1964 GTO, First Muscle Car?

[markinnaples]

The above isn't a 32, 33, or 34 Ford, it's a 1935 or 36 Ford 3 Window Coupe

[Lynn]

Really have a couple of debates going on here:

1. What was the first muscle car?

2. When was the term "muscle car" first used?

Maybe a third debate; When was the term "muscle car" commonly used?

The Fiat S76 gets my vote as the first muscle car in 1910. 300 hp (at 1,000 rpm) in a giant 4 cyl engine.

Watch this video: https://theoldmotor.com/?p=146640

As far as the term, muscle car, I doubt you will find an earlier printed example than Popular Mechanics in Jan. 1964, but it certainly does NOT apply to what we later referred to as muscle cars. It was in reference to a Land Rover, and it was hyphenated; "muscle-car", describing a very spartan vehicle with no frills, but with some muscle.

The first reference that could be found for "muscle car" (no hyphen) describing a 60s car is in the Oct 1965 Popular Science: "DODGE CORONET becomes "muscle car" with Hemi-426 engine, but relies on drum brakes only. Rally suspension makes car remarkably well-balanced and good-handling." Note that it is not claiming the Dodge to the the first muscle car; just that the hemi made it one.

Frankly, I don't remember using the term in every day language until the 70s. I am always skeptical of anecdotal references such as "we always called them muscle cars in the 60s". Memories fade.

[Burd]

What cars were considered muscle cars in the 60’s?
You had the Chryslers w/ the hemi’s in, but I wouldn’t consider them a muscle car.
The early SD Pontiac’s come to my mind.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by Burd

What cars were considered muscle cars in the 60’s?
You had the Chryslers w/ the hemi’s in, but I wouldn’t consider them a muscle car.
The early SD Pontiac’s come to my mind.

SD Pontiacs, Chevy's Z11, Ford's Thunderbolt, Chrysler's high compression 426 wedge cars - all were purpose built race cars and were not street worthy. But they may have been a template for road worthy cars that followed them. First called Super cars, then Muscle Cars.

[m22mike]

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[Tenney]

Think '64 GTO might get credit for kicking-off the "muscle car era" due to #'s sold circa '64, spawning mid-sized offerings with full-sized engines from all the OEM's and other GM divisions in '65, and onward ...?

[Lee Stewart]

The GTO was much more than just an intermediate sized car with a big engine. It was a total package:

• A great name: GTO
• Bucket seats
• Hood treatment
• 389-4V 325HP with 348 HP Tri-Power optional
• Heavy duty suspension
• Chrome accents under the hood
• Hurst shifter standard on 3 and 4 speed manual trans
• Redline tires
• Lots of badges.

All this made the GTO unique and the template for all muscle cars to follow it.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tenney

Think '64 GTO might get credit for kicking-off the "muscle car era" due to #'s sold circa '64, spawning mid-sized offerings with full-sized engines from all the OEM's and other GM divisions in '65, and onward ...?

I trust you recognized the car in my post #6:

Not just "any" GTO, but "THE" GTO.



I imagine there is not much mystery about where I land on this topic.

K

[Lee Stewart]

Pontiac's 1964 Flamme show car. Notice the rear quarter emblem