Known for being affordable, yet refusing to sacrifice high-performance, the muscle car is quintessentially American. Although it's practical, it's not willing to settle as some lowly mode of transportation others look down upon. It's important, after all, for the car to look good. It needs to turn heads at the end of the day, while also thrilling the driver. That's exactly what the muscle car does.
In addition to checking off all the boxes an American driver would ever want, the muscle car also has a long history. Most point to the late 40s as the beginning of the muscle car. Since then, there's been all kinds of variations and takes on this special type of vehicle. Oldsmobile, many argue, is the car maker to have started it all. Though they wouldn't be the last. Plenty of car makers—even to this day—attempt to improve and perfect these 2-door sports cars with powerful engines. Though there are a few car makers out there who do it like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, GM and Ford, as Autobytel notes.
Regardless of what car maker does it the best, or where true muscle cars come from, car makers are prone to making limited edition models. Rolled out with unique specifications or with only a limited number ever produced, car enthusiasts tend to covert special edition cars. Even though not all of them are the cream of the crop, they still have character and add novelty to car culture. Compiled below are some of the most fashionable and limited muscle cars ever made.
25 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
A beautiful car that anyone would want, even those outside muscle car circles.
As How Stuff Works reports, it came in 1970 when muscle cars were gaining steam. It's got a 454 ci V8 that can bump out 450 hp, which is no pushover. It's also a sportier looking car compared with others on the list, which makes it so widely-appealing.
Many, however, including Car Life as How Stuff Works notes, believed it was as far as these types of cars could go, suggesting some kind of peak.
24 1969 Oldsmobile Rallye 350
Many consider this to be the very first muscle in America. The 1969 Oldsmobile Rallye 350, as Cheat Sheet points out, captured the classic concept: put a large engine in a midsize car.
Other cars followed in years to come from Buick and Chevy in answer to the Rallye 350. Some special features about this car include the 350 ci V8 that could do 310 hp. Cheat Sheet reports Oldsmobile made about 3,500 of these in all.
23 1969 Ford Torino Talladega
This 1969 Ford Torino Talladega carved a special place in muscle car history. More fit for racing than anything, Ford managed to make "street legal" versions.
The 428 Cobra Jet engines do 335 hp, as How Stuff Works points out. Small details on the design like a stretched nose improved its aerodynamics.
Plus, there weren't any models with special packages. What buyers ordered is what they got. Ford made only a little more than 700, making these a limited and special edition muscle car.
22 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 426 Hemi
There are only 50 1968 Plymouth Barracudas made equipped with 426 Hemi motors. Supercars reports these came out of Michigan, the mecca of muscle cars. As expected, they made the insides trimmed down for speed's sake.
Sorry, no listening to music in this ride. Also, there's no way to keep warm if there's a blizzard outside, so be sure to pack blankets for the journey. Though really, this is more reserved for a race track than it is a road trip.
21 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
The road may be full of Dodge Challengers. Though who can really blame car owners for wanting one? In addition to the standard, there's also a crate version that comes with tools that encourage insane driving.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, according to Car and Driver via Dodge, can do a quarter of a mile in less than 10 seconds if it's going 140 mph.
For those thinking of trying this out, don't think about it. Instead, take Dodge's word for it.
20 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Drag Pack
This list may be full of Ford Mustangs. One of the notable traits about the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Drag Pack, as Mustang and Fords points, is the unique bumper design. Instead of being flat and tall, it's pinched for better aerodynamics.
Leave it to a muscle car to find small ways of increasing speed. Ford did offer an optional spoiler add-on as well. Stacked with a Super Cobra Jet 429s engine, another option included the drag pack.
19 2018 Corvette Z06
Where the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 excels is the powerful motor, which offers to propel drivers forward at 650 hp. Some adroit car enthusiasts may even notice physical similarities between this and another familiar race car.
As Chevrolet proudly preaches on its website, the Z06 shares qualities with the Corvette C7.R. That makes this a very special car indeed.
This car, for those willing to spend a lot, starts at $80,000, which is not for the faint of heart.
18 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone
For being the first year of this model, Mercury made a beast of a car. The 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone, according to Mecum Auctions, came outfitted with a 289 ci V8 that could do 271 hp. Again, performance over practicality.
The fact that they were able to get an engine like this into a street legal car back in the day is commendable. With an optional 427 ci V8, the Comet Cyclone was a worthy addition to history's lineup of special muscle cars.
17 1970 Chrysler Hurst 300
Chrysler only made so many of these muscle cars. The 1970 Chrysler Hurst 300 was something of a return to form for Chrysler.
According to The Drive, Chrysler only made 500. They all came with the same paint job as well, in white and gold.
A notable physical quality to the car is how incredibly long it is. Some reports have it at 19 feet long in all. Of course, it packed a punch as well in V8 that could do 375 hp.
16 2017 Ford Mustang Roush P-51
Some might argue that cars like the 2017 Ford Mustang Roush P-51 don't need that much power. Though they've probably never experienced excitement while driving before.
According to Autobytel, Roush calls this "the most powerful American pre-titled car ever built." That certainly sets the bar high for competitors and car enthusiasts alike. With a V8 motor that can do 727 hp though, they certainly make a compelling case. For those who are willing to spend over $40K for a muscle car, it’s hard to go wrong here.
15 1970 American Motors Rebel Machine
American Motors may not be around anymore, though the Rebel Machine goes down as a worthy addition. For those who literally wanted the word "Rebel" and “The Machine” already labeled on their car, the hood and door had it.
According to Hot Rod Network, the motor was a 390ci V8 that had serious power behind it.
It could do a worthy 340 hp. There was even a special sticker one could order back in the day to add to their door that shows a greasy haired youth in bell-bottoms pedaling a wheel.
14 1970 Buick Skylark GSX Stage 1
Buick had a hand to play in the game of powerful cars. They showed it with the 1970 Buick Skylark GSX Stage 1.
Buick only made 118, as Mecum Auctions reports, making this a clear addition to the list. The 455 ci engine could put out 360 hp and make heads turn all at the same time. What's most impressive is the 510 lb-ft of torque its capable of. Not to mention it's a unique design that many will fawn over.
13 1969/70 Ford Mustang Boss 429
It's a car so classic, Ford grants licenses to companies to recreate versions of this old favorite. The Ford Mustang Boss 429 debuted in the middle of 1969.
As Hemmings reports, Ford intended to pit it against Chrysler's Hemi motors, which filled out other muscle cars like Dodge's Super Bee. These can do about 375 hp, according to Ford.
That should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as the cars performed much higher.
12 2017 Cadillac ATS-V
Thrown into the competition of sleek muscle cars is Cadillac's ATS-V and it's eager to please. Fortunately for Cadillac, the car delivers in many ways. When it comes to power, the 3.6-liter V6 does a reasonable 464 hp, as Car and Driver reports.
While it's not as gut-punching as some of the other cars on this list, it's enough to overwhelm average drivers and pique even the slightest interest of enthusiasts. Plus, it's going to feel more agile than others listed here.
11 1968 Hurst Hemi Dart L023
Where does one start with the 1968 Hurst Hemi Dar L023? One might say it's the epitome of a muscle car. It's got a mean engine, a beautiful look and the respect of car lovers everywhere.
According to Street Muscle Magazine, there are many who go so far as to call it "the fastest muscle car of all time." Although that's a lofty statement, the 426 Hemi gives the competition a run for its money.
It was a car so unstable, even Chrysler didn't think it was safe enough to drive on public streets.
10 2017 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350/GT350R
This next one has a unique title other muscle cars on this list can't claim. According to Autobytel, out of all the special edition muscle cars in history, the Ford Mustang Shelby has the record for being around the longest.
That says something about car buyers' love for it, even if car enthusiasts think there's too many of them on the road. That also comes as good news to Ford, considering the 2017 GT350 starts at $56,145.
Buyers shouldn't have to worry about this car getting discontinued any time soon.
9 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO ZL1
Some muscle cars reach a legendary status, such as the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO ZL1.
According to Jalopnik, only 69 of these were ever made, in what car enthusiasts consider to be a crime. Today, these are one of the most coveted Camaros for their power and exclusivity. Some are being bought for almost half a million dollars. The ZL1 engine could do 435 hp on paper, though many place its performance more around 500 in actuality.
8 2017 Ford Mustang RTR
No one wants to drive the same thing as someone else on the road. For many car enthusiasts, as Jalopnik reports, the 2017 Ford Mustang RTR should please.
Able to do 460 hp, it checks off an essential muscle car value: performance. Next up, there's the look of the car. With two trims to choose from, there are some slight variations depending on what drivers value most. One notable feature in Spec 2 that will sell prospective buyers is the unique Axle Back Exhaust.
7 1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty
Pontiac really pushed the envelope here.
Their 1962 Pontiac Catalina outfitted with their Super Duty option, according to Hemmings, belonged on a drag strip, not a public street. The bigwigs at Pontiac were just as much performance freaks as today's car enthusiasts, to the delight of many.
As Hemmings points out, Pontiac wanted to appeal to the drag racing market, where the Super Duty option was an answer to that. Like many muscle cars, it's not the most convenient, but it's got a lot of power.
6 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
Do car owners really want an engine more powerful than what the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has to offer? The 6.2-liter V8 motor, as Car and Driver reports, can do 707 hp. Once again, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has done it again. Although it's going to cost buyers a pretty penny at $68,740.
Though what they'll receive in return is one of the fastest sedans on the market today. Considering it fits five passengers, perhaps there's a chance of convincing the family to justify the cost.