When muscle cars are mentioned, cars like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac GTO, and the Dodge Challenger come to mind.

While these are the icons that put muscle cars on the map in the early 1960s, there are other unsung heroes. From 1964 to late 1971, a couple of American companies spawned performance-oriented cars.

However, many of these cars lived in the shadows of the popular nameplates. Those who gave these beasts a chance got to appreciate the artistry and power of these underrated muscle cars. On that note, let us look at ten of the most underrated muscle cars of all time.

10 1970 Buick Wildcat

Via: Hagerty

As popular car brands like Ford, Chrysler, and Chevrolet were focusing on building high-powered trims of their cars, brands like Buick were going for bigger engines. The Buick Wildcat was unveiled in 1963 and it started off as a full-size coupe. By 1970, the Buick Wildcat was the only Buick with the largest V8 engine in the market. The Wildcat’s engine was a 7.5-liter V8 engine that pushed 370 horsepower and delivered 510 lb-ft of torque.

Via: Mecum Auctions

This huge engine saw this behemoth stand a chance to compete with sportier cars. However, for unknown reasons, Buick discontinued the Wildcat and replaced it with the short-lived Centurion.

9 1975 Chevrolet Laguna

Via: Wikipedia

The Chevrolet Laguna is one of Chevrolet’s shortest-lived nameplates. However, for a car that was built during the worst time for American car manufacturers in history, the Laguna is a decent ride.

RELATED: Here Are The 10 Best Chevrolet Trucks Ever Made

Via: Autabuy

The Chevrolet Laguna was offered in three body styles, with the coupe being the most popular. This muscle car was powered by a 7.4-liter V8 engine that pushed 215 horsepower and delivered 350 lb-ft to the car’s rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. The short life of the Chevrolet Laguna is attributed to it being in the shadow of cars like the Chevrolet Chevelle.

8 1970 AMC Rebel Machine

Via: YouTube

AMC (American Car Company) had been struggling to keep up with its rivals from Detroit. However, this changed when the company was acquired by Chrysler in 1987. Its inability to compete before its acquisition was attributed to the fact that AMC vehicles were not as good. But AMC every once in a while managed to give its clients a pretty solid car. The 1970 AMC Rebel Machine is a good example.

Via: Mecum Auctions

The AMC Rebel Machine was a muscle car built to go up against the dominant nameplates. The Rebel was a white coupe with blue and red livery. This car was powered by a 6.4-liter V8 engine that pushed 340 horsepower and delivered 430 lb-ft of torque.

7 1971 Dodge Dart Demon

Via: Car Throttle

In the early 1970s, the Chevrolet Nova SS was the muscle car to beat. And Dodge was sure that they had the means to build a car that was powerful enough to go up against the Nova SS and dethrone it.

Via: Mecum Auctions

This ambition saw the birth of the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon. The Dart Demon was a small muscle car that was powered by a 5.6-liter engine that pushed 275 horsepower and delivered 340 lb-ft of torque.

The size of the Dart Demon meant that it also weighed less. This was an advantage it had over its competition. Although it did not beat the Chevrolet Nova SS, the Dodge Dart Demon’s performance was outstanding.

6 1971 AMC Matador Machine

Via: AMC Forum

When the AMC Rebel Machine was discontinued in 1970 after three years in production, the AMC Matador Machine was built to succeed it. The Machine nameplate no longer came as a stand-alone model but as a bundle option named the Go Package. While AMC Matador Machine did not don the same colors as its predecessor, it did prove that it could be better. The Matador Machine featured 15-inch slot-styled wheels, power disk brakes, a dual exhaust system, and a heavy-duty handling package.

RELATED: 10 Sickest Restored AMC Muscle Cars We’d Drive Over A Mustang Any Day

Via: AMC Forum

The Matador Machine had two engine options, a 5.9-liter or a 6.6-liter engine. The latter engine option pushed 330 horsepower and delivered 430 lb-ft of torque. Before this ride was discontinued, only 50 units were built.

5 1971 GMC Sprint SP

Via: GM Authority

GMC was never in the business of building muscle cars. However, in 1971, they decided to try their hand at it, and they ended up with the GMC Sprint SP. The GMC Sprint SP was a light-duty muscle car that was essentially a car-based truck.

Via: GM Authority

Many claimed that the Sprint SP was a rebadged Chevrolet El Camino that had a Chevelle chassis. Nonetheless, the one thing that people agreed on was that the GMC Sprint SP was a decent muscle car. This muscle car was powered by a 7.4-liter V8 engine that pushed 365 horsepower and delivered 465 lb-ft of torque.

4 1971 AMC Hornet SC/360

Via: Pinterest

The 1971 AMC Hornet SC/360 is another of AMC's best creations that was in production from 1969 straight through to late 1977. Although the Hornet did not start off as a high-performance model, in 1971, AMC introduced the world to the Hornet SC/360.

Via: Pinterest

The Hornet SC/360 was powered by a 5.9-liter V8 engine that pushed 285 horsepower and delivered 390 lb-ft of torque. Just like other small muscle cars of the time, the Hornet SC/360 recorded some impressive numbers. The Hornet SC/360 hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, clocking 14.8 seconds on a quarter-mile run.

3 1974 Pontiac Ventura GTO

Via: Hagerty

By 1974, most muscle cars were on the brink of death because of the oil crisis. The new emission regulations didn’t make things easier for manufacturers either. Pontiac was among the many companies that were hit hard. And in 1974, the iconic Pontiac GTO was discontinued. However, from its ashes came the Pontiac Ventura GTO, which was a compact equivalent of the Chevrolet Nova.

RELATED: 15 Sad Photos Of Old Pontiac Cars That Were Abandoned

Via: Hagerty

The Ventura GTO was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine that pushed 200 horsepower and delivered 295 lb-ft of torque. In 1974, 7000 units of the Pontiac Ventura GTO were produced before the line was discontinued the same year.

2 1980 Buick GNX

Via: Hemmings Motor Show

After the 1970s, car manufacturers came to the realization that not all V8s were powerful. This saw many American car companies experiment with other engine options in their muscle cars. Buick was one of these companies. In 1980, the Buick GNX was unveiled and unlike its predecessor, this ride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine.

Via: Mecum Auctions

This engine had a rating of 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. However, it is believed that at max power, the engine delivered 300 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. The Buick GNX proved that V6 powered cars could outperform some of the dominating V8 powered muscle cars as it went on to outperform Mustangs and Camaros.

1 1992 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T

Via: Cargurus

The Dodge Daytona IROC R/T was built to succeed the iconic Challenger. However, these two cars had nothing in common. The Daytona IROC R/T was a front-wheel-drive car that was powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

Via: Motorious

This engine produced 224 horsepower and delivered 217 lb-ft of torque. The Daytona IROC R/T’s output was the same as that of the Mustang GT and the Camaro Z28, but its lightweight chassis was a big advantage. This gave the Daytona IROC R/T a superior power-to-weight ratio that saw it outperform its competition.

NEXT: 5 Best Muscle Car Interiors vs 5 Worst