8 Great American Vehicles That Aren't Muscle Cars #blogpost

There’s more to the American car scene than quarter miles. Here are some great American vehicles that aren’t muscle cars

One: Chevrolet Corvette

Dat Incredible Chadkake

18 Oct 2016

8 Great American Vehicles That Aren't Muscle Cars #blogpost

There’s more to the American car scene than quarter miles. Here are some great American vehicles that aren’t muscle cars

One: Chevrolet Corvette

Currently a world class sports car, the Corvette has been challenging deep seated European competition since 1953. While it may be cheap it’s really fast. The Corvette ZR1 went around the Nurburgring in 7:19.63, that’s faster than a Ferrari Enzo. It’s all become pretty classy as of late.

Two: Ford Taurus SHO

If you want a real sleeper, you could do worse than the Taurus SHO. The SHO goes back to 1989 and is currently being made as a full sized sedan with over 350 horsepower. Not bad for something based off of a commuter car.

Three: Jeep Wrangler/CJ

Dating back to World War 2, the Jeep has been a legend throughout the world for decades. Two door Jeeps are still being made with solid front axles for off road prowess. “You wouldn’t understand, it’s a Jeep thing”

Four: Ford Raptor

No other off road oriented pickup made such an impact on the car scene as the Ford Raptor. It’s basically a street legal trophy truck with creature comforts. While Dodge and Chevy have tried to play catch up, they haven’t gotten close. Just try not to go too crazy with it, it isn’t a REAL trophy truck.

Five: Pontiac Solstice

Available with a 2.4 liter or 2 liter turbo engine, the Pontiac Solstice and it’s Saturn Sky cousin has been General Motor’s most recent sports car addition. What it lacks in status it makes up in quirkiness.

Six: Pontiac Fiero

Want a Toyota MR2 but want something American? Try out the Pontiac Fiero. Besides the Chevrolet Corvair, there hasn’t been any other mass produced mid engined American car. Available with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, the Fiero can be some serious back road fun.

Seven: Dodge Viper

Bob Lutz says that the Dodge Viper is the spiritual successor to the Shelby Cobra, and it looks like he’s right. It’s a small sports car with a long hood and a big engine with a tendency to bite back if you don’t respect it. To the chagrin of it’s enthusiasts, the Viper will be ending production soon. Not all is lost, the recent track monster Viper ACR is a proper send off for Dodge’s metal snake.

Eight: Shelby Mustang GT350

The return of the GT350 nameplate for Ford’s Shelby division has been well recieved all throughout the car community. It has a 526 horsepower 5.2 liter flat plane crank motor and completely debunks the myth that American cars can’t turn. There’s a reason so many non American car lovers like the Shelby GT350, it’s basically a Maserati with a Ford badge.

Honorable Mention: Ford Crown Victoria

Comments

Good list

The Corvair was rear engined. Nevertheless, both only American cars(at the time) that doesn’t have an engine in the front.
Good post.

Thanks

One correction on Chevrolet and Dodge attempting to “catch up.” They haven’t put a second into making a Raptor competitor. There is the Ram Runner, but it is a Mopar modification made ONLY for off-road and unpractical situations. Any who, fantastic article!

Thanks

Dodge tried the Ram Rebel and Chevy has had many concepts like the Colorado ZR2 or the Silverado Reaper but neither company has been able to achieve what Ford has with the Raptor.

How could THIS miss the list?

Nice article but where’s the H1 Alpha that thing is great although pathetically weak in terms of HP

But the torque tho

Did anyone say “Pontiac Solstice”?

Now half off!

Cars that aren’t muscle cars.
Has a mustang GT350

Sports car. Really just a track car.

You do know the mustang is a PONY car….NOT a muscle car like the GTO.

There is a difference, muscle cars like the Camaro sound like bald eagles, beer, and the American flag. The GT350 is different however it sounds like the national anthem, whiskey, bald eagles, American flag, and a touch of a man screaming Murcia. In short the GT350 is to well made to be a muscle car.