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Code Name “Panther”
Code Name “Panther”
The Ford Mustang had an extraordinary impact on the automotive industry after its release in April of 1964.
As you might expect, the other major automobile manufacturers immediately got to work on their versions of a pony car so that they could garner their share of this burgeoning new market.
In 1965 rumors began to circulate about the Chevrolet division of General Motors developing a competitor under the code name “Panther”.
Defining the Gentleman’s Muscle Car
Defining the Gentleman’s Muscle Car
If you have ever looked for information about the Plymouth GTX, odds are that you have seen the car named as the “Gentleman’s Muscle Car.” This left me wondering what a gentleman’s muscle car is and what type of men should be driving the other muscle cars.
According to my research, a gentleman’s muscle car is a refined muscle car with sleek design. This is in contrast to the rugged muscle cars that were for the drivers who did not need to go to work in their business attire. The original Plymouth GTX was created in 1967 under the Belvedere brand. A belvedere is an architectural feature that is designed to look upon a pleasant view, which seems fitting for the original name of the muscle car designed for gentlemen.
Rare Bird Sighting: The Plymouth Superbird
One of the better stories to come out of the American automobile industry during the latter portion of the 1960s is that of the Plymouth Road Runner. What’s not to like about a real muscle car that could get the quarter mile in under 14 seconds while setting you back less than three grand? Plus, as a bonus, you get a car that is named after one of your favorite cartoon characters. How can you beat that?
1969 Motor Trend Car of the Year: The Plymouth Road Runner
The peak of the the muscle car era is generally considered to have taken place between 1964 and 1972, and the reason for the decline of these cars wasn’t that they were no longer popular. The introduction of unleaded gasoline led to reduction in engine size and performance, and cars were engineered for better fuel efficiency and emissions reduction rather than speed and power. 1969 was one of the last years for the true muscle car, and it was the second year of production for the Plymouth Road Runner.
Paint Colors from the Muscle Car Era
Paint Colors from the Muscle Car Era
In the Muscle Car era from the late 1960s and early 1970s, cars came standard in some highly unusual colors. Today, most American drivers choose cars in black, silver, or white, but they might splurge at pick a car in race car red or bumblebee yellow. Even if it seems like the yellow or red cars are bold and risky, they are nothing compared to the choices that automakers used forty-plus years ago.
Metro Cruise Draws Big Crowds
Metro Cruise Draws Big Crowds
Car guys and gals know all about the Woodward Dream Cruise that occurs each summer during the third weekend of August in Detroit, Michigan. However, the east side of the state is not the only place to show off your hotrod, muscle car, sportscar, or tin lizzie. Every summer for the past nine years, Grand Rapids holds the 28th Street Metro Cruise the weekend following the Dream Cruise on the fourth weekend of August. This classic car show draws huge crowds up and down the 10 miles of this business-lined five-lane road as everyone wants to see classic cars like the Ford Fairlane, Chevy Bel Air, as well as exotics like the Ferrari Testarossa and the Lotus Esprit.
Dropping the Ford Mustang for the Ford Probe: Say It Isn’t So!
Dropping the Ford Mustang for the Ford Probe: Say It Isn’t So!
The late 1970s were not good for the auto industry. As gas became more expensive and fuel needed to be rationed, automakers had to make major changes. One car that had serious trouble in the 1970s was the Ford Mustang. Many manufacturers had to turn their hotrods into front wheel drive gas sippers, and Ford turned to the unfortunate Mustang II. But, for fans of the Ford Mustang, the worst was still on its way.
1971 Plymouth GTX
1971 Plymouth GTX
The last model of the nameplate, the 1971 Plymouth GTX was the quintessential American muscle car. Plymouth was already famous for offering the public affordable pony and muscle cars with its Barracuda and Road Runner models. The GTX launched the brand into the performance stratosphere. The original 1967 GTX was a package for the Belvedere, and its subdued styling gave no indication of the power under the hood or the masterful engineering.
The 1966 Dodge Charger
The 1966 Dodge Charger
The “Leader of the Dodge Rebellion” was introduced at the 1966 Rose Bowl, and although the Dodge brothers didn’t know it at the time, the 1966 Charger would impact muscle car history forever.
The Charger was built off of the Dodge Coronet chassis, but utilized its own body. This introduction was Dodge’s first fastback, high-speed street racer. The 1966 Charger was the first U.S. production vehicle to boast a spoiler, which was implemented to solve the lift that its body created. David Pearson drove a #6 Cotton Owens-prepared Charger, and won the NASCAR Grand National championship in 1966 (in addition to 14 other first-place finishes).
Green Standards and the Death of the Modern Muscle Car?
Green Standards and the Death of the Modern Muscle Car?
Although to most classic car enthusiasts they will never compare with the originals, modern muscle cars, which are inspired by the originals, of course, have much to recommend them. The Shelby Mustang 1000, the Mustang GT500, the Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee, Dodge’s Challenger R/T, and the Chevy Camaro ZL1, all harken back to the late ‘60s and early ‘70s when American muscle was at its peak. They have retro styling along with modern touches, and big, powerful engines.
