This past Monday, October 27, Car Club held our second meeting of the year and first-ever Muscle Monday. Five cars and fifty people attended the lunchtime meeting featuring: A 1959 Corvette Restomod (A restored and modified car), a 1997 Camaro Z28/SS, a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT6, a 1970 Camaro Restomod, and a 2020 Shelby GT500 Track Pack.
A muscle car is a high-performance, American-made coupe or sedan with a powerful engine (typically a V8), designed for straight-line acceleration and speed. They emerged in the 1960s, becoming more than just fast machines; they were symbols of freedom, power, and rebellion. The movement began with the 1964 Pontiac GTO, which inspired rivals like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, and Chevrolet Chevelle, each creating their own versions of affordable speed.
In those glory days, teens were blasting, rocking, and racing down roads. However, by the mid-1970s, new emissions regulations, rising gas prices, and insurance costs caused a decline in their popularity. When these rules were alleviated in the late 80s and 90s, the spirit got a revamp with examples like the 1997 Camaro Z28/SS. The cars brought back the rambunctious spirit of the older muscle cars with modern power and tech.
Today, just like in the 70s, emission laws are threatening V8s again. It requires a deliberate effort to keep the muscle car alive through clubs like ours, so people can restore, expand, and/or create a passion for these amazing machines.
In the Muscle Monday meeting, a wide range of muscle cars was on display, which showed how such cars can be personalized to reflect character. This was visible with the orange 1959 Corvette on Muscle Monday, owned by one of the largest Rock Memorabilia collections in the world, which is reflected in his car’s sound system.
To their owners, they are more than just cars; they are muscles with which you can flex your personality.
