Old or new, muscle cars are one of the most popular must-own vehicles on every gearhead wish list. Here lays a problem: big engines and firm suspension don’t always translate that well to road use. Get one on a track, and it’s a whole new ball game, though.
For the most part, muscle cars lose out to their European counterparts when it comes to the twisty stuff. Most will agree that US cars are still a long way behind the competition when it comes to handling prowess, but that’s not what muscle cars are about. Instead, big noisy engines and plenty of tire-smoking action are where the fun is at. For that, you’re better off on a track. It’s where a well-sorted Viper can flex its muscles without fear of running short on space. And there are those cars that are more at home on a track than on everyday roads.
Buy one of these, and you’re guaranteed to have some track day fun.
9 Dodge Viper SRTII
Doomed from a sales perspective, the Viper received criticism for being too hardcore. Fortunately, Dodge and Chrysler persevered in developing the Viper into a track toy high on thrills.
Are muscle cars good for the track? In first-generation guise for the Viper, the answer was a resounding no. Yet, move forward a few variations until the SRII model from 1996 and things had gotten better. Yes, it still packed a huge V10 engine displacing 8 liters and cranking out 450 hp. But at least on a track was more usable.
8 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG
Departing from the muscle car norm of V8 engines, Mercedes went a few cylinders further. Or rather AMG did. Launched in 1995 followed by a resurrection in 1998, this is Mercedes’s idea of how muscle cars should be. Loosely based on the SL coupe and given a thorough makeover by AMG the SL73 outgunned most exotics.
Normally, anything boasting 508 hp would be a handful, let alone a luxury ride weighing 4300 lbs. A large amount of that mass comes from a 7.3-liter V12 engine lurking under the hood. Take one to a track where space isn’t an issue, and it all makes sense. With 550 ft-lbs of torque on hand, there’s only one way around every corner, sideways with a huge grin on your face.
7 Pontiac SLP Formula Firehawk
No other US carmaker proved so divisive with its marketing and product range. On the one hand, Pontiac struggled to live up to its heritage thanks to some badge engineering flops. Yet, on rare occasions its design team with free rein, Pontiac could still pull off a muscle car surprise.
In truth, a lot of the credit belongs to SLP engineering, yet for gearheads, it will always be a Pontiac. Upgrades included a breathed-upon 5.7-liter LS1 V8 putting out 327 hp and a tuned suspension set-up. With more power and grip, the SLP Firehawk is best enjoyed on a track where its tail-happy cornering is a blast.
6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Which muscle car is best for the track? We’d have to argue the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 is a worthy contender. In standard spec, Corvettes are nippy enough to put supercar owners on notice. The introduction of a hotter variant further reinforced the Vette’s storming value.
Packing a Lotus-tuned LT5 V8 engine, the ZR-1 made short work of lighter chassis and body to hit sixty in 4.5 seconds. There are some trade-offs. Ride comfort over anything less than a perfect road surface can be tiresome. But, get one on a track and the grip levels will leave you astounded.
5 Lotus Carlton
Not all muscle cars are American in origin. Yet the Lotus Carlton does share some DNA with the ZR-1 above. Built by Lotus for GM, dipping into the corporate parts’ bin along the way. Under the skin, you’ll find a 3.6-liter twin turbo engine sending 377 hp to the rear axle via a ZR-1 transmission.
Not everyone was so happy. UK law enforcement officials begged the government to ban the Carlton safety grounds. But this isn’t a one-trick pony boasting supercar slayings speeds. Thanks to some Lotus trickery, the Carlton blasts through corners with its tail out.
4 Ford Taurus SHO
An understated styling check and a misleading power figure of 235 hp are enough to make you think twice. Yet, you should never judge a classic muscle car without driving one. In the Taurus SHO, Ford created a near-perfect sleeper. To be honest, would you give this one a second glance?
Pop the hood and things start to get interesting. Ford teamed up with Yamaha, using a transverse 3.4-liter V8. While the thought of front-wheel drive is a worrying sign that tanked sales. As a used cheap track car, it’s just quick enough to be fun without risking life and limb.
3 HSV VT GTS300
Holden Special Vehicles division puts another spin on the muscle car idea. Take one average four-door sedan, and stuff it full of the biggest engine you can find. It’s a simple enough idea Holden has done on many occasions, each time upping the power figures with little regard to driver aids.
Sure, the VT GTS300 had traction control: it’s called your right foot. Under the hood, GM-sourced Callaway-tuned LS1 V8s cranked out 400 hp, ensuring speed and noise were given. Poundings around your local circuit will last as long as the rear tires hold out. Once you’re done hooning from corner to corner, the GTS300 is docile enough for the journey home.
2 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Le Mans
Too big and heavy to be a sports car and too brash as a luxury coupe. Pigeonholing the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is tricky at best. But taking into account a front-rear layout and insanely powerful V8, it has to be a muscle car.
Built to commemorate the Marques Le Man’s success, the V8 Vantage spawned all manner of bulges, vents, and grilles. Sadly, an excess of power from a twin-supercharged V8 made it too cumbersome for road use. On a track with wide run-off areas, it’s a different story. Think tire-smoking sideways action, and you’ll be bang on target.
1 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R
Fast Fords and the infamous fox-body platform are an unlikely pairing. Much derided for its boring styling and poor performance, Fox Mustangs often go unloved. Despite its flaws, those in the know recognize the car’s potential. So much so that the unloved Mustang has found a new lease of life on tracks and drag strips across the US.
More so for the hotter limited edition SVT Cobras. Released to meet unhappy customers’ desire for more performance. Ford upped their game with a revised track-tuned suspension set-up paired with a 5.0-liter 235-hp V8. By no means huge numbers, but enough for a 14-second quarter-mile run. Is it a proper muscle car is a debate that still rages on to this day.
Sources: Aston Martin, Ford, Corvette Blog, Goodwood, GM Authority
