There is no doubt that muscle cars, with their aggressive exhaust note and massive body shapes, are a big part of American car history, and every one can trace the influence of muscle cars even in new sports cars.
In the '60s and '70s, it seemed as if a muscular body was in the gene of American cars, and those shapes were the ultimate choice of every buyer back in those days. Many companies started to lean their products toward muscle cars. Great companies like General Motors had smaller divisions to continue the legacy of the mother company, with many of them producing varied types of muscle cars favored by the press. However, not all of those companies lasted, due to bankruptcy, acquisition, or financial struggle.
On this list, we’ve put together 15 of the weirdest muscle cars from the old days, which were produced by companies that don’t exist anymore.
15. 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 455
via Barn Finds
The Vista Cruiser 455 was a car by Oldsmobile, a company that was founded in 1897 and was ultimately defunct in 2004. This station wagon car was available at 320 hp and 365 hp trims, with some minute changes in the size of the cylinders. Concerning the exterior design, the 1970 model experienced some minute changes in front parking headlights.
14. 1980 Plymouth Volare Road Runner
via Motor1
The Plymouth Company, founded in 1928, released numerous cars to stand against dominated brands like Ford and Chevrolet. In 1980, the Plymouth Road Runner was updated with the black trim to give it a more evil look. Under the hood, there existed a 5.2 L V8 engine producing 120 hp, with a desirable exhaust note, which seems enough for a lightweight car like this.
13. 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442
via GA Classic Cars
The Cutlass 442 is the second car in our list from Oldsmobile, which was sold from 1978 to 1980. The standard engine is a 3.8 L V6 with three transmission choices: 4-speed, 3-speed, and 5-speed. Oldsmobile was popular for its leading technology and muscular designs. But even if you are the oldest American car company, you cannot resist shutting down when your time has come.
12. 1964 Studebaker Super Lark
via Pinterest
The Studebaker Super Lark was one of the first muscle cars in the world. It first appeared in 1964 with new upgrades in the suspension system and brakes and drew the attention of the audience to put this sedan/coupe at the top of their shopping list. The Super Lark was available in two engine trims: one producing 335 hp with a supercharged R2 and the other a 290 hp V8.
11. 1964 Studebaker Avanti R3
via RM Sotheby's
The Studebaker Avanti R3, presented in 1964, was powered by an R3 supercharged V8 engine under its hood. It may be interesting to hear that Studebaker unveiled its car company with its electric cars and then shifted to gasoline cars. Although the company tried its best to build safe and fast cars, it didn’t get proper admiration at first.
10. 1978 AMC Gremlin GT
via Pinterest
The AMC Gremlin GT was an economic car for its decade, which reached a total production of 671,475 examples. The standard six-cylinder engine fitted the low-budget consumers, while the other custom trim offered a six-cylinder engine with a 4-speed manual transmission and some changes in the interior design at a higher price.
9. 1969 AMC Hurst SC
via Mecum
This classic muscle coupe, with its 315 hp V8 engine, produced the baritone note one expects from muscle cars. The blue-painted wheels also give this car a unique look that sticks to one’s mind. AMC, founded in 1954, tried to stand against the giants of the era. The Hurst SC is one of AMC’s cars that became the warrior of the company in the muscle car competition.
8. 1966 Plymouth Satellite
via Steven Screek Toyota
As one of the most popular productions of the company, the Satellite was available at different engine trims. The 7.0 L V8 engine brought the ultimate performance. Plymouth cars, including the Satellite, were cheaper, compared to other expensive cars built under the name of Chrysler Corporation. Although the brand ceased production in 2001, its design was continued in Dodge and Chrysler.
7. 1966 Pontiac Catalina
via AutaBuy
Pontiac was an admired American company owned by General Motors, which stopped the line of production in 2010 due to the recession. Catalina was a full-size muscle car, which was one of the flagship cars of the company for almost 30 years. During this period, various engine and body trims were sold.
6. 1966 Beaumont Sport Deluxe 396
via Flickr
Beaumont was another company owned by General Motors. Although Beaumont’s cars were influenced by Chevrolet models, these models were produced under the distinctive logo and brand. Not being an exception, the Sport Deluxe was very similar to the Chevy II Nova SS, albeit with some added luxury items giving it a premium-luxury look.
5. 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
via Hemmings
The Trans Am was one of the three trims for the Pontiac Firebird and the most optional among them, which was built by Pontiac. This trim is powered by a 305 cu four-barrel V8 engine with some customizations if requested by the buyer. Concerning the exterior design, the Trans Am trim has wheel opening flares, aero wing decklid spoiler, and front fender air extractors.
4. 1971 AMC Hornet AMX
via Hemmings
The AMC company had built full-size and small-size cars for almost 3 decades before Chrysler finally acquired it. The AMC Hornet was available in different trims: sedan, wagon, and hatchback coupe. Although it was in the production line for 7 years, which was a long time for a company to experience various performances, it didn't see a big change in the exterior.
3. 1970 Plymouth GTX
via Mecum
In the 60s and early 70s at the peak of the muscle car wars, the GTX was the young heart of the Plymouth Company that attracted a lot of attention. Competing in the intermediate-size muscle cars market with a 204-inch length and 116-inch wheelbase, the 1970 GTX looked simple but dangerous when confronted. It packed a 440 cu V8 engine with 390 hp or an optional 426 cu Hemi with 425 hp.
2. 1965 Rambler Marlin
via Wheels Age
The Rambler Marlin was produced by AMC from 1965 to 1967. Labeled as a personal luxury car, it drew quite a bit of attention upon its release. To establish a new market, AMC invested to capitalize on the luxurious interior and exterior design, rather than packing a powerful engine, as many other muscle cars did at the time.
1. 1971 AMC Javelin AMX
via Wikipedia
Produced from 1967 to 1974 and offering choices from a 3.8 L six-cylinder to a 6.6 L V8, AMC Javelin AMX tried to compete in a market that was largely taken by prominent players such as the Ford Mustang and Pontiac Firebird, but it was not only a bit late to the game, but with its sales flop, it only competed with another AMC line, the Rambler Marlin.
