Muscle cars are among the best vehicles ever made. Though their designs have evolved over the years, the very features that made them unique in the first place are still found among more recent muscle cars. As oldies are becoming more valuable and technology has greatly changed, several car fans have decided take upon themselves to make them unique.
It is possible to turn a legendary muscle car into a true beast. In fact, some American muscle cars from the 60s had more power than European exotics. Regardless of their original power outputs, some muscle cars just are not fast enough for gearheads with a genuine need for speed. Consequently, some oldies have been turned into rocket ships on wheels.
10 1966 Chevy Nova SS
Corvettes and Camaros have always been the most popular muscle cars made by Chevrolet. It is fair to say that they are some of the most stylish cars made by the brand. However, more obscure Chevy muscle cars are just as impressive, and the Nova SS is the perfect example of this.
This Nova is the type of awesomely modified Chevy Novas that turn heads wherever they go. Thanks to a Magnuson supercharged LSX V8, this Nova SS must develop 475hp and up, which is absolutely mind-blowing for a car that is over fifty years old. The engine is absolutely gorgeous and true connoisseurs will appreciate the work that was put into this Nova.
9 1967 Mercury Cougar
Mercury was originally created as a luxury division of the Ford Motors Company. From its inception in 1938, the subdivision was meant to be the missing link between Ford and more luxurious Lincoln cars. Though Mercury lived up to its reputation for the vast majority of its existence, it failed to conquer the hearts of gearheads over the last twenty-five years.
The Cougar is among the most awesome Mercury cars ever made, and definitely not among the ones that helped put Mercury out of business. The original engine was replaced by a 5.0L Coyote found on the Mustang GT. Though it is bone stock, it still produces a respectable 460hp, which far more than the original engine.
8 1968 Dodge Charger
Dodge seems to have always been a second-tier muscle carmaker until recently. Its muscle cars were often overlooked by automotive fans some decades ago. Its Charger and Challenger sure were not as iconic as the Mustang and the Corvette, but they were nonetheless astonishing vehicles.
Showcased at SEMA, this monstrous restomodded 1968 Charger is equipped with Mopar's 426 Hellephant crate engine. The supercharged Hellcat engine produces 1,000hp and costs around $30,000. The professionally engineered and built Hellephant sold out in less than 48 hours. It will be hard to get a hold of one in good shape in the near future.
7 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
The reason behind the Mustang's success is quite obvious. The pony car is simply gorgeous without any kind of modifications. Pop the hood and you will be amazed by a big block V8 that often times produces more horsepower than needed. Consequently, the Mustang became a very popular car for restomod projects.
Unlike the overly aggressive 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 UNKL built by Ringbrothers, this beautiful Mach 1 looks a bit tamer. However, looks can be deceiving. This oldie is fitted with a 5.8L Trinity V8 from the 2013-2014 GT500. On top of having one of the best American engines ever made, it received a 2.3L TSV supercharger that helps the Trinity engine develop a calming 681hp.
6 1970 AMC Javelin
During the golden age of the muscle car, companies such as AMC tried their best to produce muscle cars that were somewhat different from what was offered at the time. It is unclear whether the company placed itself in the market too soon or too late. What is for sure is that AMC failed to ever trump legendary muscle cars.
Though AMC cars were not very popular upon their respective release, they sure aged like good French wine. Today, AMC cars are some of the best cars out there for restomod projects. This Javelin, for example, is the reason why AMC cars can be turned into beasts. Fitted with a 6.2L supercharged Hellcat V8 that cranks out well over 800hp.
5 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS
The muscle car scene is believed to be exclusive to the great US of A. It is fair to say that America produced some of the meanest muscle cars. America also has an indecent amount of highly skilled and dedicated tuners that would love to turn every single muscle car into a rubber-burning machine. Well, Australia has got all of that as well.
If you think Australians cannot modify muscle cars the right way (if there is a right way), then you got it all wrong. This sick looking Chevelle is the prime example that there are some tuners in the land down under ready to compete with American tuners. This 454 LSX swapped Chevelle is capable of developing 900hp thanks to a Magnuson supercharger among other goodies.
4 1971 Pontiac GTO
The second half of the 1960s and the early 1970s were Pontiac's best years. Among the amazing cars the carmakers produced, one definitely stood out. The GTO was the best alternative to the Mustang and Camaro. Very few domestic carmakers can claim to have had a battle with a European-made supercar. Pontiac and its GTO? Yes.
Any respectable restomod car will have some of its original features completely transformed. A trend that is becoming more popular among tuners is the beastly engine swaps. This GTO inherited a Whipple supercharged LSX 454 V8 tuned to produce a staggering 900hp.
3 1971 Pontiac Trans Am
If Pontiac hit the nail on the head with its GTO, it sure kept the trend going with its Trans Am. While the Mustangs kept their very peculiar shape, the Camaro drastically changed. The Trans Am was designed in a way that directly rivals the Camaro and gives muscle heads a third, solid option.
This blown Trans Am is nothing to be played with. Unlike most spiffy restomod projects, this doomsday-ready half Pontiac/ half Nissan beast is equipped with a supercharged LSX V8 and a Weiand blower. Rated at over 600hp, this Trans Am received a Skyline R-32 transmission and an R-33 transfer case.
2 1972 Ford Gran Torino
Ford Motors released its very first Mustang in 1964. The pony car was an immediate success upon its release and became an instant legend. Following the success of the Mustang, Ford seemed to be unable to replicate a similar icon. The Gran Torino is an exceptional car, but not as amazing as the Mustang.
Despite being highly underrated, the Gran Torino is one of the greatest cars produced by Ford Motors. This particular Gran Torino was beautifully restomodded. The original engine gave way to a supercharged 5.4L V8 from a 2008 GT500 that produces around 600hp at the crank.
1 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile came up with the coolest cars between the 1950s and 1970s. Some of its older cars are so stylish that little work is needed to turn them into show-stoppers. Unfortunately, as time went by and consumer needs drastically changed, Oldsmobile lost the plot. The carmaker was unable to adapt to the new market dynamics and failed to live up to its name.
This insane Cutlass is the living proof that once upon a time, Oldsmobile knew exactly how to manufacture decent looking cars. The best part about this demonic Cutlass is the LSA V8 lodged under the hood. Rated at 556hp, the LSA was tuned to produce over 800hp thanks to a supercharger and a nitrous oxide system.