How about pics or personal experiences from owners/HAMBERS of the "factory hot rods" NON AMERICAN? We all know the Australian Ford Falcon, but how about those IKA/Renault Torino's based on AMC Ramblers, or Argentina Dodge GTX's? Post pics or share memories!!!!
1968 HOLDEN HK GTS MONARO I had a geniune one of these in my younger days, and still wish I had it today. Mine was this colour...... 'Silver Mink'.
That's a beauty! I know the term, " musclecar" can be confusing and start arguments! I don't believe a V8 motor should define one either. Any small or midsize car with bigger engine or handling packages should fit the bill!
Heres another " in his younger days " Silver Mink HK GTS owner with the same wish . Bought my first one in 1972. A few years later i was buying them at $800 and flipping for $2000. Fun times in a GTS They cost a fortune today .
That sort of logic would have the little fellas lifting against the big boys at the gym. They have their own cl***es, Muscle cars are all about "don't put the big car engine in the mid size car" which John DeLorean fortunately ignored.
Not always the case. Here is one that was a real giant killer here in Australia. Holden LJ GTR XU-1. 202 cubic inch inline six cylinder that punched well above it's weight. I would call this a "muscle car" all day long..........
The Aussies seemed to embrace the genre of muscle car more than the rest of the world. Putting aside the use of American engines in euro bodies, like the Isos, Monetverdis and the Jensens, the first one that comes to mind is detailed here www.youtube.com/watch?v=DppXANxSNag
Yes, except it’s our word. Did the Aussies ever call that a muscle car in its day? Call it whatever you like, muscle cars have been and always will be mid sixties to early/mid seventies, American, powerful V8, cars. I like that little car just fine. But I, and most guys my age, will never call it a muscle car.
I have to apologize. I did not pay attention to the ***le of the thread. If I had I wouldn’t have stopped by and provided commentary. Please ignore my comments and carry on a****st yourselves. Happy Sunday.
Wow, now I can call my '69 Corolla with the few enhancements I did a "Muscle Car". It does handle really well.
In the international parlance, since I asked about Non American muscle cars ......many DIDN'T offer V8 motors.....and I was seeking experiences from the Aussie/Euro crowd. I know, it's easy to pic nits on American muscle......I may be too liberal on my choices....i.e. a mid eighties Saleen Mustang or an IROC Camaro is and SHOULD BE as relevant as a '65 Formula S Barracuda or a '66 GTO.......to me. Again, this is about adventures in Musclecars OUTSIDE of US........
Ironically, those exotic " hybrids" fit my bill of a produced "hot rod", i.e. musclecar..... I'm sure a Facel Vega with a early hemi would sit damned pretty beside a '55 Chrysler 300!
More from Australia........ Ford Falcon XY GTHO PHASE 3 (351 cui V8) Ford Falcon XA GT "Hardtop" (351 cui V8) Valiant VH R/T E49 Charger (265 cui inline six) The Valiant Charger RT was the fastest six-cylinder production car of its era, and the fastest accelerating Australian built car of all time.
If i remember correctly the little GTR XU-1 with the big straight 6 came out of the factory to the showroom floor with triple carbs and thats what made it a race winner. The slant 6 Valiant Charger was on the showroom floor with triple carbs as well. Which got me thinking about another triple carbed screaming straight 6 available in Australia in the mid 1960's. Who remembers the Prince Skyline GT ? Looked like a shopping car . Prince later merged with Nissan.
Maybe this one? https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/automotive-history/cars-that-time-forgot-alfa-romeo-montreal/
I was not including the hybrids because if they used American V8s, they weren't non-American. They have a special place in my heart and in history, but are by definition at least partly US derived. Just as hot rod encomp***es different things to different people, muscle car has fuzzy edges. It can be a big engine in a little car, or more narrowly a big V8 in a mid size. You could define it by power to weight, but doubt many would include a lot of euro cars with similar numbers.
Well said! Maybe I should edit the post ***le ..... I'm enjoying the responses! In fact, some of the cars, should you Google " Musclecars OUTSIDE of America" list certain Mercedes produced with the biggest available engine in lightest body. I'm hoping to hear from some other countries aside from Australia, only because most cars from Oz are quite familiar to us "Yanks"..... but I digress!
I don't know if they're really muscle cars but I remember seeing lots of this hopped up muscle car style while visiting family overseas int the '80s.
Where's this one from? Obviously not Australia (note steering wheel). By the way, those earlier posted Australian 351 Fords are 351 Clevelands.
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