Muscle Car Era

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Muscle Car Terminology

A muscle car is a high-performance automobile. The term principally refers to American models and generally describes a 2-door rear wheel drive, mid-size cars with a large, powerful V-8 engine and special trim, intended for maximum torque on the street or in drag racing competition. It is distinguished from sports cars, which were customarily considered smaller, two-seat cars, or GT, two-seat or 2 + 2 cars intended for high-speed touring and possibly road racing. High-performance full-size or compact cars are arguably excluded from this category, as are the breed of compact sports coupes inspired by the Ford Mustang. Other factors used in defining classic muscle cars are their age and country of origin. A classic muscle car is usually made in the U.S. or Australia between 1964 and 1975. The term "muscle car" did not enter common usage until after production of the cars had essentially ended. It is generally accepted that popular, widespread usage of the term took hold by the early to mid-1980s. During their day, print media usually referred to this class of vehicle as "supercars".

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