Primarily in the 1960s and early 1970s, the muscle car revolution took place in the American automobile industry, packing high-performance, V8-powered American muscle cars. In 1949, Oldsmobile Rocket 88 evolved as the first proper full-size muscle car. In later years, the 1955 Chrysler C-300 was launched boasting 300 horsepower. In the process, many machines were born, including that of Ford and Chevrolet. And out of all, the rivalry between the two was something to notice and enjoy. To corner Ford, Chevy launched some of the best muscle cars in history, which we have included in the list. Check those out, if interested.
10. 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS
In 1955, Chevrolet showcased a 5-seater Corvette – a concept car, at the 1956 Motorama, General Motors’ self-produced car show. In South and East Africa, you can find an extremely fast animal that disappears with its eyes blinking. It’s called rooibok or Impala. In 1958, Chevrolet premiered Impala as the top trim and sportier edition of its own Bel Air coupes and convertibles. In 1961, Chevy included Super Sport Package with the Impala for $53.80. The 1969 Impala SS, which is also known as the 427SS, was powered by a 427 cu.-in. 7.0L V8 engine, making 335-445 horsepower under the hood. Mechanized with heavy-duty front and rear shocks, stiffer springs, a large front stabilizer bar, borrowed from the F40 package, larger wheels, and bigger brakes, the SS427 was one of a kind muscle car.
09. 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air
Named after Bel Air Estates, LA, the Bel Air was a fullsize muscle car in production from 1950 to 1975. Initially launched as a two-door coupe, the Bel Air was one of the most popular cars of its time. In 1955, Bel Air was launched as a convertible, however, the major change in design came under the limelight in 1959, with a whole new front facia, and flat, wing-shaped tailfins, with a 119” long wheelbase and 211” length, which made it the longest Chevy ever. Just 2 years later, Bel Air received another major update, a completely new body. This time the Bel Air muscle car was more classic, and elegant while that of the ‘59 was more youthful. Being shorter than the nearest ancestor, the 1961 Bel Air muscle car now although lost the title of the longest Chevy, maintained the posture of a proper executive carrier.
Packing a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter 90°-V8, mated to a 3-speed manual with OD, the 1961 Bel Air crunched 168 hp at 4200 rpm, and 275 lb-ft of torque at 2200 rpm under the hood. Mechanized with a well-tuned suspension, the 1961 Bel Air drove exceptionally well, with nimble handling. Due to being configured with rear-wheel drive, the ‘61 Bel Air provided a good degree of stability on the roads even at high speeds. The comparatively shorter length improved the stability to a certain degree. Coming with bench seats on both and front row, this 60s muscle car was quite comfortable and convenient due to the amenities it provided.
08. 1968 Chevrolet El Camino SS
If you get to see one, in person, you may think that if it was a convertible or open-top, then it’d surely look like a pickup truck. Well, you are not wrong, and this is the truth. The 1968 Chevy El Camino SS was built on the platform of a 2-dr Chevrolet station wagon platform, and the cab and cargo body was merged into the body, turning it into a muscle car. However, what makes it so special? The body structure; being built on the truck, there’s not much weight on the rear wheels, thus with little throttle, the car flew away.
Powered by a 6.5L V8, the El Camino SS churned out up to 375 horsepower. However, in 1971, the El Camino received a big upgrade with a 7.4L V8 LS6 engine that just threw a whopping 450 hp, whenever floored.
07. 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS
In production from 1962 to 1979, the Nova SS was one of the most miniature pony cars of all time. Normally muscle cars are built longer and bigger to handle the monstrous power these machines produce. However, the Nova SS, being a smaller muscle car, was not equipped with a bigger engine, as the Chevy engineers thought that it might not handle that power. Thus they equipped the Nova SS with a 4.6L V8, making 196 horsepower, and later they upgraded it to 220 hp. However, due to repeated requests by customers and enthusiasts, they mechanized this baby muscle car with a 5.7L V8, which in later tests, turned out to be a dark horse, making more than 400 horsepower, whereas it was widely accepted that the Nova SS could not handle more than 400 hp.
06. 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Known for its handling and aggressive styling, the 1968 Chevelle SS packed a range of powerful engines, including the iconic 396 and 402 cubic inches V8 engines, coupled with either a 3-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, making 325-425 hp under the hood. Featuring a blacked-out grille, hood bulges, and special SS badging, the ‘68 Chevelle SS looks particularly stunning at any time. For performance enhancements, this muscle car was mechanized with heavy-duty suspension, disc brakes, stripes, Positraction, and a reinforced frame. Wider tires had been installed on this car for better stabilization. While base trim used to make 325 horsepower, with $105 extra at that time, the L34 version of the engine would be installed, producing 350 hp.
05. 1966 Chevy Biscayne
First available in 1958, the Chevrolet Biscayne was a lightweight muscle car that was the cheapest in Chevy’s full-size muscle car series. Powered by either I6 or V8, the Biscayne offered little to almost nothing on the exterior and interior, rather the slightly costly Bel Air used to offer almost everything. In a nutshell, apart from the engine, there was nothing special. However with time, Chevy also became quite considerable, and thus in 1966 equipped the Biscayne with the bigger block 427 V8, which turned the simple car turn into a muscled beauty, making 425 horsepower. The Biscayne was mechanized independent front suspension with coil springs and a solid rear axle with leaf springs, providing a comfortable ride. Drum brakes were standard, however, power-assisted brakes were available as optional.
04. 1966 Chevelle SS396
In production from 1964 to 1977, the 1966 Chevelle SS396 was a high-performance muscle car variant of the Chevelle 396. Powered by either a 5.3L V8 or the 4.6L V8, mated to a four-speed manual as standard, the Chevelle 396 used to make 220-310 horsepower. For ease of driving, a 3-speed AT was also available. The SS396, being equipped with the Super Sport package, was available with a blacked-out grille, SS badges, and unique trim, in both 2-dr coupe or convertible. The SS396 was mechanized with improved suspension, power brakes, and other performance-oriented enhancements, and had gone through an upgrade of a bigger engine, packing a 6.5L V8 that could churn out 375 horsepower, and sprinting to 60 in just 6.5 seconds.
03. 1971 Chevy Monte Carlo SS 454
Always posed and placed as a luxury sedan, the Monte Carlo was the prime example of elegance, comfort, and refinement. But enthusiasts since the first drive were aware of its beast-like power that the 350 cubic inch V8 engine could make, a whopping 245 horsepower @ 4800 rpm and 280 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm. Although it was a luxury car, at the same time the Monte Carlo was also one of the most famous cars in the NASCAR stock car racing. Observing the craze, Chevrolet in 1971 launched the Super Sport package, packing a 454 cubic inch or 7.4L powerhouse with a 3-speed automatic and four-barrel carburetor, which just tightened the handling, making it one of the best muscle cars available. Crunching 390 hp under the hood, the SS454 was mechanized with reinforced suspension, while the wider tires stabilize the ride.
02. 1966 Chevrolet Caprice
Launched in 1966, the Chevrolet Caprice was an immediate success due to its sporty and masculine appearance, raw power delivery, and comfort. Impala was still the top-of-the-line product of Chevrolet with great fan following and the newly launched Caprice was $200 more than the Impala. Yet, the sales figure of Caprice took a steep hike. Actually, there’s a twist. In 1965, Ford added the LTD package to the Galaxie 500, which made the classic quite luxurious compared to the regular one. Now, there’s probably no gearhead who is not aware of the sweet friendship between Ford and Chevrolet. To counter the Galaxie 500 LTD, Caprice was launched after the name of Caprice Custom Sedan which was later shortened to Caprice only, and the Custom Sedan was included as an optional package with the code name of RPO Z-18. To make it appear like a proper classic, Chevrolet painted the Caprice Sport Sedan with chrome body moldings, black-accented grille and rear trim panel, chromed wheel cover, and fleur de lis emblems on the sail panel, while the front fenders penned Caprice on themselves.
Powered by a 2-barrel 283 V8 as standard, the ’66 Caprice crunches 195 horsepower under the hood. However, for thrill seekers, a range of engines was also available, such as a Turbo Fire 283 making 225 hp, and a Turbo Jet 427, making 425 hp. Being more expensive than Impala, the Chevy Caprice was more opulent inside, featuring tonier upholstery and carpeted lower sections on the door panels.
01. 2023 Camaro ZL1
Packing a 6.2L Supercharged V8 DI under the hood, the 2023 Camaro ZL1 is one of the finest modern muscle cars of the 21st century. Crunching 650 hp @ 6400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque @ 3600 rpm to propel the rear wheels, the 2023 ZL1 is mechanized with a 6-speed manual, however, for an extra $1,595, you can get hold of the 10-speed paddle-shift automatic that without any lag just works perfectly fine. Accelerating to 60 in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph, the 2023 Chevy Camaro ZL1 takes around 11.4 seconds to complete the ¼-mile lap.
Inside, this marvelous machine packs a driver-centric elegant interior with a combination of near-perfect luxury and high-end comfort. Almost every time, whenever you are out there on the road, burning down the tracks, you won’t feel any kind of performance lag, and being mechanized with tuned suspension, there’s no jerk too during the whole journey. If a modern muscle car is on the bucket list, then the 2023 Chevy Camaro ZL1 is good to go with.
