Muscle Car or Pony Car
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OK guys, I've been around here for a while now and haven't seen this discussed in much detail. What exactly is the difference between a pony car and a muscle car? And, where's the '05 Mustang fall in? To me, I guess it's a combination of both based on my understanding of the terms, but what do the experts here have to say? I look forward to the responses.
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Originally posted by stangscuba98a@April 10, 2005, 12:16 PM
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
A muscle car is defined the by relation of the engine size to car's body weight. John Delorian designed he first muscle car, the Pontiac Firebird. Another way its said is muscle cars are ones with large engines in small cars at realitively affordable prices.
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Originally posted by ILikeBond+April 10, 2005, 11:29 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ILikeBond @ April 10, 2005, 11:29 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-stangscuba98a@April 10, 2005, 12:16 PM
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
A muscle car is defined the by relation of the engine size to car's body weight. John Delorian designed he first muscle car, the Pontiac Firebird. Another way its said is muscle cars are ones with large engines in small cars at realitively affordable prices.
[/b][/quote]
The Firebird was not the first muscle car (in fact it's not a muscle car at all, it's a pony car like the Mustang). The first muscle car was the 1964 Pontiac GTO and was the brainchild of John Delorean. It was a mid-size car with a big V8. That configuration is considered the traditional formula for a "muscle car".
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Originally posted by stangscuba98a@April 10, 2005, 12:16 PM
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
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Originally posted by TomServo92+April 10, 2005, 12:33 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomServo92 @ April 10, 2005, 12:33 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>
Pony cars are defined as those with long hoods and short trunks, front engines, and rear wheel drive. Some consider the Mustang the last pony car (or "ponycar") left, the camaro, firebird, and other competitors having been phased out of production.
A muscle car is defined the by relation of the engine size to car's body weight. John Delorian designed he first muscle car, the Pontiac Firebird. Another way its said is muscle cars are ones with large engines in small cars at realitively affordable prices.
Originally posted by ILikeBond@April 10, 2005, 11:29 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-stangscuba98a
<!--QuoteBegin-stangscuba98a
Pony cars are defined as those with long hoods and short trunks, front engines, and rear wheel drive. Some consider the Mustang the last pony car (or "ponycar") left, the camaro, firebird, and other competitors having been phased out of production.
A muscle car is defined the by relation of the engine size to car's body weight. John Delorian designed he first muscle car, the Pontiac Firebird. Another way its said is muscle cars are ones with large engines in small cars at realitively affordable prices.
[/b][/quote]
You're right - GTO, not Firebird. My bad, but that's what I meant.
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Originally posted by 05GT-O.C.D.+April 10, 2005, 11:40 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(05GT-O.C.D. @ April 10, 2005, 11:40 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-stangscuba98a@April 10, 2005, 12:16 PM
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Isn't Pony car in reference to Mustangs only?
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
[/b][/quote]
Just to clear a few things up: They're called "pony cars" because the 1964 Mustang created the market segment. The cars that are considered pony cars include the Cougar, Camaro, Firebird, Challenger, Cuda, and Javelin.
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Originally posted by 05GT-O.C.D.@April 10, 2005, 11:57 AM
OK, at what point would the '05 Mustang be considered a Muscle Car? Would it be considered that if it had a 5.4 in it for example?
OK, at what point would the '05 Mustang be considered a Muscle Car? Would it be considered that if it had a 5.4 in it for example?
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Originally posted by TomServo92+April 10, 2005, 12:02 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomServo92 @ April 10, 2005, 12:02 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-05GT-O.C.D.@April 10, 2005, 11:57 AM
OK, at what point would the '05 Mustang be considered a Muscle Car? Would it be considered that if it had a 5.4 in it for example?
OK, at what point would the '05 Mustang be considered a Muscle Car? Would it be considered that if it had a 5.4 in it for example?
[/b][/quote]
The GTO is much bigger than the Mustang. It is 2+2 as well.
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Originally posted by jwede+April 10, 2005, 12:03 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jwede @ April 10, 2005, 12:03 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>
Like I said earlier, the traditional configuration for a muscle car is a mid-size car with a big V8. The Mustang isn't a mid-size car so it will never be considered a muscle car in the traditional sense. The only new cars that might be considered muscle cars would be the GTO, 300C, and Charger.
Originally posted by TomServo92@April 10, 2005, 12:02 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-05GT-O.C.D.
<!--QuoteBegin-05GT-O.C.D.
@April 10, 2005, 11:57 AM
OK, at what point would the '05 Mustang be considered a Muscle Car? Would it be considered that if it had a 5.4 in it for example?
OK, at what point would the '05 Mustang be considered a Muscle Car? Would it be considered that if it had a 5.4 in it for example?
Like I said earlier, the traditional configuration for a muscle car is a mid-size car with a big V8. The Mustang isn't a mid-size car so it will never be considered a muscle car in the traditional sense. The only new cars that might be considered muscle cars would be the GTO, 300C, and Charger.
[/b][/quote]
That's why I classify it as muscle car and not a pony car.
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Not this answers any questions definitively, but if you pick any book at the bookstore with the words "muscle cars" in the title then I almost guarantee that you will find mustangs, camaros, firebirds, cudas and/or challengers in it.
I would define it this way. Not all pony cars are/were muscle cars (v6 versions of pony cars for example). But the HiPo versions of the pony cars would be muscle cars as well.
Just my opinion.
I would define it this way. Not all pony cars are/were muscle cars (v6 versions of pony cars for example). But the HiPo versions of the pony cars would be muscle cars as well.
Just my opinion.
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Originally posted by AFBLUE@April 10, 2005, 12:07 PM
Not this answers any questions definitively, but if you pick any book at the bookstore with the words "muscle cars" in the title then I almost guarantee that you will find mustangs, camaros, firebirds, cudas and/or challengers in it.
I would define it this way. Not all pony cars are/were muscle cars (v6 versions of pony cars for example). But the HiPo versions of the pony cars would be muscle cars as well.
Just my opinion.
Not this answers any questions definitively, but if you pick any book at the bookstore with the words "muscle cars" in the title then I almost guarantee that you will find mustangs, camaros, firebirds, cudas and/or challengers in it.
I would define it this way. Not all pony cars are/were muscle cars (v6 versions of pony cars for example). But the HiPo versions of the pony cars would be muscle cars as well.
Just my opinion.
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Mark, last question from me... So is the Mustang too big or too small to be a Muscle Car? You said it has to be midsize, that's what I thought the '05 was.
#15
Originally posted by 05GT-O.C.D.@April 10, 2005, 1:34 PM
Mark, last question from me... So is the Mustang too big or too small to be a Muscle Car? You said it has to be midsize, that's what I thought the '05 was.
Mark, last question from me... So is the Mustang too big or too small to be a Muscle Car? You said it has to be midsize, that's what I thought the '05 was.
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#16
Webster's Dictionary describes "muscle car" as follows:
Main Entry: muscle car
Pronunciation: -"kär
Function: noun
: any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving
I always thought of pony cars as smaller versions of muscle cars (i.e. mustangs, camaro's). Whenever I saw a car such as a 1970 charger, I would think "muscle car". Maybe I'm way off, but if it's american and has a powerfull V8 (or larger) engine, I generalize and just call them all muscle cars.
But I'm not an expert!
Main Entry: muscle car
Pronunciation: -"kär
Function: noun
: any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving
I always thought of pony cars as smaller versions of muscle cars (i.e. mustangs, camaro's). Whenever I saw a car such as a 1970 charger, I would think "muscle car". Maybe I'm way off, but if it's american and has a powerfull V8 (or larger) engine, I generalize and just call them all muscle cars.
But I'm not an expert!
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#17
Having just recently gotten my GT, and having some 180 miles on it, including one awsome 2000rpm launch to 100 quicker than I can type this, its a Muscle car. Period.
Yes the 'first' Muscle cars were midsize, but muscle is all about performance. As someone already said some pony cars arent muscle cars, but for my money, and after all thats what matters,
its a muscle car pure and simple.
Yes the 'first' Muscle cars were midsize, but muscle is all about performance. As someone already said some pony cars arent muscle cars, but for my money, and after all thats what matters,
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The original Mustangs were Pony cars, the GT500 Mustangs could be considered muscle cars. Thats how I've seen it anyways.
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Originally posted by mister_e+April 10, 2005, 12:44 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mister_e @ April 10, 2005, 12:44 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-05GT-O.C.D.@April 10, 2005, 1:34 PM
Mark, last question from me... So is the Mustang too big or too small to be a Muscle Car? You said it has to be midsize, that's what I thought the '05 was.
Mark, last question from me... So is the Mustang too big or too small to be a Muscle Car? You said it has to be midsize, that's what I thought the '05 was.
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
[/b][/quote]
That's correct. Officially, the Mustang is classified as a "Compact Coupe". The GTO is officially classified as a "Mid-size coupe".
All this is based on the classic definitions of these cars. By todays standards, it's hard to distinguish between what's a muscle car and what's a pony car. If it's got a powerful V8 and RWD, it's all good to me!
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