American Muscle 2013: A Year in Review

Muscle Cars. It's just one of those things that Americans do best. It was our in to the automotive market back when the Germans were leading the way in passenger cars. Muscle cars were sleek, sexy, and above all, they had a big ol' powerful engine.

Here's one of the first American Muscle cars--The Pontiac GTO. Isn't she a beauty?

American Muscle has had a long a varied history, and it certainly isn't going away any time soon. Let's take a look at the past year and what's new in this high-speed, (generally) high-ticket segment.

First off, we can't ignore the 2013 Ford Mustang. The Mustang is a regular in American Muscle, and a favorite. (Disclaimer: I had a yellow Mustang back in the day. So, the following review might be a tad biased, maybe.) I think most would agree, this is a good looking car.

But more than looks, the 2013 Mustang boasts a reasonable starting MSRP of only $22k and at that price includes a 305 horse power V6 engine, HID headlights (love 'em) and 6-speed manual transmission (obviously). All of this makes the Mustang a great choice for the American Auto enthusiast who doesn't want to spend a small fortune on his car, but still wants to have all the thrills of a much pricier auto. 

Next up: the 2013 Dodge Challenger.

This is a bit of a throwback style for Dodge, notice the similarities in the body lines (especially the side profile with the body-to-window glass parting line) and the consistencies in headlamp shape and placement. Even the grill looks relatively unchanged over the years.

 But again, despite what is going on in the styling department, it's really what's under the hood that makes being behind the wheel so great. The 2013 Challenger, with its slightly higher sticker price (starting MSRP of $26k) comes standard with a 305 horse power V6 (is something going on here...?). HOWEVER, a beaut though she may be, the standard model comes with an Automatic transmission. Check minus, Dodge. How can an American Muscle car NOT come standard with a stick? It defies logic. It also depresses me. Before I freak out, let's move on.

Last but certainly not least, the 2013 Chevy Camaro.

Wowza. 

I could probably leave it at that, but I won't. The Camaro has a starting MSRP of $23k (not even $1,000 more than the Mustang), and it has a V6 engine with an impressive 323 ponies under the hood. Now, if it was my money on the line here, I'd splurge the extra $800 and take the extra 18 horses for a gallop, if you know what I mean. Not to mention, of all the body styles, Camaro makes me turn my head the most.

All-in-all, 2013 was a good year for American Muscle cars. And just these three are all really impressive showings for the segment. I might even say that you can't really go wrong with any of them (except for if you opted for a Challenger with an automatic transmission, which would most definitely be wrong).

A Brief History of Trucks: Where the Came From and Where They're Going

Trucks are one of the most quintessential American icons. In fact, the Ford F-150 is the 14th most American thing ever. I have to point out here, that it was only beat out by Kentucky Bourbon/Tennessee Whiskey, the hot dog, cowboys, the Second Amendment, George Washington, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Resolve, Coca-cola, Baseball, Winning, the Constitution and the American People themselves. Not too shabby if you ask me! 

This year Dodge boasted back to back "Truck of the Year" awards from Motor Trend--which is pretty impressive considering the field of competition which includes heavy weights Chevy and Ford. But if you spoke to Gottlieb Daimler, inventor of the first "truck" (I'll admit, it's a loose definition), pictured below, I'm sure he would be skeptical to believe the magnitude of the fanfare surrounding "Truck of the Year" in America. 

And not too long after Daimler, came Ford's first truck concept. She's a beauty, isn't she? Now, these trucks didn't have a whole lot of power or much hauling capacity, and they faced a much greater struggle than their sister automobile--the passenger car. When automobiles were first introduced to the general public, they were seen as a tool for freedom, the ability to go places. But trucks, while they still accomplished this (although, with a bit more struggle as the normal drive trains used in passenger cars tended to fall short for more heavy duty vehicles), they didn't have the public convinced. 

And really, we all know the hardships that the truck has faced, even in recent years. During the economic downturn of 2008, there was a large school of folks that were convinced the raising price of a barrel of oil would be the downfall of the great American Truck. But, in the end (in 1898 and 2008), it was the whole idea of the truck that was revolutionary and that keeps us hooked. Trucks bridged the gap between utility and convenience, personal freedom and the working man's efficiency.

But after all these years, where are trucks headed? While I am certain that trucks will indeed have a bright future, especially in North America, I'm not so certain about this GMC concept truck from the Chicago Auto Show. Sure it's shiny and the paint looks great, but...

  

...to me, it looks more like a throwback to the Chevy El Camino  of 1982 than the future of trucks. But, maybe that's just me? You can't lie, you see the resemblance. Perhaps it is the extension of the cabin that will hurdle this concept/retro style into 2015, but either way, the short bed of this truck probably won't draw the rugged, "let's get this done" American featured in practically every Dodge commercial since the 2013 Super Bowl. 

Trucks have come a long way. There is no denying that. Where they're going, probably can only be dictated by the American imagination, but I'm sure whatever that means, it will be exciting and keep all of us on the edge of our seats at the next round of Auto Shows in 2015.