The history of muscle cars is a fascinating one. These special vehicles combine the best of American manufacturing with the power of a V8 engine to produce incredible speed and performance.

Muscle cars were born in the 1950s and grew into a golden age throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The period was essential to American car culture.

The Rocket 88

While many would say the Pontiac GTO or Chevrolet Chevelle were the first muscle cars, it was the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 that actually started the whole thing. The 5.4-liter V8 that powered the 88 helped set the blueprint for American engine design that would last for decades.

In fact, it was the Rocket 88 that earned Motor Trend its very first Car of the Year award in 1949. It also won six of the nine races in NASCAR’s late-model division that year.

The GTO

Pontiac’s GTO was an unabashed apologist for its own brand of performance. The 1964 model was the first to drop a large V8 into a mid-sized car.

It also shattered a tough internal GM rule that dictated that for every cubic inch of engine displacement, the car had to increase ten pounds of curb weight.

It was a major selling point of the GTO, which helped it to become the best-selling muscle car in history. However, after a string of bad years, the GTO was withdrawn from production in 1974.

The Mustang

Whether you’re an enthusiast or just enjoy a nice sports car, the Mustang is an icon that’s loved by millions. It has an enviable history, intertwining with American life in many ways.

The Mustang’s origin story begins in 1964 when Ford introduced a sporty, youthful car based on inexpensive mechanicals from the Ford Falcon compact car. It quickly proved a success, inspiring an entire class of “pony cars” that helped domestic auto manufacturers find their footing in the small-car market.

One of the most interesting elements of Mustang history is its relationship to horse breeds. Mustangs are a descendent of European breeds, but they have mingled with native horses and a few other breeds that were brought to America by conquistadors.

The Challenger

The Challenger was one of the iconic muscle cars that launched America’s obsession with high-performance and speed. It was also a symbol of American pride and strength.

Challenger carried a number of firsts into space on its maiden flight in April 1983. Passengers included the first American woman, the first African-American astronaut, the first Canadian astronaut and the first school teacher in space.

In 1986, Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after launch. All seven crew members died in the disaster.

The Charger

The Dodge Charger has a rich history. It debuted in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL).

The Charger’s logo is an arc-shaped lightning bolt. It has essentially been used since the team debuted, except for color changes.

The Charger has won six division titles and one AFL championship during its time in the AFL. Its defense has been praised as being “fearsome.”

The Camaro

The Camaro is one of the most iconic muscle cars in history. It was Chevrolet’s answer to the Ford Mustang and helped spark a fierce automotive pony car rivalry.

The original 1967 Camaro arrived at a time of growing demand for sporty coupes. It was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car and was quickly adopted by a wide variety of buyers.

The second generation Camaro, introduced in 1970, changed the traditional design paradigm by reducing the size of its small-block engines and offering more power. It also reworked the car’s styling, making it wider and more distinctive with a new grille and nose, and new taillights.