More Than Just American Muscle

Exhibition on view from June 17 thru September 10, 2023

The muscle car era started its evolution in the late 1940s and 50s with the introduction of cars such as the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, 1955 Chrysler 300, and 1958 Chevrolet Impala.

By the 1960s, powerful big block engines were being built on assembly lines across America and rivalry between manufacturers was fierce. With the release of the Pontiac Tempest GTO in 1964, the muscle car era had officially begun. There was also English and European muscle. 

Detroit’s “Big Three” opted to validate the power and handling of their popular muscle cars to the public by entering the cars in stock car racing series, including the Trans-Am Championship race series. Manufacturers could take a showroom car, and with minor modifications, go racing. The marketing slogan “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” was born.

The early 1970s brought about the oil crisis and the implementation of more stringent emissions standards. At the time many thought the Muscle car was dead, but we now know differently. Engine technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, with cars now having horsepower and performance not even dreamed of in the 1960s and 70s. What is a Muscle car to you?