Why is it? Mustang guys seem to think, that the Mustang was the first "muscle car" that the American auto.mfgs, produced. When we all know that history shows,that G.M. had the Corvett in production long before the Mustang was ever thought about. Would anybody like to comment.
I don't speak for every Mustang guy, but they were out first in the pony car war, but not labelled a muscle car in 64. Yes I know the first muscle car to be named that was the GTO. I don't think the Corvette was ever a muscle car. It is/was a car marketed for individuals with a higher income than most people, a two seater with style. In my opinion the muscle car was pegged for late teen-agers then with nothing but a big V8 and maybe a radio, that seated at least 4 people and was cheap to purchase.
While the Corvette is indeed an excellent bang for your buck when you compare it to it's competition, Viper, NSX, Porsche etc.. I would rank it as a sports car not a muscle car. Opinions anyone. Frank..
The Mustang and the F-bodies aren't "Muscle Cars", Muscle Cars to me are V8 powered cheap/fast cars, and to my knowledge, there was never a Muscle Car offered with a 6 cylinder like the Mustang and Camaro were/are. Like Frank says, they are Pony Cars. The Mustang WAS the first Pony Car, the Camaro came after, then there were cars like the Javelin, AMX, Cuda, but they didn't last.
I also think of the Corvette as a Sports Car, and it does a very good job of being one. It can waste cars that cost twice as much in almost every aspect of performance, especially the NSX.
Why is it that every time a "BOWTIE" clown or Import clown comes around to stir-up trouble they have their facts wrong.
No offence to the legitimate GM guys and Import guys out there that do know their sh#$! They have my respect.
Frank and Jesse are correct. The Corvette is a very fine example of an American SPORTS CAR. And Jesse hit it right on the money with his description of a Muscle Car.
The GTO WAS the first Muscle car and yes it was a GM product, but it took Ford to get it right. Naw I can't say that. I like them all. They all had it right! In my opinion though, Ford had the nicest
Just a question then, altought it may have been expensive(more than the regular muscle car) the 64-67 vette to me was more of a muscle car than an all out sports car? The looks were less dramtic than in previous years(i.e. a boxier look with less curves like muscle cars had) and they came with Big Block power as far as I can remember. How would you mustang people classify this car? I know that it is a sports car(because that is what the vette is known for but an equally strong argument could be made that this generation was leaning more towards the muscle car look and feel than the sports car feel). Any comments?
I would still classify it as a sports car. Even though it had the muscle it still cost more than a muscle car.
Remember when Ford (Shelby) put 427 side oilers in the AC's and in the GT-40's. Well I think Chevy did the same for the Vette in those years to compete with them.
I also recall the big blocks, in both camps, could not out handle the small blocks and got there doors blown off many times.
Was the Mustang ever a "muscle" car? It's always kind of been apart from what I've thought of as a muscle car, except maybe the 428 SCJ/Shelby cars. Other than those, always thought of it (Mustang) as a "poor" man's sports car.
When I hear the term muscle car, the cars that pop into my head are the GTO, Charger, Hemi 'Cuda, AMX/Javelin, Chevelle SS, even the El Camino SS with the bb. Not trying to offend anyone (don't really consider the Camaro/Firechicken muscle cars either ), but never really thought of the Mustang in the muscle car genre. But then what do I know, I drive Jeeps <goes to sit quietly in corner and wait for the flames>
I think the Mustang and the F-bodies fit inbetween the Muscle Cars and the Sports Cars. They have the same engines and power that Muscle Cars have, but then they have better handling like a Sports Car.
Muscle Cars go fast in a straight line(but can be made to handle), they have V8's and they are different looking then your average Mustang or Camaro.
Being, that I was out of town for awhile ,I've just got around to checking some of the responses,to the comment that I posted. I noticed, that you couldn't resist making a few snide remarks. As for you running bullies off, QUOTE on QUOTE. I suspect that you can't stand, any construtive criticism, and get your nose out joint at the first sign of any. It seems to be a poor attitude for a moderator. Anyway, if you still consider a 65 mustang a muscle, there doesn't seem to be much hope for you. "OH WELL" Exactly my point! Bye for now JLX
Glad to see you back. No really glad to see it. What I said above was all in good fun. No offence was meant.
As for being able to take constructive criticism you have to give some first. All you did was make an untrue statement to get a “response”. Instead you get Mustang guys telling you that the GTO was the first Muscle car. Now to me that does not sound like we think the Mustang was the first. Or did I miss something here. As for my “nose getting out of joint”, nope, it will take allot more than what you have said here. And my attitude, well let’s just say you get what you give (respect gets respect). Yes I do consider the 65 Mustang when you talk about muscle (Hi Po 289 271hp@6000rpm) I do not need much hope. I like them ALL (I believe I said that before). Oh and by the way, what is your point? You’re welcome to your opinion about Mustang owners and me. I want lose any sleep. Anyway enough said.
I tend to go with Garth (REPUBLIC) on his view. Beside I think Scott, on the phone the other night, had it correct the Mustang is more of a Pony Car.
Hey Guys, my understanding has always been the GTO has claim to fame for being the first "muscle car" while the Mustang owns the title as first "ponycar". Where the corvette fits in I'm not sure except to say it has always been considered a fine sports car.
When you talk about corvettes being among the first, lets not forget its main competition at the time was the Ford Thunderbird. The original T-Birds are also american made V8 powered sports cars in the same category as the corvettes of their day. IMO, there is nothing finer than a 55-57 T-Bird. These classic Ford's are every bit the sports car as the Chevolet Corvette, and then some....
There are 3 cars that come to mind when I think about some of the first fast American cars.
Although others stand out in my mind (tons of Mopars and Galaxie's/Fairlanes) I think of the Pontiac GTO as the first Muscle Car, cheap, fast, nuff said.
The Mustang in my mind was the first pony car, the one that fits in-between the sports car, and the muscle car.
And to my knowledge, the Corvette was the first American sports car. A big role.
Why is it? Mustang guys seem to think, that the Mustang was the first "muscle car" that the American auto.mfgs, produced. When we all know that history shows,that G.M. had the Corvett in production long before the Mustang was ever thought about. Would anybody like to comment.
the Vette is a SPORTS car not a muscle car,unless you can put 4 ppl into it!NO one is saying the Mustang was the first muscle car anyways, if you want to digress, it's the Pontiac GTO.
America first muscle car 
.
), but never really thought of the Mustang in the muscle car genre. But then what do I know, I drive Jeeps 
