This may be the most depressing title and blog I've ever written.
On the heels of Mike's blog on V8 engines, I thought I'd share my thoughts on V8s and muscle cars.
Muscle cars are a cornerstone, a marker in most enthusiasts' lives, and they may very well be the reason why some people turned out to be auto mechanics, engineers, designers, racers, and writers. I know for a fact that a few of us – namely Lesley, Justin and I – are doing what we do because of small blocks, big blocks, CFMs, “positraction,” wheelie bars and rake. These are all words that have had a serious dose of influence, making us into who we are today. That, and we like to get our hands dirty.
Muscle cars from the early '60s were the starting point of what was to become a culture – a religion. As of the late '60s and very early '70s, this era was already on the decline. Manufacturers and crazies alike did what they could to sustain the dying breed with the onslaught of emissions laws, environmental responsibilities and all that...
Between then and the early 2000s, a few cars broke the broken mold (Buick GNX, Ford Mustang Cobra, Dodge Viper), but then came the mid 2000s. In what seemed like a well rehearsed final onslaught of multiple cylinders, big bores and angry normally aspirated horsepower, the rebirth of the muscle car was upon us.
Believe me, they've made my job a heck of a lot more fun these past few years.
One of today's modern muscle cars is the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. Its 5.0L, 412hp V8 has all the right ingredients to certify it as a bona fide envy-inducing, brow-lifting muscle machine. With its properly tuned (i.e., LOUD) exhaust note and massive speed, I giggled for a whole week after driving it.
My 'Stang was actually a Grabber Blue GT convertible with a stick. However stunning the car looked, the story is, and will forever be, the 302. Sadly, the end may be nearer than we think. One of the reasons why I believe this to be the real tail-end of this breed of cars is a future turbocharged Corvette. Displacements are being reduced and turbos are being added. Don't get me wrong, I love turbos, but they quiet engines down.
V12s will only exit in very limited numbers, and cost zillions. V10s are dead. V8s are shrinking and V6s are getting blown. Again, I adore forced induction, but I can't help shedding a tear.
I'm a Gen-Xer and am lucky enough to remember my neighbour's 1971 Chevy Camaro and all the blood, sweat and tears he put into making that car as badass as it was. Currently, Gen-Yers care little or nothing about performance, they're far more interested in design, styling and technology. This, by definition, excludes muscle cars and everything they stand for. (I thought I'd add that in case you were looking for someone to blame other than the environmentalists...)
Yup. I'm happy to be here to sample the last of these cars, but by the same token am saddened by the inevitable end.
Buy a 302 Mustang GT, Camaro SS or Charger SRT8 while you still can!
On the heels of Mike's blog on V8 engines, I thought I'd share my thoughts on V8s and muscle cars.
Muscle cars are a cornerstone, a marker in most enthusiasts' lives, and they may very well be the reason why some people turned out to be auto mechanics, engineers, designers, racers, and writers. I know for a fact that a few of us – namely Lesley, Justin and I – are doing what we do because of small blocks, big blocks, CFMs, “positraction,” wheelie bars and rake. These are all words that have had a serious dose of influence, making us into who we are today. That, and we like to get our hands dirty.
Muscle cars from the early '60s were the starting point of what was to become a culture – a religion. As of the late '60s and very early '70s, this era was already on the decline. Manufacturers and crazies alike did what they could to sustain the dying breed with the onslaught of emissions laws, environmental responsibilities and all that...
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| 2012 Mustang GT Convertible (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Between then and the early 2000s, a few cars broke the broken mold (Buick GNX, Ford Mustang Cobra, Dodge Viper), but then came the mid 2000s. In what seemed like a well rehearsed final onslaught of multiple cylinders, big bores and angry normally aspirated horsepower, the rebirth of the muscle car was upon us.
Believe me, they've made my job a heck of a lot more fun these past few years.
One of today's modern muscle cars is the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. Its 5.0L, 412hp V8 has all the right ingredients to certify it as a bona fide envy-inducing, brow-lifting muscle machine. With its properly tuned (i.e., LOUD) exhaust note and massive speed, I giggled for a whole week after driving it.
My 'Stang was actually a Grabber Blue GT convertible with a stick. However stunning the car looked, the story is, and will forever be, the 302. Sadly, the end may be nearer than we think. One of the reasons why I believe this to be the real tail-end of this breed of cars is a future turbocharged Corvette. Displacements are being reduced and turbos are being added. Don't get me wrong, I love turbos, but they quiet engines down.
V12s will only exit in very limited numbers, and cost zillions. V10s are dead. V8s are shrinking and V6s are getting blown. Again, I adore forced induction, but I can't help shedding a tear.
I'm a Gen-Xer and am lucky enough to remember my neighbour's 1971 Chevy Camaro and all the blood, sweat and tears he put into making that car as badass as it was. Currently, Gen-Yers care little or nothing about performance, they're far more interested in design, styling and technology. This, by definition, excludes muscle cars and everything they stand for. (I thought I'd add that in case you were looking for someone to blame other than the environmentalists...)
Yup. I'm happy to be here to sample the last of these cars, but by the same token am saddened by the inevitable end.
Buy a 302 Mustang GT, Camaro SS or Charger SRT8 while you still can!