Car Wars – The New Muscle Cars

Americans love their muscle cars. This is apparent in the legions of rabid fans dedicated to the Ford Mustang and other hotrods. Decades ago, the muscle car reigned supreme on the roads of the US. However, changes in the industry and in consumer spending resulted in a dramatic change, which saw the supposed demise of most muscle cars. While cars like the Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro continued to be manufactured, they seemed pale imitations of previous iterations.

However, the modern world seems ready to embrace the muscle car once more. While this may seem nonsensical when you consider the looming oil crisis and the rising cost of fuel, the reality is indisputable. The rise of the newly redesigned Ford Mustang was proof that Americans wanted their power back.

The Mustang was not the only hotrod to tantalize Americans' need for speed. The Dodge Charger soon became a product vehicle. While the car may have thrown purists for a loop (a 4-door muscle car?), it found a home in the hearts of many consumers. Next, Chevy made everyone in the industry stop and take notice of the new design for the Camaro; though production remained elusive, (2010 is the supposed production year).

Dodge once again upped the ante this year with the release of the Challenger. This car had only two doors and hearkened back to the designs of yesteryear, which suited the purists and everyone else just fine.

The muscle car wars seem ready to heat back up, once more. With the coming redesign of the new Mustang, the release of the Camaro and Dodge's seeming dedication to get there first, there should be a plethora of options for those who feel the need for massive horsepower and roaring engines.
In many ways, the need for American muscle cars stems from the ubiquitous tuner market. This market is largely geared for small import cars. While capable of great speed, they lack the sheer gratuitous power and aggressiveness of past muscle cars. They also lack the style that seemed inherent to American muscle cars.

As the muscle car wars continue to heat up (albeit slowly), there's no telling what the industry might do. What other manufacturers may be influenced to pick up the thrown gauntlet and develop their own offerings for the market? The advent of the new car wars is a sign that Americans are ready to stand defiantly against the low-powered, compact cars that have been fobbed off by the automakers for years.

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1. 

   kia of riverside says:

   September 22, 2008 at 8:06 am

   This has been an exciting trend in the auto industry. I’m concerned now that it will end as gas prices rise.
2. 

   admin says:

   September 23, 2008 at 4:14 pm

   I’m with you kiaofriverside, gas prices will certainly effect a manufacturers willingness to invest in performance, or anything besides getting another mile per gallon.