New and Improved Dodge Challenger

Back in the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out "muscle" automobiles. These kinds of cars shared the same traits : they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel costs and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period. Today, muscle automobile mania is back, notwithstanding even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and truck models from Dodge, there's new interest in a category long given up. The future is bright for the muscle automobile segment as another manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of times past, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced that at one time or another should have been considered a muscle car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 5 hundred and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model ; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette ; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Storm ; Olds the 442; American Motors' had its Javelin; Plymouth had the 'Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle automobile with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford's redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the present muscle vehicle age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been the Mustang currently sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been electrifying DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept auto, popping up at auto shows across the States, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. Additionally, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the States automobile show circuit.

So, isn't it mad to bring back such gas hogs? Back in the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and 15 or sixteen miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to PC technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, although fuel mileage will certainly be lower than lots of other models, the new group of muscle autos will still better the previous generation autos with fuel mileage eighty percent or more above the autos from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we live in a fairly free country and what the buyer wants, the buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle autos paired to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will likely appeal to many. No, they will not be actual copies of yesterday's muscle autos, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can't wait!.