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Car Profiles
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Dodge Challenger More Power Speed and Fuel Efficency
Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many cars that were out and out “muscle” automobiles. These kinds of cars shared the same characteristics : they were 2 door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes finally limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period. Today, muscle automobile mania is back, despite even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and truck models from Dodge, there is new interest in a category long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as another manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of times past, the Camaro.
Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of cars produced that at one time or another should have been considered a muscle automobile. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane five hundred and Ford Torino did duty ; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442 ; Yankee Motors’ had its Javelin; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives though the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle automobile along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.
Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle automobile time craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating latest technology. The result has been that the Mustang now sells its whole 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Mustang has been provoking DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at automobile shows across the USA, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. Additionally, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the States automobile show circuit.
So, isn’t it mad to bring back such gas hogs? Back in the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle automobiles averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and fifteen or sixteen m.p.g on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable 28 miles to the gallon the road. So, although fuel mileage will certainly be lower than many other models, the new group of muscle automobiles will still better the prior generation vehicles with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.
Fortunately, we still live in a fairly free country and what the consumer wants, the consumer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will likely appeal to many. No, they won’t be actual copies of yesterday’s muscle cars, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.
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