So a coworker and I were discussing today about a corvette. He was saying it was a muscle car. I said it a sports car. He says, V8, rear wheel drive, high horse power, its a muscle car. I said true but the suspension setup and power to weight ratio make it a sports car.

From there we went into a tangent with each other about cars through out history that would be considered muscle cars vs sports cars.

My question is, what is the deciding factor that distinguishes a muscle car form a sports car? For some cars ie. the corvette it is a very thin line.

 

muscle cars have ground clearance and large seats.

 

True but what about a svt cobra? Low ground clearance and hip hugging bucket seats. muscle or sports?

The ground clearance debate came up with him and I also. I havnt measured it but im pretty sure an IROC Z from the early 90s sits lower than a stock rx8 and theres no question that is a muscle car.

Its a tougher question than you would think.

 

Or perhaps the body kit and lower suspension on the IROC Z turns the camaro into a sports car from a muscle car...

 

Heavy car with loads of HP/torque with crappy suspension vs. Light car, moderate power with capable cornering abilities and agility?
Corvette was a muscle car and evolved into a sports car.

 

Moderate power? Cars like the vette, ferrari, and lambos all have more than moderate power and fall under the sports car category.

I'd say a better way of phrasing it would be to consider the balance of power to handling capabilities. Even more specifically, straight line acceleration vs handling. There are some rather low powered cars that are amazing sports cars.

I'd even go as far as to say that the newest Mustangs might have crossed into sports car territory.

 

I'd say both sports cars and muscle cars are designed primarily to be fun to drive. They're designed for people who love cars and love driving for its own sake. People who want to drive even if they have no place to go.

That said, muscle cars are for people who, above all else, like to go fast in a straight line. Sports cars are for people who like to go fast around a twisty track.

 

a muscle car is a hammer. a sports car is a scalpel.

a corvette is a scalpel.

 

I think of the size, price range, and number of seats in the definition.

Most people who drive muscle cars, convertibles, modern day pony cars, and luxury sedans, think of them as "sports cars".

They are all wrong.

If you spent your energies trying to correct them all, there would be no time for anything else!

Muscle car is an affordably priced mid-size vehicle for 4 people.

This is one of the hangups about the rx8 being a sports car, because sports cars are supposed to have 2 seats. I guess the rx8 is one of the few 2+2 sports car exceptions.

Mustang, Challenger, Camaro, Charger, all affordablly priced 4 seater mid-sizes.

I really hate to get grouped with that crass category known as muscle cars. But it is an honest mistake, because most people probably use those terms interchangeably, just as they misuse countless other thing without even knowing it.

Corvette has 2 seats, priced above the economy class of vehicles, and is coupe size not mid size. The difference is so clear as to be non-debatable.

 

Turns.

 

I've always felt that a muscle car was American first and foremost. If it isn't American, it isn't a muscle car. This is obviously ignoring the fact that many "foreign" cars are made in the US now and many "American" cars like the Camaro aren't. A muscle car needs a fully functional back seat large enough to hold adults. It needs to be overly heavy, under performing in corners, and have a big engine to move all that weight around.

American only has 1 sports car today. The Corvette.

 

don't forget the newest of American sports cars --- Tesla

 

Historically, muscle cars where all mid to full size cars with a large v8 stuffed under the hood.

Original muscle car = GTO
Following that were the Chevelle/Malibu, Raodrunner, GTX, Gran Torino, Super Bee, Fairlane, Charger, etc.

Camaros, Mustangs, Firebirds, and Challengers/Cuda's were called Pony cars.

The corvette was originally designed as a small roadster/sports car to compete with the british sports cars of the day. It evolved into a more powerful version over the years, but has always been considered America's first and now only true sports car.

edit:
Jag E-type, MG's, Austin Healeys, Triumphs, old Ferrari's and a few others are the original Sports cars.

I think most consider the e-type as the original

 

What about the Dodge Viper?
Muscle car or Sports Car?

The 2010 ACR just made the fastest production car lap around the Nurburgring

 

Hammer
There is no way they can make a car that heavy corner properly

 

Viper=Sports car.

2 seats, front, mid-engine, made to turn, long hood. Pretty much fits all of the classic categories, just makes gobs of power to boot

 

mid engine? HA! not even mid-ships.

 

anything between the theoretical axles is mid-engine.

This is why i said front, mid-engine.

Corvette is the same

RX-8 is the same.

Most people usually don't say mid-engine unless it's just forward of the rear axle.

 

hehe, tesla has same weight as an FD.

Cadillac XLR, Plymouth Prowler, Pontiac Fiero, Panoz Esperante, Mosler MT900, Ford GT, Saleen S7, Chevy Corvette, Tesla Roadster and Dodge Viper are the only all american sports cars I can think of, not counting import badge makeovers like the stealth or laser and such.

 

Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky can be added to that list even though they lived short lives.

 

I almost forgot, and my friend has a 2jzgte trollstice.

 

I don't think you can define either on performance merits alone. There may be too much overlap if this is the criteria used.

Both are dictated by a certain style and attitude more than performance.

Sports cars are generally light and agile, with two doors (usually), swoopy styling, and a small trunk/luggage bench. They don't necessary have to be quick and fast, but they need to be nimble (turn and brake on a dime) with excellent transient handling.

Muscle cars (pony cars) are generally heavier, with two doors (usually), an aggressive "sedanish" styling, and a big trunk. Their suspension is usually set up for launching (good squat) and cruising. They MUST have a V8 for the signature noise and low end grunt.

Given the above, the current Corvette is definitely a sports car, not a muscle car.

 

Straight line = Musscle Car

Curves = Sports Car

Vette = sports car
Camero = muscle car

Mustang = MC
Ford GT = SC

also muscle cars tend to have back seats, sports cars tend to not have back seats

then you get in to a "grand touring" car that is a sports car with a back seat...

 

Nah ... really?

How can that be?

Crazy new carbon fiber material and lithium batteries I guess.

 

idk about this. would you call an srt-4/colbalt ss a muscle car? i would hope not, but they are fast in a straight line