Muscle Cars: Old Generation Or New?

was the first of the Big Three American carperformance of the ten cylinder vehicles. GM is
makers to introduce a car that would bring themfaced with a similar dilemma because of the
back to a time when they were one of theCorvette. The Corvette was just restyled and is
leaders in the automotive world. Chrysler haseven higher performing compared to the previous
announced that they plan to be the next and GMmodel. Their Z06 model now boasts an impressive
has unveiled plans for a retro vehicle as well. Ford505 HP. All the reviews I have read on the new
had initially done this retro thing via the Fordmodel rave about this car. Clearly GM needs to
Thunderbird but that was not considered aprice the new Camaro properly when and if they
“muscle car” back in the muscleactually do produce it. The name will not be
car era. Chrysler has brought back the Chargerenough to sell it for a long period of time. Once
name but it looks nothing like the Dodge Chargerthe initial excitement dies down it will be a flop if
of the late 60’s and early 70’s.not priced directly.
GM brought back the GTO name but once again,What is interesting to me is now that the Big
it looked nothing like the previous GTO’s.Three are losing market share and business is
Ford was the first to bring a car back thatclearly not what it once was they are not only
actually looks like a past model in the Mustang.changing many of their vehicles but they are
The new Mustangs resemble a pervious Mustangattempting to get back into their glory days. For
from the muscle car era. Chrysler followed suitexample, Ford did away with their very popular
with their announcement of bringing back theTaurus model and replaced it with the Ford 500.
Challenger, which in my opinion looks more like theChrysler introduced a whole new styling within the
Challenger than the Mustang does. Not wanting tolast couple of years. GM is now coming out with
be left out, GM has announced they plan to bringcars that more resemble the Toyota models. I
back the Camaro. Their Camaro very muchhave some friends that are big into muscle cars
resembles the 69 Camaro which was and still is aand the new Mustang, Challenger, and Camaros
very popular body style amongst Camarohave come up in some conversations. None of
enthusiasts. I still think the Challenger mostthem have said they would even consider the
resembles its intended target.$30,000 or more price tag that these cars will
Ford has done a decent job pricing their Mustang.have once they hit the showroom floors. For
You can get a nicely equipped Mustang GT$30,000 someone could buy a Camry, or the
hardtop for right around $30,000. This isMaxima. The Maxima is a very high performing
reasonably priced in today’s market. Thevehicle that also comes with the added reliability.
other two have not gotten theirs to theI do not know what it will take for the Big Three
showroom yet so there is no way to know aboutto really turn things around but I really like the
pricing but they face a challenge that Ford doeslooks of the newer generation muscle cars. I think
not have. Chrysler has the Viper and the Ramthey were sharp cars back when they first came
SRT-10 that also qualify in the performanceout and they are still very sharp. Hopefully they
market. They cannot price the Challenger tooperform as well as they look and they make their
closely to those models because people wouldancestors proud.
probably spend the extra money for the higher