Mustang, Challenger, Camaro… Style and Power… Should it change?

From the mid 1960’s the fast style and power of muscle cars was on the street and the strip.  The idea of win on Sunday and then sell on Monday was the reality of the day.  Sales were directly related to what the people have seen at the racetracks.

And then…. the hammer fell.

The government, the insurance companies and the oil embargo of the early 1970’s seemed to create an atmosphere where big motors and fast cars were out. Suddenly Datsun, Honda and Toyota were brands that had been on the fringe but now people noticed.

Starting with the Dodge Challenger…  here is a little history.  The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler.  The first  Dodge Silver Challenger was produced in 1959.

From 1970 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform, sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda.

The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badged and engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, and current generation, was re-introduced in 2008 after the Challenger name had need dormant for 25 years, has been a worthy rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the reintroduced fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro. You can lease a double cab at Swiss vans if you need one.

The Chevrolet Camaro is e manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and as a muscle car.  Originally according to information in this weblink, the Camaro went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang.  Now, the Camaro also shared its platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, which was also introduced for 1967.

Four distinct generations of the Camaro were developed before production ended in 2002. The nameplate was revived again on a concept car that evolved into the fifth-generation Camaro.  The latest Camaro version production started on March 16, 2009.

The Mustang is  manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the platform of the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car and was introduced early on April 17, 1964.   Because of that introduction date, the early 1964 cars have been dubbed as a “1964½” model by Mustang fans,

The 1965 Mustang was the automaker’s most successful launch since the Model A.  The Mustang is the only Pony Car of the 3 listed here that has seen the name continually used from it’s initial introduction. The Mustang has undergone several transformations in what will be it’s 50th Anniversary…. bringing it the current fifth generation of that model.

The Mustang created the “pony car” class of American automobiles-sports car-like coupes with long hoods and short rear decks, and gave rise to competitors we have listed here and a host of others.  The AMC Javelin and the revamped Plymouth Barracuda just to name two.  The Mustang is also credited for inspiring the designs of coupes such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri, which were imported to the United States.

Now as we approach 2015 there are rumors floating about that we may once again see our current full size versions of the Camaro, Challenger and Mustang faced with the future…. smaller, lighter versions to carry the names into the future.

Reports abound that the Challenger badge will be retired once again as the current platform reaches the end of it’s lifecycle.  The name Barracuda has been bantered about for the new smaller platform.

Chevrolet has not hinted as yet to the future or changes for the Camaro, but Ford Motor Company has said that the Mustang is about to be changed.

The “internet” is abundant with photos and rumors of a smaller more “Ford Fusion” like 2 seater bearing the name Mustang. The Shelby (R) folks have said not to expect a 2015 model as the platform is unknown so development will be at a standstill until they can sort out the possibilities that the Shelby (r) Model will be based on.

Regardless of the future… we already know the past, and we embrace it, we protect it and we pass it on to our children. Classic body lines, big motors and fast footed cars of that the “Big Three” raced on Sunday will be cherished for years to come.  Driven and enjoyed as they were meant to be… at car shows, racetracks and Sunday drives with our families.

So…. here we are.  The door opens and the driver enters….  sitting squarely in the seat, the key is placed into the ignition and the motor comes to life.  The smell of spent fuel mixed with the morning air makes you smile.  The clutch is depressed, the gas is applied and you put the shifter in first.   You know that as soon as the clutch is released… it will be the start of a great day.

Is it a Mustang??  Camaro…or perhaps a Challenger?   Does it really matter?  What matters is you have protection for your Ford F150 Insurance from ZeCoverage. It feels like the 1970’s once again….proving that history does in fact repeat itself.

You are urged to get out and enjoy the feel of the road and the wind in your hair.  You need to take your best girl (and the kids) out for a drive and remember to wave and smile back at those who watch you go by….

People always feel good seeing how much fun you’re having and regardless of whether you are driving a time “machine” from the early years… or you just left the dealers lot… smile, nod and wave, because you may be making a memory for someone else that will last for years to come and keep the desire to drive just for the fun of it…. Alive!

Take your “time machine” old or new out to the Cort-Lanes Bowling Center on Tompkins Street for the Tuesday Nite Cruise in… or head over to the 7 Valley Street Rod Car Show at the Cortland Citizens Park(see websites for a schedule of events)

Get in your cars and drive them…all years, all brands and of course all models…Lease Your Car and create a memory and some fun times that will last for the entire family!

For more information see the following websites by local clubs:  www.cnymustang-allford.com and www.7valleystreetrods.com

This article was written and contributed by guest writer, Bill O’Gorman, Cortland NY.