Muscle Cars by Chevrolet during the 1960s and early 1970s

Chevrolet muscle cars were at the center of the classic period of American large cubic inch high performance engines. The fundamental theme of the muscle car was maximum performance for minimal amount of money. This design played to Chevrolet's strength as a premium producer of attractive and affordable muscle cars for sale.

Chevrolet produced the most extensive and most admired lineup of muscle cars of any manufacturer throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. Chevrolet had credibility as a performance-car builder due to its small-block V-8 introduced in 1955. This V8 was a favorite of racers and hot rodders, and its role in the success of the Chevrolet Corvette swayed any remaining doubters that Chevrolet knew how to build fast cars.

It was the well-known 409-cid V-8 that did as much for Chevrolet's muscle car representation. Introduced in 1961, it’s most fascinating home was the new lmpala Super Sport, which could be ordered with a 360 horsepower 409. A dual four-barrel carburetor choice for 1962 brought 1 horsepower per cubic inch to this powerful V8, and soon after the 409’s produced up to 425 horsepower.

Chevrolet's offering in the midway lines was the Chevelle, and its Super Sport adaptation became one of the most-popular muscle cars of all time. The Chevelle SS was originally available with 283- and 327-cid small-block V-8s with up to 300 bhp. In 1965, a 375-bhp 396-cid big-block was installed in just over 200 Chevelles, and the muscle car race was on.

The Chevelle SS 396 became a separate model in 1966, and more than 72,000 were sold that year. The Chevelle SS power peaked for 1970 with the 450-bhp LS6 version of the 454-cid V-8. The LS6 SS 454 Chevelles were among the quickest and fastest muscle cars ever built and quickly became a great car for drag racing.

Chevrolet also used its muscle car formula in the compact-car lines with the Nova SS. The 1966 327-cid 350 horsepower Nova SS and the 396-cid big-block edition introduced for 1968 could hold their own with effectively any muscle car on the road.