What is the definition of a muscle car?

[Musclecarclub]

Alright, let's settle this: what is the definition of a "muscle car." Specifically, which of the following criteria would apply (or not):

Size (Fullsize, Intermediate, Compact, etc.)
Trim (Base vs. Performance trim like SS or GT)
V8 Engine size (350 and less vs. 360 or more)*
Performance Measures (1/4 mile times, handling, etc.)
Purpose (Gran Touring, Drag racing, Road course, Luxury coupe)
Anything else?

Any thoughts?

[DGB454]

Here is what Websters dictionary says.


"any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving "

[kratefan]

Originally Posted by DGB454

Here is what Websters dictionary says.


"any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving "

Dictionary.com:
A high-performance automobile, often with flashy, sporty styling.My PERSONAL definition is "a normally mundane coupe or convertible with more power than it should have". Of course it doesn't have too much power because, too much is never enough.
Jeff

[MagicRat]

The dictionary definitions are very good, but perhaps not quite specific enough.
Back in the '60's, the term 'muscle car' was originally intended to describe an American made intermediate car line with a more powerful V8, usually plucked from the full size car models (and often set up for more power).

When the slightly smaller Mustangs and Camaros were introoduced, they were called 'pony cars' to distiguish their place in the market, as they were similar, but slightly smaller and were intended for a slightly different buyer.

However, in a practical sense, muscle car is used almost as a generic term for a faster, somewhat larger car.

[Cobra01TT]

Any car with a powerfull engine that goes fast in a striaght line, and doesn't care about anything else.

[69WiLdcaT]

i don't think there is going to be a right definition for a musclecar... everyone has there own thoughts as for my thoughts, a big engine (big 400 and up) and a car thats doesn't weigh to much (under 4000 or so you get the idea) is a musclecar... however... a big block in a big car makes sense since it is a big car. So really the only true musclecars should be the Camaro, Nova, Cuda, Challenger, (mustangs questionable) because they were small cars that had big engines. But I guess if a Galaxie, GTX, Impala, Catalina all these are considered musclecars then i guess all can be... except buicks for some reason.. :\ all in all the term is a pain in the ass so we should stopp using it! lol


the only credit Buick got for a musclecar is the GS, and not to downplay the GS cause i love that car... but Buick made alot of cars that should've fit into the musclecar category i'm not going to name them but... *cough* wildcat *cough* skylark *cough* anyway i guess thats the way it is some cars get in cause their maker: Duster, Demon (Plymouth, Dodge) and some don't get to be recognized cause of their maker: Skylark, Wildcat (Buick) well i'm rambling now sorry for the long post had to get it off my chest

[451Mopar]

Muscle Car, Intermediate size, performance trim, over 300+ HP.
I classify the Mustang, Camaro, Cuda, as Pony Cars, and the Cornette, Viper as sports cars

[RedLightning]

Originally Posted by 451Mopar

Muscle Car, Intermediate size, performance trim, over 300+ HP.
I classify the Mustang, Camaro, Cuda, as Pony Cars, and the Cornette, Viper as sports cars

just add a 2+2 coupe for my answer! and spills the coffee(prolly spelled wrong) if the popo's lap when he pulls u over!!!!!

[Purpura Delujo]

Definition? Cars that are naturally loud, steel body, V8, more engine then suspension, extremely fast with average/below-average handling, a lot of style and I would count it being made between say 1960-1985. Anything out of those years that you would call a muscle car I would call a Sports car or classic car.

[SamBlob]

Originally Posted by 451Mopar

Muscle Car, Intermediate size, performance trim, over 300+ HP.
I classify the Mustang, Camaro, Cuda, as Pony Cars, and the Cornette, Viper as sports cars

I suspect you mean the Corvette and not the Coronet, since the high-performance versions of the Coronet (Super Bee & R/T) most definitely were muscle cars...

[MrPbody]

I'm sure someone oput here is waiting for this, so here goes:
When outlining the requirements for the original factory "muscle car", Jim Wangers and John Z. DeLorean first used the term "muscle" when describing the GTO. This is well documented in Jim Wangers' book "Glory Days". They make it quite clear. "Intermediate body with a 'big car' engine in it".
All the additions over the years fall into the category of "vernacular", and not "definition". By those standards, there is oly one true muscle car currently in production, and by no coincidence, it's called "GTO"...

['97SLVRBullet]

Any time you see a show on tv about musclecars, they usually only consider cars with V8s, only two doors, but having a backseat. "Backseat, is one of the key terms, because anyone with an f-body or mustang knows that you really can't fit anything of any size back there. Nonetheless, the Vettes and Vipers, and such fall under the sportscar category. Being that they are built for performance and really can't sustain a dual role as a family/sportscar. The musclecar was originally designed for the workingman that wanted a sportscar, but had a family and needed a sedan. This new "musclecar" idea was supposed to take off and the marketing geared towards the average joe that might not have the money to afford a high dollar performance vehicle. Well obviousely it caught on, and now look at what you have today. Everyone has their own idea, but this was what started it all.