Are you a fan of muscle cars? Do you love the sound of a powerful engine roaring down the road? If so, you are in the right place! In this article, we will be discussing the top 10 fastest muscle cars in the world. From the iconic Pontiac GTO to the rare Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get started!
Car manufacturers in the 1960s earned themselves a reputation for producing some of the fastest muscle cars. Not only were they quick off the mark, but they were also pleasing to the eye with their classic shapes and cool designs. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the top 10 fastest muscle cars in the world. So, buckle up and get ready for an exhilarating ride!
#10 Pontiac Firebird 400 1968
Kicking off our list is the Pontiac Firebird 400 1968. Introduced in 1967 via its cousin Chevy Camaro, the Firebird still looks totally awesome today with its coke bottle rear fenders. The 400 cubic inch engine produced 325 horsepower, but there was the option of ram air which came with functional air scoops, a different camshaft, and stronger valve springs. These additional features had a price tag of $600 which may have been why few were sold. The quarter-mile took 14.7 seconds and 0 to 60 mile per hour took 6.2 seconds.
#9 AMC Javelin 1968
This is one of the more unusual 60s muscle cars. There are two generations of this car, a 1968 to 1970 version, and then it was restyled for 1971 to 1974. Many people prefer the first model styling. Richard T designed a Javelin, and it was built in Wisconsin and a few other countries, including Germany, Australia, Venezuela, and Mexico. It was only available in a two-door form with engine options ranging from an entry-level straight six. However, most people opted for the 4.8-liter 290 cubic inch V8. The largest engine size was the 390 cubic inch 6.4-liter with a four-speed manual transmission. It made 315 horsepower and went from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds. Its top speed was 122 miles per hour.
#8 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 1967
Camaro may be known as Chevrolet’s muscle car, but before it became Chevy’s go-to muscle car, the title belonged to the Chevrolet Chevelle SS. It was introduced in 1964 and signaled the company’s entry into the muscle car world. Production continued for a few years, but in 1970, the Chevelle SS finally broke out. This was partly due to the 454 cubic inch big block V8 engine that delivered 450 horsepower. In addition, there was 500 pound-feet of torque, and the car was able to reach zero to 62 miles per hour in six seconds.
#7 Corvette 1968
Chevrolet’s 1968 Corvette was a prominent invention of the company and had a substantial impact on America’s muscle car history. It was also a forerunner of some exciting and practical inventions. This beautiful two-seater features a removable hardtop and rustless fiberglass bottom. This model was a road and track king that amazed American racers with its efficiency and lightweight styling. The Corvette was powered by a 300 horsepower turbo fire 327 V8 engine.
#6 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 1969
Ford Mustang has produced a fair number of great Pony cars in the past, but the 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet is the one that draws more attention than all the others put together. It is a more powerful version of the Mustang and was built to take on the might of the big block Firebirds and Camaros of the time. The jet is powered by a 428 CID V8 engine that had larger valve heads than the standard Mustang. In addition, there was a Ram air induction and functional hood scoop. It had the same intake manifolds as its less powerful brethren, but that didn’t stop it from attaining output close to 410 horsepower.
#5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1969
The idea for this 60s muscle car came from drag racer Dick Harrell. It was specifically for drag racing and came with a 427 cubic inch big block V8 engine that was called the ZL1. This powertrain gave the Camaro ZL1 500 horsepower and was capable of hitting zero to 60 mile per hour in a staggering 5.3 seconds. Only 69 units of this model were ever built, which makes it one of the rarest and most important American muscle cars of the era.
#4 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi 1968
With a name that’s inspired by The Looney Tunes character, the Plymouth Roadrunner Hemi comes with a standard powertrain that features a 383 CID 4 Barrel V8 engine delivering 335 horsepower. If you want more bang for your buck, there is also the more powerful 426 CID Hemi engine that delivers 425 horsepower. This car was a popular choice at the time because customers could enjoy a Back to Basics package that provided everything people wanted in a muscle car without any frills. Plymouth decided to focus on the car’s performance rather than styling intricacies. While the car is as simple as can be, a muscle car, it’s still got plenty of character, which is partly due to its name and the beep beep horn that comes as standard.
#3 Dodge Charger RT 1968
The 1968 Dodge Charger RT is one of only a few fastest cars from the 60s that have withstood the test of time. More than 40 years after the first models rolled off the production line, the car is just as popular today. While Vin Diesel’s character in Fast and Furious may have had something to do with its popularity, its star quality and image of fear still manage to pack a punch. Standout design features include the now-famous hidden headlight grille, its curvy body, the refined tail, and the eater use of chrome on the car. The Charger RT’s powertrain features a 440 cubic inch 4 Barrel Magnum V8 engine. This can produce 375 horsepower, but if that’s not enough, there is a 426 Hemi engine option that brings it up to 425 horsepower.
#2 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake 1967
We’ve already mentioned one Shelby Cobra, but the Super Snake also deserves a place on our list. A limited number of these cars were built, which is the reason for it still carrying the title of one of the rarest American muscle cars in history. One of Carroll Shelby’s goals was to have the fastest and neatest car on the road, and he reached that goal when he introduced the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake in 1967. There were only two units, and in essence, the car was a modified race car for use on the street. Even to this day, it’s considered to be one of the most awesome Cobras ever built. The Super Snake was powered by Cobra’s top-of-the-line 427 cubic inch V8 Shelby engine. For extra juice, Shelby added a pair of Paxton superchargers which doubled the output of the 426 Cobra to 800 horsepower.
#1 Pontiac GTO 1964
The premise behind the build of this car was to find the largest engine and put it on the lightest body it was possible to build. It was this that made it one of the pioneer muscle cars during the 60s and 70s. The designers behind this iconic U.S. muscle car were Bill Collins, Russell G, and John DeLorean. It came about after they decided to focus on the street performance of the car. This was following a ban on factory-sponsored racing by General Motors. John DeLorean came up with the GTO, taking it from the Ferrari 250 GTO. This was one of the most iconic race cars in history. It is an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Amalogato. Considered by so many to be visionaries, these three guys built the GTO using a 389 cubic inch V8 engine. Standard output was 325 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. In addition, there was an optional tri-power car duration that was able to increase output to 348 horsepower.
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FAQs:
- What is a muscle car? A muscle car is a term used to describe a high-performance American car with a large, powerful engine, usually a V8, and a lightweight body.
- What is the fastest muscle car ever made? The fastest muscle car ever made is the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds.
- What makes a car a muscle car? A car is classified as a muscle car if it has a large, high-performance engine and a lightweight body, allowing it to achieve impressive acceleration and speed.
- What is the most iconic muscle car of all time? The most iconic muscle car of all time is the Ford Mustang, which was first introduced in 1964 and has been an American icon ever since.
- Are muscle cars still popular today? Yes, muscle cars are still popular today, with many modern versions of classic muscle cars available from American car manufacturers.
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