Top 10 Best Muscle Cars of All Time

These machines are typically defined by their big, rumbling V8 engines stuffed into mid-size cars, often with bold styling and rear-wheel drive for maximum thrills. Think raw power, loud burbles, and enough attitude to fill a drag strip.

Now, the ultimate question: What are the best muscle cars of all time? The ones that stir your soul, the ones that make you yearn for an open highway and a heavy right foot?

We've got a hot list brewing, a lineup of classic Detroit iron and some eye-opening modern contenders.
The Top Ten
1 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Great car. I have a '69 SS with 300hp, 355 gears, a 4-speed Muncie transmission, a Hurst shifter, and a gauge package with matching numbers. It's Cortez Silver with a black vinyl top and black hockey stripes. My wife, who is 57, stops in front of the kids on their weed eaters and smokes the tires. I don't think any of them have ever heard a 4-barrel carburetor, and they love it.

One of the most desired muscle cars of all time. The ultimate muscle car package: dominating appearance, jaw-dropping performance, tight cornering, and a dream list of options.

The Mustang is an overrated muscle car, but on the other hand, the Camaro is not overrated. In fact, it's quite underrated and has a lot of potential.

2 1969 Dodge Charger R/T SE

I'm surprised you guys got this list close to right. You don't see many Chargers anymore, especially 1969 R/T's. The world agrees and is buying these Chargers, shipping them out of the country. I would rate the 1969 Mach 1 body style as #2, and the 1969 Superbee should be on here as well. Currently, I own a '73 Mustang convertible with a 351C, a 2004 Corvette convertible Commemorative with 12k miles, and a '69 Charger R/T. I'm blessed to be able to choose my rides. Does anybody have a '71 Challenger convertible for sale?

This car is potent and is the sole definition of pure American muscle. This car has the meanest purr and rumbles the ground when you're standing anywhere close to it. It burns through gas with its 7.0-liter displacement, but that's American muscle for you!

From Bullitt to Dukes of Hazzard, there is plenty of evidence to back up this machine as the ultimate American muscle car of all time.

3 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

This is hands down the greatest and most fierce car the world will ever see. Its style is the very characteristic other muscle cars try (and fail) to imitate. Unoriginal models like the '69 Camaro and the '70 Dodge Challenger don't stand a chance against this hell-raising machine. Definitely the right choice for #1.

Awesome car. I nearly bought one but got married instead. The one I was looking at was black with mag wheels. When I popped the hood, there was a motor that wouldn't quit. The salesman was a little off that day. He said this car would be someone's coffin. Probably not a great sales strategy. I still would have bought it if I hadn't gotten married.

Not because of the power, speed, or anything else - just because you'll be the luckiest person in the whole world when you ride this beauty while listening to the Rolling Stones!

4 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

The first car I ever owned, and for only being 17 now, it's a hell of a good start. Back in the day, these Chevelles could easily dominate the drag strip 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and even on holidays! When you think of a muscle car, the '70 Chevelle SS is what you think of. Not to mention, the only cars on this list that are actually "muscle" cars are the Charger and this beast. The rest are really pony cars. God bless America. We are the only country in the world with the talent to build all these cars on this list. Ask yourself, what do you want to drive? A Toyota Prius or a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS? It's your choice.

I see a list of 7 pony cars and 3 real muscle cars. Shame. The '70 Chevelle had over 500 horsepower out of the box, a balance of straight and curved body lines, and a menacing look. Just don't put on chrome rims, and you have one of the nastiest, most powerful cars to be produced with 8 cylinders. This American monster packs more power than the "world's most powerful production V8" in the Mercedes SLS AMG. Seriously, how is this not number one?

5 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS SS

It's not exactly streamlined or anything like a Lamborghini Gallardo, but in a way, it looks super cool. The front of it just says, "I am the boss of all muscle cars."

This car is amazing and is a sexy beast.

Nothing beats a "winged" Camaro!

6 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

I'm always torn between this and the Charger. This is just the most perfect-looking thing that ever came out of the U.S. I will concede that the Charger's rear is just a little bit better, but I like the 'Cuda's grill more. In the end, it's just like the butt vs. boobs argument. Everyone has their own preference, but they're both big, round, and jiggly.

An E-body Mopar with a Hemi? Doesn't it ever make Ford or GM fans wonder why pretty much 100% of ALL professional drag racing classes run Hemis? Why are they banned in NASCAR? It's called dominant engineering. Simple.

I have a triple-black 1973 'Cuda with a 340. It turns lots of heads, and many people take pictures of my sexy beast. I agree with you 100 percent. Thanks for your comment.

7 1970 Dodge Challenger

The '70 T/A Challenger is the best car of its age, in my opinion. Ponies are overrated. As for new muscle cars (if you can call them that), I saw a Mustang the other day that sounded like a scooter, and the new Challengers aren't too far off.

The 1970 Dodge Challenger is my favorite car and is prime. It should at least be in the top five on this list. Also, no one thinks of buying one of the new Dodge Challengers because everyone assumes they are expensive, but they are extremely cheap if you get a V6.

This beauty of a beast has my vote every time.

8 1970 Oldsmobile 442

I agree. This car is big muscle! With a body like a shark and a powerful engine, the Shelby is cool, and so are all the other cars. For room in the vehicle, both front and back seats, the Olds did a great job. Any muscle car you obtain is worth driving down the road. It's a car unlike many others.

I bought an Olds as my first car with my own money, and it was and still is fantastic. You have to drive one to understand. They were a gentleman's muscle car, if that gentleman was a BAMF. They had power, precision, performance, while keeping that American attitude.

I was born in 1970, and I happen to be a female! While this may be a "Gentleman's Muscle Car," I can tell you firsthand that I was fortunate to have this badass car when I was 17 years old. I was a junior in high school, growing up in the Midwest - Indiana, to be exact. I was the BAMF, to all you guys out there! They talk about cars being "chick magnets," and I totally agree. But this car, the Olds Cutlass, is definitely a "guy magnet" as well. God, I do miss that car. What fun! So, this vehicle, hands down

9 1967 Pontiac GTO

My '66 GTO would beat the 400s all day. But with the port and polish, the 456 posi rear end, the tunnel port headers, the 3-2 carbs, and the Hurst Comp Plus shifter, as well as a 510 lift cam and all the extras that it took to get it there - let's just say I wish I still had her. She was simply delicious and feared no man on Saturday night.

No votes for the GTO? A hardtop GTO with a black exterior on black interior doesn't get any better than that! Drop a special 400 block in it and have the horses kicking. Or even the Ram Air IV Judge convertible.

I just bought mine and look forward to the many years that we will have together.

10 1969 Dodge Hemi Charger
The Contenders
11 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 427

Anyone who doesn't vote this amazing American beauty into at least the top three is insane! The '67 427 was the greatest car ever built, as far as I'm concerned, and it deserves a better ranking. It's way nicer than any Mustang.

This should be number one. The look, the feel, the drive, the power - it all screams muscle car.

The 1967 L71 Corvette 427/435 Tri-Pwr car is the "holy grail" car for the '60s - easily in the top three of all time, and perhaps number one.

12 1970 Ford Mustang 428 Mach 1

How this car rates below the '67 Camaro is beyond me! The '69-'70 Mustang Sportsroof body and interior are way more detailed than anything from Detroit at the time. The comfort-weave vinyl seats really worked, and the 327 '67 Camaro cannot compete on any level with the 428 Cobra Jet! Thanks, I got that off my chest and feel much better now.

This car gets my vote as well. The 1970-1969 Sportsroof Mustang body is second to none. Add the Mach 1 trim level, and it looks badass. Add the 428 Cobra Jet, and it is badass! The top pony car is the 1969 Camaro SS, followed by the 1971 Cuda in third place. Although a sports car, I place the 1970 AMX fourth.

The best-looking model to come out of Detroit, period. Ford hit it out of the park with the 1970 428 Mach 1 Mustang. Today, it is one of the most sought-after cars both in America and worldwide.

13 1968 Chevrolet Nova SS 396

Yep, this is it! The best muscle car ever made. I hope GM revives this model, as they have done lately with the Camaros. I'll buy one in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I have a 1972 SS 350/330hp Nova with 38,400 original miles, all intact, and I won't sell it for anything. So, I'll be waiting anxiously for a new Chevy Nova version. Thanks.

I love this car! I made a model of this car, and it was the most powerful car of its day. This baby was made for drag racing! Awesome car. My dad drove one. It had the smoothest ride and fastest acceleration of its day.

I had one of these monsters back in the day.

14 1968 Shelby GT500KR Mustang

Love that car in blue with wide white stripes.

15 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
16 1969 Plymouth Road Runner

She looks really simple, but she has a unique feeling. She sounds very good, and the story of this car is very funny.

17 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
18 1970 Chevrolet Nova

The '70 SS with a 396-375 HP was the fastest muscle car on the road. Great car, a real sleeper.

How was this beaten by the Olds 442?

19 1970 Ford Torino Cobra 429

Mid-size big block Ford. If you wanted Ford American muscle that wasn't in the pony car market, this is it. The 1970 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

This definitely should be first because this is a very sexy car. And, duh, it's a Ford, so it must be totally awesome. They have so much torque.

I have a '71 GT Convertible with a 351 4v, producing around 400 hp. It rides and handles so well. Best bang for the buck. All steel to boot.

20 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Oh yeah, it's amazing. Breaker, breaker.

21 1969 Pontiac Firebird

The Firebird should be a lot higher in the ranking. The car is beautiful and fast, and has a lot of horsepower.

Beautiful car, fast, and just good at everything. Should be number one. Most beautiful car on this list.

Firebirds are very nice cars and are very fast. Some Firebirds are even used as NASCARs. They deserve to be ranked a lot higher.

22 1974 Pontiac Trans Am 455
23 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS

I can't believe it's not in the top ten. With a weight-to-power ratio and a 327 and 4-speed, it was extremely fast back then and looked awesome.

24 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Had a 1971 and loved it. So I bought a 2014 SRT8 Challenger and it is awesome. It doesn't lose to anything in the quarter, especially not Camaros, Corvettes, and Mustangs. At least the Mustangs put up a fight.

Faster than most cars on this list.

25 1965 Shelby GT350R Mustang

This car outclasses all the other cars on the list. Unfortunately, most of your voters are probably too young to know it.

Also, there were far too few ever produced for many to have driven one.

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