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by RBChallenger

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Ground pounding, tire melting, heart racing excitement... that is the epitome of the muscle car. Nothing too fancy here, just good old fashioned unadulterated fun. With a flip of the wrist your world is transformed from the boring day to day grind to the sheer exhilaration of nostalgia. You are suddenly taken to a world where things just don't seem to matter quite as much and the only thing you can think of is getting on the open road and living that good ole American dream. Welcome, to the world of muscle cars.

What defines a muscle car? A little sheet metal and a lot of power. The muscle car isn't trying to fool anyone, it doesn't consist of those fancy little gadgets that make life easier... it isn't compensating for anything. At home on the streets and a terror at the strip, muscle cars still fascinate all those they come in contact with. From their nostalgic interiors to the indescribable feeling one experiences when they hear the thump of a high left cam or of a good old fashioned dual exhaust.

The interior, one can compare their first interior muscle car experience to that of walking into a movie theater to catch a flick after having read the book. Its all there, just as you expected... a speedometer, a tachometer, gas gauge, oil pressure gauge etc etc. However, something about the layout and the styling screams... the movie producer actually got it right this time. Everything is laid out just so so and it says to the occupants, hold on because the thrill ride has just started. Insert the key, give it a twist and the muscle that is the American V8 lets out a throaty growl and invigorates the soul.

Go ahead, give the throttle a little stab, it'll take it. Suddenly the entire frame of the car twist to the right, as if the entire left side of the car wants to lift from the ground. Oh yeah, thats the ticket... put it in gear and get her going. Those poor tires don't stand a chance amidst the ground pounding torque and horsepower at the mercy of your tight foot. Mash the pedal and you are welcomed to the feelings of the inner contents of the seat as your are mashed into the very structure of the device keeping you in place. The tachometer races towards 6000 RPMs and the speedometer flies past factors of 10 in the blink of an eye. Second gear comes and things get a little squirmy, the rear end gets a little loose but it rights itself and the adventure starts all over.

The muscle car screams at the inner child in you. It doesn't purport to be powerful, it exudes confidence and brash behavior. The exhaust drowns out the daily grind and makes would be sports cars quiver at the thought of what might be hiding under that Neanderthal looking hood. The muscle car is an extension of ones being, its one of those things... if you don't understand that it cant be explained. Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Pontiac, AMC, Chevy, Ford, these are the players. Headers, cams, port, polish, intake, gears, clutches, these are the tools. Whether stock or modified the muscle car needs no introduction. Yes, you know the muscle car... the soul of a muscle car resides within all of us, some just a little deeper than others.

Learn more about this author, RBChallenger.

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