird 2dr Coupe for around 15,000 dollars. The skies the limit for what you can achieve with classical cars.

There classical cars can be located in a person's hometown or around the internet without much trouble. It is wise to be cautious when dealing with car dealers around the internet. A person will be pleasantly surprised when they purchase classical cars from online resources or local businesses.

Muscle Cars For Sale - The Art Of Finding a Bargain

2009-09-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

Due to the recent popularity of Muscle Cars the price on these vintage rides has increased dramatically.

Your local Newspaper
This may seem like an obvious place but you can still find good deals on muscle cars from local newspapers. In most cases local sellers are not muscle car collectors and do not have an idea of what these cars could be sold for in a national market, this leaves the door open to find a steal right in your backyard, but you have to be quick, these cars have a huge demand. You can also use your local paper to place want ads; this will get potential sellers to call you. This is great because you’re not competing against others that are searching the classifieds to find a deal on muscle cars.

Online Classified Ads
Online classifieds can be a great place to find your muscle car. The prices may be a little higher than your local market but you can still find a good deal. Get In Your Car and Drive
Right now there are thousands of muscle cars sitting in barns, under carports, and out in yard just waiting on you to find them. Many times the owner of these cars will not part with them because even thought they have not even touched the car in years it carries some sort of sentimental value, but if you catch one on right day you can usually get an amazing deal on a classic muscle car for much less than you would pay anywhere else.

Ebay
This is my personal favorite place to find a bargain on a muscle car. Even though this is a national market you will find local sellers (unaware of the national market prices) placing their valuable ride for sale on ebay. You will definitely have competition for these rights but with careful bidding you can land yourself a great deal on your dream muscle car. www.Musclecars-forsale.com is a site that list muscle cars that are for sale on ebay, the list is updated several times daily so you are sure to find the classic ride you are looking for.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to own the muscle car of your dreams. Check you local papers, visit online classified sites, Drive around your area, and check on ebay. If you do these things you are sure to find the classic muscle car you are looking for.

A Muscle Car Enthusiast Community; Domestic Power
Domestic Power includes extensive information on the definition of the muscle car, the origins, the politics of the muscle car, muscle cars outside of the U.S., the modern muscle car, American classified muscle cars, Australian classified muscle cars, and detailed model information.

Members gain access to the message board and chat room and can submit photos to the online photo album to show case their car to everyone. Domestic Power is a free site and was built with the sole purpose of getting muscle car enthusiasts together. Future plans for the site include; Muscle Of The Month, where one member will be selected from applicants and their Muscle Car will be spotlighted that month, a video page, members will be able to submit videos to the site as long as they are relevant to the site, merchandise will also come up for sale on the site with exclusive items such as hat's, shirts, stickers, etc., etc., etc., and last but not least members will be able to submit a classified ad for the sale of their car or a wanted ad for parts or a project car.

The Muscle Cars are Back

2009-09-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

I’d said in a earlier post here that the camaro had a lot of work to do to catch up to the new Dodge challenger, and now I withdraw that comment, the camaro is nothing less then the best, and really the challenger has nothing over it, and this is by no means bagging on the challenger, it’s a tough car, and Dodge deserves a lot of respect for building it.
I do believe this is shaping up to be a good muscle car battle, the camaro vs. mustang vs. the Dodge challenger, and it’s hard for me to pick a winner, I know if it boils down to a road race, the camaro and the challenger stand a better chance then the mustang to win, but if this battle comes down to 1/4 mile performance, each of these cars will be very competitive right to the end.

It will boil down to how good the drivers handle the cars and how good the tuners tune them, it will be a close call on that one, being the biggest Chevaholic on the planet, it’s hard for me to not be biased, but these cars are very close in the performance areas, none of them have anything to be ashamed of, they are all mean cars that deserve a lot of respect in the end.
This is just shaping up to be a good battle, and if you’ve seen the specs on these cars then you can’t deny that, the big boys are playing with the big toys again, the big three motor companies are really pouring it on in a good way, and it’s about time.

I think this is going to help remind us gear heads of the old days, when the big three motor companies were in heavy competition for the top honors in the muscle car wars, but now they have a new weapon to fight with, and it’s called technology, the computers and electronics are doing amazing things for the new muscle cars, they make power easier then they used to by far.

As you can imagine I’m a very excited man, I’m going nuts waiting for these new cars to hit the showrooms, I love the muscle cars and this just makes me all giddy just like a little school girl waiting to go on her first date, the anticipation is killing me, so if I should keel over dead before this all happens, then someone please do take over where I left off.

Muscle Cars, Like Dinosaurs, Once Ruled the Earth
Detroit, or the world, has never produced an automobile that rivals the muscle cars of the 1960's and early 1970's. They were big, powerful and wonderfully unrefined. No one would call them sports car in the traditional sense. In many ways the GTO's, Mustangs, Road Runners and their brethren represented the American character better than any vehicle past or present. Simplicity, dependability, strength and singularity of purpose were their calling cards. A new Corvette will defeat even the most powerful Corvette of old in every category. The current generation of performance cars thumps the muscle car in safety, comfort, reliability and, yes, performance. But, that does not tell the whole story and it doesn't explain the current interest in and corresponding sky rocketing values of classic muscle cars. The clarity of purpose these super cars exuberated just feels good. For example, a 1970 Dodge Hemi 'Cuda sold for $4,035 new and well-preserved models are routinely offered and $150,000 today. That represents and 10.6% annual return. Not a bad return considering the stock market has returned 7.4% annual over the same period. Similarly, and 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS convertible with a 454ci engine sold for $4,200 new and to will cost around $115,000 or a 9.7% annual return. Finally, a 1969 Boss Mustang with a 429ci Engine originally cost $4,150 and today trades for $115,000. That is a 9.6% return over the same period.

Granted these are examples of the rarest and most sought after muscle cars. However, even "common" muscle cars have experienced notable gains. The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner with a 440ci engine sold for $3,500 and today trades at $55,000. The investor in muscle cars must consider a few very important points. First, all investments have risks. This market, like real estate or technology stocks, could fall as fast as it has risen. Second, unlike stocks and money market investments, muscle cars do not pay dividends or interest. Indeed, they cost money to maintain, store and restore. Third, rarity matters. As the numbers above show, the rarest muscle cars have preformed the best. Finally, get a second opinion when considering a classic muscle car. Mechanics are a good choice and a mechanic that has actually restored a few cars is the best choice. Nothing beats experience.

Obviously, one of the most important variables to consider when considering muscle cars as an investment is the condition. Only the most original and accurately restored examples fetch these prices. More common versions or cars in lower conditions will sell for significantly less. The choice of a rare collector muscle car or a common daily driver depends on the budget and the purpose of the collector. Both offer unique benefits to the owner and much enjoyment. The chance to re-live our youth is always a pleasant experience.

The Twenty Fastest Muscle Cars
From the mid to early 1970's a new breed of cars ruled the American streets. The majority of these were intermediate sized automobiles with large block engines stuffed inside. At first these cars were called "super cars" and over time they became know more accurately as muscle cars. The quarter mile was the performance standard and weekend drag racing became very popular.

For the first time (and many would argue the only time) in American automotive history, high performance vehicles were available to the masses. The average Joe with a decent job could go to his local dealership and drive away with a ground pounding, tire smoking muscle car. As the list of the twenty fastest muscle cars points out, the majority of the beasts had domesticated roots. Only the Corvettes and the Cobra were initially created as sports cars.

Rising fuel costs, rising insurance premiums and new safety concerns marked the end of this era. Today the original muscle cars are one of the hottest automotive collectables. Men of a certain age are aggressively bidding for the car of their youthful dreams.
For more information about all the great Muscle Cars of the past visit Muscle Car Facts.
Rank - Model - - ¼ Mile Time and Speed - - Engine - - HP - - TRANS - - Source
1 - 1966 427 Cobra - - 12.20 sec @ 118 mph - - 427 8V - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR CRAFT 11/65
2 - 1966 Corvette 427 - - 12.80 sec @ 112 mph - - L72 427 - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR AND DRIVER 11/65
3 - 1969 Road Runner - - 12.91 sec @ 111 mph - - 440 Six BBL - 390 - - 4-Speed - - SUPER STOCK 6/69
4 - 1970 Hemi Cuda - - 13.10 sec @ 107 mph - - 426 Hemi - 425 - 4-Speed - CAR CRAFT 11/69
5 - 1970 Chevelle SS 454 - - 13.12 sec @ 107 mph - - 454 LS6 - 450 - - 4-Speed - - CAR CRAFT 11/69
6 - 1969 Camaro - - - 13.16 sec @ 110 mph - - 427 ZL1 - - 430 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 6/69
7 - 1968 Corvette - - - 13.30 sec @ 108 mph - - 427 6V - - 435 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 5/68
8 - 1970 Road Runner - - 13.34 sec @ 107 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - automatic - - SUPER STOCK 12/69
9 - 1970 Buick GS Stage I - - 13.38 sec @ 105 mph - - 455 Stage I - - 360 - automatic - - MOTOR TREND 1/70
10 - 1968 Corvette 427 - - 13.41 sec @ 109 mph - - L72 427 - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR AND DRIVER 6/68
11 - 1969 Charger 500 - - 13.48 sec @ 109 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - HOT ROD 2/69
12 - 1968 Charger - - - 13.50 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - 425 - - automatic - - CAR AND DRIVER 11/67
13 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird - 13.50 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425
14 - 1968 Road Runner - - 13.54 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - automatic - - CAR AND DRIVER 1/69
15 - 1973 Trans Am - - 13.54 sec @ 104 mph - - 455 SD - - 310 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 6/73
16 - 1969 Corvette - - - 13.56 sec @ 111 mph - - 427 L88 - - 430 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 4/69
17 - 1969 Super Bee - - 13.56 sec @ 105 mph - - 440 Six Pack - - 390 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 8/69
18 - 1969 Boss 429 Mustang - 13.60 sec @ 106 mph - - Boss 429 - - 375 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 9/69
19 - 1970 Challenger R/T - - 13.62 sec @ 104 mph - - 440 Six Pack - - 390 - - automatic - - CAR CRAFT 11/69
20 - 1970 Torino Cobra - - 13.63 sec @ 105 mph - - 429 SCJ - - 370 - - automatic - - SUPER STOCK 3/70

Is the Muscle Car Back?

2009-09-11T21:09:00.000-07:00

It’s appareant that the push is on to bring the muscle car back, but do any of the big three manufactures evern really remember what a muscle car is, I think Chevrolet has a good idea with the new 505 hp ZO6 Corvette, form everything that I’ve read on the new Corvette, it is an awesome car. The likes of which has never been built before in this country.
The test driver for spike tv’s power block tv drove one last week, along with Dale Ernhart J.R., and he said that he feels that the US has made a mark with the new Vette, he mensioned the 24 hour Lemas race in france, where the new Corvette C6 had come in in possions 1 & 2 respectivly.

This was against the likes of Ferarri, Porche, Astin Martin, and afew of the other big boys that I could mension, but what would the point be, that short list covers all the real players, and these guys are the real mccoy, they are the toughest of the tough, the meanest of the mean, and at the top of the heap.

Just to borrow a few of the test drivers words, the ZO6 Corvette is a real true supercar, and if the big boys come to play with this car, they’re likely to leave bloodied, and this comes from a man who has driven all of these cars, and does it every day for a living.

Muscle Car Spoilers
A muscle car spoiler is a car spoiler attached on a muscle car, which is a term for high-performance cars, primarily American models produced between 1964 and 1974. Muscle car spoilers make the vehicle unique and stand out in the crowd. Often with flashy, sporty styling, these mid-sized cars have special trims and large powerful engines (V8 engines). The special trims are intended for utmost acceleration on the street or in drag racing competition.

The muscle car models initially sported only rear spoilers. The construction of front spoilers not only enhanced the appearance, but also added functionality in terms of aerodynamic design. The muscle car spoilers, both frontal and rear spoilers, are usually molded into the bumper caps. This arrangement helps to reduce the car’s lift and drag and increase its downforce. Subsequently, these would ensure increase in traction, permitting the car to brake, turn, and accelerate properly and more forcefully.

Muscle car spoilers come in various sizes, shapes, and materials. In early cars, spoilers were made of plastic. The spoilers are now made from polyurethane, which are durable and sturdy materials. Some of the muscle car models that come with spoilers include the Pontiac Tempest Le Mans GTO, the Buick Riviera Gran Sport, the Dodge Charger, the Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS, and Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. The Dodge Charger Daytona built in 1969 features front spoiler and a huge rear deck spoiler.