How the Muscle Car has Maintained its Relevance in American Culture (photos)
There's a lot of love to be had for the American muscle car. It's a proud tradition in automotive history, and while it may go against the grain of modern efficiency trends, there are still things that have kept them fresh in the public eye.
1. Good looking designs sell more than a fast engine
If someone argued that the specs are a more important factor for the privileged status of muscle cars in American culture, they should bear in mind how well-loved the vintage classics still are. A classic Ford Thunderbird may have nothing on a typical modern car's performance, but they're better-loved than practically anything coming out these days. The secret lies in good looking designs. While the look of modern vehicles has been usurped in part by aerodynamic design, the old ones were fashioned with a great look first in mind. With that said, the past 15 years have seen a return of the muscle car trend to its mean-looking, spirited roots.
2. Muscle cars were made cool by the movies
The tense chase sequence in the classic 1968 film Bullitt probably did more to market the Ford Mustang fastback than any well-considered ad campaign. Likewise, films like Gone in 60 Seconds and Vanishing Point earned their spot as hallmarks of American culture in part by proving just how great a muscle car could look in the thick of the action. More recently, blockbuster events like the Fast and the Furious franchise have kept the modern muscle cars in vogue; Vin Diesel's Fast and the Furious character is often showcased driving a slick Dodge Charger.
3. The competition for performance between brands has kept the standard rising
In their own way, the fierce competition in the so-called "horsepower wars" has been part of what's kept modern muscle cars so impressive from a standpoint of raw engine might. Certain models, such as the Camaro ZL1 1LE, have tried to move things forward by actually steering away from upping horsepower, instead choosing to amplify performance in other ways. Across the ocean, it's remarkable what a company like Porsche will do to shave a few extra pounds off their car's design. The American automakers are no slouch either; even if the lower end US vehicles sometimes leave something to be desired, there are few national cultures that take the quest for motor power as seriously as the United States.
4. Racing culture and events
As with any sort of fandom or culture, the love of American muscle cars subsists on real-life events and demonstrations. Venues such as the Daytona International Speedway have helped to keep the automotive culture alive and well in the USof A. Even if not everyone can afford a muscle car, appreciating the roadsters in action keeps can keep the dream alive for a wide section of people.
5. Incorporating the past into present designs
The Ford Mustang of the 5th and 6th Generations (2000s-Present) are the most effective evidence how US automakers have put vintage nostalgia to use in informing their designs. While the Mustang of the 1980s and '90s looked sleek and modern, the latter models have incorporated many of the visual motifs associated with the Mustang's early days. This isn't accidental. In the age of eco-efficiency and hybrids, muscle cars risk becoming something of an anachronism. Rather than trying to modernize them as much as possible, it sounds and looks a lot better to draw the best elements of the past. The classic muscle cars became legendary for a reason, after all.
6. What is the future?
In spite of this anachronistic feeling, there's still a wide range of possibilities for the American muscle car. Turbocharged and naturally aspirated options are available across the board, meaning that there's something still for everyone. The designers are showing no signs of slowing down either; Corvette's upcoming C8 generation is rumored to be a radical redesign to a mid-engine layout, while the Ford Mustang continues to streamline its mean-looking appearance.
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