THE 7 BEST AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS OF ALL TIME, PER BANKRATE .COM : PART 1

I had to think about this before I wrote this article, let's face it, you and I would come up with two completely different lists if we were to do it ourselves, with that said here I go. This is Bankrates list of the Seven Best Muscle Cars of all Time, Part 1.

The are serious car people that would argue the beginning of the muscle car era began with the introduction of the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, others would argue that  the true muscle car era began in 1965 and ended in 1970, when increasing insurance costs, excessive emissions regulations and skyrocketing gas prices brought the collapse of the muscle car era.

The true definition of a muscle car is a  two-door car powered by a high-displacement engine typically found in a larger, full-size sedan. There is an argument to be made that, pony cars are not muscle cars, I tend to argue that point, and include these legends in their own right, in the muscle car list. 

 Please note that these cars are in no particular order, I'll leave the reader in charge of figuring out top to bottom of the list. : 

    EXIBIT A :1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 

 The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 has to be close to the top of the list. Chevrolet offered two versions of the 454-cubic-inch V-8. The LS5 generated a very impressive 360 horsepower, while the LS6 punched out a whopping 450 ponies.

 A bulged hood was part of the design, alerting passers-by that something really special was happening under it. Chevelle's swept-back roof line provided the illusion of speed, even when idle.
Not only could the SS 454 blow the doors off most of its competitors, but it looked good doing it.

 No other muscle car would equal the horsepower wallop of the 1970 SS 454.  It's the LS6 version, with its Holley four-barrel carburetor, that put the SS 454 on this list.

EXIBIT B : The Hemi 'Cuda could certainly go toe to toe with the era's top-tier muscle cars, as the carmaker gave its muscle cars a suspension tailored to heavy-metal acceleration.

 A shaker hood, featuring an air intake mounted on top of the engine's air cleaner that protrudes through a hole in the hood, was standard on the Hemi 'Cuda.

 A variety of V-6 and V-8 engines powered the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, but the big dog of the bunch was armed with the dual-carburetor, 426-cubic-inch Hemi that whipped up 425 horsepower.

EXIBIT C : 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1

1970 Buick GSX Stage 1, First appearing as an option on the 1965 Skylark, Gran Sport became a separate nameplate in 1967. By 1970, a 455-cubic-inch V-8 engine powered the Gran Sport. First appearing as an option on the 1965 Skylark, Gran Sport became a separate nameplate in 1967.


The GSX appearance package, first available for the 1970 Gran Sport 455, abandoned Buick's traditional, more dignified branding with a rear spoiler and body striping. Of the 687 GSXs built, 488 were ordered with the Stage 1 upgrade.

 When Buick entered the muscle-car market, it was among the most
luxurious of the brands, and some of the most powerful. It produced a hefty 510 pounds-foot of torque. Those with Stage 1 tuning and engine tweaks delivered 360 horsepower to the rear wheels. There were quicker competitors, but the GSX truly was unique.