June 16, 2023
What is a muscle car? Traditionally, the term refers to primarily American and Australian models with powerful engines and bold styling that evokes power and speed. Muscle cars generally have large-displacement V-8 engines in the front, either from the factory or swapped in later, with upgraded torque and horsepower for strong, straight-line acceleration. Their pricing is relatively affordable, however, unlike exotic supercars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maybach, and Porsche.
Muscle cars such as the ones up for auction on Hibid.com are popular attractions at cruise nights, car shows, swap meets, drag racing competitions, and parades (especially convertibles).
Front-Engine, Rear-Wheel-Drive
Unlike other types of sports cars—such as the Japanese imports favored by “tuner” enthusiasts—muscle cars almost exclusively have a rear-wheel-drive configuration. Without the weight of the engine above their drive axle, muscle cars must employ various mechanical (and more recently, electronic) systems to improve traction at the rear tires.
For example, a stiff rear suspension can help a muscle car avoid wheel hop and “hook up” with the pavement, albeit at the expense of passenger comfort. Traction bars, a limited-slip or locking differential, and in recent models electronic traction control all help nose-heavy muscle cars put the power to the pavement.
A History Of Speed
Muscle cars are descendants of the hot rods and street rods that early gearheads created by modifying cars such as the Ford Model A and 1932 “Deuce” Coupe. A hot-rodded example might be “stretched” with longer frame rails, “chopped” with its roof lowered, and “souped up” with performance parts or a replacement engine.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, U.S. automakers started to offer stronger V-8 engine options in certain midsize and larger models, including some four-door body styles and staid family sedans. These unassuming “grocery getters” such as the Chevy Impala and Dodge Dart could become “sleepers” that could outrun unsuspecting challengers at the stoplights. In 1964, the GTO package for Pontiac’s Tempest kicked off the muscle car era in earnest as automakers started to pair more aggressive styling with greater horsepower under the hood.
The mid- to late 1960s witnessed an automaker arms race of stylized American factory muscle cars that looked fast even when standing still. Contenders included:
- Chevrolet Camaro, Chevelle, and Corvette
- Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Super Bee
- Ford Mustang and Torino
- Mercury Comet Cyclone and Cougar
- Oldsmobile Cutlass and 4-4-2
- Plymouth Barracuda and Road Runner
- Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and GTO
Several models under the same corporate umbrellas—notably the Barracuda/Challenger, Camaro/Firebird, Mustang/Cougar, and Road Runner/Super Bee—were at times based on the same platform with different styling, specifications, and options. In Australia, Chrysler Valiant Chargers, local Ford Falcon variants, and GM’s Holden Monaros and Toranas ruled the Outback.
A major reduction in engine power took place in the 1972 model year through the early 1980s due to new emissions regulations, resulting in engines with lower compression ratios and other power-robbing alterations. Moreover, higher fuel prices and gas shortages during the 1973 oil embargo shifted much of the market to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Still, some muscle car models survived to the present day, albeit in much-evolved and more efficient forms. Ford’s Mustang has the honor of being the only “pony car” model to achieve continuous production without a hiatus since its debut.
Muscle Car Variations
Muscle cars upgraded by third-party specialty vehicle companies include the Callaway Corvette; Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds; Roush, Saleen, and Shelby Mustangs, as well as Boss Mustangs by Kar-Kraft; and Yenko Super Camaro. OEM American automakers even introduced performance pickup trucks in the muscle-car vein such as the Chevrolet 454SS, Ford Raptor and SVT Lightning, and GMC Syclone and Typhoon.
V-8 engines have long dominated the American muscle car scene with some notable exceptions, such as the Buick Grand National’s turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 and the V-10-powered Dodge Viper. Recently, however, electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries have provided faster acceleration in certain performance cars such as the Tesla S Plaid, which can go from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 1.99 seconds.
Electric cars also produce instantaneous torque with availability throughout the entire rpm range (i.e., a flat torque “curve”), all with zero exhaust emissions. In the racing world, hybrid Formula 1 cars and fully electric Formula E cars demonstrate that speed and acceleration aren’t the exclusive province of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Although the sun may be setting on big-displacement internal combustion engines in new muscle cars, a bright new day is dawning for electric heirs such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV.
Conditions & Styles Of Muscle Cars
Many muscle cars up for bid on HiBid.com are in unrestored condition, sometimes with their original paint or a (some say desirable) patina of corrosion over the years. Buyers intending to restore a muscle car have numerous paths to choose from. Complete, factory stock cars are great candidates for concours restorations back to the vehicle’s original condition, right down to engine bay marks from the factory assembly line. Some owners of so-called “Day One” restorations are OK with upgrades that aren’t noticeable from the outside, such as solid-state ignition or a better camshaft profile. Others add period-correct enhancements and dealer options to make a “Day Two” car.
Modified cars vary widely in their execution and style. A popular genre called “restomods” (restored modifieds) look mostly stock but have aftermarket upgrades for performance, handling, reliability, comfort, and safety, such as power disc brakes, seat belts with shoulder straps, fuel injection, and coilover shocks or struts. Chrome and billet parts add style and excitement in the cockpit or under the hood. Some garages specialize in modifying vintage muscle cars to accommodate taller drivers, such as professional athletes.
Some muscle cars aspire to a Pro Touring style with enhanced handling for carving up canyon roads. Others go wild with a Pro Street look with a supercharger sticking out of the hood and fat drag racing tires in their “tubbed” (widened) rear wheel wells. Then there are full custom muscle cars with fabricated panels and other bespoke components. A popular style involves cars from the 1930s to 1950s that have been “slammed” with their chassis lowered, and “shaved” with their door handles, drip rails, badges, and other trim removed and smoothed over. A wireless solenoid “popper kit” allows the driver of a shaved vehicle to unlock and open the doors with a key fob.
Things To Look For In A Used Muscle Car
Say you’ve found a muscle car you would like to buy on Hibid.com, with the engine option, transmission type, trim level, mileage, and features you’re looking for. A key point is whether the vehicle runs and drives. If so, the muscle car’s drivetrain must be more or less complete. If not, the question becomes “How many parts need to be repaired or replaced in order to drive?” The answer could be as simple as a new starter or fuel pump, or as expensive as a full overhaul. If a car isn’t running, look into the availability and cost of parts for the model before you bid.
Rust and body damage can be expensive and time-consuming to fix. If you or a local mechanic can’t inspect and test drive the vehicle before you bid—a situation that’s common with online auctions—check its HiBid.com listing or ask the seller for photos of typical problem areas such as the quarter panels, wheel wells, rocker panels, floorboards, and the vented cowl area in front of the windshield and wipers.
Photos from under the car may reveal leaks that could indicate that the engine, transmission, or differential has run low on vital lubrication at some point and could be damaged. The seller may be able to tell you whether the engine uses oil. If they haven’t posted a video of the car’s engine running, ask them to send you one.
It’s also important to find out how much of a car’s documentation is included in the sale, such as service records that can tell you whether components such as the engine and transmission have been rebuilt or replaced and when. All else being equal, cars with matching vehicle identification numbers (VINs) on the body, engine, and gearbox are worth more and win more competitions than cars with non-original major components; however, replacement parts may improve the car’s performance, reliability, fuel efficiency, and so on. If the car has been modified, ask whether you can receive the original parts along with the vehicle.
A car’s VIN also lets you look up its factory options, which can tell you how rare the vehicle was compared to the rest of its production run. A muscle car’s VIN allows you to request a vehicle history report including any accidents the car has been in, as well as the status of its title. A clean title without any liens on it means you’ll have an easier time registering and insuring the car to drive on public roads. A car with a salvage title may make a great parts car, but if you plan to drive it, consult your insurance company and the laws in your state about the repairs you would need to make to qualify the car for a rebuilt title.
Find The Muscle Car You Want
HiBid.com lists many muscle cars for sale in its Classic/Vintage (1940-1989) category, as well as in its Coupes, Sedans, and Convertibles categories.