10 Best American muscle cars of all time

June 10, 2024 by Jamie Edkins

American muscle cars never really caught on here in the UK. They’re a bit too big for tight British back roads, and they tend to be pretty thirsty as well – not ideal with our high fuel prices.

That’s not to say that muscle cars aren’t any good though. There’s something about the low grumble of a big V8 engine and the shouty styling which makes these American bruisers infinitely cool.

1) Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 500hp
Value: £46,000

The Ford Mustang is one of the OG American muscle cars, with the first example launching back in 1964. The latest iteration is more powerful than ever, and the Dark Horse is a track-focussed version.

It uses a 5.0-litre V8 engine with 500hp, as well as a host of suspension upgrades to make it sharper to drive on a track. You get stiffened suspension, chunky anti-roll bars and wider tyres for attacking the racetrack as quickly as possible.

2) Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak

Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 797hp
Value: £74,000

It’s been around for a while now, but the Dodge Challenger is now reaching the end of its life. The Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak is one of the last versions you’ll be able to get in the US, and the brand is certainly sending this saloon out with a bang.

Under the bonnet is a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 with 797hp, 80hp more than the standard Hellcat, and this is sent to the rear wheels only. The best part? It’s a family-friendly saloon car so you can bring your kids along for the ride.

3) Chevrolet Camaro Exorcist

Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 1,000hp
Value: Around £100,000

If you’re going to call your car the Exorcist, it needs to be pretty wild. It starts out in life as a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which already has a healthy 650hp, but then the folks at Hennessey Performance turn up the wick.

The Exorcist gets a new supercharger, a fully built engine, a new exhaust and a tune to give it 1,000hp and over 1,300Nm of torque. It’ll also go on to a top speed of 217mph, and it even comes with a two-year warranty.

4) Dodge Challenger Demon 170

Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 1,025hp
Value: £76,000

Let’s say your mate’s just bought an Exorcist, and you’re looking for something to challenge them with on the drag strip. The Dodge Challenger Demon is probably your best bet. It’s built purely for drag racing, to the point you only get one seat as standard.

It also has a 3.0-litre supercharger, the same size as the BMW M3’s engine, as well as a set of drag radial tyres for the best traction off the line. On a prepared surface, this car should be able to do 0-60mph in a blistering 1.66 seconds, although it’ll take a lot of skill to get this beast off the line that quickly.

5) Pontiac GTO

Engine: 6.0-litre V8
Power: 400hp
Value: from around £20,000

Now moving down to the more affordable end of the muscle car scale, the 2005 Pontiac GTO. The GTO is an iconic model, however the last iteration is often overlooked. It’s still packing a 6.0-litre V8 though with a thunderous soundtrack.

The main reason for including this car though is the fact you could actually buy it in the UK. It was badged as the Vauxhall Monaro on our shores, and it was also sold in Australia as the Holden Commodore. This is therefore a rare opportunity to get a reasonably cheap muscle car with right-hand drive.

6) Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird

Engine: 7.0-litre V8
Power: 425hp
Value: £150,000

There’s no denying that the Plymouth Superbird looks pretty special. That unique nose cone on the front and the gargantuan rear wing make it look like it means business, probably because it does.

You see, the Superbird was designed for the world of NASCAR racing. Under NASCAR rules, any car which competes must be a roadgoing production model and so the Superbird was made available to the public.

7) Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Engine: 7.5-litre V8
Power: 450hp
Value: £70,000

The Chevrolet Chevelle SS (Super Sport) was Chevy’s first effort at a muscle car. When it was revealed in 1964, it lagged quite a way behind the Pontiac GTO, so Chevrolet set to work fixing that.

By 1970, they had given the Chevelle SS a 450hp 7.5-litre V8 engine, which could push it from 0-60mph in just five seconds. In fact, it was among the fastest accelerating road cars in the world when it was on sale.

8) Plymouth Hemi Cuda

Engine: 7.0-litre V8
Power: 425hp
Value: Around £300,000 (for a manual)

The Plymouth Barracuda was introduced just weeks before Ford unveiled the Mustang in the early ‘60s, however, it never reached the same level of sales. This has led to it becoming one of the most desirable classic muscle cars on the market.

The most sought after model however is the 7.0-litre Hemi engined car. It made 425hp, could do 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and looked the part with its bold colours and ‘shaker’ hood (so the engine’s air intake pokes through the bonnet). Just 115 of these cars were built after it was cancelled due to tighter emissions regulations.

9) Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 668hp
Value: £75,000

Cadillac has a long-standing reputation for making big, wafty land yachts with a big focus on comfort over sportiness. Well the CT5-V Blackwing breaks the mould, because it’s packing a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 668hp, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.

To make sure it can handle the corners you get magnetically-controlled dampers and a limited-slip differential, as well as carbon ceramic brakes so it’ll stop on a dime. This is a true all-American alternative to the BMW M5.

10) Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Engine: 6.6-litre V8
Power: 200hp
Value: around £20,000 now

Featuring in a film is a sure-fire way to give a car cult status, and this applies to the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am driven by Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit. It doesn’t really get much cooler than that.

The Trans Am was part of the Pontiac Firebird range with a 6.6-litre V8 engine putting out around 200hp. It was also available with a T-Top removable roof and distinctive gold graphics.

American muscle cars FAQs

What is the best American muscle car?

Here’s a question you couldn’t ask in a bar over in the states, because it’s bound to cause a heated debate. The main three muscle cars people are choosing between are the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger and the Chevrolet Camaro.

What is the fastest American muscle car?

If you’re talking acceleration, the Dodge Challenger Demon will do 0-60mph in 1.66 seconds which makes it by far the fastest off the line, provided you have a prepared drag strip. It’ll also do 215mph, which is pretty much untouched by its main rivals.

What is the first American muscle car?

The first American muscle car to really take off was the Ford Mustang, which was first revealed in 1964. The Plymouth Barracuda did come along a few weeks before this, however it never really gained the same level of popularity.

Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your old car for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.

Change your car the easy way