Since the 1960s, Chevrolet has made some of the most iconic muscle cars in history. From the 1961 Impala Super Sport to the industry-defining Corvette, Chevrolet has always had the most assertive grasp on the title of best American muscle car manufacturer in history.

While Chevrolet was one of the most prominent innovators in the early history of muscle cars, we can trace the origins of the muscle car back to

Oldsmobile

’s Rocket 88. It debuted in 1949 when some daring engineers decided to put an explosive high-compression V8 engine into the light body of a car—then sold it to the public. But it was Chevrolet’s “one horsepower per cubic inch” small-block V8 engine that would mark the beginning of Chevy’s muscle dynasty, one that would far outlive Oldsmobile’s.

Here with an educational deep dive into the history of Chevrolet muscle cars is

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Corvette

Starting price: $65,595

Car and Driver rating: 10/10

The

Chevrolet Corvette

was introduced in 1953, but it wasn’t quite a muscle car at this point. It initially sported a 3.9-liter 6-cylinder engine, which underwhelmed to the extent that the first Corvette—coveted as it already was—wasn’t really considered a “real sports car” when compared to its competitors, both at home and abroad.

It was the introduction of a small-block V8 engine in 1955 that would bring the Corvette to the forefront of the American automotive world, and from there, the Corvette’s engines never stopped improving—and growing.

By 1957, the biggest engine available was a 283 cubic inch, 290 horsepower V8 that could do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

Not too shabby, but the Corvette has since gone on to become one of the most iconic sports vehicles of all time. It’s still produced to this day, nearly 70 years after its introduction. Now in its eighth generation, the Corvette is less of a muscle car and more of a sports car/supercar, and it’s seen countless iterations over the years, from the classic

Stingray

to the supercharged

Z06

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Impala SS (Super Sport)

Hagerty average value: $65,900 (1961, excellent condition)

Sure, the Corvette was a muscle car during its early history, but when you think about the utmost classic of Chevy muscle, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better candidate than the

Chevrolet Impala SS

Released as a performance package for the regular Impala in 1961, the Impala SS offered an exciting new engine option: a 409 cu in (6.7 L), 360 hp V8 engine, lovingly known as the “409”—the inspiration for the 1962 Beach Boys hit of the same name.

The smaller of the Impala SS engines would go on to define future generations of Corvettes, while the largest ones would help define American muscle car history up until the model’s discontinuation in 1969.

The purest age of American muscle, before the introduction of unleaded fuel and the reduction of average engine power in the ‘70s, was defined by the Impala Super Sport and its competitors. The ‘70s would see small cars take center stage, but American car manufacturers still never shied from pumping as much power into them as they could.

Nova (Chevy II)

Hagerty average value: $72,300 (‘69 Nova SS, excellent condition)

Speaking of small cars, the Nova SS came not a moment too soon, one of the smallest muscle cars ever made. It was released in 1968 as part of the Nova’s third generation, and its biggest available engine was a 396 cu in, 350 bhpV8, an insane amount of power in such a small coupe.

Chevelle SS

Hagerty average value: $68,400 (‘66 Chevelle SS, excellent condition)

Seating capacity: 5

The classic Chevelle received its own Super Sport model in 1966. Its largest engine was a daunting 6.5-liter V8 rated at 375 horsepower—and it sported a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds.

The Chevelle debuted in 1963, and while it didn’t receive its muscle car moment until ‘66, earlier Chevelles are considered extremely innovative in terms of developing the distinctive modern Chevrolet “look.” It featured progressive aerodynamics, squared, brutalist corners, and a fastback rear that screams speed.

The Chevelle would also go on to birth the classic

Chevrolet Malibu

, which started out initially as a Chevelle sub-model.

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Camaro

Starting price: $26,395

Car and Driver rating: 8/10

In the mid-60s, people started to complain about the exclusivity of American muscle. Everyone wanted in on the action, but very few could afford to buy a fully-loaded Impala SS of their own.

It was Ford—not Chevrolet—who would answer the call for the first pony car, debuting the iconic Mustang in all its glory in 1965. You’re probably aware that it was a major hit, but did you know it was one of the most successful debuts of a car in automotive history?

The release of the Mustang would inspire Chevrolet to create their own affordable muscle car, the

Chevy Camaro

. This marked the beginning of an ongoing War of the Ponies that still persists to this day.

The Camaro debuted in 1967. It was based on the chassis of the Pontiac Firebird, and initially was available with 9 different engines: 230, 250, 302, 307, 327, 350, 396, and the all-powerful 427.

Few cars can brag as much celebrity as the Camaro—it’s appeared in over 2,500 movies and shows since the late ‘60s. It’s a true icon of American muscle, rivaling even the Impala SS.

Monte Carlo SS 454

Hagerty average value: $33,200 (1970 model, good condition)

The Monte Carlo debuted in 1970 and was originally marketed as a personal luxury car. The majority of them were built with a regular small-block V6, but it was the

Monte Carlo SS

’ borderline-ridiculous 7.4-liter, 454 cu in V8 engine that rose to NASCAR drag race fame, bolstered by a massive wheelbase.

The Monte Carlo offered the same power as the Camaro in a more modern, neutral look that drew less attention to itself.

Nowadays, Monte Carlo SS 454s are extremely rare and highly sought-after by collectors. It’s nearly impossible to find one in excellent condition.

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Caprice

Hagerty average value: $18,300 (1966 sedan w/427cid engine, good condition)

The

Chevy Caprice

was born out of the 1965 Chevrolet Impala. It was originally offered as a “Caprice Custom Sedan” package, leading to the Caprice becoming its own standalone model as well as the most popular American car of the ‘60s.

In 1970, the Caprice would become available with a 454 Turbo Jet V8 engine, the top-of-the-line version of which could deliver 390 horsepower.

The Caprice would bring the legendary muscle of the Impala SS into the 70s. It carried on the tradition of ‘60s American muscle in its own little corner of the industry—even beyond the 1973 oil crisis.

While muscle did survive, the massive big-block engines of the ‘60s would never be produced by Chevrolet again, as the company instead opted for tuning and supercharging its legendary small-block V8s.

How to find affordable insurance for your muscle car

Whether you have a new Corvette Stingray or a classic Monte Carlo,

Jerry

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The best part is that you’ll join a user base that saves an average of $800+ per year on their car insurance premiums!

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