Musclecars History

The American muscle car, introduced in 1949, is an essential component of the car industry.  In response to the sudden demand for faster cars at this time, Oldsmobile débuted its Rocket 88.  The Rocket 88 had a high-compression overhead valve V8 in a lightweight Oldsmobile body.  The body was the same platform as the Oldsmobile 76, which was designed for a six cylinder engine.  This combination created the definition of a muscle car: a car with a light body and a powerful engine.  The Rocket 88 dominated the NASCAR circuit in 1950, escalating the craze for speed.