Back in the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” cars. These kinds of cars shared the same characteristics : they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes ultimately limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that time period. Today, muscle vehicle mania is back, despite even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and wagon models from Dodge, there’s new interest in a class long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesterday, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of autos produced that at a previous previous point or another might have been considered a muscle automobile. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane five hundred and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model ; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette ; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Storm ; Olds the 442 ; Yankee Motors’ had its Javelin ; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a 4 door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the present muscle automobile time craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been that the Mustang now sells its complete 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the States, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. Additionally, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another auto also making the rounds of the States car show circuit.

So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and 15 or sixteen m.p.g on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable twenty-eight miles to the gallon the road. So, although fuel mileage will definitely be lower than plenty of other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the previous generation autos with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we continue to live in a fairly free country and what the consumer wants, the buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will possibly appeal to many. No, they won’t be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle automobiles, but they’re going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.

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