Motor City Muscle: The High-Powered History of the American Musclecar

by Mike Mueller

This is the high-performance tale of what was undoubtedly the fastest, loosest era in automotive history. Through the 1960s and into the 1970s, America's carmakers fought an unbridled war for street supremacy. The warriors ranged from light and agile Z/28 Camaros and Boss 302 Mustangs to big-block brutes like the 440 Road Runner and Stage I 455 Buick GS. A few of these boulevard brawlers were closing on 500 horsepower before the insurance lobby, Ralph Nader, OPEC, and various governmental agencies conspired to stop the madness. Muscle cars all but disappeared by 1974, with only a few anemic models soldiering through the 1980s. But by the 1990s, thanks to vastly improved engine technology, muscle cars were back with a vengeance. Motor City Muscle traces the full history right up to today's new Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger.

Genres: Cars

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[carl theaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

From A(MX) to Z(28). — a thorough look at the Muscle Car Era. Though often defined by the creation of the Pontiac Tempest/GTO in 1964 through the horsepower peak of 1970, author Mueller does a great job of introducing autos that fit the definition of ‘Muscle’ from the 30s to the 60s.

Additionally he works in the social scene of the time with events that effected autos or perhaps how hot rods affected society, boys returning from Vietnam had cash in their pockets, …. The many car songs: ‘She’s real fine my 409’, ‘Little Deuce Coupe’, and amazingly a few tunes I’ve not heard of and am eager to check out.

Even with some industry restraint, muscle cars reached incredible performance levels, which quickly dropped in the early ‘70s under the hammer of government regulations and insurance costs.

In addition to being an entertaining read, it would be a good reference for one’s auto library, as he covers all the facets of that now wondrous time period for car lovers.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book(the 2011 Edition w/a cool Orange Camaro Illustration on the Cover), Everything in the book is covered from Chevelles to Camaros To Firebirds,GTOS,Buick GS/GSX,and 4-4-2,It's A Reader,yes there is alot of Color Pictures some small ads but it is mainly a Reader with funny writing and well deserved nader-bashing,there is even a Mention of The Corvette(Why it's not a Muscle Car, I think the High performance and the new Ones Are).Great Book!

[Leo Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like muscle cars you will like this book.