FEATURE image: 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible (lipstick red).

Like Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, today’s Dodge Challenger is a modern muscle car that is inspired by — and compared to — the legacy of its 1960s forebear.

The 2021 Ford F-150 ‘s solid performance and durability have few competitors in the modern truck market and is one of the most popular trucks. The XL is a more budget-friendly option compared to the XLT. The XL’s basic engine is the same as the XLT — 3.3L Ti-VCT V6, 290 hp, and 265 lb-ft of torque. The F-150 XL offers first-rate amenities and excellent performance making for an incredible value.

The Chevrolet Camaro SS model is equipped with a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine and offered as a 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic. The SS is capable of 455 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, performing a 0-60 in 4.0 seconds. 

The Impala SS (Super Sport) was introduced as an option in 1960 as an appearance/performance package. It was soon limited to hardtop and convertible coupe models. From 1964 through 1967 (Impala’s third and fourth generations), the Super Sport was a separate model, with its own VIN prefix: for instance, in 1965-67 cars 166/68 was the prefix for a V8-equipped Impala SS.

From 1962 to 1964, Super Sports came with engine-turned aluminum trim which, in 1965, was replaced by a “blackout” trim strip that ran below the tail lights.

From its debut in 1958, the Chevrolet Impala was distinguished from other models by its symmetrical triple tail lights. By the late 1960’s, classic muscle or “big block” cars focused on smaller models. The last model year for the Chevrolet Impala Super Sport series was 1969.

The F-150 started in 1975 as a truck model between the F-100 and F-250 (there was also the F-350). By 1976 it quickly became America’s favorite truck. In towns across America even today, Ford trucks from the 1950s era still work alongside today’s newest models. 

In 1983, F-100 production ended. In addition to work loads, the F-150 offered an additional new focus on lifestyle and comfort. Starting in the 1980s, Ford truck customers could select custom paint packages and, for the first time, the blue-oval Ford emblem was affixed on the front grille.

The Ford Expedition was the first full-size Ford SUV sold with a four-door body introduced for the 1997 model year as the successor of the Ford Bronco. The Bronco was introduced in 1966 and discontinued after five generations in 1996 (a sixth generation of the Bronco was introduced in 2021). Since 1996, the Ford Expedition, which is sold in regular and extended lengths, has shared some body parts and mechanical components with the Ford F-150, the car market’s favorite truck. Like the F-150, the Ford Expedition is known as being one of the longest-lasting vehicles on the road with many vehicles with over 200,000 miles on the odometer.

It’s said that among debates about classic muscle cars, none gets more hot than the Chevrolet Camaro versus the Ford Mustang. With the exception of the 6.6-liter Trans Am, the Z/28 represents the best Detroit had to offer in the early 1980s, and an excellent entry point. A great car with its own ups and downs as its model developments moved ahead, the Camaro Z/28 at the outset was known for its good looks and sleek, crisp styling. It hugged the road and moved fast with superb handling. By 1980, the standard wheel cover was matched by a rear deck spoiler and hood and deck stripes and, soon, a front spoiler to reduce drag. The 1980 models were the last that offered the quintessential muscle car power-train combination-a 350-cu.in. V-8 with four-speed transmission. The loaded Z in 1981 would cost around $12,000 (or $40,000 in 2023 dollars). The Z/28 was 197.6 inches long and rode on a 108-inch wheelbase. It stood at a height of 49.2 inches and was 74.5 inches wide. The body was all steel.

See – https://mikeduman.com/blog/history-z28; https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43578551/2025-chevrolet-camaro-z28-future-cars/; https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1980-81-chevrolet-camaro-z-28 – retrieved May, 22, 2023.

The F-100 and F-250 came in Styleside or Flareside although the Ranger XLT model was available in Styleside only. The combination two-tone option had the Regular Two-Tone (roof only) and the Deluxe where the lower body side and tailgate moldings were part of the paint option.

1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible with chrome headlights, grill, and bumper along with the Thunderbird hood script. The car is finished in “Rangoon Red” with black vinyl upholstery. Particular Thunderbirds were powered by a 390ci V8 engine joined with Ford’s 3-speed “Cruise-O-Matic” auto transmission. There are bucket seats upfront. The Ford T-bird was produced across 11 generations between 1955 to 1997 and 2002 to 2005. Originally produced as an upscale 2 seater it was expanded in 1958 with a rear seat and became a personal luxury car that after 1968 was often rebadged by Lincoln-Mercury.  

Concept car 2002. Production started in 2005 for 2006 model year. In the first year, Pontiac produced 10,000 cars that did not meet the unexpected orders demand. Due to the 2008 economic recession, GM discontinued the Pontiac division, a venerable American automobile brand founded in 1926. The last model year for the Pontiac Solstice was 2010. The car can do zero to 60 m.p.h in under 6 seconds.

Fourth generation (1959-1960). The Bel Air received a major redesign for the 1959 model year whose most visual new change was the flat, wing shaped tailfins.

92,456 Thunderbird’s were produced in 1964.

The Pontiac Grand Prix from GM was an all-new model in the 1962 model year. The performance-oriented coupe went through 4 generations until it was discontinued 40 years later in 2002. It was succeeded by the fifth generation Pontiac GTO. There was a much later sedan version of the Pontiac Grand Prix that was launched in 1988 and produced through 2008 after which that year GM discontinued its 82-year-old Pontiac division.

The Pontiac Tempest was produced from 1960 to 1970 and from 1987 to 1991. The line offered the LeMans trim upgrade. By 1964 the Tempest, Tempest Custom, and LeMans were separate trim packages with, in 1964 and 1965, the GTO performance option upgrade available to the LeMans trim package. Beginning in 1966 the GTO was offered as a separate model line. There have been four generations of Pontiac Tempest, the 1967 model year the last of the second generation.

The Chevrolet Nova was produced in four generations from 1962 to 1979 and in a fifth generation from 1985 to 1988. It was the top trim level for the new Chevy II compact whose inception was to counter the 1960 Ford Falcon. The SS package was introduced by Chevrolet for 1963. By 1969 Chevy dropped the Chevy II nameplate and Nova become the nameplate throughout the 1970’s. The car’s growing engine capacities in the mid 1960’s was cut off by Chevrolet with the introduction of what would be their premier muscle car, the Chevy Camaro, in 1967. With the Chevy II/Nova third generation beginning in 1968 Chevrolet introduced an all-new compact with contemporary semi-fastback styling that continued to 1974. It was with this generation that the car was also simply called the “Nova.” As a muscle car the Nova’s history ended in 1973 when the SS package was limited to appearance options and a jacked-up heavy-duty suspension although the car could be combined with a 175-horsepower 350.