Not Your Ordinary Muscle Cars

We gave you a sample of some obscure muscle trucks, but we did not want to leave out the car lovers. We all know the classic muscle cars- the GTOs, Mustangs, Camaros- but here are some that you probably do not know.

De Tomaso Pantera

The car is Italian, but under the hood is all Detroit. With a 330-hp Ford 351 V8, this muscle car looks like a Ferrari or Lamborghini, but roars like a grizzly.

Oldsmobile F-85

The F-85 was the first turbocharged V8 in a production vehicle, beating the GTO to market in 1962. ;Because the engine's compression ratio was 10:1, drivers had to use a mixture of water and alcohol to keep it from igniting. How muscle is that?

AMC Javelin

The AMC Javelin is largely forgotten, though its 325-hp 6.4-liter V8 engine could compete with the more recognized muscle cars of its time. This one is a true beauty.

Mercury Marauder X-100

A 360-hp 429 V8 powered Mercury's ;flagship sedan of 1969 and 1970. It combined luxury with muscle power in a unique and beautiful way. Weighing two tons (and more with options), it is amazing that its top speed was 126 mph.

Buick Riviera

Deemed too extreme by Cadillac, Buick picked up the model to be known as Riviera in 1963. Rivaling the Ford Thunderbird, the Riviera had a low curb weight that made it easy for its Nailhead V8 to lug around town.

Studebaker R2 Super Lark

With just a 289 cubic inch engine, the R2 Super Lark churned out 289-hp. It was the last effort of a dying American manufacturer.

AMC Rambler Marlin

With a unique fastback design and a 287 cubic inch V8 producing about 200-hp, the Marlin was the best first collaboration between the newly merged Nash and Hudson auto manufacturers.

Oldsmobile Toronado W-34

Probably the best muscle car no one knows, the Toronado had a V8 that produced over 400-hp. The fact that it was front-wheel drive, odd for a muscle car, could ;not slow this bad boy down.

Ford Galaxie 7-Liter

Following the success of the GTO, Ford decided to follow the same model- plop a really big engine into a full-sized coupe. The 428 engine allowed for air conditioning and power steering, great luxuries for the time. It still produced 345-hp and 462 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM, making it a comfortable and enjoyable ride on the open road or in town.

Chrysler 300 Hurst

The 300-hp Hemi V8 in the Chrysler 300 ;debuted in 1955, making it arguably the first muscle car. Although discontinued in 1965, it made a brief comeback in 1970 with the Hurst Edition. Combining luxury and performance, the Hurst was very special.

Get ;Synthetic Oil for Your Muscle Car in ;Raleigh

AMSOIL synthetic oil can help your car last as long as these classics. Contact your local ;AMSOIL dealer in Raleigh, ;Synthetic Solutions, at (919) 269-2749 ;or shop the full line of ;AMSOIL ;lubrication, filtration, fluid, and additive products at our online store.

1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

Ford's attempt to bring muscle car performance to a 4-cylinder engine, the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe lived up to expectations. It won Motor Trends Car of the Year in 1987 with a turbo-charged 190-hp 2.3-liter engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

2005-08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP

The predecessor to the G8, the Grand Prix GXP was a V8 sedan that followed Pontiac's traditional formula. Stock your standard, boring sedan with a powerful engine, call it by a different name, and ;you have a muscle car. At 303-hp, the 5.3-liter small-block V8 would hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Not bad for a front-wheel drive.

1994-96 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

We promised you a muscle station wagon, and the Buick Roadmaster is it. Its faux-wood panels and Vista Cruiser roof ;mask ;a ;Corvette LT-1 V8 engine. Churning out 260-hp, the Roadmaster would go 0 to 60 in 7.8 seconds. At 5,000 pounds of vehicle, that is impressive.

1985 ;Lincoln ;Mark VII LSC

The Hot Rod Lincoln comeback car boasts a slew of American firsts- onboard trip computer, anti-lock brakes, and composite headlights. The 1985 model included the Ford Mustang's V8 with 165-hp. The Mark VII was the sleekest and best performing Lincoln attempt and performed quite well in the marketplace.

1992-93 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T

Chrysler also experimented with the 4-cylinder turbo, introducing ;the Daytona IROC in 1992. It was used in the International Race of Champions (IROC), a race that pits drivers against each other with the same car and same equipment. It's little 2.2-liter 4-cylinder produced 224-hp to front-wheel drive through a 5-speed transmission. With a top speed over 150 mph and reaching 60 in six seconds, the Daytona deserves to be a muscle car.

For Synthetic Oil in ;Raleigh

Get peak performance from your car, whether it is a muscle or a wannabe, with the full line of ;AMSOIL products. For ;synthetic oil, filters, fuel additives, and fluids that give you the protection, performance, and peace of mind you deserve, call Synthetic Solutions ;at (919) 269-2749 ;or shop at our online store.