Full article here. I really like the idea. Classic muscle car looks, modern handling...

Uh-huh... too bad they're all still ugly as hell.

Still better than a Hyundai Elantra

This is just like that Top Gear about "upgrading" DB5s and E-Types, except swap the British for American.

I'm not a Hyundai fanboy.

I've always thought U.S. muscle cars looked like gigantic land barges resembling a rancor's ass. Hence why I'm not so fond of all these "retro remakes"... come on... U.S. automakers should be moving to the future, not revisiting the past.

I read about them in this month's TG. Very cool indeed.

I'm no fan of the retro-remakes either (though the fact that the Camaro is supposed to have decent handling, looks insane, and is quite a bit smaller than the Challenger/Mustang, has me excited). But I truly, truly love the style of SOME of the originals. The Challenger and 'Cuda are two of my favorites alongside the Camaro, and seeing them so well done is just exciting. I completely understand that muscle cars are an acquired taste though, as even I find most of them hideous.

^^^Totally true.

Here's C&D's review of the resto-mod Challenger:

http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/d...ecialty_file__1

I'm not a Challenger fan specifically, but I do think a lot of old American muscle cars look great. My personal favorite, aesthetically, is the Chevelle SS.



Something about the lines of old American muscle cars reminds me of WWII American fighter aircraft, especially the P-40:

http://www.world-war-2-planes.com/p-40-warhawk.html

Buick Special coupe is one of my favorite old american "muscle" cars...great style, and it was also smaller than most others. That and it's a little bit underappreciated now, which I always like.

I really can't say I'm a fan of the Chevelle, or Clarkma's choice either. My favorites are the Camaro, Challenger, 'Cuda, and the early 'Stangs. I actually like the Camaro through the ages, and don't dislike any of the shapes. I guess it's safe to say I'm more of a Pony car fan.

The idea was not bad IMO. Some muscle cars do look good. My personal favourite is the 'Cuda.

Nothing like feeling real torque for a couple of grand a few wrenches. What I love about American Muscle or Neo-Retro cars is they're honest - i don't like many of the new models, but it has nothing to do with interior/ride quality/brakes/weight because none of these cars claim to excel in any of that. Now-a-days you have everything from a Camry to a 382hp Mercedes claiming to offer power, luxury, comfort, styling, fuel efficiency, and somehow afford-ability; yet they all fall short in at least one or two of those areas since some contradict the other. With the mustang/camaro/challenger not only do you get what you pay for, you get what was advertised: a large fender'd bulky muscle car to put you deep into your seat while generating tire smoke and a smile. Are they light? Hell no. Brake, handle, impress the world with their interior - not really. But that's not why you bought it, which means these cars fall into a sector of the car community who tailor the cars to the specific interests of a certain buyer (otherwise Ford would just sell its money maker, the V6).

Will my car perform on a road course without $5k invested in a Grigg's or MM suspension package? No. Does it utilize a rear suspension reminiscent of a horse drawn carriage? Yes. Do I or any of the muscle car enthusiasts care? Certainly not.
Magazines like C/D R&T will continue to compare these cars in tests against other sports cars, and they'll continue to lose (unless perhaps in a straight line) - but that's being ignorant to the true appeal of these cars.
My only gripe is that the only people being able to enjoy these (top of the performing line) cars are the generation who enjoyed the first and are now retiring. Why do they get to hog both? The roots of these cars were cheap torque machines, limited production BS from Ford driving dealer mark-up and generally high stickers from all the companies ruined their entire goal.

http://www.tocmp.com/brochures/1971Riviera...uickRiviera.jpg
Recently discovered one of these at the course d'elegance and it was gorgeous (not the pic from the course).

I completely forgot about that Riviera. I love it.

Uh, why the hell are there vents on the rear trunk/door?

Ventilation, was a one year deal for '71 only because it was a bad idea.

Ventilation for what? The trunk contents?

Let's count the cars that have utterly useless vents somewhere. How about the vents below and slightly forward of the mirrors on Aston Martins, Maseratis, BMW M-cars, and now the CTS? Etc. It's just styling.

It's America, it's for the guy in the trunk the Guidos put there.

For The Trunk Monkey, obviously .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y