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Muscle Cars | Pony Cars | Sports Cars - Whats the difference?

Posted by Michael Smith on Mar 1st 2022

Muscle Cars | Pony Cars | Sports Cars

What’s the difference?

By: Michael Smith

Is this a muscle car, pony car, or sports car? What was once a crystal-clear designation of car performance, might be a little less clear in todays’ modern machines. These monikers are used time and time again to describe the most powerful cars on American roads but, what if we are using them incorrectly? What if your loved muscle car, isn’t actually a muscle car at all?

Today we will take a look at these terms and the cars they describe. Each car type has their own set of indicators that determine what category they land in.

        

1965 Pontiac GTO

1965 Pontiac GTO (Stuffed Tiger Optional)

What is a muscle car?

1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396

At its’ most basic level, a muscle car refers to a mid to full-size body sedan, with a big block V8 engine. The larger the engine; the better. These are beefy rear wheel drive behemoths, with two doors, and a relatively “light-weight” body. This setup focuses solely on power; with handling and suspension taking a back-seat. Muscle cars excel at going fast off the starting line but fall short in handling corners and turns. This makes them the perfect “drag racing” machine.

The first muscle car is a topic of debate, but most will tell you it was the 1964 Pontiac GTO. The original GTO was designed by auto legends John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee as an available options package for the Pontiac Le Mans. GM had recently banned its divisions from being involved in auto racing. The team at Pontiac saw this as an opportunity to market a high-performance model to a power-hungry younger generation. They took a Pontiac Tempest and dropped a 389 cu in V8 from a Catalina into it; and inadvertently kicked off the muscle car craze of the 1960’s.

In the coming decades several powerhouses have emerged to claim the coveted title of “muscle car”. These include legends such as the Ford Torino, Dodge Charger & Super Bee, AMC Rebel, and the much-loved Chevrolet Chevelle. Today there are few muscle cars left on the roads, and the only real muscle car left in active production is the Dodge Challenger.

        

1965 Ford Mustang

1965 Ford Mustang

What is a pony car?

1968 Chevrolet Camaro

The designations that make a vehicle a “pony car” are a little more indistinct. Pony cars are generally smaller bodied, or compact, rear wheel drive coupes with long hoods and shorter decklids. The typical pony car comes with a small block V8 or Inline-6 engine, with more emphasis on steering and suspension than their bulkier muscle car brothers. This configuration makes for a quick, powerful, and maneuverable vehicle. The mechanics are wrapped up in an array of highly styled bodies and trim options; making for a sporty “attention getter” that wows on the streets as well as the car show lots.

All pony cars can be traced back to the original progenitor; the 1964.5 Ford Mustang. When the Mustang hit the scene; people lost their minds. There was nothing else like it on the road at the time. The styling, handling, affordability, and power made this car one of the most popular of all time, selling over 400,000 vehicles in the first year. As its popularity grew, other car manufacturers took notice, and an entire classification of car was spawned.

The most recognizable car names in America are often “pony cars”. This includes all models of Mustang (of course), the Plymouth Barracuda, Pontiac Firebird & Trans-Am, Mercury Cougar, AMC Javelin, early model Dodge Challengers, and the only car to make a Mustang nervous; the Chevrolet Camaro.

        

Ferrari 458 Spider

Ferrari 458 Spider

What is a sports car?

Chevrolet Corvette

So now that we have covered “Muscle” and “Pony”; what makes something a “sports car”? Specifically, the handling. Sports cars are their own separate breed of machine. Designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, with a very low center of gravity and as much attention as they can place on steering and suspension, the sports car has all the maneuverability the other two wish they had. That’s not to say they don’t have powerful engines. Sports cars typically have large engines mounted in the front or middle of the car, two seats, and are rear wheel drive just like their American cousins. The difference is their ability to handle a turn at speed.

Sports cars rose from the European touring, roadster, & racing cars from the early 20th century. These were pioneers of speed, often making and testing new innovations in driving technology we still use today. Some notable features to come from this group include 4-speed transmissions, long wheel-base and low center of gravity combos, honeycomb radiators, suspension systems, and pushrod-actuated valves.

Today we see sports cars everywhere. Filling the performance driven section of the auto market are high rollers like Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, and Lamborghini. Still, the Americans will not be left out. We dropped large V8 engines into European body styles and birthed the AC Shelby Cobra and the Chevrolet Corvette.

Does this matter?

The short answer is no . . . and yes. At any regular car meet calling your Camaro a muscle car, or sports car, wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. No feelings would be hurt. However, sticklers will be sticklers, and may call you out on your choice of moniker.

In the end, the terms we use are less important than the feeling the vehicles themselves give us. Perhaps you prefer the full unbridled power of a Muscle Car, or tight handling and intense corner chasing of a Sports Car. Maybe the middle ground of the Pony Cars appeals to you. Whichever you choose, the terms you use will depend on your preference and what you choose to put in your’ driveway.

Images provided by Shutterstock & Wikipedia. No Copyright Infringement Intended.

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