Originally Posted by mike the tiger
As an ~old timer~, in my mind there is a difference between a ~MUSCLE CAR~ and a ~PONY CAR~. For example a CHEVELLE SS, a BUICK GSX, a CHARGER (2 door!), a SUPER BEE, a ROAD RUNNER...is a ~MUSCLE CAR~. A CAMARO, a MUSTANG... is a ~PONY CAR~.
I think that the new CHALLENGER
( mostly because of price, weight and size) should be considered a ~MUSCLE CAR~. It is not a ~PONY CAR~. I think that it is a mistake for the DCX marketing department to match the CHALLENGER against the MUSTANG and the CAMARO (price, weight and size). DCX should sell the idea ~THE MUSCLE CAR AREA IS BORN AGAIN AND WE ARE ALONE IN THIS CLASS~.
What is your take on that!
The new 2008 Dodge Challenger should be considered a "Pony car."
The Muscle Car Club has the following comprehensive definition of muscle cars and pony cars:
"The term "muscle car" wasn't even used until the late 1970s, in the 1960s there were often called "Super cars" if called anything at all. A muscle car, by the strictest definition, is an intermediate-sized, performance oriented model, powered by a large V8 engine, at an affordable price. Most of these models were based on "regular" production vehicles. These vehicles are generally not considered muscle cars, even when equipped with large V8s. If there was a high performance version available, it gets the credit, and not the vehicle that it was based on. Examples: Buick GS, Chevrolete Chevelle SS, Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Torino/Cobra, Plymouth GTX, Plymouth Road Runner, Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO.
In addition to fullsize and intermediate muscle cars, a number of smaller vehicles started appearing on the automotive performance scene. These new "pony cars" and compact cars are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options. Examples:
Plymouth 'Cudas (no Barracudas), Dodge Challengers R/T (no SEs),Chevrolet Camaro (SS and Z28 models only),
Ford Mustang (GTs and Boss only), AMC Javelin, etc."
For more information see:
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclec...finition.shtml
