The most iconic American classic cars whose names remain in history

American companies created some of the most fascinating classics during the turbulent era of the automotive industry. Seeing these classic American cars will blow your mind.

The period after World War II until the oil crisis in the 70s should be considered the golden age of American automobile manufacturing. In those days, this industry was involved in many problems and experienced strong ups and downs every few years. Despite this, it can be said that the most iconic American classic cars were created during this period. This list is a collection of the best of them.

The most iconic classic American cars

Shelby Cobra model 1965 to 1967

• Engine: 7.0 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 3.9 seconds
• Maximum speed: 257 km/h
• Weight: 1068 kg
• Power: 360 horsepower
• Torque: 568 Nm

The third generation Shelby Cobra entered the American market from 1965 to 1967; Although this car had British origins. We are talking about a small and compact 2-seater roadster, which became one of the legends of the Golden Age by being equipped with a 7.0 liter engine.

Of course, the sale of the Shelby Cobra did not go as expected. As a result, Shelby and Ford (who supplied the car’s engine) decided to stop assembling it from 1967.

Pontiac GTO model 1964 to 1967

• Engine: 6.6 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 6.4 seconds
• Maximum speed: 193 km/h
• Weight: 1613 kg
• Power: 360 horsepower
• Torque: 594 Nm

The first generation of the legendary Pontiac GTO was produced between 1964 and 1967 and left a lasting impression on the muscle car market. Over the years of production, the GTO underwent few design changes; But not to a significant extent.

Pontiac’s engine choices included 6.4-liter and 6.6-liter V8s.

Chevrolet Chevelle SS model 1970

• Engine: 7.4 liter V8 big block
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 5.6 seconds
• Maximum speed: 209 km/h
• Weight: 1724 kg
• Power: 450 horsepower
• Torque: 678 Nm

For a while, however short, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS was the most powerful muscle car on the American market; Thanks to 450 horsepower and 678 Nm torque!

The most powerful engine mounted on it was a big-block V8 with a volume of 7.4 liters. Of course, Chevrolet only made 4,475 of this car, so the 1970 Schull SS model is very rare these days.

Cadillac Coupe Deville model 1965 to 1970

• Engine: 7.7 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 8.1 seconds
• Maximum speed: 206 km/h
• Weight: 2240 kg
• Power: 380 horsepower
• Torque: 712 Nm

For floor lovers, the Cadillac DeVille coupe was and is one of the most popular cars. But don’t be fooled by its name; Although it has “coupe” in its name, it was 5791 mm long and 2134 mm wide.

To power this hornless giant, Cadillac used a massive 7.0-liter engine. However, in 1968, even this V8 was replaced by a larger 7.7-liter engine.

Interestingly, the Cadillac DeVille coupe is one of Snoop Dogg’s favorite cars!

Dodge Charger Daytona model 1969

• Engine: 7.0 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 5.6 seconds
• Maximum speed: 209 km/h
• Weight: 1900 kg
• Power: 425 horsepower
• Torque: 664 Nm

Dodge Charger Daytona is one of the rarest cars on this list; Because only 505 units were produced in 1969. What made it unique and different from any other car was its pointed nose and large rear spoiler.

Of course, he had a lot to say under the hood; Where the massive 7.0 liter Hemi 426 V8 engine with 425 horsepower was sleeping!

If you could find a used Dodge Charger Daytona today, it would cost around $380,000.

1970-1971 Plymouth Barracuda

• Engine: 7.2 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 5.6 seconds
• Maximum speed: 189 km/h
• Weight: 1597 kg
• Power: 390 horsepower
• Torque: 664 Nm

Plymouth Barracuda came to challenge Ford Mustang; But he himself became an icon in the era of muscle cars. Of course, the first two generations should be considered market cars; But its third generation was a full-fledged muscle car, without stinginess in fuel consumption.

Of the four Plymouth Barracuda trims, the Cuda version gained more fans.

1969 Dodge Charger

• Engine: 7.2 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 5.3 seconds
• Maximum speed: 198 km/h
• Weight: 1720 kg
• Power: 375 horsepower
• Torque: 653 Nm

The second generation Dodge Charger, produced from 1960 to 1970, was one of the most popular cars of the Golden Age. Among them, the 1969 Charger won the hearts of American car enthusiasts the most.

The same car was released with different trims, of which R/T was the most popular; With two engine options that included the 440 Magnum and the 426 Hemi.

1970 Chevrolet Camaro

• Engine: 5.7 liter V8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 6.1 seconds
• Maximum speed: 217 km/h
• Weight: 1388 kg
• Power: 360 horsepower
• Torque: 515 Nm

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of those classic American muscle cars that has stood the test of time over the years and is still produced today.

A second-generation version with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, known as the LT-1, was the most popular; The engine that was also used in the Chevrolet Corvette.

The output of this engine in Camaro; It had 360 horsepower, 515 Nm of torque and a maximum speed of 217 km/h.

Ford Mustang model 1969-1970

• Engine: 7.0 liter V8 Super Cobra Jet
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 6.2 seconds
• Maximum speed: 208 km/h
• Weight: 1597 kg
• Power: 335 horsepower
• Torque: 596 Nm

Ford Mustang 70-69 compared to its previous model, experienced many changes. Buyers had many options to choose the engine of this two-door car. In total, there were 6 performance versions available: GT, Bass 302, Bass 429, Shelby GT 350, Shelby GT 500 and Mach 1.

The Mach 1 became by far the most successful version of the Mustang of that era; A car powered by a 7.0-liter Super Cobra Jet engine with 335 horsepower and 596 Nm of torque.

The 1969 Ford Mustang was literally a classic muscle car.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray

• Engine: 5.4 liter v8
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km: 5.5 seconds
• Maximum speed: 236 km/h
• Weight: 1380 kg
• Power: 360 horsepower
• Torque: 477 Nm

This car is the second generation of the legendary Corvette model and is known by the suffix C2. Its production began in 1962 and continued until 1967; But Chevrolet had been designing cars since five years ago.

Several versions were released with different engines, the most powerful of which was equipped with a small-block 327 V8 engine with a torque of 477 Nm and a power of 360 horsepower. Regardless of the unusual design of Corvette C2, the two-piece rear glass of this car also made it look special.

Today, the price of a fresh Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray reaches about 100 thousand dollars.