Johnny No American Muscle Cars2

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[Geben Sie den Untertitel des Dokuments ein] Jonathan Zerai
AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS

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-TABLE OF CONTENTS-
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
2. What is a Muscle Car?……………………………………………..………………………..…………………5
3. The history of the Muscle Car era………………………………………………………………………..6
3.1 Primordial muscle…………………………………………………………………………………………….6
3.2 The Baby boomers and the Classic Car era……………………………………………………….7
3.3 Modern Muscle………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
4. Ford Mustang: The History and Evolution…………………………………………………………….9
4.1 Lee Iacocca and the Ford Motor Company……………………………………………………….9
4.2 The models through the times………………………………………………………………………..11
4.2.1 1962-1964: The Mustang I and II…………………………………………………………….11
4.2.2 1964-1966: The ride to the market…………………………………………………………14
4.2.3 1967-1970: Bigger and better…………………………………………………………………16
4.2.4 1971-1973: The Overdose in size……………………………….……………………………17
4.2.5 1974-1978: Small and European……………………………………………………………..17
4.2.6 1979-1993: The Fox-chassis Mustangs……………………………………………………18
4.2.7 1994-2004: A Reborn Pony……………………………………………………………………..19
4.2.8 2005-2011: The Retro Pony…………………………………………………………………….20
4.3 Special models and series……………………………………………………………………………………22
4.3.1 The Bullitt……………………………………………………………………………………………….22
4.3.2 SVT Cobras……………………………………………………………………………………………..22
4.3.3 Shelbys……………………………………………………………………………………………………23
5. Muscle Car representatives………………….……………………………………………………………..26
5.1 Pontiac: 1966 GTO……………………………………………………………………………………………26
5.2 Mercury: 1969 Cyclone SCJ 428………………………………………………………………………..27
5.3 Dodge: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T……………………………………………………………………..28
5.4 Chevrolet: 1966 Chevrolet Camaro SS………………………………………………………………29
5.5 AMC: 1968 Javelin SST………………………………………………………………………………………30
6. Position in the society…………………………………………………………………………………………..31
6.1 Muscle Cars and the American Culture…………………………………………………………..…31
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6.2 Muscle Cars in the popular culture: magazines, films and TV series………………….32
6.3 Muscle Car enthusiasts………………………………………………………………………………………33
6.4 Survey review…………………….…………………………………………………………..………………..34
7. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………….37
8. Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………………………………38
8.1 CD…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..38
8.2 Questionnaire………………………………………………………………………………………………..38
9. References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………39
9.1 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………………39
9.2 Internet links…………………………………………………………………………………………………..40
9.3 Photo credits……………………………………………………………………………………………………41
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1. Introduction
My passion for Muscle Cars dates back as early as to my childhood. As a young child I
had great fun in collecting Hot Wheels and Matchbox. The discovery of every new
model of these 1/64th-scale cars met my excitement. The Hot Wheels Muscle Cars
among these little vehicles were my favourites.
At the age of 12 years I once again visited my home country Eritrea where the U.S.
Army Garrison Kagnew Station 1 was sited until the end of the 1970s in the capital city
Asmara. Muscle Cars of different models that were owned by the up to 6000 young GIs
at that time still ruled many of the streets of this small city. This was the time when my
admiration and enthusiasm for the Muscle Car appeal was reinforced. Last year I was
lucky enough to get my childhood dream materialized and own a 2010 Ford Mustang
GT Premium. Inspired by a further increased interest in the subject as a whole I
decided to commit my work to American Muscle Cars in general and the Ford Mustang
in particular.
Based on a comprehensive collection of data the paper elaborates the history and
development of the American Muscle Car from the beginning of the breed through its
so-called ´Golden Age´, its near decline and its come back in the form of today’s
Modern Muscle.
Chapter 4 covers in detail the Ford Mustang as a special representative of the make
that highlightened a landmark in the Muscle Car Era in terms of sales in the 1960’s as
well as in regards to ushering the comeback of the Muscle Car, the Modern Muscle, in
recent years. Technical data of Classic Muscle Car top picks is displayed in chapter 5.
In Chapter 6 I will place the Muscle Car within the context of the American Culture and
outline its impact on the latter. A survey I conducted among members of the online
forum “dr- Mustang” depicts in brief where the key appeal of Muscle Cars lies.
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http://www.kagnewstation.com/
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2. What is a Muscle Car?
The term Muscle Car is normally used for a variety of high performance cars.’
Generally speaking Muscle Car is an American 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size car,
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and in some cases a full-size car equipped with a large and powerful V8.’ Other
significant characteristics include: The affordable prices and the use of the cars for
street and both formal and informal drag racing. Based on the American phenomenon
non-American car companies developed Muscle Cars in their own markets with their
own style in countries like Australia, South Africa, the UK, and elsewhere. According to
the June 1967 issue of Road Test magazine, a Muscle Car ‘is exactly what the name
implies. It is a product of the American car industry adhering to the hot rodder's
philosophy of taking a small car and putting a BIG engine in it. The Muscle Car is
Charles Atlas kicking sand in the face of the 98 hp (73 kW) weakling.’ 3 Peter Henshaw
author of the book Muscle Cars, adds that: ’The Muscle Car was designed as a pure
horse power car with no European high performance chassis or any other high
European engineering standards.’ 4
Although opinions vary the below-mentioned four classes of cars combined with a high
performance qualify as Muscle Cars.
Compact car: is smaller than a mid-size car, but larger than a supermini.
Pony car: a class of cars, which mainly consists of compact, highly styled cars with a
performance-oriented image - usually 350 cubic inch or less - at an affordable price. 5
Mid-size car: also called intermediate cars, basically have the standard car size in the
US, which is larger than a compact car. In Europe these cars are normally used as large
family cars. 6
Full-size car: This term was invented by the North American automobile-industry and
used for cars bigger than mid-size cars.
2
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-muscle-car.htm
3
Road Test, Muscle Cars, June (1967)
4
Peter Henshaw, Muscle Cars, 2005, p. 11
5
William G. Holder & Phillip Kunz, American Muscle Cars, 1992 p.XIII
6
http://www.gulfgt.com/forum/showthread.php?19933-Muscle-Car-Definition
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3. The history of the Muscle Car Era
At the end of World War II, when many young soldiers returned to their homes and
invested thousands of dollars into their vehicles, the automobiles represented the
‘ultimate symbol of freedom and independence’. This is considered to be the birth of
Muscle Cars in America. Although quite a short-lived era, the Muscle Cars defined an
entire generation of American teenagers and young adults. In addition to that it has
given the world some of the most collectible and valuable automobiles in history. In
the years from 1964 to 1973 Muscle Cars included both trucks and cars. The Muscle
Cars were a product of the ‘Classic Car Era’; they profited from the high consumerism
after World War II, when the public was craving for more powerful and bigger cars. The
American car industry was attempting to halt the invasion of imported vehicles and as
the national highway system was being extended and improved and gasoline was
plentiful, Americans craved for more. Consequently, Detroit started placing big block
V8s on mid-sized chassis in 1964, and gave them names like Camaro, Mustang, and
Barracuda. All of these vehicles became very popular and still stand for household
names of Muscle Cars. 7
3.1 Primordial Muscle
1936 was the first time an American automobile manufacturer put a massive eight-
cylinder engine into a mid-size Buick Special body. General Motors named this epic car
‘The Century´, which was one of the fastest cars on the road right from its release. GM
equipped the car with a 320-cubic-inch engine that brought 120 horsepower on the
track and made them the fastest Buicks of the era with a sustained maximum speed of
95 miles per hour. ´The Century´ rightly earned the name ´the banker’s hot rod´.
Thirteen years later in 1949 Oldsmobile caught up and introduced the ´Rocket 88’.
During these days the ´Rocket 88´ was normally always among the top 5 of every
competition, especially in the newly founded Ńational Association for Stock Car Auto
7
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1960-1972, 2006, p. 7
Chrysler C-300 built in 1955

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Racing (NASCAR)´. 8 As the interest in NASCAR was growing, car manufacturers started
fig. 1: Chrysler C-
300 built in 1955
producing stronger engines; speed was becoming a priority. 1955 was the year when
Chrysler was taking street performance to the next level. The company came up with
the Ć-300´ it featured the most powerful mass produced engine, the 311-cubic-inch
Hemi V8. The 300 in the name was directly linked to its performance. It stood for the
300 horsepowers, which the car’s engine produced. On NASCAR tracks the Chrysler
300 letter series was winning one race after another. Advertised as ‘America’s Most
Powerful Car’ it was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 9.8 seconds with a maximum
speed of 130 miles per hour which was unbelievably fast at that time. But the C-300
was a very big and roomy car; which is why some people are of the opinion that the C-
300 was not a true Muscle Car. In addition to that it was very expensive, in contrast to
the average Muscle Car. 10
3.2 Baby boomer muscle Classic Car Muscle era

8
http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/muscle-car-information/how-muscle-cars-work1.htm
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Fig.1: http://www.autogaleria.hu/autok/chrysler/c-300-1955/chrysler_c-300-1955_r13.jpg
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Mike Mueller, The Essential Muscle Car, 2004, p. 10-11
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After the Second World War (1939-45) the U.S. population underwent a rapid growth.
This new generation was called the Ú.S. baby boomers’, the largest generation in U.S.
history. The baby boomers were a race track loving, NASCAR watching generation. A
lot of young people showed up at wide dirt tracks to watch hot rod races. In addition
to that they were the richest generation of all times. 11 A lot of young adults wanted to
buy a new, powerful and cool car which almost everybody could afford in those days. 12
To carry the affordability into effect many were ready to invest time: "The 60s were a
time when youthful car enthusiasts drove their car to work at the grocery store five
days a week just to earn enough to pay up the loan they took out to buy a Muscle Car.
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Then, on Saturday, they took their supercar to the drag strip for some track time." All
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this was making the perfect constellation for car manufacturers. This is the point
where we come to speak about Lee Iacocca, the man who served those wills. (See
chapter 4)
3.3 Modern Muscle
The classic Muscle Car era was very short; it had its heyday from the early 60s to the
early 70s and lasted no more than fifteen years from its beginning to its end. It ended
in 1972 when only a few mid-size cars continued to be sold with big block V-8s.
Another golden Muscle Car age began with a wide range of new noteworthy modern
Muscle Cars. These automobiles combine the power of previous models with current
standards. Some of the new Muscle Cars retained the gene of their ancestors and were
upgraded with new technologies in handling, safety, reliability, entertainment and
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even fuel economy. Although these were not as fast as the forerunner, they could
still give the young drivers an above the average driving experience. However,
government smog laws, rising insurance rates, increasing gas costs and safety
regulations almost nearly wiped out the Muscle Cars. As anticipated, the appeal of
driving a powerful and fast car did not disappear from the American driver’s heads.
After the year 1982 a lot of original Muscle Cars were reintroduced to the American
customers, like ´The 5.0-Liter Mustang’, ´The Camaro Z28’, ´The Corvette’ and ´The
11
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/eras.aspx?eraID=4
12
Randy Leffingwell, Darwin Holstrom & David Newhardt, Muscle: America‘s Legendary Performance
Cars, 2006, p. 12-13
13
Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1960-1972, 2006, p. 123
14
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/eras.aspx?eraID=3
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Trans Am’. Those were some of the new V-8 generations, which retained the genuine
idea of having a big engine which produces a lot of horsepower. Others used
turbochargers and superchargers to get an incredible increase of horsepower out of
small four-cylinder engines. Again others began developing high-tech V-6 engines that
pounded out more horsepower than some conventional big V-8 engines of the
previous era did. Of course these modern Muscle Cars are totally different from the
supercars of the 60s, except that they can run incredibly fast on the race track and the
streets. 16
fig. 2: 1982
Chevrolet
Corvette
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4. Ford Mustang: The History and Evolution
This chapter will cover the inception and development of the most popular Pony Car
on earth, the Ford Mustang, as a specific representative of Muscle Cars. The now forty-
seven year old Mustang history is connected with the name Lee Iacocca. Few persons
have had more influence on Ford history, Muscle Car history and US-automobile
history, than Lee Iacocca.
4.1 Lee Iacocca and the Ford Company
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Patrick C. Paternie & Dan Lyons, Modern American Muscle, 2001, p. 15-16
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fig. 2: http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/photos/508500/508654.1982.Chevrolet.Corvette.2-
Door.Fastback.Coupe.jpg
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Lido Anthony “Lee” Iacocca, an Italians immigrant’s son was born October 15, 1924 in
Allentown, Pennsylvania. His family ran a restaurant called Yocco‘s Hot Dogs. He got
his first taste of business experience while working in a hot dog stand of his parents as
a youngster. Later he went to Leigh University in nearby Bethlehem where he got an
industrial engineering degree. After his graduation in Leigh, he won the Wallace
Memorial Fellowship which allowed him to do his post graduate studies at Princeton
University. Iacocca went to work for the Ford Motor Company, first as a student
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engineer; in August 1946. He quickly lost interest in nuts and bolts and entered the
sales force of Ford, where he rapidly made his way to a zone manager by 1949 in
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, working closely with 18 dealerships. With his ’56 for 56’
plan he made himself a major name. This plan offered the customers a new 1956 Ford
for 20 percent down and $56 a month over a three-year span. The sales in his district
went up and four years later, with only 36 years, he ascended to the Ford Division
general managers chair in November 1960. Again four years later on his 40 th birthday
his Ford Division presidency followed. In the mid 1960s Lee was pretty sure to be the
next in line for the president’s office once Henry Ford II finally retired. But Henry Ford’s
grandson shocked everyone in the automobiles manufacturers’ world by giving the job
to the former General Motors Executive Vice President Semon ‘Bunkie’ Knudsen in the
year 1968.19
18
http://www.leeiacocca.com/my-life/index.aspx
19
Mike Mueller, Ford Mustang: Alle Modelle ab 1964, 2010, p. 25
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Lee Iacocca with a 1964

Ford Mustang
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4.2 The models through the times
4.2.1 1962-1964: The Mustang I and II
In April 2009 Ford’s superstar, the Mustang turned 45. This means most of these
fantastic cars have finally grown older than many of their owners. As the Ford
Mustangs birthday neared, the all time count for Mustangs was roughly 9 million. Ford
sold more than 600,000 Mustang in 1966 alone; it is no exaggeration to say that this
was a zenith and will simply never be reached again by any other car, from any other
company. Of course this incredible success had to be prepared well. The roots of the
Mustang go far back in time to 1955, when Ford presented its Thunderbird. In 1958
the designers added a back seat, which doubled the sales numbers. By the year 1960
Ford sold their new Falcon nearly twice the number as the Corvair, this was a huge
success. The new member of the Ford managing committee, Lee Iacocca had the same
idea as his conservative predecessor to set new standards in the automotive world. In
his autobiography he says:
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fig. 3: http://image.mustangmonthly.com/f/ford-news/lee-iacocca-down-to-earth/10111091/lee-iacocca-
in-2004-with-bob-frias-5f07u100002-car-and-a-2004-mustang.jpg
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‘McNamara was a good businessman but he believed in a pure functional car, which
only had to fulfill the consumer’s basic needs.’21
Directly after his promotion in November 1960 he made up a team. This team
consisted of the product managers Donald Frey, Hal Sperlich, Donald Petersen, the
marketing man Bob Eggert, PR-manager Walt Murphy and the racing legend Jacques
Passino. The group met weekly 14 times in the Fairlane Hotel in Detroit, that’s why this
group was named ‘The Fairlane Committee’. At the end of 1961 the first specifications
were framed: ‘The car for young adults should not have a wheelbase above 275
centimeter, a total weight around 1150 kilograms and, the most important
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characteristic for a Muscle Car, a price not over 2500 $.’ The first survey, which was
presented in 1962, was an open 2-seater which was named Mustang I. 23 Although
Iacocca attached importance to a usable backseat he gave the go-ahead to produce a
prototype-series. The first attempt of Ford was totally misunderstood as a real sports
car-project by the American press. In a report of the magazine ‘Motor Trend’ in the
year 1963 for example it was stated:
21
Lee A. Iacocca, An Autobiography, 1986, p. 174
22
Mike Mueller: Alle Modelle, p. 30-33
23
http://classicponycars.com/history.html
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24
‘Ford is going to build a sports car, to compete with the Corvette. ‘
Mustang I-prototype
(1962)
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Donald Frey and others knew the truth, this was simply just a publicity stunt to catch
the public’s attention and connect the name Mustang with sportiness. The mass-
production vehicle was going to look totally different. In August 1962 when production
was advancing six car drafts were submitted. The management opted for the Ford
Studio assistant’s, Dave Ash first draft, the ‘Cougar’. The cougar was almost unchanged
taken over into mass-production, except for the name. Internally the project was
running under the name ‘T-5’ and then got several other names like the ‘T-Bird II’,
which Henry Ford II preferred, but in the end the only suitable one was ‘Mustang’. A
lot of people think that the Mustang was named after the glorious fighter plane from
World War II the P-51 Mustang. It was obvious that the P-51 Mustang itself was also
fast and well known like the Ford Mustang. Iacocca brought Ash’s Mustang blueprint
into Henry Ford’s office on the 10 th of September in 1962; he had to do a lot of
convincing to get the go-ahead. Some of the Ford officials were concerned about
Iacocca’s little ‘youth car’. They thought it would take the ‘Falcon’s’ sales out. Others
still doubted that his new youth market would materialize. It was the Falcon’s proven
24
Motor Trend, Insider information, 1963
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fig. 4: http://www.shorey.net/auto/american/ford/mustang/1963%20Ford%20Mustang%20I
%20Concept%20Car%20Frt%20Side.jpg
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presence that allowed Iacocca to make what he called ‘the toughest selling job of his
career’. After Henry Ford II learned that he was not asked to spend the $300 to $400
million typically required budget in those times to get a brand new model into
production, he really liked what he saw. Iacocca wanted to use as many Falcon
components as possible to save tooling costs in the process and to get the car into
mass-production as fast as possible. In the end he spent only $75 million to get the first
Mustang up and running. Iacocca’s product planner did not believe devoutly in the
Mustang, he said: ’making a sporty car out of a Falcon was like putting falsies on
Grandma’.26 He was going to be totally wrong. However, the product managers,
Donald Frey and Hal Sperlich were sure, that the idea would work fine after
experimenting with various models. Lee Iacocca said: ‘We could keep the platform and
engine from the Falcon, but the car needs a whole new skin and greenhouse’.27
Finally, the new Mustang consisted of modified suspension and steering components
from the Falcon, almost the same basic unit-body substructure and all of its power
train choices. The Mustang had a Falcon-based floor pan, which was dropped down
around the engine to bring both the passengers and roof closer to the ground. Of
course, all those borrowed parts and structures provoked mockery. For example GM’s
design executive Bill Mitchell called the Mustang ‘a Hamtramck Falcon’ 28. This caused
at least one of the Mustang’s original designers to speak out in response.’ The
Mustang had a lot of Falcon parts in it.’ Said Gail Halderman, ‘but it was not a glorified
Falcon as many believe.’29 The 1963 Mustang II simply was a gussied up precursor, a
customized pilot car.
26
http://www.westcoastfalcons.com/scff/histriv/fordfact15.htm
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28
http://www.mustangii.net/articles/mustangiimustangtoo.asp
29
Mike Mueller: Alle Modelle, p. 28
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Mustang II-
prototype (1963)
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The first non-officials who were allowed to have an insider impression of the Mustang
II were prominent car-journalists. In autumn 1963 they were invited to a secret road
show.31 Before the official road show on the 13 th of April in 1964 in New Yorker’s World
Fair roughly 11,000 press kits were handed to as many newspapers. In the evening of
the 16th of April an unequaled drumfire of Mustang commercial was telecasted on the
top three TV channels. Ford announced the TV commercial and 29 million people
watched it that day. An apparently endless advertising series followed in nearly every
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newspaper. But what for? No one had time to read the newspaper, because on
Friday the 17th of April almost everyone had already gone to have a look at the new car
in real life.33
4.2.2 1964-1966: The ride to the market
On Friday the 17th of April a totally new car concept was presented to the public by
every single Ford dealer. Therefore Ford instituted a initial plan, which was to build
minimum 8,160 Mustangs from the production began on March 9 till the release in
April. In the first weekend 4 million people pushed their way into Ford dealerships;
some dealers even were forced to lock their doors and call police when the rush grew
too great. The few Mustangs in stock were snapped up immediately and another
22,000 orders were placed on April 17 alone. The delivery time was the only point of
criticism, waiting two months or more was common. An amazing happening occurred
in Garland, Texas. Fifteen customers wanted to have the last Mustang in the store,
they could persuade the dealer to sell the Mustang to the highest bidder. The winner
30
fig. 5: http://www.southblocks.com/files/10/MustangII_proto.gif
31
32
http://classicponycars.com/history.html
33
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of the auction insisted on sleeping in the Mustang to guarantee the car would not be
sold to someone before his check cleared the bank on the following day. A famous
telegram sent to Henry Ford II perhaps said it best:
‘Henry Ford, I do declare; You have your Grandpa Henry’s flair: He put a Ford in every
home; You put a Mustang there; Congratulations; The wait is somewhat sickly; Could
you fix me up more quickly?’ .34
Lee Iacocca’s plan was to beat the Falcon’s record by selling more than 417,000
Mustangs by April 17, 1965. Therefore a second and third assembly line was opened in
California and New Jersey. Thus the battle cry in Detroit became ‘417 by 4-17’. Just
before the close of the business day on April 16, 1965, a Californian bought a red
convertible, making him the original Mustang’s 418,812th customer. In one year’s
time, the Mustang sales had outgunned the Flacon’s record by 1,638 cars. Later, in
1966, the Mustang broke another record formerly held by the Falcon. On February 23,
Ford’s one millionth pony car rolled off the Dearborn assembly line, making the
Mustang the ‘all-time fastest to reach seven digits’. Out of the total sum, 121,538 were
so called ‘1964-1/2’ models, an unofficial reference resulting from the original
Mustang’s extended production run, which began unconventionally midway in 1964
and ended traditionally in August the following year. All the Mustangs built before the
production start of the 1966 Mustang were simply labeled as 1965 Mustangs. But as
enthusiasts soon discovered, various running changes, the Mustangs were
differentiated. Originally there were three different engines available: a 170 cid. V6, a
260 cid. V8 and a 289 cid V8, which came with a three-speed manual, four-speed
manual or automatic.35
34
35
http://www.mustangevolution.com/1964-ford-mustang/
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In 1965 the 170 cid. V6 and 260cid V8 were replaced by a 200 cid. V6 and a 289 V8. 36 37
Lee Iacocca & Donald

Frey (from the left side
beginning) with a 1964
Mustang
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4.2.3 1967-1970: Bigger and better
In response to the Camaro SS 396, the Mustang grew by length and width to make
room for a V8 big block. In 1967 Ford presented ITS first big block: the 320-horsepower
390-cubic inch ‘Thunderbird‘Special V8‘.In addition to that a tilt steering wheel became
optional. Another makeover in 1969 added more weight, width and length to the
body. The height dropped about half-inch, this decrease coupled with that extra
length, helped to enhance the overall sleek impressions. The three new high-profile
models that featured this restyled body at best in 1969 were: Mach 1, Boss 302, and
Boss 429. A fourth new Mustang also debuted for 1969, the luxury-conscious Grande,
which featured special exterior trim and a deluxe interior. The replacement for the V8
lineup was a 290-horsepower 351 small block and a 302 small block. Next came the
‘Thunderbirds Special‘ 320-horsepower 390-cubic-inch; two 428 Cobra Jet big blocks
with 335 horsepower followed. 39 40
36
37
38
fig. 6 : http://mustangview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/1964_ford_mustang01_b19a_im.jpg
39
40
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/ford-mustang/ford-mustang-history-1.shtml
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1967 Ford Mustang

Fastback
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4.2.4 1971-1973: The Overdose in size
From 1971 onwards the Mustang was built on the Fairmont/Torino-platform. Again the
Mustang got extended, this time only by length. Because of the changes in size, to
offer the customer a more luxurious car, the car’s the handling had to forfeit the loss
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of handling. The 71’s Mustangs were offered with the same engines, but the
performance was reduced to abide by the clean air act of1970.43
1972 Ford Mustang
44
4.2.5 1974-1978: Small and European
Once again the Mustang’s platform changed, this time the Mustang was being
produced on the smaller ‘Pinto’-based platform. The engines were replaced by a four-
cylinder with 2.3 liter and a V6 from ‘Ford Germany’ with 2.8 liter and 105 horsepower.
For the first time a four-cylinder became standard on a Mustang and a V8 and
convertible were no more available; as a result of the increasing gas prices and the
41
Fig. 7 : http://workathomepoint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/1967-Mustang-Fastback.jpg
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43
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/ford-mustang/ford-mustang-history-1.shtml
44
fig. 8 : http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1970-1979/1972-Ford-Mustang-brown.jpg
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‘Arab Oil Embargo’. The new Mustang II was smaller in size, had a better fuel economy
and a better handling than its predecessors.45 46
1977 Ford Mustang
47
4.2.6 1979-1993: The Fox-chassis Mustangs
‘Consistently the car’s platform kept on changing. Sleek and redesigned, the 1979 was
the first Mustang to be built on the new Fox platform, thus kicking off the third
generation of the vehicle. The ’79 Mustang was longer and taller than the Mustang II,
although in weight, it was almost 200 pounds lighter. Engine offerings included a 2.3L
four-cylinder engine, a 2.3L engine with turbo, a 2.8L V-6, a 3.3L inline-6, and a 5.0L V-
8. In all, the ’79 Mustang was more European visually, with less traditional Mustang
styling cues throughout.’48
By March 1980 Donald Peterson was promoted to the president of the Ford Motor
Company; in the same year Ford announced the formation of the Special Vehicle
Operations (SVO). After a 13-years-break the Mustang GT returned in the year 1982. In
1983 a convertible was available again. 49 One year later the Mustang celebrated its
25th birthday. Three years later in the year 1987 the Ford-family was hit hard by the
death of Henry Ford II. The six-millionth Mustang rolled off the assembly line in
Dearborn in 1989. By 1993 Alex Trotman was promoted to the new chairman and CEO
45
http://mustangs.about.com/od/history/a/2nd-generation.htm
46
47
fig. 9 : http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1970-1979/1977-Ford-Mustang-Blue-Front-1280x960.jpg
48
http://mustangs.about.com/od/history/a/generation-3.htm
49
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1973-2006, 2007, p. 130-131
19
of the Ford Motor Company. In 1993 the last Fox-bodied Mustang rolled off the
assembly line.50
1981 Ford Mustang
51
4.2.7 1994-2004: A Reborn Pony
The longest-running generation in Mustang history, the Fox-chassis legacy, lasted 15

mostly good years, five more than Ford planned. By a hair’s breadth the Mustang was
replaced by a Mazda-based front driver. The fans held Ford back from this step by
sending truckloads of mail with their concerns. In 1987 Ford announced that the front-
wheeler was given another name, ‘The Probe’. The Fox-platform was improved and
renamed ‘Fox-4’; it was stiffer but bigger and heavier. 52 In 1996 it was the first time
that all models were equipped with disc-brakes all around. 1966 the Mustang got a
brand-new 4.6-liter-SOHC-V8 with 215 horsepower and the Cobra was produced with a
DOHC with 305 horsepower; a V6 with 3.8 liter and 140 horsepower was standard. 53
‘[The] 1999 Mustangs were given a redesign. A sharp-edged design took over from the
very round 94-98 era. There were many changes all over the exterior of the car that
don't need to be pointed out to anyone with decent vision. The cabin stayed the same
for the most part. The interior didn't get the treatment that the rest of the car received
for some reason. The available engines were the same, but pumped up for more
horsepower. The V6 was now given 190hp while the GT's 4.6L was given 260hp and the
Cobra's V8 was given 320hp.’ 54
50
51
fig. 10 : http://www.lowcountrymustangs.com/1981FordMustang.jpg
52
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1973-2006, 2007. p. 147-148
53
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1973-2006, 2007.p. 225-269
54
http://www.muscularmustangs.com/database2/1999.php
20
1994 Ford Mustang
55
4.2.8 2005-2011: The Retro Pony
The total transformation of the Mustang’s design started in the year 2003, when For
presented its new retro-designed concept: Mustang GT-R. Ford described it as:
‘Something old, something new’.56 The Mustang got for the first time its own platform
called the S197, with a live axle and a panhard bar and once again drew the attention
of the press. As a reaction to Ford’s announcement that: ‘The Mustang GT concepts
are strong indications of the next generation Mustang’s design direction.’ prophetic
journalists like David Freiburger from Hot Rod magazine wrote:
’My suspicions are that the [Mustang] Concept is closer to production than you might
think’ 57
2005 Mustang GTR

concept car
58
The 2005 Mustang GT was the first to offer 300 horsepower in standard applications
out of a 4.6 liter DOHC V8; also new in a Mustang was the electronic accelerator in all
55
fig. 11 : http://www.ford-mustangs.info/images/1994.jpg
56
57
David Freiburger, Hot Rod Magazine, March 2003
58
fig. 12 : http://www.themustangsource.com/concept/gt-r/GT-R-3.jpg
21
models. The V6 base engine was a 4.0 liter SOHC with 210 horsepower. In comparison
to the 1994 5.0 V8 offered only 5 horsepower more. “We weren’t just redesigning a
car; we were adding another chapter to an epic,” says J May, Ford Motor Company
59
group vice president, design. In March 2005 again the Mustang had a heyday like in
the old times; it was the top-selling sports car of the year. 60 Basic design changes were
made for the 2010 Mustang. The engineers added an improved cold air induction,
which puts the performance on 315 horsepower. Furthermore a new more luxurious
interior with a new entertainment system, with voice command powered by Microsoft
was now standard.61 The newest Mustang model of Ford is the 2011 Mustang; it brings
back the legendary 5.0 liter V8. But this time it is a totally new engine: The 5.0 Ti-VCT
(Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing) with 418 horsepower and a gas
consumption of 26 miles per gallon. The old 4.0 liter V6 was replaced by a new 3.7 liter
4V Ti-VCT V6, with 305 horsepower, the strongest V6 of all time in a Mustang. 62
Moreover the 2011 Mustang has the first standard 6-speed transmission and V6 Dual
exhaust.63
2011 Mach 1
64
4.3 Special models and series
59
60
ibidem
61
62
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/ford-mustang-gt-2011-in-detroit-1031431.html
63
64
fig. 12 : http://www.2011fordmustang.net/images/2011mustang-cobra.jpg
22
Like many other Muscle Cars the Mustang had a lot of limited editions and special versions,
with tuning packages and special designs. This chapter shows how Ford released one special
edition after another to stay in the spotlight of the press and in the interest of the customers.
4.3.1 The Bullitt
Based on the movie Bullitt with Steve McQueen as Lt. Frank Bullitt, Ford built two limited
Bullitt editions. The first edition came out in the year 2001 65 the second in 2008. 66 Both were
based on the GT models and improved in performance and design, like Shelby components
67
and special colors. To publish its 2008 model, Ford introduced a TV commercial, which was
remastered and showed Steve McQueen driving the new Bullitt.
2008 Ford Mustang

Bullitt Edition 2
68
4.3.2 SVT Cobras
The Special Vehicle Team is the captive tuning company of the Ford Motor Company;
its logo is a Cobra, just as well as Carroll Shelby‘s brand mark. They started to tune up
Ford-powered cars in 1993 and stopped by the year 2007. Towards the year 2005 they
started to work together with Carroll Shelby, who in 2007 fully took over their
65
Mike Mueller: Alle Modelle, p.258
66
http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/service/ford-mustang-aus-bullitt-das-coolste-pony-aller-zeiten-
1582233.html
67
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1973-2006, 2007.p. 159-160
68
Fig. 13 : http://lewismustangs.com/files/2009/02/ford_mustang_bullitt_2008.jpg
23
business. The main idea of SVT was to beat Ford competitors and to serve the niche
market. Legendary was the 10th anniversary convertible with a 4.6-liter-DOHC V8 with
390 hp.69 The SVT describes itself: ’ SVT was charged to develop and market factory
high-performance "halo" vehicles that would add luster to the company's lineup -- or
"Polish the Ford Oval." To that end, the team focused on creating limited-production
cars and trucks with balanced performance attributes -- vehicles that stop as well as
they accelerate, ride as well as they handle and, above all, are fun to drive. All vehicles
that wear the SVT badge were designed and developed with four hallmarks in mind:
Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value.’ 70
2003 SVT Cobra 10th

anniversary
convertible
71
4.3.3 Shelbys
Carroll Shelby born on the 11th of January in Leesburg, Texas revolutionized Ford’s
racing history. When the sport car freaks pled for more Carroll Shelby served them.
Shelby, an ex-racing star opened up a tuning shop, where he started putting Ford V8s
into the chassis of the small British ACs. Carroll built the GT 40 for Ford, the first US-
automobile to beat Ferrari and win the Le Mans. 1965 Iacocca commissioned Shelby to
design sporty GT Mustangs for the Ford Motor Company. 72 In addition to that he also
69
Mike Mueller: Alle Modelle, p.273-306
70
http://www.fordperformancegroup.com/clubs/?var1=3
71
Fig. 14 : http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/mustangtuning/crides000030.jpg
72
http://www.carrollshelby.com/history.html
24
built Ford Mustangs for the Hertz Rent-A-Car company, which promoted them under
the Rent-A-Racer campaign.73
The growing business relationship between Shelby and Ford resulted in the
production of long list of cars:
Model: Engine: Production Total: Price:

1965 GT 350 289 cid. V8, 306 hp 561, all in white $4311,00
1965 GT 350 R 289 cid. V8, 360 hp 37 $5995,00
1966 GT 350 289 cid. V8, 306 hp 504 $4428.00
1966 GT 350 H 289 cid. V8, 306 hp 1004 $17 daily
1967 GT 350 289 cid. V8, 306 hp 1175 $4,195
1967 GT 500 428 cid. V8, 355 hp 2048 $4,395
1967 ‘Super Snake’ 427 cid. V8, 520 hp 1 $7,500
GT 500 Le Mans Racing kit
1968 GT 350 302 cid. V8, 250 hp 1,657 $4,238
1968 GT 500 428 cid. V8, 360 hp 1,542 $4,438
1968 GT 500KR 428 cid. V8, 335 hp 1,241 $4,594
1970 GT 350 351 cid. V8, 290 hp 1,294 $4,753
1970 GT 500 428 cid. V8, 335 hp 1,989 $5,027
2006 Shelby GT-H 4.6-liter-SOHC V8, Unknown $174,99 daily
FR1 Pack, 325 hp
2007 Shelby GT 4.6-liter-SOHC V8, Unknown $36,970
FR1 Pack, 319 hp
2007 Shelby GT 500 5.4-liter-DOHC V8, Unknown $42,230
500 hp
2008 GT 500KR 5.4-liter-DOHC V8, Unknown $47,580
540 hp
2010 GT 500 5.4-liter-DOHC V8, Unknown $50,000
540 hp
2011 GT 500 5.0-liter TiVCT V8, $82,894
550 hp
73
Mike Mueller: Alle Modelle, p.61-82
25
74 75
The World’s Only

1967 GT 500 Super
Snake sold on eBay
for $3 million
76
As Ford released the Boss series, the Shelby GT had to fight against its own brethren.
Joe Scalzo explained this issue in the Octobers 1969 Car Life: ‘The Shelby, most
enthusiasts agreed, had been dead, or close to death, for years,’ He also wrote: ‘Each
year since its 1965 inception [it] had become more of a compromised car; and even by
Shelby’s own admission it had lost its identity as a Supercar. As the stylists heaped on
more chrome, they at the same time removed more and more of the car’s performance
features. At the time of its death it had entered a never-never land where it had neither
the luxury of, say, the Mustang Mach 1, nor the performance and handling of the Boss
Mustangs.’ 77
With the release of the 2005 Mustang, Shelby and Ford teamed up again, and started
making history, by presenting the strongest in series manufactured Mustang. 78
74
http://www.shelbyautos.com/vehicles.asp
75
Mike Mueller: Alle Modelle, p.61-82(Table assembled by author)
76
fig. 15 : http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/1967-shelby-gt500-super-snake-pic02.jpg
77
Joe Scalzo, Car Life, October 1969
78
26
5. Muscle Car representatives

5.1 Pontiac – 1966 GTO
79
During the early stages of the Muscle Car era in 1964 Pontiac opted for yet the hottest machine
in putting a 389 cid V8 with a single carburettor or the optional three two-barrel carburettors into
an intermediate frame. The Pontiac GTO is thus considered by many as ‘the first true American
Muscle Car’ 80.
In 1966 the Pontiac GTO (derived from Ferrari’s GTO - Gran Turismo Omologato - model) was
restyled again receiving the ‘60s popular “coke-bottle” contours besides redesigning the roof
and the taillights. The trademark split grille was replaced by an all-new style plastic and a GTO
nameplate was placed on the left hand grille. The engine choice remained the same. Pontiac
sold in 1966 96,946 units, the highest ever for a Muscle Car. (performance:389/360:0-60 in 6,8
sec., ¼ mile in 15.4 sec at 92 mph)
Manufacturer: General Motors
Factory base price: $ 2,787
Production Total: 96,964
Body style: 2-door hardtop (4 seats)
2-door convertible (4 seats)
STANDARD V-8 OPTIONAL V-8
Overhead valves, cast iron block Overhead valves, cast iron block
Displacement: 389 cid. Displacement: 389 cid.
Advertised hp: Advertised hp:
79
fig. 16 : http://www.diecastfast.net/images/50642.jpg
80
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1960-1972, 2006, p.280
27
81
335 at 5000 rpm 360 at 5200 rpm
5.2 Mercury – 1969 Cyclone SCJ 428
82
In 1968-1969 Mercury’s mid-sized models were restyled and retrimmed resembling the full-
sized Mercury models. Mercury introduced the fourth generation all-new Cyclone SCJ, a 428 cid
V-8 using a 4-barrel carburettor generating 335 hp, in 1969. Its distinct outer body included ‘a
blacked-out grille insert that was framed with bright metal’ with a single chrome piece in the
middle, running from each end of the grille” besides “front and rear wheel opening moldings. 83
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Engines:

84
Advertised hp: 335 at 5300 rpm Advertised hp: 435 at 6300 rpm
Options: High performance axle ($6.50), Electric clock ($15.60), all tinted glass ($35.00)
81
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1960-1972, 2006, p.293-294
82
fig. 17 : http://www.vipcar.com.vn/media/FullSize/69-Mercury-Cyclone-428-SCJ_DV-10-MB_d01.jpg
83
84
ibidem
28
5.3 Dodge – 1968 Dodge Charger R/T
85
The look of the R/T model is summed up as a „sleek coke-bottle body styling and a mean-
looking black-out front grille with the hidden headlights.”1 This dramatic redesign set the Dodge
Charger apart from the competition and resulted in a six-fold increase in sales from the previous
year.
The R/T designation meaning “Road/Track” is what Dodge used to denote a car equally suited
for street performance and drag racing purpose. The R/T version included an integral rear deck
lid spoiler and a competition type gas filler cap.
Steve McQueen’s 1968 movie Bullit made the 440 Magnum R/T charger legendary. 86
Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation
Factory base price: $3,613

87
Advertised hp: 375 at 4600 rpm Advertised hp:425 at 5000 rpm
Options: 426 Hemi engine ($630), 440-cid Magnum V-8 engine ($133)
85
fig. 18 : http://static.pagenstecher.de/uploads/1/18/184/1843/68ChargerRT-017.jpg
86
http://listverse.com/2009/08/15/10-classic-american-muscle-cars/ (15.12.2010 13:36)
87
29
5.4 1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS
88
The General Motors Company entered the Pony Car market with the Chevrolet Camaro SS,
which went on sale on 29 th September in 1966.The First generation, which was built from 1967
to 1969, was available as a 2-door, 4-seater coupe or convertible. From the beginning GM
offered the customers a choice of four different engines. This resulted from the bad sales of the
‘Corvair’, which with it s rear engine design couldn’t compete with the sales king the Ford
Mustang. The Camaro was promoted as a ‘Junior Corvette’. Because of its 4 seats it was more
usable for families and at the same time offered a ‘road machine’ with ‘wide stance stability and
big-car power’, which was perfect for the American family man. 89
Manufacturer: General Motors (GM)
Factory base price: $2,783
2-door convertible (4 seats)
Engines
STANDARD V-8 SS 350 BASE V-8 SS 396 BASE V-8 SS 396 BASE V-8
Overhead valves Overhead valves Overhead valves Overhead valves
Cast iron block Cast iron block Cast iron block Cast iron block
Displacement: 327 Displacement: 350 cid. Displacement: 396 Displacement: 396.

cid. cid. cid
(5.7 liters)
Advertised hp: Advertised hp: Advertised hp:
Advertised hp:
88
fig. 19 :
http://image.superchevy.com/f/9123978+w750+st0/sucp_0603_06_z+1967_chevrolet_camaro+exterior_v
iew_front_three_quarters.jpg
89
30
90
275 at 8000 rpm 295 at 4800 rpm 325 at 4800 rpm 375 at 5600 rpm
Options: Front shoulder belts ($23.20), headrests ($52.70), all tinted glass ($30.55)
5.5 1968 JAVELIN SST
91
The Javelin entered the market in September 26, 1967. This pony car was built by the American
Motors Corporation and filled the slot left by the unsuccessful Marlin. 92 In January of its release-
year the sales hit a total of 12,390. The car series is separated in two generations, the first from
1967 to 1970 and the second from 1971 till 1974. The automobile was longer and offered more
room than its competitors like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, and the Barracuda. In
addition to that it had the cleanest styling line. All this made the Javelin SST one of the best
selling pony cars in AMC‘s history.93
Manufacturer: American Motors (AMC)
Engines
Standard V-8 Optional V-8 Optional V-8
90
91
fig. 20 : http://www.racingsouthwest.com/wp-content/gallery/best-production-
hoods/1970_amc_javelin_sst_in_bitter_sweet_orange.jpg
92
93
31
Overhead valves Overhead valves Overhead valves

Cast iron block Cast iron block Cast iron block
Displacement: 290 cid. Displacement: 343 cid. Displacement: 390 cid.
Advertised hp: Advertised hp: Advertised hp:
94
200 at 4600 rpm 280 at 4800 rpm 315 at 4600 rpm
Options: Power brakes ($42), Power steering ($85), Air conditioning ($356), Dual exhaust ($21)
6. Position in the society
Several authors have tried to shed light on the impact of the automobile on socio-
economic issues. John B. Rae, acknowledged as the ‘godfather of contemporary
automotive history’ shows in his book the American Automobile: A brief history (1965)
how ‘the automobile has become a way of life, effecting social changes and influencing
cultural values’.95 This generally applies to all car-overcrowded societies. Explaining the
interrelation between car status and cultural values David Barry states in his Street
Dreams: American Car Culture from the Fifties to the Eighties “the cars that Americans
chose to drive (or aspired to own) reflected and changed in response to the culture of
particular decade [...] the American “dream car” was one that endowed its occupant
with power and glamour”. 96
David E. Shi, president of Furman University in Greenville, underscores, in a nutshell,

the highly esteemed position and noteworthy effect of car culture in American society.
He argues “We are crazy about our cars – and always have been. There are now more
than 200 million cars in the United States. In Los Angeles there evidently are more
registered cars than people. Some families spend more on their monthly car payments
than on their home mortgage. We dream of cars as we dream of lovers. They express
our fantasies; they fulfil our desires. [...] The automobile retains its firm hold over our
psyche because it continues to represent a metaphor for what Americans have always
prized: the seductive ideal of private freedom, personal mobility, and empowered
spontaneity” 97 (Emphasis by author)
6.1 Muscle Cars and the American Culture
94
ibidem
95
John B. Rae, The American Automobile: A Brief History, 1965, p. 121
96
David Barry, Sreet Dreams: American Car Culture from the Fifties to the Eighties, 1988, p. 86
97
David E. Shi. Well, America: Is the Car Culture Working? Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9, 2000, in
http://www.commondreams.org/views/070900-104.htm
32
‘There is nothing that defines America as well as our love affair with the automobile. At
the height of our affection is that uniquely American invention, the Muscle Car.’ 98 The
peak of Muscle Car popularity was as stated previously in the 60s.
The Ford Mustang e.g. sold 1, 5 million models in the first two years of production.
This is proof enough that, besides performance as a major drawing factor, Muscle Cars
offered the American society a variety of relatively affordable vehicles. At times they
ruled the road and the strip. The impact on the American youth culture is summed up:
‘for all their raw power and rumbling machismo, Muscle Cars had a playful side
reflecting the trendy irreverence of the youthful 60s counterculture. It was the era of
do-your-own-thing and pop art, of “mod” fashions and Beatle haircuts. [...]
Automakers found creative ways to relate to this market. 99 (Emphasis by author)
6.2 Muscle Cars in the popular culture: magazines, films and TV series
As previously stated in this paper American consumers in general and the youth in
particular opted in the early 60s for bigger and faster cars. Car racing on dirt tracks and
beach courses experienced a growing popularity attracting ever greater number of
viewers and admirers. Hot Rod and Motor Trend are among the oldest monthly car-
enthusiast magazines which first appeared in 1948 and September 1949 respectively,
devoted to promote the sport and performance-tuned street-cars ° The “Car of the
Year Award” - first given to the 1949 Cadillac - is an early creation of the latter. Car
reviews and road tests are part of the main features of these as well as the many more
automobile magazines that followed ever since.
With growing public interest in speed and power the industry took advantage of the
media and movies to promote the winning reputation of muscle cars. Soon a number
movies and TV series mad all enormous contribution to generate muscle cars
legendary and increase the passion. The list is indeed very comprehensive. Steve Mc
Queen’s 1968 Bullitt is an undisputable legend among car chase movies. Life Magazine
98
William Williamson, Oct 1 2010, in
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5842062/top_5_american_muscle_cars.html
99
Auto Editors of Consumer Guide: How Muscle Cars work in
33
describes “... a crime flick with a taste of genius [...] an action sequence that must be
compared to the best in film history”100 (Emphasis by author)
In appreciation of its brilliancy I have included an excerpt of the exciting car chase
scene (a 1968 Dodge Charger versus a 1968 Mustang GT) in the appendix of the paper.
Following is a listing of the author’s top ten picks of Muscle Car movies:
1969 Dodge Charger - The Dukes of Hazard, 2005
1956 Ford Thunderbird and 1958 Chevy Impala - American Graffiti, 1973
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra - The Gumball Rally, 1976
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 - Vanishing Point, 1971
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 - Gone in 60 Seconds, 2000
1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe - Mad Max, 1979
1964 Bond’s Aston Marin DB 5 -Goldfinger, 1964
Bumblebee – Chevrolet Camaro -Transformers, 2007
1957 Ford Fairlane 500, - Thunder Road, 1958
1977 Chevrolet Corvette
1977 Pontiac Firebird -The Wrath, 1986
6.3 Muscle Car enthusiasts
Who is a Muscle Car enthusiast? Why such a time-consuming and (at first glance)
apparently extravagant hobby? What is the secret to the passion that Muscle Cars hold
for?
100
Susan Encinas , Muscle Car Review, March, 1987
34
The poster child for muscle car

nostalgia among Baby
Boomers might be this 1970
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda, one of
just 14 built. It went for $2.1
million
at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson
Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.
101
In the 1980s nostalgia for a bygone era upgraded the enthusiasm and “drove up prices
of classic Muscle Cars” changing the scene of the “mass-market child of the 1960s
America, when youth was king and Detroit ruled the automotive world.” 102
Today’s collectors, owners and admirers of Muscle Cars – classic and modern – are
represented in a wider social strata and ranking. This is revealed in the class diversity of
the members of the numerous Muscle Car Clubs and Forums worldwide. It is beyond
doubt that a central issue for many enthusiasts is that Muscle Cars endorse the American
way of life. Some have thus coined the expression “American way of Drive”. Ford has
literally engraved the words “made by proud American men and women” on the left side
of the ¼-rear window of the Mustang.
6.4 Survey review
“dr-mustang – die us-car-community” is a Germany-based online forum founded in July

1985 and currently embraces far more than 13,970 members. 103 It caters for Muscle Car
owners as well as for enthusiasts who do not (yet) actually own one. As the name reveals
it is more specific to the Ford Mustang, although not exclusively. Like many other
organisations dr-mustang includes activities of mainly exchanging information on
everything related to Muscle Cars, from engine tuning, modifications to vehicle to best
101
fig. 21 :http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/muscle-car-information/how-muscle-cars-
work.htm/printable
102
The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, American musclecar:3 seasons Magazine in
103
http://dr-mustang.com/index.php
35
prices for spare parts and accessories online or by organising meetings and group
activities.
I’m a registered forum member since October 2008. Using and relying on this invaluable
resource I conducted an online survey to specify where the Muscle Cars´ appeal lies.
Besides displaying a representative overview of demographic profile of the enthusiasts the
survey focused on the main motivation that accounts for a Muscle Car (classic and
modern) owner, lover or enthusiast. The results of the survey supplemented by personal
findings I gathered through interviews with fellow members are summarized in the
following. Charts that depict the data feed of 50 members (three had to be sorted from
consideration due to incompletion) are attached hereto.
The vast majority of Muscle Car owners are males. Part of the reason is obviously the
design which is codified as masculine and gratifies the male sex symbol. The car industry
promotes this image through the use of attractive models that are rather featured in front
of or on the car and not behind the wheel. As recently as just three years ago several
articles boosted this cliché: ’the Masculine Muscle Cars [...] with excellent interior
appearances, beautiful interior design and looks [...] and the superb steering control
qualifies this awesome machine’ 104
The owners are predominantly middle-aged (mean age 42 years) showing the necessity of
working for a while to earn the money needed to purchase a Muscle Car. But then as an
expression of the deep fondness up to 18% possess more than one car and 60%
appropriate more than€1000 - for accessories and engine tuning per year. Classic muscle,
mainly Road Runner and the Mustang, amount to about 20%. Credit for Muscle Car
success seems threefold: design, performance and price-performance ratio. The
uniqueness of the details in the inner self and the tonal sound definitely boost the appeal.
On the psychological aspect Muscle Car ownership seems to reflect certain characteristics
and expectations: individuality, increase in confidence by earning admiration and respect
and a symbol of ego and control.
Demographic Profile
Male : 93%
Female : 7%
104
http://www.swarc.org/7/the-masculine-muscle-cars/
36
Single : 28%
Married : 72%
Median Age 42 Years
Age in Years
18 – 24 7%
25 – 34 23%
35 – 44 53%
45 – 54 11%
55+ 6%
Muscle Car Ownership & Expenses
Own Muscle Car 90%
Own two or more Muscle Cars 18%
Spent €1000,- + on spare parts, tuning, accessories per year 60%
Top Reasons for Ownership
+ Performance 92%
+ design (exterior outlook) 88%
+ price-performance-ratio 90%
+ Passion 84%
+ sound of power 68%
+ Childhood dream 18%
+ Others/varia 18%
Muscle Car means to me
 Uniqueness/exclusiveness 94%
 admiration/respect 88%
 Individuality 86%
 power/control 64%
37
7. Conclusion
Myself an adept Muscle Car enthusiast I am surprised by the abundance of literature

on the subject and the large number of involved clubs and forums. Granted, Muscle
Cars are unique in the American car history, in terms of their ability to perform, their
superb look and the magnitude of popularity. The crucial question is, however,
whether they will make it to the future in the light of intense competition in the
international car industry.
The American “car culture” may be declining according to a statistical analysis

105
performed by Nate Silver. He argues that this phenomenon is not only a result of
gas prices, high unemployment and “bad economy”. Silver suggests that “the sluggish
pace of new-vehicle sales [...] might imply that Americans are considering making
more-permanent adjustments to their lifestyles”. Still, I assume, there is strong
evidence that the changing landscape in the international car industry is affecting the
American car market just as well. Japanese high-performance cars with a high engine
standard, more precise handling and driving dynamics, better fuel economy and still,
affordability comparable to American Muscle Cars may be winning over the consumer.
Models like Nissan 370z featuring the aforementioned advantages will, I suppose,
unfortunately displace my favourite Mustang 2011 despite significant upgrade
compared to the 2010 model. I am convinced enthusiasts will, however, remain true to
its appeal.
105
Nate Silver: The End of Car Culture in: http://www.esquire.com/features/data/nate-silver-car-culture-
stats-0609
38
8. Appendix
8.1 CD (see attachment)
8.2 Questionnaire (translation by author)

16. November 2010
Hi everybody,
As Sigi mentioned at our last meeting I am preparing a paper (Facharbeit) that deals with
American Muscle Cars and attempts to provide an insight into the motivations for our passion.
Towards that end I have put together a brief survey to help me gather the necessary
information. I would appreciate it if each one of you could help out by taking the time to
complete the survey.
1. What is your age group?

 18 - 24
 25 - 34
 35 - 44
 45 – 54
 above 55
2. male o
female o
3. Muscle Car ownership

own Muscle Car o
own 2 or more Muscle Cars o
4. Spent € 1000., + on engine tuning, spare parts, accessories per year.

Yes o
No o
5. Top reasons for Muscle Car ownership (more than one answer possible)
Design o
Performance o
39
Passion o
Price-performance-ratio o
Sound of power o
bragging o
Childhood dream o
Other o (please specify)
6. Muscle Car gives me the feeling of __________________________________

7. Please mention any comments ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________
9. References
9.1 Bibliography
Auto Editors of Consumer Guide: How Muscle Cars work in

http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/muscle-car-information/how-muscle-cars-
work6.htm (17.12.2010, 15:27)
Ben Klemenzson & Sarah Bradley, Muscle Cars: The Meanest Power on the Road, 2002
David Barry, Sreet Dreams: American Car Culture from the Fifties to the Eighties, 1988
David E. Shi. Well, America: Is the Car Culture Working? Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9,
2000, in http://www.commondreams.org/views/070900-104.htm (23.10.2010, 14:29)
David Freiburger, Hot Rod Magazine, March 2003
Joe Scalzo, Car Life, October 1969
John B. Rae, The American Automobile: A Brief History, 1965
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1960-1972, 2006
John Gunnell, Standard Catalog Of American Muscle Cars 1973-2006, 2007
Lee A. Iacocca, An Autobiography, 1986
Mike Mueller, Ford Mustang: Alle Modelle ab 1964, 2010
Mike Mueller, The Essential Muscle Car, 2004
Motor Trend, Insider information, 1963

40
Nate Silver: The End of Car Culture in: http://www.esquire.com/features/data/nate-

silver-car-culture-stats-0609 (20.12.2010, 21:43)
Peter Henshaw, Muscle Cars, 2005
Patrick C. Paternie & Dan Lyons, Modern American Muscle, 2001
Randy Leffingwell, Darwin Holstrom & David Newhardt, Muscle: America‘s Legendary
Performance Cars, 2006
Road Test, Muscle Cars, June (1967)
Susan Encinas, Muscle Car Review, March, 1987
The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, American musclecar: 3 seasons Magazine in

work8.htm (17.12.2010, 18:39)
William G. Holder & Phillip Kunz, American Muscle Cars, 1992
William Williamson, Oct 1 2010, in

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5842062/top_5_american_muscle_cars.ht
ml (10.10.2010, 21:17)
9.2 Internet links
http://www.kagnewstation.com/ (19.10.2010, 17:11)
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-muscle-car.htm (28.10.2010, 00:15)
http://www.swarc.org/7/the-masculine-muscle-cars/ (19.12.2010, 17:26)
http://www.leeiacocca.com/my-life/index.aspx (07.12.2010, 21:44)
http://listverse.com/2009/08/15/10-classic-american-muscle-cars/ (15.12.2010 13:36)
http://dr-mustang.com/index.php (09.12.2010, 00:04)
http://www.fordperformancegroup.com/clubs/?var1=3 (17.12.2010, 22:13)
http://www.carrollshelby.com/history.html (18.12.2010, 19:51)
http://www.shelbyautos.com/vehicles.asp (17.10.2010, 16:29)
http://mustangs.about.com/od/history/a/2nd-generation.htm (12.11.2010, 23:24)

41
http://mustangs.about.com/od/history/a/generation-3.htm (09.11.2010, 18:37)
work10.htm (11.11.2010, 21:27)
http://www.mustangevolution.com/2005-ford-mustang/ (10.11.2010, 20:15)
(13.11.2010, 19:26)
http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/service/ford-mustang-aus-bullitt-das-coolste-
pony-aller-zeiten- 1582233.html (17.12.2010, 23:20)
http://www.westcoastfalcons.com/scff/histriv/fordfact15.htm (29.11.2010, 18:52)
http://www.mustangii.net/articles/mustangiimustangtoo.asp (29.11.2010, 19:47)
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/ford-mustang/ford-mustang-history-
1.shtml (27.11.2010, 15:22)
http://classicponycars.com/history.html (25.11.2010, 16:14)
http://www.gulfgt.com/forum/showthread.php?19933-Muscle-Car-Definition
(23.10.2010, 18:01)
work1.htm (27.10.2010, 23:40)
http://www.muscularmustangs.com/database2/1999.php (08.11.2010, 21:10)
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/eras.aspx?eraID=4 (18.11.2010, 16:43)
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/eras.aspx?eraID=3 (22.11.2010, 17:43)
9.3 Photo credits

42
Fig.1: http://www.autogaleria.hu/autok/chrysler/c-300-1955/chrysler_c-300-
1955_r13.jpg (23.01.2010, 18:52)
fig. 2:
http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/photos/508500/508654.1982.Chevrolet.Cor
vette.2-Door.Fastback.Coupe.jpg (04.12.2010, 19:54)
fig. 3: http://image.mustangmonthly.com/f/ford-news/lee-iacocca-down-to-
earth/10111091/lee-iacocca-in-2004-with-bob-frias-5f07u100002-car-and-a-2004-
mustang.jpg (19.11.2010, 15:03)
fig. 4: http://www.shorey.net/auto/american/ford/mustang/1963%20Ford
%20Mustang%20I%20Concept%20Car%20Frt%20Side.jpg(19.11.2010, 15:18)
fig. 6 : http://mustangview.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/10/1964_ford_mustang01_b19a_im.jpg
fig. 5: http://www.southblocks.com/files/10/MustangII_proto.gif
fig. 6 : http://mustangview.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/10/1964_ford_mustang01_b19a_im.jpg
fig. 8 : http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1970-1979/1972-Ford-Mustang-brown.jpg
fig. 9 : http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1970-1979/1977-Ford-Mustang-Blue-
Front-1280x960.jpg
fig. 10 : http://www.lowcountrymustangs.com/1981FordMustang.jpg
fig. 11 : http://www.ford-mustangs.info/images/1994.jpg
fig. 12 : http://www.themustangsource.com/concept/gt-r/GT-R-3.jpg
43
Fig. 13 : http://lewismustangs.com/files/2009/02/ford_mustang_bullitt_2008.jpg
Fig. 14 : http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/mustangtuning/crides000030.jpg
fig. 15 : http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/1967-shelby-gt500-
super-snake-pic02.jpg
fig. 16 : http://www.diecastfast.net/images/50642.jpg
fig. 17 : http://www.vipcar.com.vn/media/FullSize/69-Mercury-Cyclone-428-SCJ_DV-
10-MB_d01.jpg
fig. 18 : http://static.pagenstecher.de/uploads/1/18/184/1843/68ChargerRT-017.jpg
fig. 19 :
http://image.superchevy.com/f/9123978+w750+st0/sucp_0603_06_z+1967_chevrolet
_camaro+exterior_view_front_three_quarters.jpg
fig. 20 : http://www.racingsouthwest.com/wp-content/gallery/best-production-
hoods/1970_amc_javelin_sst_in_bitter_sweet_orange.jpg
fig. 21 :http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/muscle-car-information/how-muscle-
cars-work.htm/printable
44

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[Geben Sie den Untertitel des Dokuments ein] Jonathan Zerai

AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS

2. What is a Muscle Car?

3. The history of the Muscle Car Era

3.1 Primordial Muscle

Chrysler C-300 built in 1955

3.2 Baby boomer muscle Classic Car Muscle era

3.3 Modern Muscle

4. Ford Mustang: The History and Evolution

4.1 Lee Iacocca and the Ford Company

Lee Iacocca with a 1964

4.2 The models through the times

4.2.1 1962-1964: The Mustang I and II

4.2.2 1964-1966: The ride to the market

Lee Iacocca & Donald

4.2.3 1967-1970: Bigger and better

1967 Ford Mustang

4.2.4 1971-1973: The Overdose in size

1972 Ford Mustang

4.2.5 1974-1978: Small and European

1977 Ford Mustang

4.2.6 1979-1993: The Fox-chassis Mustangs

1981 Ford Mustang

4.2.7 1994-2004: A Reborn Pony

The longest-running generation in Mustang history, the Fox-chassis legacy, lasted 15

1994 Ford Mustang

4.2.8 2005-2011: The Retro Pony

2005 Mustang GTR

4.3 Special models and series

4.3.1 The Bullitt

2008 Ford Mustang

4.3.2 SVT Cobras

2003 SVT Cobra 10th

Model: Engine: Production Total: Price:

The World’s Only

5. Muscle Car representatives

Manufacturer: General Motors

Factory base price: $ 2,787

Production Total: 96,964

Body style: 2-door hardtop (4 seats)

2-door convertible (4 seats)

STANDARD V-8 OPTIONAL V-8

Displacement: 389 cid. Displacement: 389 cid.

Advertised hp: Advertised hp:

5.2 Mercury – 1969 Cyclone SCJ 428

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Factory base price: $ 3,224

Production Total: 3,261

Body style: 2-door hardtop (4 seats)

STANDARD V-8 OPTIONAL V-8

Displacement: 428 cid. Displacement: 428 cid.

5.3 Dodge – 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation

Factory base price: $3,613

Production Total: 17,584

Body style: 2-door hardtop (4 seats)

STANDARD V-8 OPTIONAL V-8

Displacement: 440 cid. Displacement: 426 cid.

5.4 1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS

Manufacturer: General Motors (GM)

Factory base price: $2,783

Production Total: 220,906