The muscle car — some view this as the peak of the American automotive industry. Others view it simply as a highlight in a stellar history.
Regardless of where you fall in this debate, it’s hard to deny that there is something special about the muscle car. This era of cars just oozed cool due to the designs of the models and the engines powering them.
But which muscle car was the best? That is a matter of personal preference. For us, some of the best in automotive history hailed from the late 1960s and early 1970s.
No. 1 – 1969 Yenko Camaro
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro was undeniably a classic. It remains so nearly 60 years later. However, the Yenko edition of this muscle car was over the top in the best possible way.
Don Yenko, a racer and Chevrolet dealership owner, saw the engine limitations created by a GM mandate, so he swapped out the 6.0-liter V8 for the more powerful 7.0-liter V8. This engine delivered 450 horsepower as opposed to 375 horsepower.
Yenko went even further by installing a fiberglass hood featured on 1967 Corvettes, as well as multiple other aftermarket parts.
This process, which began in 1967, led to an official partnership in 1969. Yenko and Chevrolet worked together to create hundreds of Camaros with L72 engines, heavy-duty radiators, power disc brakes, and spoilers. These Yenko Camaros also featured special badging and exterior stripes.
The Yenko Camaro combined the head-turning design of the base muscle car with power and performance, and it became an icon.
No. 2 – 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
A true classic, the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T came out of the gates with the goal of challenging the Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Camaro, and Ford Mustang.
This muscle car featured multiple engine options that delighted various consumers. One engine boasted 335 horsepower while another had 375. The 440 Six Pack delivered 390 horsepower, and the 426 Hemi took the number to 425 horsepower.
The Challenger R/T had the power to battle other muscle cars, but it also became a classic with its sleek lines and contrasting vinyl roof. It also didn’t hurt that the film “Vanishing Point” used it in multiple memorable car chases.
The Challenger R/T was so cool that it actually made its way to the video game world. Detective John Tanner drives a 1970 Challenger R/T throughout the “Driver” video game series.
No. 3 – 1968-70 Dodge Charger
Dodge was on a roll in the late 1960s and heading into the 1970s. The second-generation (1968-70) Dodge Charger is the perfect example of this, as it became a legend in racing and in television.
The Charger was the car that the TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard” prominently featured. The show’s stunt team used this car to jump over creeks and run from the law while destroying 317 in the process.
The show also inspired people across the country to build their own tribute vehicles for car shows.
The Charger also became an icon in the racing world despite initially struggling to achieve success. Bobby Allison and Buddy Baker, in particular, both won races while driving the second-generation Charger.
No. 4 – 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
The Ford Mustang has no shortage of classics in its lineup, many of which made their way to the silver screen. Which was the best?
It’s easy to look at the 1967 GT500 used in the remake of “Gone in 60 Seconds” or the 1968 GT used in “Bullitt.” However, neither compares to the 1969 Mustang Boss 429.
This classic muscle car had the goal of challenging the massive power delivered by Dodge’s engines. It featured a 7.0-liter V8 pumping out 375 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 450 lb-ft. of torque at 3,400 rpm. Although the numbers could go much higher with some modifications.
The engine delivered the power, but that was only one part of the equation. Ford also created an iconic body, one that still turns heads in 2025.
Ford only manufactured this Mustang for two years while trying to get into NASCAR, but the engine lived on. For example, it made its way to the drag racing world when Mickey Thompson put them in his Funny Cars.
No. 5 – 1969 Pontiac Firebird
A common theme among the cars on this list is that their creators had a simple mission — beat the Mustang. The first-generation Pontiac Firebird was not an exception, but don’t hold that against it.
This classic car shared many similarities with the Chevrolet Camaro, but it also built on a shared platform by taking pieces from other cars. This includes taillights inspired by the Pontiac GTO.
While the base Inline 6 engine had pedestrian horsepower numbers (165), the other options delivered solid power overall. This included the 6.6-liter V8 with 325 horsepower.
The first generation of the Firebird (1967-69) was a looker, but the 1969 model year was the standout with its updated front end. This gave the car a tougher look that was closer to the GTO.
No. 6 – 1967 Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar, which shared its chassis with the Ford Mustang, debuted in 1967 to great success. This two-door hardtop car was three inches longer than the ’67 Mustang, but it also featured a long hood and short deck.
Where the two cars differed was in the styling. The Cougar was the first car in the Lincoln-Mercury lineup to feature hidden headlights, which provided a tough look in the daylight.
It also included vertically slatted chrome trim in its grille. This design extended to the rear of the car, where vertical slats disguised the taillights.
The Mercury Cougar was not the most powerful car of this era, nor was it the most popular. However, it deserves a spot on this list.