Early Muscle (1964-1968): These cars often focused on big engines in relatively smaller, lighter bodies.
* Ford Mustang (1964-1968): The original pony car, spawned countless rivals and variations. The early fastbacks are particularly sought after.
* Ford Fairlane/Torino (1960s): Offered various engine options, including some seriously powerful big blocks.
* Plymouth Belvedere/Satellite (1960s): Often overlooked, but capable of impressive performance. The '64-'66 models are especially cool.
* Chevrolet Chevelle/Malibu (1964-1968): A solid platform that could handle a wide range of engines, from small blocks to massive big blocks. The SS versions are the muscle car variants.
* Pontiac GTO (1964-1972): Often credited with starting the muscle car craze. The early years are particularly desirable.
* AMC Rambler Rebel (1967-1970): A surprising contender, often overlooked but with a unique style.
Late Muscle (1969-1972): These cars often featured even bigger engines and more aggressive styling. Insurance costs and stricter emissions regulations started impacting performance by the end of this era.
* Dodge Charger (1969-1970): The iconic "Road Runner" and "Daytona" models are in this category, famous for their aggressive looks and performance.
* Plymouth Road Runner (1968-1974): Known for its relatively affordable price and high performance.
* Chevrolet Camaro (1967-1969): A direct competitor to the Mustang, offering a wide range of options. The first-generation models are highly prized.
* Ford Mustang (1969-1970): The Boss 302 and Boss 429 Mustangs are legendary performance cars from this period.
* Pontiac Firebird (1967-1969): The Firebird's styling and performance made it a worthy competitor to the Camaro.
* AMC Javelin AMX (1968-1970): A sporty muscle car with a focus on handling and performance.
Beyond the "Big Three": While Ford, GM, and Chrysler dominated, other manufacturers produced muscle cars too:
* Mercury Cougar (1967-1970): A personal luxury car with muscle car performance options.
* Oldsmobile 442 (1964-1971): Known for its powerful engines and distinctive styling.
This list isn't exhaustive, but it covers many of the iconic and highly sought-after models. When researching, remember that specific model years and trim levels within each car line can significantly impact performance and value. For example, a base-model Chevelle is very different from a Chevelle SS 454.
