A muscle car, simply put, is a big, high-powered car with a large V8 engine that's affordable for regular folks. Many of these cars are based on regular models from a given year.

Some cars may have a V8 engine but aren't always considered muscle cars unless there's a high-performance version available; the regular one doesn't qualify as a muscle car.

In the history of American cars, there's a type that stands out – American muscle cars from the 1960s. These cars had sharp looks, immense power, decent gas mileage, and typically concealed a powerful, large-displacement engine beneath their ordinary exteriors.

Mercury Cougar

Mercury, a brand derived from Ford, used a celestial theme for its logo – a circle with three planets orbiting. This symbolized the spirit of space exploration at the time.

In the 1960s, they introduced the Mercury Cougar, based originally on the Ford Mustang, powered by a robust V8 engine with 390 horsepower. Production of this model continued until 2002, with the eighth generation being the final one before it was discontinued.

On June 2, 2010, Ford officially announced the closure of the Mercury production line by the end of 2010.

Dodge Challenger

Speaking of the Dodge Challenger, it's worth noting that these formidable machines are still in production.

While many car companies have given up on producing large, high-powered cars due to stringent emissions regulations, Dodge continues to manufacture these impressive performance machines. This commitment deserves admiration.

Pontiac Firebird

The Pontiac Firebird made its debut in 1967, sharing its platform with the Chevrolet Camaro. It gained notoriety as it appeared in the classic American TV show Knight Rider.

Pontiac offered five different engines for the Firebird, which eventually ceased production in 2002 after the fourth generation.

In the eyes of Americans, the Firebird held a special status compared to its twin brother, the Camaro. In a time when cars were scarce, the sight of a Firebird cruising down the road left a lasting impression on many people's childhoods.

Plymouth Barracuda

Plymouth, named after a town in England, and Barracuda, inspired by the speedy predatory fish, came together to create the Plymouth Barracuda.

While not the most agile car, it offered a range of engines, starting from a 3.2L inline 6-cylinder to a high-performance 7.2L V8, with a total of 12 versions of the Plymouth Barracuda available in up to eight different displacements.

The maximum power output increased from 127 hp to 431 hp in a straight line, with the 431 hp model being equipped with the 7.0L V8 engine.

Ford Thunderbolt

The Ford Thunderbolt was purpose-built for the racetrack. It was powered by Ford's NASCAR-designed 7.0-liter V8 engine and had a lighter body.

The Thunderbolt played a crucial role in Ford winning the 1964 Super Stock Championship. Only 100 units were produced that year, with 49 having manual transmissions and 51 having automatic transmissions.

According to Ford's official data, the Thunderbolt's engine could produce up to 425 horsepower when tuned for racing, although there were rumors suggesting it might have actually delivered closer to 600 horsepower.