Retro cars blog

Posts Tagged ‘Muscle car’

1964 Dodge 330 Lightweight Superstock Muscle car

1964 Dodge 330 Factory Lightweight (aluminum front end), Bob Harrop and Crescent Dodgeoriginal factory Super Stock car, showing 49 miles on the odometer and original interior, restored to original race condition by Rick Demarco, 426 Max Wedge engine by Jerry Stine, paint and lettering just as raced in 1964, this is the real deal factory lightweight sponsored by Dodge driven by ‘Harrop the Arab’ multiple magazine features.

1964 Dodge 330 Lightweight Superstock Retro car

1964 Dodge 330 Lightweight Superstock Sports car

1957 Dodge Regent Retro car

The Dodge Regent for 1957 was the Canadian version of the Dodge/DeSoto dealers’ version of the Plymouth Savoy. It used the Savoy’s seat upholstery, door panels, instrument panels, and exterior trim. The engine was a 303 cubic-inch V8 unit with a 4-barrel carburetor producing around 240 horsepower. Other engines available include a 318 Cubic-inch V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors.

1957 Dodge Regent Classic American car

1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster

The Ford Thunderbird is an American automotive icon first introduced in 1955. During the early 1950′s, military men were returning from fighting in World War II. In Europe, the style of vehicle was very different from the Detroit American car. The graceful but sporty MG, Triumphs, and Jaguar’s, to name a few, had found their way into the hearts of many of these serviceman. The American automobile manufacturers noticed this trend and felt there was a strong market to support a small sportscar.

The Chevrolet was one of the first, if not the famous, of the Detroit auto-manufacturers to test the market with the introduction of their Corvette. Not wanting to be left behind, Ford entered with their Thunderbird.

Lewis D. Crusoe, Frank Hershey, and George Walker are considered the creators of the Thunderbird. Crusoe was a retired GM executive; Hershey was a designer for Ford; and Walker was the chief stylist for Ford. While Crusoe and Walker were in Paris, they saw a sports car and were instantly inspired. They convinced Hershey to create designs and the result was an open car with room for two passengers. As with all cars, deciding upon a suitable name is difficult. There were well over 5000 suggestions, with the one submitted by Alden Giberson behind selected. The name Whizzer had been seriously considered but was dropped for Gibersons suggestion, the Thunderbird.

The Thunderbird, though similar, was different in many ways to the Corvette and the rest of the small sports cars being offered. The Thunderbird was created as a ‘personal luxury’ car and even to the current production version, has never been designed as a sports car. Instead of fiberglass, the Thunderbird was constructed of metal. Instead of six cylinder engines, Ford upped-the-ante with a V8. To keep cost and development at a minimum, it used as many parts as possible from the other Fords of that era. The result was a two-seater with many creature comforts and impressive styling. Manual and automatic transmissions were both available. The instrument panel was home to a tachometer, clock and a 150 mph speedometer. The suspension was comprised of a ball-join in the front, offering a plush ride.

The Thunderbird was first debuted to the public at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show, though it was still in concept form. The production version varied slightly. In September of that same year, the first production Thunderbird was completed and ready for sale. It was only available as a convertible. A popular option, the removable hardtop with circular portholes was available. During its introductory year, over 16000 examples were produced.

A 292 cubic-inch V8, depending on the configuration, ranged in horsepower from 193 through 212. A year later, the horsepower rose to a base of 215 and a high of 340 from the 292 and 312 cubic-inch engines. Ventilation was improved with the addition of side vents. The exhaust pipes were moved to the ends of the bumper. By moving the spare wheel to the outside, the trunk space was enlarged and the Continental Kit was born. Production for 1956 was down just a little but still strong with over 15,600 examples being produced.

1955 Model of black classic car Ford Thunderbird

The Thunderbird received styling changes in 1957 with a reshaped bumper and an enlarged grille. In the rear, the tailfins grew in size and became more pointed. The round tail-lights also grew in size. The spare tire was again housed inside the trunk. The big news was under the hood with versions of the 292 and 312 cubic-inch engines being offered. The base engine was the 292 offering just under 200 horsepower. The top of the line configuration was the F-code 312 with the NASCAR racing kit performance package, boosting horsepower to 340. The F-code, in non-NASCAR racing kit form was popular; with the help of a single four-barrel carburetor and supercharger it produced around 300 horsepower. The E-code 312 engine option, another popular engine choice, was equipped with two four-barrel carburetors and produced 270 horsepower. In total, 1957 was a great year for the Thunderbird, both in performance and in sales with over 21300 examples being produced. The 1957 season actually had three extra months of production because the 1958 models were not ready to be sold. On December 13, 1957, the last of the first series of Thunderbirds was produced and marked the end of two-seater Fords until the 1982 Ford EXP. A two-seater Thunderbird would not reappear until 2002. In total, over 53,160 examples had been produced from 1954 through 1957.

The major complaint of many of the owners of the ‘Classic’ or ‘Little Bird’ Thunderbirds had been due to its size, mainly because there was no back seat and limited trunk space. The next version of the Thunderbird addressed both of these issues.

The second series of the Thunderbird was produced from 1958 through 1960 and are commonly referred to as the ‘Squarebirds’ due to their design. The designs of the Corvette and the Thunderbird went in different directions with the Thunderbird continue to further evolve into the luxury car segment. Robert McNamara, the CEO of Ford at the time, made the final decision to morph the 2-door Thunderbird into a four-door. The decision was made in an attempt to increase sales.

1968 Ford Galaxie Muscle car

The Ford Galaxie entered the scene in 1959 and was offered in various configurations. The model line consisted of a Club Victoria, Town Victoria, Club Sedan, Town Sedan, Sunliner Convertible and Skyliner Retractable. Similar to the Fairlane, they were distinguished by differed ornamentation.

The highlight of the 1959 model line was the Skyliner Retractable that had an all-steel hardtop that could be moved via electrical mechanics into the trunk transforming the hardtop vehicle into a convertible in just sixty seconds.

The Galaxie was offered with optional equipment, transmissions and engine sizes. Air conditioning, Sunray multi-colored wheel covers, power front seats, power steering, power windows, and power brakes, were just a few of the options presented to satisfy the demands of the customers. The engines ranged from a 292 cubic-inch 8-cylinder producing 200 horsepower to a 352 cubic-inch power-plant that produced 300 horsepower. Transmission options were a three-speed with overdrive, Ford-O-matic Drive two speed automatic, and a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic drive automatic.

1968 Ford Galaxie coupe

In 1968 the Galaxie was redesigned. The base model was the Ford Custom 500, available in two or four door variations. The XL was void of the Galaxie name, available in convertible or fastback configuration. The dual headlamps could be concealed when not in use in the XL, LTD and Country Squire models. Six engine options were available. Transmission options were a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic, floor-shift four-speed manual, and a three-speed manual.

1968 Classic American car-Ford Galaxie

In 1969 Ford moved the Galaxie higher into the luxury car segment, making it larger, heavier, and wider. The result was more room for the passengers. This trend continued into 1970 when the vehicle grew even larger. The focus was a large but quiet automobile. In total, there were 21 new models to select from ranging from three LTD Broughams, two XL models, six Galaxie 500 models, and five LTD models. The models ranged in bodystyles that consisted of two and four door configuration, hardtop, convertible, and sports-roof. Due to rising government safety and emission concerns, the horsepower rating on the engines were decreasing. The base engine was the 240 cubic-inch six cylinder engine while the four-barrel carburetor 429 cubic-inch engine produced 360 horsepower. There were three transmissions available including the three-speed manual, four-speed floor shift, and the three-speed Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic.

1964 Red muscle car- Ford Mustang

The Mustang was introduced at the 1965 New York World’s Fair, Mustang Mania instantly swept the country, and a new automotive market segment was created – the 2+2 or better known as the ‘ponycar.’ Though its mechanical underpinnings descended from the Falcon, the Mustang was completely different. It was a compact, tight, clean package weighing in at a modest 2,550 pounds – a departure from the ever-enlarging American cars of the day. The classic long-hood short-rear-deck combined with a forward-leaning grille, elegant blade bumpers, sculptured body sides, fully exposed wheel openings and restrained use of bright trim gave the car a unique look that belied its affordability. Its looks were backed up with power, providing three optional V8 engines with up to 271 horsepower. Other options included automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, styled chrome wheels and air conditioning. Not surprisingly, the entry-level modes were a minority of the production.

1964 Classic green Ford Mustang

To say that the first Mustang was a success is an understatement. Following the introduction, the Mustang was on the cover of both Time and Newsweek. A week before introduction, Ford ran ads with the air times for the first television commercials, which all three networks broadcasted simultaneously. Mustang was selected as the Official Pace Car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500, and more than 22,000 orders were taken the first day. By its first anniversary, over 418,000 Mustangs had been sold, breaking the all-time record for first year sales of a new nameplate.

The original platform was used, with numerous modifications, up to 1973. The Pinto-based Mustang II was built from 1974 until 1978. A new fox body platform began in 1979 and was largely unchanged through 1993. In 1994 the SN-95, a modified version of the Fox body, debuted and was produced until 2004. The 2005 Mustang is built on the first entirely new platform in 25 years.

1964 Ford Mustang Convertible

Until 1967, Mustang had this new market all to itself. For 1965 a new 2+2 Fastback model added as was the GT Equipment Group. Both performance and aesthetically minded, this group included front disk brakes; grille-mounted fog lights, 5-gauge instrumentation, GT stripes and badges and special dual ‘trumpet’ exhaust outlets. 1966 brought a huge shot in the arm to the ponycar moniker – the first Shelby GT 350. Built on the 2+2 Fastback by famed racer/car builder Carroll Shelby, these cars featured race-tuned engines and suspensions. By mid-1966, Mustang passed the one-million sales mark.

On the track, the Mustang name was quickly establishing itself in many motorsports arenas. In 1965, Mustang assumed the role as Ford’s rally car. Carroll Shelby, famed builder of the Cobra, created race-ready cars for SCCA’s production class B competition against the likes of Chevrolet’s Corvette and the Jaguar E-Type. Shelby‘s goal was accomplished when the GT 350 took the B-Production Championship from Corvette. Shelby Mustangs were also successful in the world of drag racing. Ford campaigned several highly modified A/FX altered Mustangs equipped with 427 ‘Cammer’ motors in National Hot Rod Association drag racing events. 1966 brought the creation of the SCCA Trans Am professional racing series for V-8 sedans of 305 cubic inches or less. Mustang took the Trans Am Manufacturers’ Cup in 1966. The Shelby GT 350 repeated the previous year’s success as B-Production Champion.

1964 American Muscle car-Ford Thunderbolt

The 1964 427 Thunderbolt Fairlane was a specially prepared lightweight drag vehicle capable of operating in the low 11 second bracket.

The car came equipped with a 427 High Riser racer engine with unique ram air induction system, dual four barrel Holley carburetion, 12 to 1 compression ratio, tubular headers, aluminum scatter shield, four-speed transmission, revised drag suspension, trunk mounted battery, electric fuel pump, heavy duty brakes, tachometer, gauges, special wheels and drag tires.

1964 Ford Thunderbolt Sports car

This vehicle was the #2 unit built and was delivered in October of 1963. The car was restored to 1964 ‘match race‘ configuration, including aluminum radiator and water pump, Plexiglas windshield, fiberglass doors, and ultra light hood and front fenders.

Even a set of the original tires and rims that ran on the car from 1964 were located and incorporated in the restoration. All of the original body components, Plexiglas, and exterior trim were refurbished and retained. The re-lettering of the car was done by the same person who originally lettered the car in 1963.

1964 Ford Thunderbolt American racing car

The Thunderbolt, which was intended to be used at the drag strip, was powered by a 427 cubic-inch Ford V-8 that produced 425 horsepower.

1970 Model of American muscle car- Shelby Mustang GT500

With a long and VERY lucrative background, the Ford Mustang has a history like no other vehicle. There has been a longstanding bit of rivalry between the Ford Motor Company and the Chevy division from GM, since both companies operated on the same market. Ford introduced the Falcon in response to Chevy’s release of the Corvair, and fortunately sold much better, similar to what the Thunderbird did to the Corvette in the 1950′s.
Chevy’s next move was to introduce the Corvair Monza, a sporty, compact vehicle that the public loved. To combat this new threat, Ford had to produce a brand new vehicle with not only a sporty image, but sporty actions that would attract the younger generation. Called the ‘Pony Car’, the Mustang was unveiled to the public on April 13, 1964 and was advertised as ‘the car to be designed by you’. Knowing that baby boomers would be ruling the 1960′s, and that they would want a car as vastly different from their parents’ as possible, Ford designed a production vehicle that would wow this generation. Except for the Corvette, compared to every other American car then in production, the Mustang was stunning and gorgeously sleek. Wanting it to be an affordable vehicle, much of the Mustang’s engineering would be shared with an existing Ford product.
The young vice president at Ford, Lee Iacocca is responsible for this iconic legend. Requests were made to him to bring back the two-seater Thunderbird, and in 1962 he built the Mustang I-prototype; which was a V4 two-seater. What was introduced in 1963 ended up being a four-seater that was met with overwhelming acclaim and the vehicle was taken into production. A variety of the Mustang’s components, including the drivetrain, were ‘borrowed’ from the Falcon to reduce the cost of production. The Ford Mustang was launched at the World Exhibition of NY in the spring of 1964.

1970 Shelby Mustang GT500 sports car

Only 636 Shelby Mustangs were sold as 1970 models, of which 350 were GT-350s and 286 were GT-500s.
The Shelby Mustang had gradually transformed from a highly successful race car, the first American race car to win an international race, to an overweight and underpowered production car posing as a race car. In 1970 Caroll Shelby turned away from the car production business and Lee Iacocca was promoted to president of the Ford Motor Company and so the paths of the two men who started the Mustang muscle car craze parted. However the paths of these two men were joined again in 1982 at Chrysler, where Iacocca asked Shelby to be the “performance consultant”. This lead to a less exciting range of Shelby cars based on compact front-drive Chrysler products, like the Shelby GLH-S 5-door hatchback (based on a model known as Simca Horizon to Europeans)  or the Shelby CSX hatchback coupe. In the early 1990s Shelby inspired Chrysler to build the Dodge Viper RT/10, a car far more worthy of the Shelby name and kind of a successor to the classic Shelby Cobra sports cars.

1970 Shelby Mustang GT500 convertible

For the 1970 model year, the Boss 302 and 429 continued on, while the 428 Cobra Jet remained as the top engine choice for the Mach 1 Mustang. The 429 Cobra Jet was new for 1970 and standard in the Boss 429. The Super Cobra Jet was rated for 375 bhp while the 429 Cobra Jet was rated at 370 bhp. 1970 was the final year for the Shelby Cobra’s. A total of 40,970 Mach 1′s were produced, 7,643 convertibles, 13,581 Grande Hardtop Coupes, 6,318 Boss 302′s and 498 Boss 429s.

For the 1970 Mustang, Ford went back to just two headlights, replacing the outboard lights with attractive scoops that fed nothing at all. The phony side scoops were also deleted on all models. The 351 V8′s were now produced at Ford‘s Cleveland plant rather than the Windsor, Ontario facility and were of a slightly different design. Sales for the 1970 model year dipped to 190,727 Mustangs.

The 1971 Mustang was extended by 2.1 inches of length, 2.8 inches of width, a 100lbs were added and an additional inch of wheelbase was added. Ford’s decade of ‘Total Performance’ was reaching its end. Taken off of the lineup this year was the Shelby models, the Boss 302 and the Boss 429 models. The remaining engine choices were not great, as the 351 engine was detuned from 300 bhp to 285 bhp while the 429 Cobra Jet dropped 5 bhp down to 370 bhp.

1974 Ford Torino Muscle car

In 1968 Ford introduced the mid-sized vehicle, the Torino, which stayed in production until 1976. The Torino replaced the Fairlane, although the name persisted on the base level models but given differnet trim than the Torino versions. The Torino was available as a two-door fastback or convertible, four-door sedan or station wagon, hardtop, and as a pickup, similar to the El Camino.
The Torino was actively raced in the NASCAR circuit. In 1969, Ford introduced the Torino Talladega. This limited-edition vehicle was given an aerodynamic body style which they then used on the NASCAR circuit.

In 1970 Ford introduced the Torino Cobra complete with a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet engine. Power was transferred to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed manual gearbox. The suspension was upgraded and a dual-exhaust unit added. Bucket seats continued the performance montage in the interior. A Traction-Lok limited-slip differential was optional. A ‘shaker’ hood scoop could be ordered as optional equipment which helped the engine breath at high speeds. The Torino Brougham version offered luxurious amenities which offered a sporty appearance and creature-comforts.

1974 Ford Torino Classic American car

During the early 1970′s, the Torino was updated giving it an aggressive look and modern appeal. For 1971, the look was all-new and good enough to capture Motor Trend’s coveted ‘Car of the Year’ award. The GT version had hidden headlights, the only Torino to have such a design. For 1972, the grille was enlarged; vent windows were removed from four-door models and the convertible option was no longer offered. The abbreviation ‘GT’ was now labeled as Gran Torino.

1974 Ford Torino American sports car

Not only was 1971 through 1972 a big year for redesigns, the engine options saw drastic changes. In 1971 the Torino could be purchased with a wide range of engines that included a 351 Cleveland small-block and a Ford 429 cubic-inch engine. The performance could be further increased with the adoption of a Thunder Jet, Cobra Jet or Super Cobra Jet package. As government regulations and emissions standards were becoming stricter, the muscle car era was coming to an end. For 1972, only the 31 Cleveland eight-cylinder engine was available, however, still available in Cobra Jet configuration.

In 1973, to comply with government and safety regulations, the front end was given a larger bumper. This trend continued in 1974 when the front was modified to make the vehicle safer. The performance era had come to an end and consumers were expecting a new breed of vehicles which kept manufacturers struggling to meet these demands. The trend was shifting from larger, performance machines to fuel-efficient, safe, economical, and luxurious vehicles. This was true with the Torino which saw the performance options fade away from year-to-year, and more luxury offerings being presented.

1974 Ford Maverick American sports car

Replacing the Falcon, the Ford Maverick was introduced in 1970 and became the only car to sell as competitively as the Mustang.

Designed and released five years after the Mustang, the Maverick beat Mustang sales by 5,000 more units sold in its first year.

The name Maverick has been used on several models during the 70′s, the Grabber, Stallion and Sprint. The Maverick name has also appeared on several different SUV’s in both Australia and Europe.
Even after it’s potential was met in the U.S., Australia released an SUV based on the Nissan Patrol GR from 1988 to 1998.
From 1993 to 2001 a completely different Maverick was sold in Europe under the same name. Built at Nissan Motor Espana, despite the badge, the Nissan Terrano II had no Ford parts.
Brazil released their own Maverick version from 1973 to 1979. A rare station wagon version was introduced in 1975 in Brazil though generally the Maverick was only found in 2-door and 4-door versions.

1974 Ford Maverick American Muscle car

Purchase price as US $1,995 in 1970, this original rear wheel drive compact 2-door sedan was built in the USA, Canada and Mexico until 1977.

During it’s first production year, the two –door coupe came with only two available engine options, the 170 I6 and the 200 I6.
1971 brought the introduction of the four-door model with available 250 I6, 302 V8.
Improvement on the vehicle began in 1973 as the 200 I6 and LDO grill became standard on the Maverick. Better more dependable brakes also became a permanent feature along with AM/FM stereo, aluminum wheels and the federal bumper.

In the following year, the high rise in gas prices increased the Maverick’s popularity as sales soared to 10,000 units sold from the previous year.
1976 brought along an updated new grill and front disc brakes that became standard.
The release of the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch hurt sales, and in 1977 the Maverick reached its prime and was replaced by the Ford Fairmont.

1976 Ford Mustang COBRA II-American Muscle car

The Mustang was introduced at the 1965 New York World’s Fair, Mustang Mania instantly swept the country, and a new automotive market segment was created – the 2+2 or better known as the ‘ponycar.’ Though its mechanical underpinnings descended from the Falcon, the Mustang was completely different. It was a compact, tight, clean package weighing in at a modest 2,550 pounds – a departure from the ever-enlarging American cars of the day. The classic long-hood short-rear-deck combined with a forward-leaning grille, elegant blade bumpers, sculptured body sides, fully exposed wheel openings and restrained use of bright trim gave the car a unique look that belied its affordability. Its looks were backed up with power, providing three optional V8 engines with up to 271 horsepower. Other options included automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, styled chrome wheels and air conditioning. Not surprisingly, the entry-level modes were a minority of the production.

1976 Ford Mustang COBRA II sports car

To say that the first Mustang was a success is an understatement. Following the introduction, the Mustang was on the cover of both Time and Newsweek. A week before introduction, Ford ran ads with the air times for the first television commercials, which all three networks broadcasted simultaneously. Mustang was selected as the Official Pace Car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500, and more than 22,000 orders were taken the first day. By its first anniversary, over 418,000 Mustangs had been sold, breaking the all-time record for first year sales of a new nameplate.

The original platform was used, with numerous modifications, up to 1973. The Pinto-based Mustang II was built from 1974 until 1978. A new fox body platform began in 1979 and was largely unchanged through 1993. In 1994 the SN-95, a modified version of the Fox body, debuted and was produced until 2004. The 2005 Mustang is built on the first entirely new platform in 25 years.

1976 Ford Mustang COBRA II Racing car

On the track, the Mustang name was quickly establishing itself in many motorsports arenas. In 1965, Mustang assumed the role as Ford’s rally car. Carroll Shelby, famed builder of the Cobra, created race-ready cars for SCCA’s production class B competition against the likes of Chevrolet’s Corvette and the Jaguar E-Type. Shelby’s goal was accomplished when the GT 350 took the B-Production Championship from Corvette. Shelby Mustangs were also successful in the world of drag racing. Ford campaigned several highly modified A/FX altered Mustangs equipped with 427 ‘Cammer’ motors in National Hot Rod Association drag racing events. 1966 brought the creation of the SCCA Trans Am professional racing series for V-8 sedans of 305 cubic inches or less. Mustang took the Trans Am Manufacturers’ Cup in 1966. The Shelby GT 350 repeated the previous year’s success as B-Production Champion.

With the introduction of Chevy’s Camaro, Pontiac’s Firebird, and Ford’s sister division 2+2, the Mercury Cougar, the rest of the industry both brought serious competition to the Mustang and further legitimized the 2+2 ‘ponycar’ market. Ford foresaw the coming competition, and designed the 1967 Mustang to accommodate its 390 cubic-inch V8. In addition to the mechanical changes, the Mustang was restyled inside and out. This began the era of the growing Mustang, as it gained a couple inches in length and width nearly every year until 1973. A GT 350 H was introduced, a special edition made specifically for Hertz Rent-A-Car outlets. Stories of ‘Rent-A-Racers’ being returned with telltale signs of racing use are still told today. The options list grew as well, andFord’s largest engine quickly went from the 390 to the 428 Cobra Jet. Shelby also upped the ante with the GT 500 in 1967 and the GT 500 KR (‘King of the Road’) in 1968. The GT 350 also continued on. In racing, despite new competition from the Camaro, Plymouth Barracuda, and Mercury Cougar, Mustang again won the Trans Am Manufacturers’ Cup. Capping the year, Shelby’s GT 350 once again took the SCCA B-Production crown. Perhaps the most famous Mustang of the time was the 1968 Highland Green 390 Mustang fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Many still consider the final chase scene to be the best ever filmed.