The monte didn't drop the big block after 1970. Even in '74 and I believe '76 a bug block could be ordered in a Monte Carlo. Sure they weren't as fast as the previous BBs were. But at least youy got one.

Yes the Dodge Challenger ran to 1974. I even have the model kits of the '70-74 Challengers to prove it.

Before I go any further. Some say the muscle car era started in the 1960s till around 1970. Not true in the fact the 1957 Chevy could be purchased with fuel injection. It offered a 283 horsepower 283 small block. The first Chevy had ever offered 1 cube per horsepower.

First car.
1957 Chevy BelAir Hardtop. Bought in june, 1972 for $150 by my parents. My high school graduation present I got 4 years early.
Engine is a 1968 327. Trans is a Saginaw 4-speed. 11 inch clutch setup. Rear is stock with 3:55 gears.

I don't consider my 210 4-door Sedan a performance car. I got her in aug, 1975 for $100 with 45,000 miles on her. She does have a 283 under the hood. Trans is a powerglide. Rear is stock with 3:36 gears.

Other BelAir Hardtop. Purchased in jan, 1980 for $150. Engine is a 1969 302 small block. Trans is a Muncie 4-speed. Some call this trans a Rockcrucher. 11 inch clutch setup. Rear is stock with 3:55 gears.

Handyman Wagon. Purchased in mar, 1988 as a B-day present to myself from a good friend. He asked I never tell anyone what I paid for the Wagon and I never have. Engine is a 1960s 350. Trans is a 1970s Muncie 4-speed. 10.5 inch clutch setup. Rear is stock with 3:55 gears.

My latest toy is a 210 2-door Sedan DelRay. DelRays are somewhat rare in the fact only 25,000 were made in 1957. Fewer in 1955 than 25,000 I believe. Engine is a 1974/75 350. Not exactly a Rustang killer I know. Trans is a Muncie 4-speed. Clutch setup will be an 11 inch if I can swing it. Rear is a 3:55 gear setup.

 

Yeah... the '57 Chevy guys love to argue that theirs was the first of the muscle cars. With all of their weight, the big fins, and all the chrome of a 50's car, I still say they're more of the "Age of Excess" of cars. Were they fast? Sure. Were they muscle cars? Maybe. All ages have some overlap... I guess if you want to throw in the '57 Chevy and claim it was the first, that qualifies as overlap. I just don't perceive them that way.

 

Never really heard anyone draw the line at 1970 on a muscle car, typically it is 1972 but I don't even agree with that. Alot of good arguements so far as to what a muscle car is have already been posted so I won't go into that any more...

Drawing the line at 1970 would also eliminate the 1971 Monte Carlo as a candidate with its 402 at 300hp...even worse eliminating the 1971 Monte SS with its 454 and 355hp.

I also consider my 1972 Monte as a muscle car, although it came with a 402 with only 240hp I easily modified that hp number back in 1983 when I bought it and had it up around 300hp. Right now it's putting out about 520hp and I will definately be adding more hp to it...

 

Yeah, frequently one or two factory 454 second gen Montes show up on Ebay. I wouldn't mind having one. They tend to be a little cheaper than a big block first gen.

 

I think some of you on here. Are taking this wrong. " I " Didn't draw the line on whats a Muscle car or what isn't. Someone else did that for me. When you look up the Muscle car Era. They define the yrs. Not me. Thats just the way it is. Just because they made big block Chevy's Mopar's or Fords at 1970. Doesn't mean they are Muscle cars. Yeah some still looked like the earlier cars. But were detuned cause OUR goverment & the Insurance co's got together and made it that way. Again NOT me. Ha ha ha. If it was up to me. There would still be building them. Matter of fact. Some of the cars their building now. Are faster then some of the cars we had back in the day. I mean the Boss 302. or the 383 or the 350 chevy were not all that fast. But they were called Muscle cars also. Look at the New Camaro's SS The New Mustangs & the New Mopars with there big Hemi's. Now those damn cars are all faster then our old one's coming out of the factory. I'm not trying to start and arguement. Just stating a fact. SORRY if this puts a bad taste in your mouth. I didn't do it. Ok ? ha ha ha ha. Now lets get back to it. Hope all of you have a GREAT day. Rick

 

Well said Rick. I never thought of a 57 Chevy as muscle. I believe that is a vehicle one make into a muscle car. My Dodge has I think 375hp. Thats plenty muscle for me. First time I really floored it, it scared me because it sure felt like the front wheels were going be off the ground, They weren't but appeared to go that direction. Now with my big, heavy a**, 4100 lb car I will call that a muscle car. I have and always will like big heavy cars.