There's a good reason muscle cars have been popular since their introduction, not only are they a symbol of American performance, but the formula they follow is beautifully simple in the best way possible. Take a comfortable cruiser of a mid size or compact car, and add a full size V8 engine under the hood - you've now got yourself a muscle car.
That formula flourished in the '60s, with icons of tire shredding power popping up left and right from America's big three. Cars like the Pontiac GTO and Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda came to life at this time, offering wicked horsepower from their un-compromising V8s, beautiful steel bodies, and comfortable highway cruising interiors.
But it was the un-compromising nature of muscle cars that nearly caused their extinction. Starting in the early '70s, new federal regulations for emissions and fuel consumption were beginning to be written into law, and then the OPEC Gas Crisis hit in 1973, starving the big V8s of the massive amounts of fuel they needed. Muscle cars were now forced to compromise, going against their true nature. Things only got worse from there, with legendary muscle car names vanishing from showrooms.
While some made brief appearances in later decades, many muscle legends were left dead for good. As sad as it is, here are 10 of the most awesome muscle cars to vanish when the gas crisis hit:
10 Mercury Cyclone GT
While not a best seller in its heyday, the Mercury Cyclone was a beautiful yet intimidating monster that could hang with the best muscle cars in its GT and Spoiler muscle trims. Starting in 1970 though, the car got bigger and more beautiful, but began to lose power. In 1971, another 15 HP was lost, and the Cyclone was killed off for good.
9 Buick GSX
Not to be confused with the Buick GNX of the '80s, the GSX was Buick's top of the line muscle car that was a downright monster. An upgrade to the already beefy Gran Sport (GS), the GSX added some insane power, producing a massive 350 HP and 510 LB-FT of torque in 1970. While it was a wicked car in 1970, in 1972 Buick only sold 44 of them, and as a result, decided to cancel the GSX completely.
8 Plymouth Road Runner
An icon of the Mopar world, the Plymouth Road Runner was a muscle car revolution, offering the best V8 available without requiring the car to be loaded with pricey optional extras. Plymouth's budget muscle car was a smash hit that kept getting better every eyar, but that didn't last long. By 1974, Plymouth ditched the gorgeous B-Body base for the thoroughly awful and weak Fury, turning the Road Runner into nothing more than some fancy stickers until its final cancellation in 1980.
7 Dodge Super Bee
As a member of the Mopar family, Dodge wasn't about to let Plymouth have all the fun with their new affordable muscle car. Copying the Road Runner's low options, high horsepower formula, the B-Body based Super Bee was born. While it was an awesome car, it didn't last long, and by 1971 the Super Bee name switched from the Coronet to the Charger, losing 35 HP in the process and dying off by the end of the year.
6 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda
An absolute legend, and one of the most iconic muscle cars out there, the Hemi 'Cuda was a proper monster. Introduced in 1964, the 'Cuda got better and better each year, reaching its peak evolution with the fantastic 425 HP Hemi 426 V8 in 1971. But tragedy struck in 1972, and the once glorious 'Cuda suddenly only made 240 HP, a power level it remained at until its death in 1974.
5 Chevrolet Nova SS
The Chevy Nova was a rather boring, but faithful compact car of the '60s and '70s. But, starting in 1968, the Nova was available with the SS package, boosting it to proper muscle car levels, and offering up to 375 HP. But the good times wouldn't last, and by the Nova SS' final year of 1976, the SS trim was nothing more than some exterior upgrades with only 165 HP under the hood.
4 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
While the Nova filled the place of an affordable compact car for Chevy, the Chevelle filled their mid-size role perfectly. Even better, the sledgehammer looking Chevelle could be had in the SS 396 trim, boasting up to 375 HP and some badass looks. As with the Nova SS though, things wouldn't last, and by its final year of 1973 the Chevelle SS only was rated to 245 HP.
3 Pontiac GTO
Arguably the first "true" muscle car, the Pontiac GTO was one of the premiere names in big block performance in the '60s. By the '70s though, things were starting to look grim. While 1970 saw the GTO receive an insane 500 LB-FT of torque, power would only get worse. By its final year of 1974, the GTO name was moved to the Nova's compact sister, the Pontiac Ventura with only 200 HP under the hood. The GTO wouldn't be seen again until 2004, but as a re-badged Holden.
2 Ford Gran Torino
While the Mustang tends to overshadow most of Ford's muscle cars, the Gran Torino was a properly comfortable mid-size beast that deserves respect. Initially called the Torino GT, these sumptuous beasts packed a mean punch with up to 360 HP in 1970. But the Gran Torino is on this list for a reason, and that reason was the Gran Torino's constant drop in power every year until its death in 1976.
1 AMC Javelin AMX
While the smaller "Pony" cars like the Mustang, Camaro, and Trans Am lived on even as full size muscle cars died, AMC's Pony car wasn't so fortunate. Derived from the standalone AMX muscle car, the Javelin AMX was a compact beast that could throw down up to 335 HP. But, as the smallest of america's manufacturers, AMC had to kill off the Javelin AMX in 1974 to focus on producing the economical Pacer.