When did the Modern Muscle Era start (your opinions) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SSyanide · 09-24-2009, 10:45 AM

Just wondered where you guys belive the modern era of muscle cars started, like, say, with which car? I belive it may have begun with the first Ram Air Trans Ams of the '90s, or the LS1's being placed into the 4th Gen F-Bodies. It seemed after that, it was on , HP wise, between at least GM and Ford and later came Dodge with the Hemis. I know alot may say the GN from the 80's started it, but it didn't really start the HP wars/era, as it was kinda all by it's self. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this subject. Here's my progression of sorts:
3rd Gen Firehawk
4th Gen Ram Airs
Later 4th Gen Ram Airs and SSs
Mustang Cobras
Dodge Charger SRT8
Mustang GT500
Challenger SRT8
5th Gen Camaro

*Mr. Wyndham* · 09-24-2009, 10:49 AM

I think I'd agree with you...It started somewhere in the 90s. And right now, we're either at the plateau of performance, or it's gonna get better yet -- either way, I'm excited!!

AngryAmish · 09-24-2009, 12:12 PM

The National wasn't all by itself in the 80's. There was also the Hurst Olds...and the countless number of modified Cutlass'.

I think the GN planted the seed. Especially when it beat up on the Vette. It raised the bar for what everyone expected in a car with more than 2 seats.

Legend · 09-24-2009, 01:37 PM

IDK...while the 80s did have those cars and few in the 90s as well...I think for the most part trucks and SUVs as well as minivans were the driving force at most of the American auto makers. You had the IROC-Z as well as the Daytona and stuff...but muscle cars in the sense...was later. Gas milage and compact cars dominated the times!

Even the LS1 addition to the Camaro late in the model run was limited since the car was discontinued in 2002.

Modern era...around 2004/5. The redesigned Mustang, the GTO came out and had the LS1 to start, then the LS2...the concept for the Camaro came out in 2006 and the GT500 was alive again in 2007. The GT-H was out and Shelby even had the Shelby GT in 05/06. Even the 6 cylinder guys started builder their HP ratings and most finally got over the 250hp mark around this time.

To me...the GTO started the modern muscle era much like they did the original era in the 60s!

Crowley · 09-24-2009, 01:42 PM

I'd say it started about 1996 LT1 vs 32v 4.6L. Once the LS1 was dropped in, it started to spiral up

. I think the icing on the cake was the blown 03 cobra engine (32v 4.6L), without that engine, we may not be where we are today.

Crowley

PQ · 09-24-2009, 02:11 PM

I was talking to my dentist this morning (or trying to anyway.

) About this. I still can't believe it's even happening. HP wars in this climate? Amazing.

1320junkie · 09-24-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legend

IDK...while the 80s did have those cars and few in the 90s as well...I think for the most part trucks and SUVs as well as minivans were the driving force at most of the American auto makers. You had the IROC-Z as well as the Daytona and stuff...but muscle cars in the sense...was later. Gas milage and compact cars dominated the times!

Even the LS1 addition to the Camaro late in the model run was limited since the car was discontinued in 2002.

Modern era...around 2004/5. The redesigned Mustang, the GTO came out and had the LS1 to start, then the LS2...the concept for the Camaro came out in 2006 and the GT500 was alive again in 2007. The GT-H was out and Shelby even had the Shelby GT in 05/06. Even the 6 cylinder guys started builder their HP ratings and most finally got over the 250hp mark around this time.

To me...the GTO started the modern muscle era much like they did the original era in the 60s!

I agree with your post

Revo1 · 09-24-2009, 02:47 PM

I find it hard to rule out the later LT1 models as musclecars... I owned a 96 Z28, and that thing felt all muscle to me... The power was there, the sound was there, the grunt was definitely there... LT1 was the return of the musclecar. The 305 of the early nineties was leaning the right way, but was def lacking in grunt...

BlueZee28 · 09-24-2009, 03:00 PM

The modern muscle era started back in the 1960's when the first muscle cars rolled out into production. The new models are just evolutions of something that started 40+ yrs ago. It's kind of hard to seperate a 1967 Camaro to a 2010 Camaro when they were both built for the same purpose with the same market in mind.

09-24-2009, 10:45 AM	#1
SSyanide Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NC Posts: 258	When did the Modern Muscle Era start (your opinions) Just wondered where you guys belive the modern era of muscle cars started, like, say, with which car? I belive it may have begun with the first Ram Air Trans Ams of the '90s, or the LS1's being placed into the 4th Gen F-Bodies. It seemed after that, it was on , HP wise, between at least GM and Ford and later came Dodge with the Hemis. I know alot may say the GN from the 80's started it, but it didn't really start the HP wars/era, as it was kinda all by it's self. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this subject. Here's my progression of sorts: 3rd Gen Firehawk 4th Gen Ram Airs Later 4th Gen Ram Airs and SSs Mustang Cobras Dodge Charger SRT8 Mustang GT500 Challenger SRT8 5th Gen Camaro

09-24-2009, 10:49 AM	#2
Mr. Wyndham I used to be Dragoneye... Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 31,876 View My Garage	I think I'd agree with you...It started somewhere in the 90s. And right now, we're either at the plateau of performance, or it's gonna get better yet -- either way, I'm excited!! __________________ *"Keep the faith."* - Fbodfather

09-24-2009, 12:12 PM	#3
AngryAmish Drives: Impala Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 813	The National wasn't all by itself in the 80's. There was also the Hurst Olds...and the countless number of modified Cutlass'. I think the GN planted the seed. Especially when it beat up on the Vette. It raised the bar for what everyone expected in a car with more than 2 seats. __________________ Proud Owner of #168

09-24-2009, 01:42 PM	#5
Crowley Okie doke Drives: 2012 GT500 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 3,568 View My Garage	I'd say it started about 1996 LT1 vs 32v 4.6L. Once the LS1 was dropped in, it started to spiral up . I think the icing on the cake was the blown 03 cobra engine (32v 4.6L), without that engine, we may not be where we are today. Crowley __________________ Last edited by Crowley; 09-24-2009 at 01:55 PM.

09-24-2009, 02:11 PM	#6
PQ Booooosted. Drives: 2010 Supercharged SS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 36,716 View My Garage	I was talking to my dentist this morning (or trying to anyway.) About this. I still can't believe it's even happening. HP wars in this climate? Amazing. __________________

09-24-2009, 01:37 PM	#4
Legend Hello! Drives: 2008 JSB Z06! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,624 View My Garage	IDK...while the 80s did have those cars and few in the 90s as well...I think for the most part trucks and SUVs as well as minivans were the driving force at most of the American auto makers. You had the IROC-Z as well as the Daytona and stuff...but muscle cars in the sense...was later. Gas milage and compact cars dominated the times! Even the LS1 addition to the Camaro late in the model run was limited since the car was discontinued in 2002. Modern era...around 2004/5. The redesigned Mustang, the GTO came out and had the LS1 to start, then the LS2...the concept for the Camaro came out in 2006 and the GT500 was alive again in 2007. The GT-H was out and Shelby even had the Shelby GT in 05/06. Even the 6 cylinder guys started builder their HP ratings and most finally got over the 250hp mark around this time. To me...the GTO started the modern muscle era much like they did the original era in the 60s!

09-24-2009, 02:47 PM	#8
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	I find it hard to rule out the later LT1 models as musclecars... I owned a 96 Z28, and that thing felt all muscle to me... The power was there, the sound was there, the grunt was definitely there... LT1 was the return of the musclecar. The 305 of the early nineties was leaning the right way, but was def lacking in grunt... __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

09-24-2009, 03:00 PM	#9
BlueZee28 Drives: 1991 Z28 convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Charles, MO Posts: 136	The modern muscle era started back in the 1960's when the first muscle cars rolled out into production. The new models are just evolutions of something that started 40+ yrs ago. It's kind of hard to seperate a 1967 Camaro to a 2010 Camaro when they were both built for the same purpose with the same market in mind. __________________ <>< Nick <>< LSX Powered For More Pics Click: http://www.omnipotent-goku.com/iroc/gallery/album140

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