MY Favorite Cars are what designer Syd Mead calls future proof. They reflect the height of automotive design, utility and performance. Which means they're as timeless today as an American burger with an ice cold Coke.

What is a muscle car?
While a sports car can be defined as a performance engine & suspension with a big price tag, a muscle can be defined as a large engine placed in a lighter weight mid sized car for a reasonable price (Not so great on the curves, but they would blow away the competition on the straightaways).  It all started with the 1949 Old's 88 (Rocket V8) and the 1964 GTO.

High impact colors ruled in the 60's and 70's.
Just like tail fins revamped the automotive line up for 1957, the new styling for 1970 epitomized muscle cars at a working man's price.  Colors like Plum Crazy mirrored a burst of ingenuity and playfulness growing in America.  In the 1980's a Cuda or Challenger could be had for as little as $500.  But with the Brady Bunch generation coming into their own, these colorfully honest performance heroes have sadly become hoarded by collectors.

End of the muscle car era.
440 6 packs, Hemis, and rock crushing 4 speeds, ended in 1971.  Smog pumps and emission regulations now ruled, making 1972 and later cars less desirable. The following decades saw bad electronics, and plastic computerized jelly beans that have crushed, todays driving experience..... P. Usle

Lamborghini LM built from 1986 - 1993. 

There were only 301 vehicles produced.

The design for the LM was inspired by the Cheetah.  Which was inspired by the XR311.  Note that the Cheetah also inspired the very popular Hummer.

This is the Iso Grifo built from 1963 - 1974.  This sexy Italian body came with a lot of muscle under that raised hood.  An American V8.

1971 Plymouth Cuda, 1970 - 1974

In the 1980's, Cudas hadn't caught on like Chevelles and Cameros. I bought one 440 Billboard Cuda with power windows for $500. While spending late nights in my barn getting them road worthy, I discovered the world of Pistol Grip 4 speeds and mod colors.  You can't help but fall in love with the car's looks, performance packages, and the endless array of factory options to fit your personality. (maybe my Favorite)

Chrysler 300, 1969 - 1971 (7th generation).  For muscle and class the 1970 Chrysler 300 convertible is unmatched, with options like the 440 TNT and Hurst packages.  The new jet like (fuselage body) styling, still holds a U.S. production record. Gene Barry drove one on the 1969 TV show Name of the Game and they still stand out to this day. Click on this image to see designer/futurist, Syd Mead's awesome 1972 Imperial Le Baron.

1968 Pontiac GTO, 1964 - 1974.  Two things worth mentioning are the classic hide-away headlights and the politically incorrect his and hers shifter.  It was conceived by John Delorian in 1964 and considered the first muscle car.  The GTO - Gran Turismo Omologato (is Italian for saying, it was approved for a certain class of international sports car racing).

1969 Shelby GT 500 convertible is a classic muscle car.  With an impressive Carroll Shelby roll bar and a distinctive front end. This Mustang stands out.

Sleek and Beautiful! The 1957 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer convertible came with dual whip antennas and a hemi motor.  A head turner for sure. (Above and right.)

Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck 1978-1979. 1972 marked the end of the muscle car era with new emission standards, however the Dodge Boys found a way around them with the truck's Gross weight, allowing it to be exempt from catalytic converters. This made their tricked out pick up the "fastest production vehicle" in the U.S. for 1978!

Maserati Merak, 1972 - 1982 A "dream car" in its own right with classic lines, but like some performance cars, a mechanical nightmare to own.