Carmakers worldwide have created some of the most emblematic nameplates. American carmakers have not been left behind. In fact, some of the most iconic vehicles ever made originate from America. From their inception until today, these cars are perceived as highly-powered mean machines ready to tear up the asphalt.
As time went on, several popular nameplates were eventually discontinued. From the Chevelle to the Gran Torino, these cars were not deemed popular enough. Some nameplates were ever extremely popular; so popular that they outlived the Beatles. The vast majority of these cars are not technically the rarest American cars ever made, but some special editions are worth millions of dollars.
10 Chevrolet Corvette
The automotive sector was in ebullition throughout the '50s. The post-war era saw numerous truly innovative cars on the road. As a matter of fact, General Motors came out with the very first muscle car back in 1949. The Oldsmobile Rocket 88 was a beast for its time. A couple of years later, General Motors released the infamous Chevy Corvette.
The first-generation Corvette is the type of classic GM cars every collector wants to get their hands on. The Corvette C1 was launched in 1953 and was equipped with a 3.9-liter inline-six engine that produces 150 HP at 4,200 RPM and 223 lb-ft of torque. 68 years later, the Corvette is still one of the greatest American cars ever made. The only difference is, the top-line Corvette C8 is now powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that can pump out up to 495 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque.
9 Pontiac Grand Prix
As crazy as it may sound, the Pontiac GTO was once compared to the Ferrari 250 GTO. Though the Ferrari handled far better, it was still a Pontiac that was against a Ferrari. That is quite impressive. Pontiac's GTO sure was outstanding, but it was not the only amazing vehicle made by the brand.
Back in 1962, the Pontiac Grand Prix was far from being what it became in the early 2000s. The Grand Prix equipped with the Super Duty V8 performance package was anything but tame. The huge V8 produces an impressive 320 HP. The Grand Prix eventually grew into a sedan a couple of decades later. The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP lived up to its reputation thanks to the 5.3-liter V8 that makes 303 HP. The following year, Pontiac was gone.
8 Ford Falcon
Ford is mostly known for the Mustang and the F-Series. Though it is true that the Mustang is the most popular pony car ever made, the company also manufactured a variety of outstanding vehicles. From the Ranchero to the Falcon, Ford did provide drivers with some truly exhilarating vehicles.
The Ford Falcon may have never been perceived as a sports car on the US market. However, in the land down under, Falcons have been known for being some of the best sports cars made by Ford Motors. The latest edition of the Ford Falcon XR8 is an absolute beast. Too bad Ford never tried to introduce this sports sedan in the domestic market. The Australian Falcon was introduced in 1960 and discontinued in 2016.
7 Mercury Cougar
The three main American automotive groups own the vast majority of domestic brands found on the market. Ford Motors was once the owner of Mercury, the missing link between Ford cars and more luxurious Lincoln vehicles. Long before the brand was eventually discontinued, it used to produce some amazing cars.
Produced between 1967 and 2002, the Mercury Cougar went through some major changes as time went on. Back in 1967, the Cougar was offered with an optional 390 cu in Marauder V8 that produces 320 HP. The 2002 models are nothing like the very first version of the car. At best, the lukewarm coupe came with a 2.5-liter Duratec V6 that develops 170 HP.
6 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet has always been Ford's main rival. The two companies have been going toe-to-toe for almost a century, which eventually benefitted most piston heads. Back in 1964, Ford released its Mustang. Chevrolet was caught off-guard and only released its Camaro in 67. In the meantime, Chevrolet released a couple of cars that were equally attractive.
The very first Malibu was actually a Chevelle. Consequently, the car was fitted with decent powerplants. The Malibu was eventually discontinued in 1983. Following a 14 years hiatus, Chevy brought back the once iconic vehicle and turned it into a family-friendly car. The 2021 Malibu is nothing like its elders.
5 Pontiac Firebird
During the Golden Age of the American car, Pontiac cars were anything but bland. In fact, Pontiac cars were so beautifully designed and powered that they were becoming a threat to more well-established nameplates such as the Mustang or the Camaro. To most muscle car fans, a classic Firebird Trans Am is by definition an eye candy.
Pontiac hit the nail right on the head with the Firebird. The car was designed so beautifully that it became a legend. Produced between 1967 and 2002, the car had plenty of time to create generations of fans. Though the latest generations were nowhere as impressive as the first two, they were still decent muscle cars.
4 Ford Mustang
The cherry on top: the Mustang. Despite having a lot of haters, the Mustang is the most popular American car ever made. From its inception until today, the Mustang has shown that it can become a true German car killer. The latest GT500, for example, can easily annihilate some top-line European sports cars.
Some Mustangs are the sort of classic Fords every collector wants to get their hands on. Who does not want to own a 1967 Mustang GT500 Super Snake? Exactly. Unlike the Camaro, the Mustang was never discontinued despite going through some questionable changes.
3 Mercury Marauder
Several Mercury cars tend to be badge-engineered Fords. There is nothing wrong with that. However, a decade or two before Mercury was put out of its misery, the Ford Motors subsidiary released some truly awful vehicle. The only one that was worth the money was the highly-underrated Marauder.
The Mercury Marauder received a lot less attention than far less respectable American cars. Back in the 1960s, the Marauder was fitted at best with Mercury's Super Marauder V8. The nameplate was discontinued and revived a couple of times, with the last generation built in the early 2000s.
2 Chevrolet Camaro
The only car that was truly able to rival the Mustang: the Camaro. There is not a single time during the history of the Camaro when it was not compared to Ford's Mustang. Though it never reached the popularity of Ford's pony car, it did receive a lot of attention at home and abroad.
The Camaro was not always perceived as a legitimate muscle car. In fact, Chevy had to re-engineer the legendary American sports car given the critics it had received at the time of its release. Today, the Camaro is a household name. Owning a ZL1 is every gearhead's dream.
1 Pontiac Le Mans
While Pontiac is best-known for its monstrous GTO and legendary Trans Am, several smaller vehicles produced by the carmaker somewhat fell under the radar. While these cars are unknown to most uneducated car fans, they are slowly but surely increasing in value.
It is fair to say that the Le Mans is nothing like the most popular Pontiac muscle cars. Fitted with a naturally aspirated straight-six, the Le Mans was nowhere as powerful as the top-line GTOs or Trans Ams with its 215 HP. With that being said, it was still better than its 1994 version which was essentially a badge-engineered Daewoo.