The early 60s up to the 70s was a golden age for the American automotive industry, if only because muscle cars were growing in number and overall stature. The muscle car arms race of that time yielded plenty of options for customers looking for more power and metal-twisting torque from these vehicles. And the models only grew in popularity as more and more people began clamoring for the biggest, baddest, and most powerful muscle cars.

The general appeal these muscle cars offered to the growing American car culture of the time was the opportunity to own powerful vehicles that could be used for drag racing while also keeping costs at bay. At that time, several brands began developing their own models, including legendary names like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Plymouth Barracuda, the Pontiac Trans-Am, and the Dodge Charger, to name a few.

While the golden age of American muscle was limited to parts of these two decades, the industry has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in recent years. It won't compare to the '60s or the '70s, but as proven by customer clamoring, the culture of American Muscle Cars is far from bearing its last legs. To pay tribute to the time when the muscle was king of the road - and the drag strip – below can be found a compiled list of the most memorable muscle cars of the golden age.

Updated August 24, 2023: The muscle car era is the pinnacle of greatness for many classic car lovers. For decades there was nothing on the market that could compare to any of the '60s and '70s performance cars on the market. Today, things have changed, and most of the go-to muscle cars have become collectibles that are only taken out on rare occasions. For some though, the era of the muscle car deserves more respect and is a time in history that should never be forgotten.

Related: Automakers Seriously Downplayed How Much Horsepower These Muscle Cars Make

1964 Pontiac GTO

A Street Racing Statement By GM

A parked 1964 Pontiac GTO
Mecum

In many ways, the 1964 Pontiac GTO was regarded as one of the pioneer muscle cars during the golden age of the 60s and 70s only because of the simple premise behind the car's build. The idea was to find the largest engine and put it on the lightest body that could be found. The brainchild of Russell Gee, Bill Collins, and John DeLorean, the GTO was born because of a decision to emphasize a car's street performance after General Motors, at that time, issued a ban on factory-sponsored racing.

1964 Pontiac GTO 389 Specs

Engine

6.4-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 3 and 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

348 hp

Torque

428 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.7 seconds

1/4 Mile

14.3 @99 MPH

Incidentally, the Pontiac GTO was the idea of John DeLorean, who took the name from the Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most iconic race cars in history, with the "GTO" standing as an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato. Through much controversy surrounding the name of the car and the general apprehension about how it would do at the box office, the GTO surprised many people by becoming one of the most legendary muscle cars of all time.

1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake

Bites In Any Direction

A parked 1967 Shelby Cobra 427
Mecum

Despite its streamlined, sports-car looks, the 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake had the pulse of American muscle coursing through its veins. Judging by the limited number of cars built for this particular model, it shouldn't be surprising that the most powerful Shelby to ever be built still carries the title of one of the rarest American muscle cars in history.

Carroll Shelby always wanted the fastest and meanest car on the road. He set about doing it by introducing the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake in 1967. Limited to only two units – yep! Two! - The Cobra 427 Super Snake was essentially a race car modified for use on the street and still holds acclaim as the most awesome of all the Cobras ever to be built.

1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake Specs

Engine

7.0-liter twin-supercharged V-8

Transmission

4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

800 hp

Torque

N/A

0-60 MPH

3.6 seconds

1/4 Mile

12.3 @122 MPH

Not only was it powered by the Cobra's top-of-the-line 427 cubic inch V-8 Shelby engine, but to give it some extra juice, Shelby added a pair of Paxton superchargers to the mix, effectively doubling the output of the 427 Cobra to a mind-boggling 800 horsepower. An American muscle car from the '60s that produces 800 horsepower. That's all you need to know about the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake.

1968 Dodge Charger R/T

Not Just Built For "Dom"

A parked 1968 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T
Mecum

The 1968 Dodge Charger R/T is one of those muscle cars that have definitely withstood the test of time. How else do people explain the car's popularity these days, more than 40 years after the car first made waves in the late 60s? As Vin Diesel's character in Fast and the Furious will say, the answer is pretty simple: the '68 Charger R/T was, and still is a true muscle car.

It's the type of muscle car that imposes an image of fear and star quality wrapped in one awesome package. With an unmistakable design that features the now famous hidden headlight grille, the overall curvy body, the refined tail, and the prevalent use of chrome on the car, the '68 Charger R/T was in a class of its own back then.

1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

425 hp (claimed)

Torque

490 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.9 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.5 @102 MPH

Beyond the impressive aesthetics and timeless design, the Charger R/T also boasted a powertrain featuring a 440 cubic inch four-barrel Magnum V-8 engine that produced 375 horsepower with an engine option in the form of the 426 Hemi engine that came with 425 horsepower. While other muscle cars at the time came out with a more dynamic profile or powerful engine, nothing could compete with the Charger R/T regarding the whole package.

Related: The 10 Best Mopar Classic Cars Ever Made

1968 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI

Its No Cartoon Character

A parked 1968 Plymouth Road Runner
Mecum

It may have had a name inspired by the Looney Tunes character, but make no mistake, the Plymouth Road Runner HEMI was all business, all the time. With a standard powertrain featuring a 383-cid, four-barrel V-8 engine with 335 horsepower or a more powerful 426-cid HEMI engine with 425 horsepower, the Road Runner HEMI became a popular choice for a muscle car in the late 60s.

It offered customers a back-to-basics package that underscored everything people wanted in a muscle car without the frills attached. In building the Road Runner HEMI, Plymouth emphasized the car's performance, leaving all the styling intricacies behind. Nothing about the car's looks screamed incredible because everything that wasn't essential in improving the car's performance was left out, including the interior, where "added options" became a foreign concept.

1968 Plymouth Roadrunner Hemi Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

425 hp (claimed)

Torque

490 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.9 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.4 @103 MPH

But despite its pedestrian looks, the Road Runner HEMI's impressive powertrain certainly made up for all of it. As a side note, Plymouth actually paid Warner Brothers $50,000 for the rights to use the name and likeness of the Road Runner and another $10,000 to develop the "beep, beep" horn. Just goes to show that despite being a simple-as-can-be muscle car, the Plymouth Road Runner HEMI still offered plenty of character.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

A Muscle Car People Dream About

A blue 1969 Chevy Camaro ZL1
Mecum Auctions

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is one of the fastest and most powerful American muscle cars of its time. It was conceived by drag racer Dick Harrell specifically for drag racing and came with a 427 cubic inch big-block V-8 engine called the ZL1.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

500

Torque

450 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.3 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.16 @110 MPH

This particular powertrain gave the Camaro all the performance output it needed - 500 horsepower worth - to be considered one of the foremost American beasts of its time, capable even of hitting 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. Only 69 ZL1 Camaros were ever built, making this model one of the rarest and most influential American muscle cars of its time.

1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet

It Put The Power Back Into The Mustang

A parked 1969 Ford Mustang Mach I Cobra Jet
Mecum Auctions

The Ford Mustang has produced its fair share of doozy pony cars, but nothing draws "oohs and ahhs" more than the 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet. Regarded as the model that took the fight to the big-block Camaros and Firebirds of the time, the Mustang Cobra Jet was a more powerful version of the Mustang and came with a powertrain worthy of its stature.

Powering the Mustang Cobra Jet was a 428-cid V-8 engine that featured larger valve heads than the standard Mustang, a ram-air induction, and a functional hood scoop while also carrying the same intake manifold as that of its less powerful brethren. While Ford rated the Mustang Cobra Jet as having "only" 335 horsepower, the truth was its output hit closer to 410 horsepower.

1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

335 hp 9claimed)

Torque

440 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.2 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.9 @99 MPH

This figure was notable because it ushered in a new wave of interest for the Ford Mustang, which had been lagging behind the Chevrolet Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird, and the Plymouth Barracuda. With the release of the Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, the tables were finally turned, and everyone started looking up to the legendary Mustang.

Related: Top 10 American Performance Cars

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

The King Of The Streets

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Mecum

Many people today are quick to label the Camaro as Chevrolet's muscle car. While that, to an extent, is accurate, not a lot of people know that before the Camaro became Chevy's go-to-muscle car, that title belonged to the Chevrolet Chevelle SS. After being introduced in 1964 to signal Chevrolet's entry into the world of muscle cars, the Chevelle trudged along for several years, registering enough to make a name for itself but not enough to make its rivals worry.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 LS6 Specs

Engine

7.4-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

450

Torque

500 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.8 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.4 @105 MPH

It wasn't until 1970 when the Chevelle SS finally broke out, thanks in large part to a 454 cubic inch big-block V-8 engine that produced 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque with a 0-62 mph time of under 5.0 seconds, with the right rear gears. Understated because of its more famous successor, the Chevelle was once Chevrolet's official muscle car, something not lost to those who had the pleasure of owning this spectacular machine back in the day.

1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible

Rare But Worth The Money

A parked 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible
Mecum Auctions

One of the rarest and most important muscle cars of the '70s is the 1971 Plymouth Hemi'Cuda Convertible, a car that, to this day, remains one of the most sought-after muscle cars in history. The HEMI 'Cuda, a direct descendant of the Plymouth Barracuda, became a rare gem. Not only because it came with a 425 cubic inch V-8 engine that produced 425 horsepower but because it served as Plymouth's answer to the established names of that time, particularly the Camaro and the Mustang.

1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

425 hp (claimed)

Torque

490 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.4 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.9 @103 MPH

But, of all the Barracudas that ever came out, the 1971 HEMI 'Cuda Convertible remains the crown jewel of them all. Limited to only 11 units, the Hemi 'Cuda Convertible is about as rare as any muscle car currently on the market. It helped its cause by being an aesthetically attractive car with a combination of imposing good looks and top-of-the-line performance credentials. One model was auctioned off at Barrett Jackson for a whopping $4 million to give a perspective on how rare and sought-after this muscle car is.

1965 Shelby GT350

The Original Shelby GT

A parked 1965 Shelby GT350
Mecum

The one person who could take a stock production car and turn it into a muscle car built for racing would be the one and only Carroll Shelby. Up until the early '60s, he had been racing and working on his own version of the Cobra, which has been revived this year. A series of 1965 Mustangs were shipped to the Shelby shop in Los Angeles, where Carroll and his team went to work.

1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350- Specs

Engine

4.7-liter V-8

Transmission

4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

306

Torque

329 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.4 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.9 @101 MPH

They slid a modified 289 under the hood that could kick out up to 329 pound-feet of torque and 306 horsepower. This combination allowed the 1965 Shelby GT350 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and run down the quarter-mile track in under 15 seconds. It was a muscle car designed for one task; to destroy the competition on and off the street.

RELATED: Shelby American's 10 Most Iconic Cars

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

A Muscle Car Legend Immortalized In Cinema

Ford-Mustang_Shelby_GT500
Ford Motor Company 

Carroll Shelby's first tuned Mustang may have been the GT350, but the GT500 is the more famous one, on a global scale. The high-performance Shelbuy GT500 came along with the Ford Mustang's redesign for 1967. The "500" nomenclature was, typically, used by American carmakers for models that were connected to the NASCAR program, but that wasn't the case here as the Mustang Shelby GT500 never raced.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

355 hp

Torque

420 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.5 seconds

1/4 Mile

14.0 @101 MPH

Unlike the hardcore GT350, the GT500 was more of a daily driver. Out of the box, the high-performance Ford Mustang came with a 428 cubic-inch V-8, which was a modified version of Ford's Police Interceptor engine. To no surprise, anyone who wanted to drive the GT500 hard, would eventually, swap in a 427 side-oiler like the one found in the Shelby Cobra. In more recent pop culture, the Shelby GT500's most famous appearance was in the 2001 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, which resulted in the classic Muscle car being one of the most replicated models.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird

A Racecar By Day, Street Racer By Night

A parked 1970 Plymouth Superbird
Mecum

One car that should always stand out in the mind is the unique-looking 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird. Now, if it was on the racetrack, it fit right in with the other cars that also had designs that maximized racing, but when on the city streets and parking lots, it was sorely out of place. But, even then, it caught the attention of many muscle car lovers who had rides like the 1970 Chevelle SS and the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

425 hp (claimed)

Torque

490 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.8 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.5 @105 MPH

The car was built with the 426 HEMI that could easily push out up to 425 horsepower, with a ground-pounding torque of 490 pound-feet. On the track or in the city, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds and rocket down the quarter-mile strip in 13.5 seconds.

1968 Chevrolet Nova SS

A Mini-Muscle Car With Big Performance

A parked 1970 Chevy Nova
Mecum

Putting the biggest possible engine in the smallest possible car while keeping it relatively affordable for the masses, is the definition of American Muscle. In that regard, the third-generation Chevrolet Nova (1968-1874) is one of the best examples. The Nova was always positioned beneath the bigger Camaro but packed some of the V-8 engines, chief among which, the LT1 350 V-8. The two-door Nova SS was built on the four-door sedan Nova's chassis where the sedan's B-pillar doubled as a built-in roll cage.

1968 Chevrolet Nova SS Specs

Engine

5.7-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

375

Torque

415 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.5 seconds

1/4 Mile

14.0 @97 MPH

This, together with a unibody structure, made the Nova more rigid than the Camaro. At the same time, all performance parts available for the Chevy Camaro also worked on the Nova, meaning plenty of owners tweaked these little Chevys into blisteringly fast Hot rods. Some Dealers like Yenko Chevrolet, made additional tweaks to the Novas such as installing heavy-duty suspension, 12-bolt rear ends with 4.10 gears, and other modifications that were readily available.

Related: The Rarest American Muscle Cars in Existence

1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Not A Good Seller But Was A Beast On The Streets

A parked 1972 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Mecum

The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am may not have been as huge a seller as the Mustang or Camaro, but it was a unique muscle car that deserves some recognition. The marketing flyers circulated by Pontiac stated "You don't have to be a designer to see that Firebird styling is futuristic."

1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Specs

Engine

7.4-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

335 hp (claimed)

Torque

480 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.4 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.9 @101 MPH

This was the case, of course, offering curves and styling only close to the ones used on the Corvette. Under the hood was the 455 High Output V-8 that could still push out 335 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque after it was de-tuned to meet regulations. That allowed the Pontiac Trans Am to sprint from 0 to 60 in 7.0 seconds and down the quarter-mile in around 14 seconds.

1971 AMC Javelin AMX

An Underdog That Rose From The Ashes

A parked 1971 AMC Javelin AMX
Mecum

AMC (American Motors Company) is one of those carmakers that many people have long forgotten about, even those who like to collect and restore classic cars. The company produced a few great muscle cars, such as the Rambler Rebel and the AMC Javelin AMX, that came race-ready straight from the factory. The 1971 Javelin AMX was designed for competition.

1971 AMC Javelin AMX Specs

Engine

6.6-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

330 hp

Torque

429 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.1 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.2 @104 MPH

Since not many people know about AMC muscle cars, it makes the perfect sleeper. Under the hood can be found the infamous 6.6L V-8 that could push out 330 horsepower. The 401 big block gave the car enough power and torque to accelerate to 60 from 0 in 5.1 seconds, and it could get through the quarter-mile in just over 13 seconds.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 427

Built To Race

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C2 1967
Chevrolet

Since its inception in 1953, the Chevy Corvette has been the definitive, American sports car. It was a more inexpensive, American answer to the European sports cars from Ferrari and Porsche, and to this day, it's one of the most coveted sports cars out there. Zora Arkus Duntov is the father of the Corvette. Chevy's Chief Engineer was constantly working on making the Corvette better, which included building racing versions of the car.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette C2 427 L88 Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

430 hp (claimed)

Torque

450 lb-ft (claimed)

0-60 MPH

4.2 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.4 @111 MPH

This spawned the L88 engine. This was the most aggressive version of the 427 Big Block and featured a more aggressive camshaft with solid lifters, a higher compression ratio of 12.5:1, floating piston rings, a bigger carburetor, and much more. It was, essentially, a racing engine that was rated at 430 horsepower, but in reality, made between 490 and 580. Torque was also conservatively rated, but in actuality, it peaked at 550 lb-ft (745 Nm). Only 20 C2 Corvettes got the L88 Big block, of which 10 survive, making the L88 C2 Corvettes highly desirable classics.

Related: 10 Great American Cars People Forgot About

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

The Smaller MOPAR That Outruns The Charger

Three-quarter front view of 1970 Challenger R/T
Mecum

When it comes to peak 1970s MOPARs, the Dodge Challenger R/T is at the top. Like its bigger brother, the Charger, the Challenger was immortalized on the big screen with movies like Vanishing Point, Deathproof, and others. For the most part, the Challenger featured the same engines as the Charger, but it was underpinned by Chrysler's E-Body platform (shared with the Plymouth Barracuda), which was smaller than the full-size B-Body platform, the Charger featured.

1970 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

425 hp (claimed)

Torque

490 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.7 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.3 @105 MPH

The range-topping model was the 426 Hemi, which was conservatively rated at 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet (664 Nm), the same as the Charger R/T. The Hemi Challengers came with either a four on the floor or a Torqueflite 727 automatic. The manual, 426 Hemi, hardtop cars are the most sought-after and rarest - only 137 made. The 4.7-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time (with the optional, 4.10 rear gears) makes the Challenger R/T 426 Hemi quick even by today's standards.

1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429

A NASCAR-Powered Tire-Shredder

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 6
Mecum

Like other American carmakers in the 1960s and 1970s, Ford followed the philosophy of "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday". Motorsports were the best way to advertise a performance model, and the 429 cubic-inch Ford V-8 was specifically made for NASCAR. While the racing version of the engine was put in the Ford Torino Talladega, the 429's most notable use in road application was in the Ford Mustang BOSS 429. The engine featured hemispherical heads earning it the nickname "Ford's Hemi".

1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 Specs

Engine

7.0-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

375 hp (claimed)

Torque

490 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.3 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.7 @101 MPH

The engine was a tight fit in the smaller Mustang and resulted in a weight distribution of 58.5/41.5. Because of this, the car was difficult to handle, which prompted Ford to work on a mid-engine version called the BOSS 429 LID. Performance gains, however, were too small to make financial sense. Nevertheless, with a quarter-mile time of 13.6 seconds at 106 mph (171 km/h), the BOSS 429 was still a quick car.

1970 Buick GSX Stage 1

GM's Gentleman's Muscle Car

1970 Buick GSX
Mecum Auctions

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, everyone was going crazy about Muscle cars, which is why every American carmaker had at least one model on offer. Buick was the only exception since the brand's models were always more sedated and luxurious compared to most other offerings at the time. That's where the Gran Sport Experimental came in. For 1970, the 400 cubic-inch V-8 was replaced with 455. The Stage 1 package added a new camshaft, different heads, a tuned carburetor, and bigger valves.

1970 Buuck GSX Stage 1 Specs

Engine

7.4-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

360 hp (claimed)

Torque

510 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.1 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.38 @105.5 MPH (1970 MotorTrend)

The engine is conservatively rated at 360 horsepower while peak torque is 510 pound-feet (691 Nm). In reality, these 455 Stage 1 engines produced 420 to 430 horsepower. The GSX Stage 1 does the quarter-mile in 13.38 seconds at 105 mph (171 km/h), making it the quickest Muscle car of the 1970s.

Related: Top 10 Underappreciated American Classic Cars

1969 Pontiac GTO

"The Judge" Has Plenty Of Character

Blue 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455
Mecum

Before John DeLorean went on to make the DMC-12, which would become famous with the Back to the Future movies, he devised one of the most popular packages for the second-generation Pontiac GTO. In 1969, "The Judge" was introduced. The package was inspired by a comedy routine, "Here Come de Judge", which was apparently, a favorite of John DeLorean. The package stripped all features to make it as lightweight as possible.

1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge" Specs

Engine

6.6-liter V-8

Transmission

3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Power

366 hp

Torque

445 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.9 seconds

1/4 Mile

13.6 @103 MPH

Initially, "The Judge" was offered with the 400 cubic-inch H.O. engine with the Ram Air package as standard (Ram Air IV was optional). Power was rated at 360 horsepower, but later versions got the more powerful 455 cubic-inch V-8. The GTO "The Judge" is one of the last Muscle cars to succumb to the smog regulations. Unlike some of the other iconic Muscle cars on the list, the GTO "Judge" was a lot more mass-produced. In 1969, alone, 6,833 GTO "The Judge" were produced.