The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4 engine that accelerates from rest to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Package Level 2, on the other hand, is powered by a DOHC 32-valve V8 that accelerates it from rest to 60 miles per hour in an impressive 4.3 seconds. These are muscle cars that’ll go down in history as great cars. However, there are some domestic muscle cars that we wouldn’t want to be associated with.
One example is the 1977 Chevrolet Monza Mirage. Driven by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 145 hp and 245 pound-feet of torque, it goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in a very slow 9.1 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “Chevrolet Monza introduced the Monza Mirage in 1975 as their newest compact model…however, the lack of a performance version was inevitable due to its compact, relatively light platform.”
Another example is the 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3. Motor Junkie states, “The 1980 Corvette was a dinosaur with old technology under its plastic skin. It came with a lazy engine and an outdated interior.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out 180 hp and 255 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 122 miles per hour. Here are 25 domestic muscle cars we don't want anything to do with.
25 1974 Pontiac GTO
The 1974 Pontiac GTO is a 2-door hatchback coupe muscle car and it's a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “Most people considered the 1974 GTO a pathetic attempt to recapture the former glory of the GTO. However, the automobile market didn’t fall for this trick.” It is powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out 200 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 120 miles per hour.
24 1979 Oldsmobile 442
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 170 hp and 250 pound-feet of torque, the 1979 Oldsmobile 442 goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 9 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “It was more of a marketing gimmick than a full-fledged muscle car. It lacked a powerful engine that delivered fast acceleration times.” It also features a 68-liter (18 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode.
23 1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra
The 1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra is a 3-door hatchback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “At some point, Ford mated a 5.0 V8 with a four-speed manual transmission to make a performance car. That didn’t help at all but the outrageous body kit stole the show.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out a measly 133 hp and 243 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 104 miles per hour.
22 1980 Plymouth Volare Road Runner
Driven by a normally aspirated, carburetor line 6 engine that produces some 90 hp and 160 pound-feet of torque, the 1980 Plymouth Volare Road Runner goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 9 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “It would have been the perfect platform for a muscle car. However, grueling emissions and safety regulations killed the performance.” It also features a 68-liter (18 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 3 speed manual transmission. This is another car we don't want to be associated with.
21 1978 AMC Gremlin GT
The 1978 AMC Gremlin GT is a 3-door hatchback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “The ridiculously low power resulted in terrible performance. However, the Gremlin GT had a fresh graphic package, sporty wheels and updated interior equipment.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke Line 6 engine that cranks out 100 hp and 200 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 102 miles per hour.
20 1977 Chevrolet Monza Mirage
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 145 hp and 245 pound-feet of torque, the 1977 Chevrolet Monza Mirage goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 9.1 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “Chevrolet Monza introduced the Monza Mirage in 1975 as their newest compact model…however, the lack of a performance version was inevitable due to its compact, relatively light platform.” It also features a 70-liter (18.5 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 4 speed manual transmission.
19 1974 Mercury Cougar
The 1974 Mercury Cougar is a 2-door hardtop coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “The car was no longer based on Mustang but instead moved to heavier and bigger chassis…even with the optional 460 V8 with 220 hp the acceleration times were disappointing.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out 163 hp and 278 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 112 miles per hour.
18 1980 Mercury Capri RS
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor line 4 engine that produces some 88 hp and 119 pound-feet of torque, the 1980 Mercury Capri RS goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 13.3 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “The performance was expectedly bad, but the car looked cool. It came with a big air intake vent on the hood, large RS badges, and a rear spoiler.” It also features a 43-liter (11.4 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 4-speed manual transmission.
17 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Iron Duke
The 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Iron Duke is a 3-door hatchback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “The improvements didn’t help the performance... in the 82’ Camaro, it was embarrassing since it only had a 20 second 0 to 60 acceleration time.” It is powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke line 4 engine that cranks out 90 hp and 132 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 100 miles per hour.
16 1977 Dodge Charger Daytona
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 135 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque, the 1977 Dodge Charger Daytona goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 13.5 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “Fortunately, buyers punished Dodge for using the precious Daytona nameplate for a bland, boring car. In the end, they made only 250 of them. This Daytona reincarnation was left in the margins of muscle car history.” It also features a 96-liter (25.4 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 3 speed automatic transmission.
15 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3
The 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a 2-door fastback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “The 1980 Corvette was a dinosaur with old technology under its plastic skin. It came with a lazy engine and an outdated interior.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out 180 hp and 255 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 122 miles per hour.
14 1974 AMC Javelin AMX
Driven by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 150 hp and 245 pound-feet of torque, the 1974 AMC Javelin AMX goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 9 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “Even with all performance goodies, sport suspension and manual transmission, 0 to 60 mph times were just over 8 seconds which is not very fast, especially for a muscle car.” It also features a 60-liter (15.9 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 3-speed manual transmission.
13 1974 AMC Matador X
The 1974 AMC Matador X is a 2-door fastback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “Regardless of dress up kit, big V8 and all performance goodies, Matador X wasn’t any faster than Javelin and the option was killed after only one year.” It is powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out 150 hp and 245 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 106 miles per hour.
12 1979 Dodge Magnum
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 135 hp and 250 pound-feet of torque, the 1979 Dodge Magnum goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 13 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “With its big weight, slow automatic transmission and low power, the Magnum delivered pathetic performance numbers. Also, the high price didn’t help the sales. Dodge discontinued the Magnum for the 1980 model year.” It also features a 96-liter (25.4 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 3 speed automatic transmission.
11 1976 Oldsmobile Starfire GT
The 1976 Oldsmobile Starfire GT is a 3-door hatchback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “Called Starfire GT, this model was basically an appearance package on a regular Starfire hatchback.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V6 engine that cranks out 105 hp and 185 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 114 miles per hour and goes from rest to 60 mph in a measly 12.1 seconds.
10 1979 AMC Pacer X
Driven by a normally aspirated, carburetor line 6 engine that produces some 100 hp and 200 pound-feet of torque, the 1979 AMC Pacer X goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in a slow 14 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “In a desperate attempt to draw the performance oriented crowd, AMC introduced the Pacer X, a high performance version of their legendary compact car.” It also features a 79-liter (20.9 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 3-speed automatic transmission.
9 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra
The 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra is a 3-door hatchback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “The 1979 Cobra featured a 2.3-liter four cylinder engine with 140 HP. We know that this was pathetic even by the standards of the day, but it was a step in a good direction since American performance finally started to recover.” It is powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke V8 engine that cranks out 140 hp and 250 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 120 miles per hour.
8 1978 AMC Spirit AMX
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor line 6 engine that produces some 100 hp and 200 pound-feet of torque, the 1978 AMC Spirit AMX goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 13 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “Introduced in 1978, AMC Spirit AMX was a true compact muscle car due to the fact it had optional 304 V8 engine and rear-wheel drive, and it could be had with manual transmission.” It also features an 83-liter (21.9 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 4-speed manual transmission with.
7 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth
The 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth is a 3-door hatchback coupe muscle car and is a car we don't want to be associated with. Motor Junkie states, “In 1975, Chevrolet even introduced a very interesting although not so successful Vega Cosworth model which featured a high revving 2.0-literfour cylinder twin cam motor.” It's powered by a naturally aspirated, spark-ignition 4-stroke line 4 engine that cranks out 110 hp and 107 pound-feet of torque. This car has a top speed of 113 miles per hour.
6 1975 Buick Gran Sport
Powered by a normally aspirated, carburetor V8 engine that produces some 205 hp and 345 pound-feet of torque, the 1975 Buick Gran Sport goes from rest to 60 miles per hour in 10.6 seconds. Motor Junkie states, “Unfortunately, gone were powerful 455 big block and the buyers were left only with 350 V8 with 175 HP. It goes without saying that 1975 Grand Sport was an extremely slow muscle car due to the fact it weighed almost two tons.” It also features a 98-liter (25.9 US gallon) fuel tank and comes with a 3-speed automatic transmission.