Best American Muscle Cars

If there's anything America has become known for in the car world, it's muscle cars. American car culture has always been obsessed with bringing engine power to new levels and making cars go faster than ever before. It's the roar of the engine, the smooth curves of aerodynamic design, and the amazing thrill of having that car win races that make American muscle cars so popular.

Over the years, the United States has made some seriously incredible muscle cars for enthusiasts and racers alike. If you love great muscle cars, then this list is for you. According to experts, the following car design series are the best American muscle cars ever made.

Pontiac GTO

Say what you will about the now-defunct car manufacturer, but they did come out with quite a few amazing car designs over the year. The Pontiac GTO is one such design.

In its first 10-year run, the Pontiac GTO was known for its zippy engine and great steering. The GTO was known for being an excellent race car, and also for being surprisingly rugged for its design.

Media groups also took notice. In 1968, it was named "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend — not an easy feat when you remember it was pitted against Mustangs, Porsches, and more.

When the line was revived in the early 2000s, the GTO became known as one of the ailing company's last real top rate cars. Today, GTOs maintain a decent level of respect in the car community, especially the vintage ones.

Though most people wouldn't call it one of the best American muscle cars ever made, we happen to think otherwise. So, we're putting this gorgeous vintage car on this list.

Dodge Charger

First released as a show car in the mid-60s, the Dodge Charger is regularly hailed as one of the best American muscle cars ever made. The Charger was known for a number of top tier design perks, including an incredibly powerful engine and an excellent acceleration response time.

Though this car initially had an 8-cylinder engine with three different speeds on its transmission, today's Dodge Chargers are equipped with transmissions that can shift into eight different speeds at a minimum. Moreover, these cars are also now available in V8 and V6 engine builds.

Due to their excellent road handling and race-ready builds, many police departments now favor Dodge Chargers as their car of choice.

Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevy Camaro has become a nice little slice of retro Americana, and that's part of the reason why it's considered to be one of the best American muscle cars to ever be made. This classic 60s car has become known for its strong engine and has been in production for almost 50 total years.

Unlike other cars on this list, this is both a pony car and a muscle car — all depending on the version of the car that's being discussed. Over the years, Camaros have won tons of races, car shows, and car aficionado hearts.

Right now, Chevrolet Camaros are considered to be one of the safest high-performance muscle cars on the market. Ever-popular and long considered to be showstoppers when the right car mods are applied, having a Camaro is never a bad idea.

Ford Mustang

Like 'em or hate 'em, you can't talk about the best American muscle cars without discussing the ubiquitous Ford Mustang. Ever since they debuted in the 1960s, the Ford Mustang has become famous for winning races and being one of the most popular muscle cars ever made.

The Mustang has become famous for a number of record breakers. One of the most expensive cars ever sold in America was a modified Ford Mustang that was done as a collaboration between Shelby and Ford. The design line also happens to be one of the longest continually-selling car designs in production history.

Overall, their powerful engines and great appearance is what has given them the staying power that made buyers snap them up over the past 50 years.

AMC Javelin

If you're not a car fan, then you probably wouldn't recognize the name "AMC Javelin." However, automotive historians would tell you that this is one of the best American muscle cars ever made — and actually became a police car of choice due to its stellar handling, rugged build, and top quality engine.

The AMC Javelin was built during the 60s and 70s, and quickly became known for its powerful V8, 360 engines and suitability for racing. On the tracks, the AMC Javelin gathered an entire dream team of drivers that gained national recognition.

AMC Javelins also had special racing editions, often named after major race car drivers who enjoyed them. So, when it comes to real, raw American muscle, it's impossible to discredit this once-popular race car.

Plymouth Barracuda

Much like the AMC Javelin, the Plymouth Barracuda is one of those car designs that only vintage car lovers might recognize. This 60s muscle car became known for its sleek lines, its wraparound back glass, and for their strong I-6 and V8 engines.

Though the Plymouth car manufacturing name may have gone the way of the dodo, we can't deny how awesome the Barracuda was. In fact, Barracudas are still occasionally featured in movies and music videos because of how great they looked — and how great they handled themselves on the road.

Overall, car enthusiasts should know why this car is always featured on lists of the best American muscle cars ever made.

Chevrolet Corvette

Last on our list is one of the most famous car makes ever made — the Corvette. These breathtakingly beautiful muscle cars have been around forever, and have been known for being race winners, status symbols, and for their perennially glamorous exteriors.

Over the years, Corvettes just seem to have gotten better and better in terms of design. The most recent Corvette has a maximum horsepower rating of 650, making it one of the most impressive American muscle cars to hit roads today.