What is the difference between a Muscle and Classic car ?
 

I was reading an article on the difference between a Classic car and a Muscle car in a major car magazine this morning. This article made me feel like it was going in circles, never really answering the question. What is the difference between a Classic car and a Muscle car.

I always thought that most "Muscle Cars" were produced between 1967 and 1972, with a couple major exceptions, one being given to the Mustang which started production in 1964 or 1964 1/2. But there was the GTO which was introduced in 1964 (I think), and I have read that many people considered the GTO the very first Muscle car.

So what to you consider to be a Muscle Car ?

And what do you consider to be the difference between a Classic Car and a Muscle Car.

Classic = pedestrian version. Muscle = image cars of that time. IMHO, the beginning of the muscle car era began when OHV V8 engines started being more common, with multiple carburetion, fi, etc. I would have to say around 1957-ish.

Even though it is a land yacht, I definitely consider an early 60's 409 SS Impala a muscle car. I feel the same way about the early 60's mopars with max wedge engines. The list goes on...

Here is a link to the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags: http://www.purestockdrags.com/index....d=48&Itemid=53

Their definition is on that page.

I consider my 418hp12 Mustang GT and my 350hp 70SS 396 muscle cars.In my opinion cars built in the 70s and older are classic cars.

A Muscle Car was something that came out of the factory with performance in mind. A Classic Car could be any car over 10 years old. A Muscle Car could even be considered a Classic Car.

see i am torn with this topic. i think a classic car is something that is restored or preserved from the day it was bought from the dealer. muscle cars is more of cars that are modified even if it has headers and exhaust that gives it the muscle sound. i also think of my rx7 as a muscle car, since i was kicked out of a car club that was mostly imports because my car is a "muscle car"...lol

There's lots of ways to interpret the slang on this.

"Muscle car" is any mid sized car from 1964-1972 with a large car power plant. ie: A 455 typically found in a B body GM, put into an A body GM car.

"Pony car" is a unibody car designed to compete in Trans Am racing in the '60's. The term "Pony Car" was derived from the Mustang which was the first pony car produced.

"Classic car" is any car 10 years old or older, the first or last of a series, or limited edition.

"Antique car" is any vehicle 25 years old or older.

(The last two are the requirements for the Pa. DMV)

SO, muscle cars can be classics, but not all classics are muscle cars. .....but they do over lap in some cases.

I agree with what you have said, but for me Antique is 50 years or older.

I know it seems strange to say an '80-something Citation is an antique, but again, I was just going off of PA. DMV criteria. My first '64 was eligible for antique plates back in 1989. I remember I had to wait a couple years to get them, but when the time came, I went with vanity plates because the restrictions were too much on the antique plates.

I think over time people not in "the know" just refer to any car from '62-'72 as a muscle car. My definitions are what I've heard over the years that make the most sense to me. A Corvette is NOT a muscle car. ....it's a sports car. Which is another definition. "Sports car" ...an open top, two seater car design for spirited road driving. "Sports coupe" would be a two seater with a roof.

It can mean whatever you want it to mean to get your point accross. ;) The useage will vary depending on if I'm talking to a fellow enthusiast, or if I'm talking to someone like my mother-in-law.

Typically, I don't really follow the strict "big cube engine in a mid-size car ONLY" definition. We know what the classic definitions of "sports car" "pony car" and "muscle car" are, but there's overlap between them IMHO.

A "pony car" typically had sporty handling and was more Trans-Am inspired... put a Bigblock in a Camaro, HEMI in a 'cuda, or 429 in a Mustang, and suddenly they've lost much of their sportiness, and have crossed well into "muscle car" territory.

I wouldn't discount a L79 Chevelle either... they may not have big cubes, but they've got plenty of "muscle" for their day.

As for the full-size cars, anything with a solid-lifter bigblock definitely is a "muscle car" IMHO, despite not fitting the strict definition. Other lower-HP bigblocks go into a bit of a gray-area.

The definition of "classic car" shouldn't be all-inclusive to anything over a certain age... there needs to be some collectability and desire for to actually own one in order to be a "classic". An early Dodge Caravan is old enough, but it sure as hell isn't a "classic".

Really ? :confused: Only kidding ! lol

I dont really consider any of mine Muscle Cars as they are small block powered ,my Elky SS is stock 350/350 and my Malibu is modified but not really high performance with only 300 horse power .I mostly call them fun.

So ultimately the terms Classic car and Muscle car have many definitions. I like how many of you have explained them, definitely better than the article did.



So a question here. What would you consider flash's 1972 Malibu Convertible ? Is is a sports car, maybe not because it has a back seat. It is a classic car, but is it a muscle car ?

flash, hope your not upset with me for using your car, or should I say the Mrs. car. But it can fall into a few different categories, just like many other cars. So it seems that figuring the question of Classic or Muscle car, can turn out to be a never ending discussion.

I would totally agree.

Flash's Convertible is a classic and not a muscle car because it has a standard engine base car.

The term muscle car started in the 60's and early 70's and was used for cars that had suspension upgrades, bigger engines, and performance packages above the standard base car. The 302 camaro with dual carbs was consider to be in the muscle car group.
A starndard 2 barrel carb car is not a muscle car. AMC tried to build a muscle car with bigger motor and up grades. It all had to do with horse power.

You are correct depending on what group you talk to it is a never ending discussion.

I agree with all of the above posts but I'm easy .

It's still a very cool car, no matter what people want to call it. I working on the 70 convertible, finally got a price today. Don't care if it's a muscle car or a classic, I just want to own one and have fun in it.

So true !!!

So then my 72 Malibu is both a Classic and a Muscle car. lol Since I have a suspension upgrade and a bigger engine.

Woo Hoo ! Looks like I have a Muscle Car. :)

My suspension is and isnt stock ,its got boxed rear control arms and sway bar for a stock SS car and bigger front sway bar same as an SS but still to me just a classic to me .I just wanted a little better handling than stock Malibu .Im thinking about replacing the Edelbrock 4 BBL for a rebuilt Quadrajet I was planning for my truck.Ray ,keep us posted on your vert when you get it .

So flash, you have a Muscle car too. :) I have found all the information and views interesting and informative.

I know that many car shows have entry forms that state that any modifications, over 3, would put your car into the modified category. Even cosmetic modifications would take a car out of a Stock category, but that would not have anything to do with classifying a car as a Muscle car...correct ? I don't think that I am stupid, I just want to make sure that I get this straight. I have friends who have challenged me on this.

Most shows do allow 3 non stock changes such as exhaust ,wheels and radio or bigger before they consider them modified. Joans vert is definitely modified classic .