muscle car

A type of high-performance vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, the first muscle car was not the Pontiac GTO, but the Chevrolet Impala SS 409, introduced in 1962. The GTO, however, started the muscle car revolution upon its launch in 1964. Most muscle cars were simply spiced-up versions of other, more ordinary models. Most muscle cars were mid-sized. The Ford Mustang introduced a more compact-sized type of muscle car called the pony car, or "pocket msucle car." The muscle car era ended in the 70s due to increased safety standards(goddamned Ralph Nader!), increased emission standards(goddamned EPA!), and the 1973-1974 Middle East oil embargo(goddamned Arabs!). The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am pony cars survived, albeit in a watered-down state. In the 1980s, muscle cars began making a comeback that continues to this day.