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Mario's Top 10 Muscle Cars

1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 6 Pack

Muscle cars: "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday". Remember that saying? But, what is a Muscle Car?

There are many different definitions of what qualifies as a Muscle Car. The broadest definition is any midsized car with a large and powerful engine and a beefed-up suspension.

There have been many great Muscle Cars in the 60’s and 70’s and trying to pick the top 10 is extremely difficult. Everyone has their own opinion as to the Top 10 Muscle Cars.

So, to pick the Top 10 Muscle Cars I analyzed the Top 10 choices of various sources such as car magazines: Motor Trend, Road & Track, Car & Driver, Hot Rod, etc. Also, Muscle Car websites, classic car owners/experts, etc and noted which were the top Muscle Cars that continuously were mentioned.

My list of the Top 10 Muscle Cars repeatedly came up individually many times. They are in alphabetical order so you can decide which are the top 3 if you want. I also added pictures of the Top 10 Muscle Cars from various Car Shows as a Bonus.

So here they are, my list of the Top 10 Muscle cars. Enjoy, Mario.

1 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 ci 348 hp. Initially offered as an option package on Pontiac Tempest LeMans. The 1964 Pontiac GTO is considered to be the very first muscle car out of Detroit.

2 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 ci 348 hp. The GTO was the first one to coin the concept of high-performance, low–cost muscle cars. While a maximum of 5000 sales were expected, total actual sales of 1964 Pontiac GTOs summed up to 32,450 units. The GTO was a success beyond imagination and expectations.

3 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 ci 348 hp. The ‘GTO’, ‘the Goat’, ‘the Tiger’ or ‘the Great One’. The 1964 Pontiac GTO is considered as the car which sparked a new era of American muscle cars around the globe. The car gets its name from the famous Ferrari 250 GTO which stands for Gran Turismo Omologato.

4 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 ci 348 hp. Tri-Power featured three two-barrel Rochester carburetors. The famous "Blue 389" engine. 0 to 60 in 5.7 sec. Quarter Mile 14.1 sec @ 104.2 mph.

5 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 ci Hemi 425 hp. Chrysler only manufactured 475 Hemi-powered Chargers for the 1968 model year. So, this is a very rare and valuable car.

6 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 ci Hemi 425 hp. The R/T (Road/Track) was introduced in 1967 as a special muscle car version of the midsize Dodge Coronet.

7 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 ci Hemi 425 hp. The famous “Villain” car in the movie "Bullitt" with its 10-minute car chase through the streets of San Francisco.

8 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 ci Hemi 425 hp. 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec. Quarter mile 14.9 sec @ 95.5 mph.

9 1968 Olds 442 – 455 ci 440 hp. From 1965 on, according to Oldsmobile brochures and advertisements, the 4-4-2 designation referred to the 400 cubic inch standard engine, four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts.

10 1968 Olds 442 – 455 ci 440 hp. By 1968, badging was shortened to simply "442", but Oldsmobile brochures and internal documents continued to use the "4-4-2" model designation.

11 1968 Olds 442 – 455 ci 440 hp. The 4-4-2 became a separate model from 1968 through 1971. Over 33,000 were sold for 1968.

12 1968 Olds 442 – 455 ci 440 hp. 0 to 60 in 7.0 sec. Quarter mile 15.13 sec @ 92 mph.

13 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR 428 ci 335 hp. This 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR is one of 1,053 KR “King of the Road” fastback models produced during a three-month period from May through July of 1968. A rare and valued muscle car today.

14 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR 428 ci 335 hp. The Shelby Cobra GT500KR was introduced in April of 1968 with limited production.

15 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR 428 ci 335 hp. The new GT500KR would serve as Ford’s flagship performance car, standing head and shoulders above prior Shelby models.

16 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR 428 ci 335 hp. The horsepower value is known to be grossly underestimated. The engine’s true output was well in excess of 400 hp. 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec. Quarter mile 14.8 sec @ 95 mph.

17 1969 Camaro Z28 RS. 302 ci V8 290 hp. While the engine’s advertised output was only 290 horsepower, it actually produced upwards of 400 horsepower. The Muscle cars HP ratings were understated for Insurance purposes. The Camaro offered a staggering twelve engine options in 1969.

18 1969 Camaro Z28 RS. 302 ci V8 290 hp. The ’69 Z28 RS was designed to offer a raw, unfiltered driving experience. The suspension setup is tuned for performance, which translates to a ride that’s fairly firm and direct. This is a car designed for performance rather than cushy comfort.

19 1969 Camaro Z28 RS. 302 ci V8 290 hp. The interior of the 1969 Camaro Z28 Rally Sport is all about function over flashy tech. The dashboard layout is straightforward, with analog gauges that provide all the essential information without any distractions. The bucket seats hug you tight during hard cornering.

20 1969 Camaro Z28 RS. 302 ci V8 290 hp. The Z28 Rally Sport package took things up a notch, offering an even more performance-oriented version that appealed to hardcore racers and casual enthusiasts alike. The Chevy Camaro Z28 RS was designed for those who wanted a car that could dominate both the street and the track and look sexy doing it. 0 to 60 in 6.9 sec. Quarter mile 14.8 sec @ 94.8 mph.

21 1969 Mustang Boss 429. 429 ci 375 hp. The Boss 429 Mustang is a high-performance Ford Mustang variant that was offered by Ford in 1969 and 1970.

22 1969 Mustang Boss 429. 429 ci 375 hp. Featured a race-designed 429 ci 375 hp engine but in reality, it was closer to 500 hp with a 735 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and a manually controllable Ram-Air hood scoop for optimal airflow.

23 1969 Mustang Boss 429. 429 ci 375 hp. Only 859 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429’s were built in 1969 making this another very rare and valuable car.

24 1969 Mustang Boss 429. 429 ci 375 hp. 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec. Quarter mile 14.0 sec @ 95 mph.

25 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 ci 6 pack 390 hp. In reality it was dyno tuned to 434 hp. Built on the B-Body platform, the Plymouth Road Runner was meant to be a no-frills, high thrills muscle car where the biggest thrill was what lurked under the hood.

26 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 ci 6 pack 390 hp. Plymouth introduced the Road Runner, their budget-minded muscle car in Fall 1968 and had an instant hit on their hands. The crazy car with the “beep beep” horn would have its best year in 1969.

27 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 ci 6 pack 390 hp. The convertible model helped it become Motor Trends’ car of the year in 1969. In 1969 only 615 Road Runners were built as a 2-door post coupe with the 440 triple-deuce setup. A total of 1,412 Road Runners with the A12 440 Six Pack were produced.

28 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440ci 6 pack 390hp. 3 Holley 2300 2-Barrel Carburetors (Six Pack). 0 to 60 in 5.1 sec.Quarter mile 12.91 sec @111.8 mph. Making the Plymouth Road Runner the fastest Muscle car of the Top 10. This is my Cover Muscle Car.

29 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1. 455 ci 360 hp. A more realistic HP output rating is believed to have been closer to 400 hp, if not higher. The factory rating was “some kind of understatement of the year.”

30 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1. 455 ci 360 hp. The Buick Gran Sport GS455 was a variant of the Buick Gran Sport that debuted in the 1970 model year.

31 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1. 455 ci 360 hp. The Gran Sport 455, which was also known as the GS 455, was only offered in a coupe or convertible body style with a 455 ci V8 sending power to the rear wheels.

32 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1. 455 ci 360 hp. 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec. Quarter mile 13.38 sec @ 105.50 mph.

33 1970 Chevelle SS454. 454 ci 450 hp. Second generation Chevelle (1968–1972). In 1970, sheet metal revisions gave the body a more coke bottle styling, and interiors were redesigned.

34 1970 Chevelle SS454. 454 ci 450 hp. The 454 ci (7.4 L) LS6 engine was rated at 450 hp, but in a dyno tune it pushed out 650 hp. A remarkable difference! The SS454 was available with cowl induction and equipped with a single 4-barrel 800 CFM Holley carburetor.

35 1970 Chevelle SS454. 454 ci 450 hp. There were 4,475 LS6 1970 Chevelles produced.

36 1970 Chevelle SS454. 454 ci 450 hp. The new 454 ci V8 (7.4 L) engine was introduced in 1970. 0 to 60 in 5.4 sec. Quarter mile 13.2 sec @ 107 mph.

37 1970 Firebird Trans Am 400 Ram Air IV. 400 ci 370 hp. Pontiac created an enduring legend in the second-generation Firebird. They established a new high for Pontiac styling with a unitary front grille and bumper molded from Endura rubber and painted to match the body color.

38 1970 Firebird Trans Am 400 Ram Air IV. 400 ci 370 hp. The second-gen Firebirds were noticeably lower and eliminated the rear quarter windows. Only 3,196 Trans Am’s were built in 1970.

39 1970 Firebird Trans Am 400 Ram Air IV. 400 ci 370 hp. This was also the only year the Ram Air III and IV engines would be offered in the second-gen cars, as the regulatory changes facing the entire auto industry brought an end to high-compression performance.

40 1970 Firebird Trans Am 400 Ram Air IV. 400 ci 370 hp. 0 to 60 in 5.4 sec. Quarter mile 13.9 sec @ 100 mph.

41 1964 Pontiac GTO at car show.

42 1964 Pontiac GTO at car show.

43 1964 Pontiac GTO at LeMay Car Museum.

43 1964 Pontiac GTO at car show.

45 1968 Dodge Charger RT 426 Hemi at car show.

46 1968 Dodge Charger RT 440 Magnum at car show.

47 1968 Olds 442 at car show.

48 1968 Olds 442 at car show.

49 1968 Shelby Cobra at car show.

50 1968 Shelby Cobra at car show.

51 1969 Camaro Z28 RS at car show.

52 1969 Camaro Z28 RS at car show.

53 1969 Camaro Z28 RS at car show.

54 1969 Camaro Z28 RS at car show.

55 1969 Mustang Boss 429 at car show.

56 1969 Mustang Boss 429 at car show.

57 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 6 pack at car show.

58 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 6 pack at car show.

59 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 6 pack at car show.

60 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 6 pack at car show.

61 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1 at car show.

62 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1 at car show.

63 1970 Chevelle SS454 650 hp at car show.

64 1970 Chevelle SS454 650 hp at car show.

65 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air at car show.

66 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air at car show.

67 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air at car show.

68 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air at car show.


Video and audio clips

Top 10 Muscle Cars. A lot of the ones on my list.



Related

More Cars of the 1960s
More Plymouth Coverage

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Comments

Mario on Jul 16, 2025 said:

My List of the Top 10 Muscle Cars of all time!

This was a big thrill for me researching from many different sources the Best of the Best Muscle Cars.

I'm fortunate to have seen all the Top 10 Muscle cars at car shows throughout the years. Never knowing how rare and valuable they would someday become.

I hope you enjoy this Page of the Top 10 Muscle Cars! Mario

[Reply to this comment]

azmuscle on Jul 16, 2025 said:

Good good good morning from the desert southwest Mario.

May I say, as I drooled over the top 10, I was glad to see you had some that many miss in their lists.

I'd like to place an order for 1 of each please. I always wondered what it would be like to go out to your garage and have to THINK which one to drive today. What a horrible experience that must be. ;-) Like you I have been blessed to seem mostly all of these and several more. I was a car show junkie and needed a fix if I wasn't attending the big Carlisle PA events. I even got a job there so I could get free entrance. I'd stand at the gate as the parade of rumbling beauties left after being on the fairgrounds all weekend. And even having a Muscle Car Parade on Saturday where the streets were full of owners smiling and waving to the crowds on the sidewalks. I always made sure to attend the Car Show Corral to try to snatch up a bargain. They were hard to find as the sellers knew it was time to get their top dollars. I came within a few minutes of buying my long sought after C2 Corvette Coupe. The owner left his phone number on the car while he was away from it and my call came in a few minutes late. I still stood by the car hoping the other buyer would back out but nope. It was gone.

It was the Corvette that I built from a model kit and was like the real thing. All the mods it had and the color. It was like my model blew up into the real thing.

I can't choose one from among the many. I'm not greedy mind you. My choice changes over the years. I guess I show each one a little bit of love by being a lover of each one, if only for a season.

I'm blessed to have been born and enjoyed the Muscle Car Generation to it's fullest. From being a kid at 12 seeing and getting a ride in such NOW Classics. Building models, going to drag races, hanging around garages, and even buying a Sting Ray bike with 5 speed shifter on the bar and slick tire in the rear. I had it bad.

Thanks for filling in for the canceled car show. This was a great substitute. You can never go wrong when you have this eye candy, to make you remember and make you drool and make you still wish, it's keeps a person young.

Bless you Mario. Well well well done. CHEERS!!

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jul 16, 2025 said:

Thanks Rob for your comments and stories on car shows in PA. Lots of great Muscle Cars still around but I'm afraid with the prices continuously rising the closest I'll come to one is at a car show.

I think about my 1969 Camaro SS350 4 speed that I bought new and held on for 10 years. I had no idea it would become a classic Muscle Car decades later.

My friend Mike had a 64 Pontiac GTO 4 speed red convertible and I'm sure he regrets selling it. We used to ride around in it looking to drag race on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown NY. That was the place to race and make a name of yourself.

Can't wait for the Fall weather to arrive this has been a very hot and humid summer here on Long Island. They keep cancelling the Oyster Bay car shows due to hot, humid or rainy weather. It's not dry like in AZ nor as hot but the humidity living by the Bay makes the heat index soar.

Cheers, Mario

[Reply to this comment]

azmuscle on Jul 16, 2025 said:

Well there's a common hope for us. Fall time. People don't understand in our long summer, we have what is called Monsoons which is the pattern that brings us rain. With rain, we do have the humidity. Not as great as being near the ocean. But enough with the high temps, the sweat rolls.

So my quick visits to my garage in the mornings is all I have and the rest of the day becomes like cabin fever.

We haven't received much rain here but the skies contain the moisture it just doesn't fall on us.

That joke about "it's a dry heat" is true..but when you see people burst into flames, then it's no longer a joke.

Tucson posted an article on how people think we could cut down on the temps in summer.

One guy wrote in that all the people with white or gray hair need to assemble together and REFLECT the heat back into space.

I think he won............I moved. I have my white hair.

Once again it's all good........Rob

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jul 17, 2025 said:

Great story Rob about reflecting the heat with white hair! That's a new one.

I'll just take it week by week until the Fall weather arrives. Unfortunately, the car shows around here end around September. Just when the nice weather comes in.

[Reply to this comment]


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