Muscle Car Era take 2?

[LPD]

Is it just me, or does it seem like we are in another muscle car-like era? At the very least, another golden era for the automobile. It's different in that you have an import scene and more variety in general, but the same in that economic prosperity and low fuel prices have led to horsepower ratings and performance escalating year after year. To wit:

1. The new Cobra is going to have 390HP (detuned and/or lying in order make them insurable), and there is talk of the GT-40 going into production.

2. Dodge has brought back the Hemi motor, and they are talking about doing a pickup with a viper motor. Wouldn't that be weird if they offered the old 500hp 426 hemi in a new vehicle one of these days? why not? They've been selling them as crate motors for several years now and have been unable to keep up with demmand.

3. SVT Lightning

4. Z06 Corvette

5. LS1 Camaro SS

6. The subaru WRX. Not a muscle car per se, but it can hold it's own at the drag strip as well as in the twisties.

7. 2001+ BMW M3. Drive one and tell me it doesn't feel a lot like a mustang, only with better handling.

8. everyone execpt maybe the koreans are putting out 220+hp cars in the 18-24k price range. Compare that to five years ago.


(edited to correct numerous grammatical errors. It was late hehe.)

 

[Devin]

Excellent post.

We can only hope I suppose that "this" muscle car era doesn't end like the last one did. Not a whole lot of fast cars from the mid seventies on for a loooooong time.

But I do not see that happening, it appears they're only getting faster, better, and some are even getting cheaper as well. Gotta love that.

 

[svtruck]

It's amazing what can be done performance-wise to these vehicles, and still remain emission legal, that's the key to the new muscle car/truck movement.

 

[BLoG]

Hell, even the new NISSAN ALTIMA has 240hp. Supposedly runs 14s stock. I guess we can't make fun of the altima girls as much any more.

 

[macgregor45]

I've been saying the same thing, alot of muscle cars back in the 60's and 70's ran similar times to the 'new' muscle cars (and trucks) of today. Back then suspension and tire technology wasn't what it is today, but the times are similar overall.

 

[FMOS Racing]

There was nothing from the 60s that can compare to the cream of the current crop. Look at the Z06 - fast, leather-clad, reliable, 30 mpg... COPO what?

 

[Litng1]

All good things must end.

 

[Gitchi Manitou]

Has anyone heard yet of GM's Grand Prix G8? A new Prix with a transverse mounted LS1, 19" wheels, Goodyear F1s, and a claimed 0-60 time of 5.5 sec. Woo-hoo! Sorry guys, I know this is the competition, but I've always loved those OLD GPs. This sounds like a step in the right direction for Pontiac.

 

[LPD]

Has anyone heard yet of GM's Grand Prix G8? A new Prix with a transverse mounted LS1, 19" wheels, Goodyear F1s, and a claimed 0-60 time of 5.5 sec. Woo-hoo! Sorry guys, I know this is the competition, but I've always loved those OLD GPs. This sounds like a step in the right direction for Pontiac.

Actually, I was going to put that car on the list, but it seems doubtful to me that the thing will see a production line (even though I think it would be a good competitior to the BMW M3) , so I didn't put it on there. Beautiful looking car though, which is saying someting for a Pontiac these days.

speaking of Pontiac, why not resurrect the GTO? That would be cool!

 

[Devin]

I have tons of pics of the new concept GTO.
A teacher of mine who has a restored 67 says he's either GOT one on preorder or is GOING to preorder one.

can't remember which one...