What is a muscle car?

Muscle Car Definition, What is a muscle car? Introduction: Perhaps the most common question people have is what exactly is a muscle car. The term wasn't even used until the late 1970s, in the 1960s there were often called "Super Cars" if called anything at all. Therefore, the actual definition of a muscle car, or which models were muscle cars, is a topic that is often disputed. Here is the general interpretation of what is a muscle car and what cars qualify, and which don't. Vehicle Muscle Car? Classification Notes AMC AMX Yes Pony Car Even though it only has two seats, because it is based on the Javalin, it is a muscle car AMC Javelin No Pony Car Only the AMX variation or big block V8s are considered muscle cars Buick GS Yes Intermediate Muscle Car Based on Buick Skylark Buick Riviera No Personal Luxury Car Too expensive and big Buick Skylark (non-GS) No Intermediate Car Only GS versions are considered muscle cars Buick Wildcat No Fullsize Car Too large Chevrolet Camaro Yes Pony car Only SS and Z28 models are considered muscle cars Chevrolet Chevelle SS Yes Intermediate Muscle Car Only SS versions are considered muscle cars Chevrolet Chevelle (non-SS) No Intermediate Only SS versions are considered muscle cars Chevrolet Corvette No Sports Car The two seats, fiberglass body, and high price make it a sports car. Chevrolet Impala SS Yes Fullsize Muscle Car Only SS versions are considered muscle cars Chevrolet Monte Carlo No Personal Luxury Too expensive Chevrolet Nova Yes Compact Car Only SS versions are considered muscle cars Chrysler 300 Letter Cars No Personal Luxury Way too expensive and luxurious Dodge Challenger Yes Pony Car Only R/T versions are considered muscle cars Dodge Charger Yes Intermediate Muscle Car Only R/T versions are considered muscle cars Dodge Coronet Yes Fullsize Muscle Car Only R/T versions are considered muscle cars Dodge Dart Yes Compact Only Darts with 383 or 440 engines are considered muscle cars Dodge Daytona Yes Specialty Muscle Cars - Dodge Super Bee Yes Intermediate Muscle Car - Ford Fairlane / Torino GT/Cobra Yes Intermediate Muscle Car Only GT and Cobra models are considered muscle cars Ford Galaxie Yes Fullsize muscle Only Galaxies with 390 engines or larger are considered muscle cars Ford Mustang Yes Pony Car GTs, Mach 1's and Boss Mustangs are considered muscle cars Mercury Comet / Cyclone Yes Intermediate Only GTs and Cyclones are considered muscle cars Mercury Cougar Yes Pony Car Only GTs, Eliminators, and Boss engine models are considered muscle cars Oldsmobile 442 Yes Intermediate Muscle Car - Oldsmobile Cutlass No Intermediate Only 442 models are considered muscle cars Plymouth Barracuda No Pony car Only 'Cuda models are considered muscle cars Plymouth 'Cuda Yes Pony car 'Cudas with 340s are generally not considered muscle cars Plymouth Duster Yes Compact Muscle Car Only Dusters with 340s are considered muscle cars Plymouth GTX Yes Intermediate Muscle Car - Plymouth Road Runner Yes Intermediate Muscle Car - Plymouth Superbird Yes Specialty Muscle Car - Pontiac Catalina 2+2 Yes Fullsize Muscle Car Only Catalinas with 400+ cid engines are considered muscle cars Pontiac Firebird Yes Pony Car Only Firebirds with 400 cid engines are considered muscle cars Pontiac Grand Prix No Personal Luxury Too expensive Pontiac GTO Yes Intermediate Muscle Car The first true muscle car Strict Definition of a Muscle Car: A muscle car, by the strictest definition, is an intermediate sized, performance oriented model, powered by a large V8 engine, at an affordable price. Most of these models were based on "regular" production vehicles. These vehicles are generally not considered muscle cars, even when equipped with large V8s. If there was a high performance version available, it gets the credit, and not the vehicle that it was based on. Examples: Buick GS, Chevrolete Chevelle SS, Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Torino/Cobra, Plymouth GTX, Plymouth Road Runner, Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO Fullsize Muscle Car: The strict definition only includes intermediate size vehicles. In reality, performance oriented intermediate size vehicles didn't appear until 1964. Before then, manufacturers took existing fullsize vehicles and added extra performance to them. Because of this, the early fullsize performance vehicles are generally considered muscle cars. Examples: Chevrolet Impala (SS only), Ford Galaxie (with 390 + cid engines only), Dodge Coronet (R/Ts only), etc. Pony Cars and Compact Cars: In addition to fullsize and intermediate muscle cars, a number of smaller vehicles started appearing on the automotive performance scene. These new "pony cars" and compact cars are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options. Examples: Chevrolet Camaro (SS and Z28 models only), Ford Mustang (GTs and Boss only), Plymouth 'Cudas (no Barracudas), AMC Javelin, etc. Personal Luxury Cars and Luxury Cars: Although there were several personal luxury vehicles with performance engines and options, their heavy weight and high sticker prices went against the low cost performance definition of muscle cars. Therefore, they are not considered muscle cars. Examples: Buick Riviera, Chrysler 300 Letter Cars, Pontiac Grand Prix, etc. Two Seat Sports Cars: Two seat sports cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird are not considered muscle cars due to their high price and specialty nature. The only exception is the AMC AMX as it was relatively cheap, and was based on the AMC Javalin pony car. Examples: AMC AMX, etc.

Radio-controlled cars.

Radio-controlled

Radio-controlled (or R/C) cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter. The term "R/C" has been used to mean both "remote controlled" and "radio controlled", where "remote controlled" includes vehicles that are connected to their controller by a wire, but common use of "R/C" today usually refers to vehicles controlled by a radio-frequency link. This article focuses on radio-controlled vehicles only.

I have one of this a it is fuel powered, it is a totally new experience compared to those that are powered by batteries:

ELECTRIC VEHICLES
1/10 scale Buggies: Sleek and fast, buggies are great for racing or play. Most are two-wheel-drive (2WD), with top speeds of about 15-30 mph. For use on- or off-road.
1/10 scale Stadium trucks: Stadium trucks share much of their componentry with buggies, but are wider and can handle rougher terrain thanks to increased suspension travel. Most are two-wheel-drive (2WD), with top speeds of about 15-30 mph. For use on- or off-road.
1/10 scale Monster trucks: This popular category includes 2WD and 4WD trucks. The 2WD models are more affordable and use a single motor; the 4WD monsters use two motors for super torque and crushing power. Both have soft, long-travel suspension to soak up bumps. Top speed is about 15mph. For use on- or off-road.1/10 scale Touring cars: These are probably the most realistic electric RC cars, with bodies just like those you see on the highway everyday. Tourers are 4WD, and can go as fast as 40mph with the right motor. For use on-road only.
NITRO VEHICLES
1/10 scale Stadium trucks: Nitro stadium trucks appear identical to electric stadium trucks, but use a .12 cubic-inch displacement engine for power instead of an electric motor. They're good for racing or play, and average about 30mph for top speed. For use on- or off-road.
1/10 scale Touring cars: nitro tourers may use .12 or .15 powerplants, and can be very fast indeed—up to 55mph. As with electric tourers, nitro tourers feature 4WD and realistic body lines. For on-road use only.
1/8 scale Monster trucks: These giants feature large .21 engines that make a lot of horsepower. As a result, nitro monsters are fast (about 40mph) and can plow over or through just about anything! For use on- or off-road. 1/8 scale Buggies: Like the other 1/8 scale machines, these vehicles are powered by .21 engines. Buggies can go just about anywhere, are very tough, and top out close to 60mph. For use on- or off-road.1/8 scale On-road cars: The cutting edge of RC performance! Top speeds of the .21-powered cars approach 80mph, and shifting 2- or 3-speed transmissions are standard. Foam tires provide super grip, but wear quickly, and these machines are strictly for smooth road courses—not for the inexperienced.
 
ENGINE POWER OR ELECTRIC POWER?  RC vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, but the most basic distinction between types of RC car models is their power source. All are either powered by an electric motor and battery, or an engine that runs on fuel. Which is better for a beginner? Faster? More fun? The answers may surprise you!
 
ELECTRIC VEHICLES have the advantage of clean, quiet operation. They expel no fumes, and don't produce any significant noise. They can be operated indoors, cost less than similar engine-powered models, and are the easiest types of vehicles to get started in the hobby with. In terms of performance, electric models can have some disadvantages. Duration is limited by battery capacity, so you'll have to stop every ten minutes or so to recharge the battery pack (or install a fresh pack, if you have a few charged and ready to go). In stock form, electric vehicles are generally not as fast as similar nitro-powered machines, but it's easy to make an electric car faster with an aftermarket motor—although such a modification will also decrease battery life.
ENGINE POWERED MODELS, which are more commonly called "nitro" kits, because they run on nitro methane-based fuel (more on that later), have two primary advantages: higher speed and longer run time. It's easy to make a "pit stop" for more fuel with a nitro-powered car, and keep driving with only a moment's interruption. But remember, the on-board battery that powers the vital radio gear will eventually need a recharge, so don't go too long without stopping! Nitro cars are generally faster than similar electrics, and the realism of authentic engine sound and exhaust smoke add a gee-whiz factor that electrics can't match. But those can also be disadvantages, if you wish to operate the vehicle in an area where noise is an issue, or wish to run your car indoors—nitro-power is for the great outdoors only. Nitro cars also require more frequent maintenance, are more expensive than similar electric models, and tend to be a little messy, due to fuel and exhaust residue.