To many people, the American muscle cars of the 1950s and 60s represent the pinnacle of automotive design, and I am one of those people. This was an era before government-mandated safety laws or emissions standards, where automakers had carte blanche to produce whatever vehicles the people wanted. And what the people wanted were big, powerful, and sexy cars that turned heads wherever they went.

Best of all, there are literally dozens of different muscle cars from many different automakers and eras to choose from. While some people have a die-hard loyalty to one particular brand though, I pretty much love them all. Hell, I’d have one each if I could afford it, and to me the 1964 Ford Fairlane is every bit as cool as the 1970 Dodge Charger or the ‘55 Chevy Bel-Air.

That said, even an open-minded muscle car enthusiast like myself has favorites, and and my favorites may take you a bit by surprise. See, as much as I love cars like the Camaro or Mustang or Charger, they feel almost common compared to some of the lesser-known-but-just-as-cool cars that I’ve grown to love.

Let me show you what I mean.

#5: The 1957 Chrysler 300C

The 1957 Chrysler 300 is arguably the car that really brought about the muscle car era, though you might not expect it from the looks of the 300. But with a 375 horsepower (and up to 390 horsepower for 1958) a 392 cubic-inch HEMI V8 under the hood, some serious fender fins, and a yawning front fascia that seemed ready to eat up the road, there is no denying that this was a muscle car through and through.

For me though, why really makes the Chrysler 300 an incredible muscle car is that it exudes classiness all the while harboring one of the most powerful engines of the era. Hot rodders took to the 392 like flies to honey, and soon enough this HEMI engine could be found under the hood of many a drag racer and NASCAR. These engines were so powerful that despite advances in engine technology, many racers continued to use the 392 through the 1970s.

To me, this is the muscle car that started it all.

#4: The 1966-67 Ford Fairlane

I like to consider myself a fairly simple fellow with fairly simple tastes, which is perhaps why I love the 1966-67 Ford Fairlanes so much. Has there ever been a car with simpler, more tasteful lines? There is nothing crazy going on here, no outlandish paint scheme or huge fins or anything to suggest that the Fairlane is anything other than a commuter car.

But that isn’t the only reason I love it. Rather, it is the versatility of this vehicle that makes it one of my favorites.

Like many other vehicles of the era, the Fairlane could be ordered as either a two-door coupe, a two-or-four-door sedan, as well as a convertible and station wagon. Any of these models could be equipped with Ford’s largest non-race engine, the 390 cubic-inch V8, and a select few coupe models even received Ford’s 425 horsepower 427 big-block V-8. Do you see where this is going?

I want a 1966 Ford Fairlane station wagon with a 427 V-8. And that is why its #4 of my list.

Picture: Fesler-Built

#3: The 1963 Buick Riviera

In my humble opinion, the 1963-65 Buick Riviera may very well be one of the best looking cars in the world. That is a bold statement, sure, but just look at it and try to tell me this isn’t a gorgeous ride.

When it debuted in 1963, jaws dropped. In a unique move for GM, the Riviera did not share its body shell with any other GM products. Furthermore, it could only be had with either the 401 or 425 Buick Nailhead V8s. The Riviera was also lighter than other Buicks, despite having the same big engines, and had a firmer suspension as well, allowing it to cruise to some impressive performance figures for the time. Believe it or not, a 16-second quarter mile was once considered quite good.

For all its classy appeal though, there is something sinister about these Buicks, like a hitman in an Armani suit. It’s not necessarily a flashy, look-at-me car, but it’s also impossible to ignore. It’s the kind of car you drive with either a velvet glove, or an iron fist. 

#2: The 1968-70 Plymouth GTX

If you asked me what the quintessential American muscle car was, I would tell you it was the Plymouth GTX. A performance version of the Plymouth Belvedere that was spun off into its own model in 1968, the GTX had just two engine options; the 440 V8 and the famous 426 “Elephant” HEMI.

With lots of go-fast stickers, a unique front grille, fake hood scoops, racing stripes, a big spoiler, and a clean, simple, and exciting look, the Plymouth GTX had just one goal; go really, really fast, and look cool doing it. Pure American muscle at arguably the peak of the muscle car era.

And go fast it did, with magazines clocking in quarter-mile times of 13.5 seconds, a blisteringly fast pace for the era. While it was billed with a gentleman driver in mind, it was more body builder than businessman. Today clean examples can easily pull six-figures at auction, because everybody who knows, knows that this is the muscle car to have.

Besides, I had to have a HEMI on my list.

#1: The 1967-70 Mercury Cougar

In 1967, the Mercury Cougar won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award, and for good reason. It brought European styling and grace to the American muscle car, while never forgetting its roots. The ’67 GT version offered a 390 V8 engine in a sleek, sexy body style that mimicked the popular European sports coupes of the day. Billed as a true “gentleman’s muscle car,” all Cougars came well-equipped with (comparatively) luxurious interiors and loads of options.

In 1968 one option package was the GT-E, which offered a 427 cubic-inch engine and, even rarer, a 428 Cobra Jet. This was a serious performance car  in its day, every bit as fast and powerful as its cousin, the Mustang. In 1969 and 1970, the Mercury Cougar Eliminator could be ordered with the Boss 302 engine or the 428 big-block, allowing for performance on par with any other muscle car of the era.

But what I love most about the classic Cougar is that it was unabashedly sold as a “man’s car.” As great as the Mustang is, many people forget that it was marketed to young men AND women.  But the Cougar was aimed at a more refined sort of man, the kind who drinks his whiskey neat and smokes fine cigars, and drives a fast car because he has important places to be.

For all the brashness people remember about American muscle cars, there was a more refined sort of muscle car too, and those are (mostly) the kind I prefer. What about you? What less-popular muscle cars do you love, or are you more inclined to comprise your list of the more popular cars in the day. Tell us below what your top five are, and why.