What is a Muscle Car in SA

[Shaughn]

For the sake of curiosity, i am Keen to know what the general thought is in SA as to what is classified as a Muscle Car.
I know we never had the massive USA / V8 culture or model availability like many places, and the V6 was our more common "Muscle" option.
I see many people talking of Italian and German cars within the MC criteria, would love to know what the train of thought is locally and within the community as i am new here.

Muscle car is an American term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports cars with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving."

[Burnthosetyres]

I think this is a very subjective topic. So a muscle car is determined by what was available in US at that time. Was a 2 door with a V8.

But in SA the Fairmont GT had 4 doors but was considered a Muscle car.
I think the Capri Perana and Can Am would be our best SA Muscle offerings... but to me a V6 Capri in its time in SA was Muscle!

But what is the exact perameters I think let's be inclusive rather than exclusive.

[Gavin RS]

A true muscle car in SA is a BMW M3 with USN stickers all over it

I agree with Burnthosetyres on the muscle cars though
Apart from true American Muscle cars of the era, SA cars would be the CanAm's, Perana Capri's , Fairmont GT etc etc

As far as German Muscle cars go from the 60's 70's I think a 109 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 would qualify, not many in SA though

[Shaughn]

For me the 2 or 4 door was never much issue, But i always felt it cannot be a muscle car if i is not American made ? As by definition it was American trend and movement.
Would the German cars not just fall under performance cars ?

[paulusvrotius1]

I think this is a very subjective topic. So a muscle car is determined by what was available in US at that time. Was a 2 door with a V8.

But in SA the Fairmont GT had 4 doors but was considered a Muscle car.
I think the Capri Perana and Can Am would be our best SA Muscle offerings... but to me a V6 Capri in its time in SA was Muscle!

But what is the exact perameters I think let's be inclusive rather than exclusive.

My first car was a XL 3000L Capri and it was proper muscle in the day, not many cars could give me a go. I always liked the Chev SS/ Holden Monaro's too.

[marnus]

Anything from that era with a V and a roar - For me it was CortinaXR6 and Fairlane

[Shaughn]

Anything from that era with a V and a roar - For me it was CortinaXR6 and Fairlane

Have to agree, i stopped counting already how many 3.0 Cortinas i have had in my time. V8 always the dream but in SA V6 was the muscle available easily.

[ZA Perana]

Anything from that era with a V and a roar - For me it was CortinaXR6 and Fairlane

Have to agree, i stopped counting already how many 3.0 Cortinas i have had in my time. V8 always the dream but in SA V6 was the muscle available easily.

Essex V6 has always, to my ear at least been a great sounding engine.

[marnus]

Anything from that era with a V and a roar - For me it was CortinaXR6 and Fairlane

Have to agree, i stopped counting already how many 3.0 Cortinas i have had in my time. V8 always the dream but in SA V6 was the muscle available easily.

Essex V6 has always, to my ear at least been a great sounding engine.

Agreed

[Gavin RS]

Yip I agree too, probably more good old Essex V6's than anything else back in the day, good sounding motor when it had a decent exhaust fitted. the Interceptors sounded very good

Muscle cars as per the above posts must be a V engine 6 or 8

Funny thing though back then when all my mates had a Ford V6's and VW GTi's as well as my one mate buying a new XR6 Sierra when it first came out, I had a Rover SDE V8 auto and then a Rover Vandenplas V8 with a manual I used to thrash all those V6's and Gti's.
I also had my Granada XL Coupe as well so the Essex was still in my blood. Was a brilliant car the Granada
In 1986 I did the SA Group A Association driving instruction course at the original Kyalami. was a great feeling passing a GTi as well as a Cortina XR6 down the old straight with my standard Rover SDS V8 auto. unfortunately on the day a guy wrote off his XR6 Cortina which was sad