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  Chevrolet El Camino   Envious of the success that Ford was having with its car/truck Ranchero that debuted in 1957, Chevrolet struck back with its new El Camino model in 1959. Originally based on the Impala, the half car, half truck El Camino survived for only two years, but reappeared in 1964 based on the Chevelle. This new El Camino shared most of its underpinnings and powertrains (including high performance engines) with the Chevelle. SS versions would debut in 1968 and firmly establish the El Camino as a muscle car/truck. 1959 Chevrolet El Camino   Comments: The El...

  The Ford Fairlane / Torino Introduction: Introduced in 1955 as Ford's fullsize model, the Ford Fairlane was reborn in 1962 as Ford's entry into the hotly contested intermediate muscle car market. With lighter weight than the fullsize Galaxie but with the same powerful engines, the Fairlane, and its spinoffs the Torino and Cobra, were a force to be reckon with on the street and the drag strip.  1955 Ford Fairlane Comments: The Ford Fairlane, named for Henry Ford's Fair Lane mansion in Dearborn, was introduced in 1955 as the new top of the line fullsize Ford. The Fairlane...

  Plymouth Road Runner History1968-1980 Introduction: By 1968, muscle cars had moved away from their street slepper image and had become option loaded, luxury machines that only the well to do could afford. Plymouth decided that what was needed was a return to basics. Starting with the stripped pillared coupe version of the Belvedere, it created a new breed of muscle car that packed maximum excitement with a minimum price. Just like the old days. 1968 Plymouth Road Runner Comments: In 1968, Plymouth decided that muscle cars had gotten too far from their original purpose: cheap (and very fast)...

  Pontiac GTO History1964-1974 Introduction: The Pontiac GTO is considered by many the first true muscle car. Whereas other manufacturers were concentrating on their fullsize lines, Pontiac saw the potential for dropping a big block engine into an intermediate frame and marketing it at a budget price. Pontiac sneaked past the GM restriction on this combination by making the GTO an option on the Tempest model, creating the hottest performance machine yet. The GTO sold in great numbers and would fuel the competition between GM, Ford, and Chrysler that would keep the muscle car industry thriving for years to...