| Cars are a necessary part of our lives today. | | | | and the other was the power and speed. Before |
| However, we also drive cars which suit our | | | | this if you wanted a faster car you had to have it |
| personal tastes and for pure enjoyment. Your car | | | | custom built and that took a lot of time and |
| makes a major statement about your personality. | | | | money. This changed in 1964 when the Pontiac |
| Your vehicles are also a major investment and | | | | Tempest offered a GTO package that added a |
| you want to do everything you can to keep | | | | V8 engine and floor shifted transmission. It also |
| them looking good for a long time. No matter | | | | had GTO badges and special trim. |
| what type of vehicle you have, whether it is a | | | | In 1965, along came the Ford Mustang. The |
| new car or a classic you should cover it with a | | | | Mustang is technically called a Pony Car because it |
| car cover when not in use. | | | | is small and compact with a big engine. However, |
| The muscle car era has probably given us some | | | | they are usually put in the same category as a |
| of the most desirable and collectable cars in | | | | muscle car. During the first two years of |
| history. Even today, muscle cars can be seen and | | | | production of the Mustang there were over 1.5 |
| are still in high demand. They have a distinctive | | | | million models sold. |
| look with their wide profiles, sharp lines and plenty | | | | Just as the muscle car craze was in top speed, |
| of chrome. Their looks are muscular and the V8 | | | | there were three things that happened to put an |
| engines fast. Some of the cars that fit into this | | | | end to the muscle car era. As the cars got bigger |
| category include the Dodge Charger and the | | | | and more powerful, the insurance companies |
| Pontiac GTO. | | | | started adding large surcharges to these high |
| To be classified as a muscle car the vehicle has | | | | powered cars. This helped to push the muscle |
| to meet some criteria. It is a mid size vehicle with | | | | cars out of the young drivers price range. |
| a V8 engine and was produced between 1965 | | | | At this same time Congress was starting to take |
| and 1973. The muscle car models had the added | | | | a harder stance on controlling vehicle emissions. In |
| V8 engine and special trims. They usually handled | | | | 1973 leaded gasoline was banned and automakers |
| better because they had optimal suspension and | | | | had to shift from making more powerful cars to |
| braking. | | | | ones that had lower emissions. The final reason |
| The first baby boom generation coincided with the | | | | for the end of the muscle car was the 1973 |
| muscle car era. At this time, WWII had just | | | | OPEC oil embargo. Gas became very scarce at |
| ended and the soldiers came home and before | | | | this time and auto makers started making cars |
| long there were babies being born everywhere. | | | | that were smaller, more compact and fuel |
| At this same time the cars of this time period | | | | efficient. |
| were pretty conservative when it came to speed | | | | Just remember no matter what type of car you |
| and styling. | | | | have, you should keep it protected with a custom |
| The new baby boomers were attracted to the | | | | car cover when not in use. |
| muscle car for two reasons. One being the price | | | | |