There's something about a Jeep, and anyone who owns one, whether it's a classic car or not, would definitely agree. There's nothing like driving down the road and spo...
Continue Reading »
With the Ford Mustang, Mustang created a new class of cars, the pony car. Less performance-oriented and a little easier on the wallet than a muscle car, the pony car represents the best of both worlds. With the production of the Mustang, and subsequent competitors such as the Chevy Camaro Mustang, Mustang
With the Ford Mustang, Mustang created a new class of cars, the pony car. Less performance-oriented and a little easier on the wallet than a muscle ca...
Continue Reading »
Among the most popular muscle cars in American automotive history is the Ford Gran Torino. Featured in movies and other forms of popular culture, it represents a unique time in automobile history because of its ability to compete with other muscle cars which were just as exciting then as they are now. The Gran Torino was produced from 1968 until 1976 Among the most popular muscle cars in American automotive history is the Ford Gran Torino. Featured in movies and other forms of popular culture, it represents a unique t...
Continue Reading »
As muscle cars were just making their way onto the American auto scene, Pontiac threw its hat into the ring with the GTO. To create this line of sporty cars, controversially named after the Ferrari race car, Pontiac took one of its biggest engines, a 389-cubic inch V8, and put it into a mid-size car. The Ventura received this honor, and in fact, the first GTO was really just an option package on the Ventura 1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air II
As muscle cars were just making their way onto the American auto scene, Pontiac threw its hat into the ring with the GTO. To create this li...
Continue Reading »
Among classic car restorers, the "good ol' days" of the 1950s provide some of the best classic cars to work on. One such vehicle is the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The concept for the Ford Thunderbird began in 1953 as a response to the ever-popular Chevrolet Corvette, and while both are popular, there are certainly things about the Thunderbird that will always set it apart from the Corvette. The Thunderbird itself was on the production line from 1955-1997, and then again from 2002-2005 as a personal luxury vehicle Among classic car restorers, the "good ol' days" of the 1950s provide some of the best classic cars to work on. One such vehicle is the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The concept...
Continue Reading »
The Charger was Dodge’s entry into the muscle car segment and it was made on Chrysler’s B platform, based on the Chrysler Cordoba and the Dodge Coronet. In 1966, the first Charger rolled off the line and came with many engine options. One was the powerful 426-cubic inch Hemi V8. The new muscle car from Dodge was the perfect vessel 1969 Charger Hemi 426
The Charger was Dodge’s entry into the muscle car segment and it was made on Chrysler’s B platform, based on the Chrysler Cordoba and the Dodge...
Continue Reading »
1970 Cuda
1970 Cuda:
Plymouth introduced its entry into the pony car market with the Barracuda. It began life as an A-body, fastback coupe that was based on the Val...
Continue Reading »
Many great classic cars and muscle cars begin as an option for an entirely different car before proving their worth in the auto industry. For some, it can take years to show just how popular the option could be as its own model, but for others, it becomes obvious very quickly that it should be much more than an option. The Buick Gran Sport is just one example of a car which originally began as an option, and in this case, the classic car Gran Sport was considered an optional package for the Buick Skylark when it was first introduced. The story of the Gran Sport began in 1965 1969 Buick Gran Sport:
Many great classic cars and muscle cars begin as an option for an entirely different car before proving their worth in the auto industry. For so...
Continue Reading »
In the aftermath of a horrible break-up, Richard Jordan of Texas sold everything he owned and bought a Lamborghini Gallardo Saving Your Soul with a Lamborghini
In the aftermath of a horrible break-up, Richard Jordan of Texas sold everything he owned and bought a Lamborghini Gallardo. He did...
Continue Reading »
In the aftermath of a horrible break-up, Richard Jordan of Texas sold everything he owned and bought a Lamborghini Gallardo Cars in The Godfather
There are a few movies that continue have a cult following: Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Godfather. Since this is a blog about cars, you can ...
Continue Reading »
When you want to impress the ladies with a little Las Vegas swagger, there is nothing like the look from the 1960s. The casual elegance that defined the Rat Pack of the 1960s has been modernized by the gents in the film Oceans 11. Once you get the look, the car, and the music, you can cruise any strip is comfort and style. Get that Las Vegas Swagger
When you want to impress the ladies with a little Las Vegas swagger, there is nothing like the look from the 1960s. The casual elegance that d...
Continue Reading »
The Fast American Production Cars
Many people think you have spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on European exotics to get a fast ride. If you love good ol’ American cars, there are plenty of options available that will take you from zero to sixty in a nail-biting speed. These are a few of the fastest cars ever to come out of an American assembly line:
Early Muscle: 1961 Pontiac Ventura
It is hard to pin down the first actual muscle car; some have asserted that it is the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, which was built with speed in mind, with an overhead valve V8 placed in a mid-size car with a relatively lightweight body. A lot of observers cite the next big step in the evolution of the early muscle car to be the introduction of the 1955 Chrysler C-300 with its 300 horsepower Hemi engine that could go from zero to sixty in 9.8 seconds and reach a top speed of around 130 miles per hour.
From Old to New: The Mustang and The Camaro
Photo Courtesy of Motor Trend
How many things can you name that have the ability to go from young to old? That would seem to be a dream come true as we fight age, wrinkles, weight-gain and hair loss. This dream has become a reality for two major car companies for the 2012 production year: Ford and Chevrolet.
1970 Firebird Formula
Photo Courtesy of Mecum
The 1970 Firebird Formula 400 was the third of four models in Pontiac’s 70s Firebird lineup. The first generation of Firebirds, from ’67 to ’69, were closely related to their cousins the Camaros, but also took styling cues from the GTO. Although Pontiac designers had hoped to make a two-seater sports car modeled after the Banshee, a mid-60s concept car, the higher ups at General Motors feared that it would compete too heavily with the Corvette. The Firebirds represented a compromise, but one that disappointed few.
1964 Thunderbolt
In the mid ‘60s Ford was struggling to keep up with the muscle cars and drag racers coming from Dodge, Plymouth, and Pontiac. To get back in the game, Ford created a limited edition, experimental, drag racing only version of the Fairlane. This was the 1964 Thunderbolt. The big engine that Ford put in the Galaxie at the time did not give that big, heavy car enough power to get up and go race with the other muscle cars, so they crammed it into the smaller Fairlane.
Oh, the 1970s. Some of us remember them fondly, while others see bad fashion choices looking back through the picture frame. As with anything, there were good moments and bad, highlights and less exciting moments. In the early 1970s, Plymouth was excited to add a little something exciting to one of its models. The Plymouth Duster made its appearance in 1970 as a compliment to the existing Plymouth Valiant. The Duster served as the performance version of the classic car, the Valiant.
Some people dream of getting their hands on one of the brilliantly designed cars by Carroll Shelby, but their dreams fall short when they look at the price tag of his famous Cobras or Mustangs. There is good news for them; Mr. Shelby designed the Rootes Group Sunbeam Tiger, as well! In 1964, the Rootes Group was looking for a way to revamp the Sunbeam Alpine’s image from a “touring” car to a “sports car/roadster”. They wanted the car to be modeled after the recently successful Shelby Cobra. After some research and the decision to use the Ford’s 164hp 4.3L Windsor V8 engine, who was better to ask to design their car than the man himself, Carroll Shelby? Shelby agreed to design the car for $10,000. His prototype, along with the prototype built by racer and previous employee of Shelby America, Ken Miles, were sent to England for production.
When looking back at the history of muscle cars, one model stands out in American car-making: the 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. Though originally intended to compete with the Corvette, the Boss didn’t quite live up to Ford’s high hopes, and was discontinued relatively quickly after production continued from 1969 to 1970.
Each vehicle was hand assembled at the Kar Kraft facility in Brighton, Michigan. Production numbers were low, making each of the only 859 units just a little more special. In fact, some say that the Boss 429 may be the most valuable muscle car built in the 1960s because of its rarity.
As a well-respected car that has lasted through generations, the Dodge Challenger has endured its fair share of changes over the years. So how is it different now? Let’s take a look.
The first model, the 1970 Dodge Challenger, came with a whopping eight body styles, including convertible and hardtop versions, both with two doors. A variety of engine options was available for those who craved a little extra speed with this muscle car. Additionally, a dual exhaust could be had on some models. Four different hood styles were offered, though the standard 
style was almost flat, except for the small peak that ran down the center of the hood. For a flashier model, metallic paint colors were available alongside their flat color options. The 1970 Dodge Challenger (standard) featured a 225 cubic inch engine with a three-speed manual transmission.
© FossilCars.com 2000-2011 all rights reserved. Logo, design, and website content are trademarks of FossilCars.com Inc.
