Let’s take a look at our list of top 20 muscle cars of all time. Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Any muscle cars that should have been on the list, in your opinion?
Enough chit-chat, here we go with the top 20 muscle cars.
20. 1987 Buick GNX
This Buick from the era of musclecars dying out because of fuel crisis. Less than 6 seconds to 60, 14 sec quarter mile. Heavy – 3500 lbs and has only 3.8 liter turbocharged V6. Not a true muscle car? Only 300 hp? Well, it is still looks cool and become true collectible with the pricing around $100 000 minimum.
19. 1971 Dodge Demon 340
Lightweight, compact muscle car with 340 cubic inch V8. It was compact, inexpensive and quite powerful – its small block engine produced 275 horsepower. It was mainly equipped with 3-speed manual, which has perfect ratio helping to turn the quarter mile in 14 seconds. Demons sold well, and 10,098 Demon 340 modification cars was built.
18. 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS 409
One of the most popular car to convert to low rider. However it is representative of full size muscle car. No wonder with 409 cubic inches big block engine with up to 425 hp. The car was available as a hardtop coupe and looks brilliant.
17. 1969 AMC AMX 390
Heavy though powerful pony car muscle from American motors, with massive 390 cubic inch engine (6.4L) with the output of 315 hp. Only 6.6 seconds to 60 mph and 14.8 seconds for quarter mile.
16. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427
Well, it is difficult to say that Corvette is a muscle car, but some people claimed that old Corvette from 60s and 70s has all features of muscle. So, for these people we add one very spectacular Corvette with 427 cubic inch engine. It is so called Stingray Corvette which is one of the best looking American car. And the fastest one for these times – top speed over 150 mph thanks to the engine output of >400 hp.
15. 1969 Mercury Cougar 428 Eliminator
Another hardcore 7-liter monster based on Ford Mustang. 335 hp V8 helps it to have incredible performance. And it is expensive these days – around $70 000 for muscle car classic in mint condition.
14. 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner 426 Hemi
A true legend named after famous cartoon character. The car is simple, cheap (was cheap back in 70s I mean), is a representative of true mid size muscle cars. It’s top line 426 Hemi engine produces 425 hp and has 7.2L capacity. Quarter mile in 13.5 seconds – is not a joke.
13. 1969 Ford Torino Talladega 428 CJ
Talladega was the special edition Ford Torino named after a racetrack in Alabama. Only 500 copies of it were made in 1969, it has Ford 428 cubic inch engine. It is a very rare and good looking muscle car.
12. 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO
The more performance version of Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird was not so popular but looks good and was really fast. This version has unbelievably massive engine also installed in Pontiac GTO producing 335 hp. Despite the huge engine, the car was heavy and hasn’t spectacular performance results.
11. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
The car is a limited edition Mustang equipped with 429 ci 7-liter V8. Only 859 cars were made. The engine output is rated 375 hp, but some say that actual figures are no less than 500.
10. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi
Another legendary mid size muscle with enormous engine. R/T stands for Road and Track, so car has outstanding performance. It’s 426 cubic inch V8 producing around 425 hp.
9. 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst 455
Exclusive version of 442 model with Hurst components. Only 911 such cars were made, equipped with 455 cubic inch Rocket V8 engine producing 380 horsepower and 500 ft lb of torque.
8. 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge 400 Ram Air
The car was equipped with 4-speed manual, 370 hp Ram Air IV engine. The Judge was the name for special trim level featuring Hurst shifter, wider tires, rear spoiler and decals. Only 549 such cars was produced in 1969.
7. 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda 426
The third generation sport version of Plymouth Barracuda model sharing platform with Dodge Challenger. Hemi 426 modifications is a true collectible these days. The engine has output of 415 hp.
6. 1970 Buick GSX 455 Stage 1
GSX stage 1 was the optional package for 1970 Buick Gran Sport. It was the answer for Pontiac’s GTO The Judge. The GSX is more lightweight than ‘Cuda and more powerful. The 1970 car was available in 2 colors only and very estimated by collectors.
5. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 CobraJet
This car is difficult to relate to muscle cars, just like Corvette, but it is the vivid example of what will happen if you put a massive Ford V8 to a compact European chassis. This car is true legendary, dozens of kit cars and replicas are made. But the real Cobras are rare and expensive.
4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 427
It is special edition Chevy Camaro built by dealers request to fit big block into pony car size muscle. 427 cubic inch engine has output of 425 hp which makes the Camaro a true highway monster.
3. 1968 Shelby GT 500 KR
KR is stands for King of the Road, equipped with 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet engine with singe four-barrel carb. The engine was rated 335 hp like other Ford Cobra Jet engines, but with the increase of torque. The car is extremely rare and expensive.
2. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
Chevy Chevelle is on top again, due to its incredibly powerful V8 with 454 cubic inch capacity (7.4L) and rated 360 hp. But according to modern dyno tests, it was highly underestimated, actually producing around 450 hp or more. Only 4,475 Chevy Chevelle 454 was produced, but only 137 registered nowadays.
1. 1969 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum
The winner is the same – 1969 Dodge Charger with 440 cubic inch Magnum engine. It is one of the best looking cars for 60s, you might see it in different movies and TV shows made in that period. 440 Magnum was powerful enough to compete with other top powered muscle cars.
About the author
William Getty lives and breathes cars. He started driving cars as a 12 year old on the racetrack with his dad. Since then cars has always been a big part of Williams life.
In his garage you can find his beloved 2005 Ford Mustang, as well as a 2020 Audi A3.