6 of the best sounding muscle cars
Looks can captivate, but for car lovers, how a car sounds is arguably its strongest sensory trait. Done right, a screaming engine emits a visceral thrill you never forget. Some cars hit the perfect notes to magically elevate the pulse of exhaust gases from mere byproduct to a piston-powered symphony playing a piece in the time signature of 10.5-to-1.
Few eras are so closely tied to these distinctive sounds as the late 1960s and early 1970s. At its peak, the muscle car era’s V-8 noisemakers from just about every manufacturer were unleashed, piped through simple mufflers with little restriction. Here’s a handful of the best from the era.
Oldsmobile 442 W-30
Nothing can sneak up on you at a stoplight like an Olds 442. A grown up’s muscle car, plenty of people have been surprised by what the 442 was packing. The W-30 package put 455 cubic inches of rumble under dual fiberglass scoops. A factory 13-second car in its day, and the exhaust note backed it up.
Plymouth Road Runner
While some of the heavy hitters in this category rely on big displacement, Plymouth did a lot with comparatively little when it came to the base engine in the Road Runner. A 383 is pretty big by modern standards, but was the undercard to the big 440- and 426-cubic inch engines for most of its production run. Those who know are quick to defend it, however, and rightfully so. Putting out 335 horsepower and over 400 pound feet is nothing to sneeze at, and the design of the engine makes it sound awesome, too.
Chevrolet Chevelle LS6
With a shape as timeless as the Chevelle, the engine has to back it up. Luckily, the LS6 454 does not live to disappoint. The rumble seems to permeate the bones of those in the bucket seats—this is a muscle car’s muscle car. It’s brash, unapologetic, and willing to light the tires up anytime and anywhere.
Ford Galaxie
While the Galaxie might not be the first choice of a lot of enthusiasts, it’s worth your attention, if only for the sound. The Galaxie featured multiple flavors of the FE engine, spanning from 332 cubic inches all the way to the mighty 428. You can find an FE in everything from a four-door wagon to the Batmobile—seriously. And the best part? They all sound great.
Pontiac GTO
The GTO is unquestionably muscle car royalty, and though it came with more powerful engines, the 389 with three carburetors stacked on top is one of our favorites. A responsive and powerful package that also dresses up darn nice, the middleweight 389’s popularity makes it a great choice for a fun to drive muscle bruiser.
Dodge Challenger R/T
Few engines command the awe and respect like the legendary 426 Hemi. Combine that with the timeless shape of the 1970 Dodge Challenger and it’s a match made in heaven. The Hemi gets its name from the shape of the combustion chamber, but that also affects the sound due to how the exhaust flows out into the manifolds. Newer designs are more efficient, but there is nothing like the grumble that comes from the back of a 426-powered car.
Have a favorite that isn’t listed here? Leave it in a comment below.
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The 383 sounds glorious!
I’m also a Buick guy with a modified ‘71 Big Block GS. As said, under full throttle an absolute wild sounding beast. A strong competitor sound wise though has to be the ‘61 fuelie Vette. The staccato of solid lifters of that impatient 283 has stuck in my mind since the summer of ‘61!!
My ’85 Vette with a pair of LT-1 Magnaflows… WICKED!
As a kid a neighbor’s son had a 390 AMX with, I think, glass packs. I still remember that rumbling sound. ( Thanks Steve Earle)
How about a 429 Torino cobra or mustang,even a 390.the 429 was way under rated.their was 3 in our little town that ruled the streets.you only have one good video on here and I’d guess it’s not stock,I’m sure you all know which one
Please update us with the full story behind that enchanting soundtrack of the chase seen in Bullitt. A tale which I suspect is what many of us were teased by your email photo to pursue in this story. GT40’s, transverse mufflers removed, Bud Ekins trashing a rear end doing peel-outs to enhance the movie experience – A grand story everyone would enjoy! We’d all love to know the true adventure as only Hagerty writers could tell it! – Thanks! – ’08 Bullitt owner.
Funny story: Back many years ago, my teenager son thought he would show up his dad one night at dinner. He played an audio recording of the Bullitt chase scene (the same one shown in your opening photo where McQueen bangs thru the gears after missing the turn). Anyway, my son says “Dad, I’ll bet you can’t identify what this car is” and commences to play the recording. Being a dedicated car nut, I recognized the sound of the Bullitt Mustang immediately and told my son: “Yes, I can. It is a 1968 Mustang, 4-speed with a 390 ci engine, but not only that it is a green fastback.” His older sister cracked up laughing and my son couldn’t believe I knew what the car was. We still tell that story when we get together and reminisce. Don’t mess with us old farts!
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx5z5dGH8cS7LbNqGKfEylR6pICctINRam?si=99HFRPx9AEAaZobo
1970 Torino Cobra
66 big block corvette with side pipes
What I miss at car and aircraft museums is the sounds the car and aircraft engines would make when operating. Probably not practical except museums that offer a wearer used device to listen to a narrator -would be great if engines could be included. Nothing like a big radial starting up, cough, rattle, smoke, then smooth out, etc. and would be cool to hear a Deusenberg 8.
The video of the Hemi Challenger was a poor example – couldn’t really hear the car that well but I really enjoy the sound of a hot rodded flathead Ford and I really miss an old Offenhauser singing it’s song around an oval track. I know these aren’t muscle cars like the article is about but what sweet sounds they mske.
A lot of comments, I like them all, my favorite is the early 350 Shelby’s along with the small block Chevy’s with a nice set of glass packs. I have a 5.7 Hemi which isn’t bad either and a 07 Corvette with Bora exhaust and it sounds real good. I don’t know about the best sounding but the new Mustangs are by far the loudest.
They all sound like music to my ears, especially the sound of my 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ 428.
The 65-66 Mustang GT K codes (289 High Performance) sound great with the trumpet exhaust.
Sticky hydraulic lifter in the W-30.
OK, not an American muscle car but…….when I was a kid, mid sixties, a neighbor had a friend who came by now and then with his Ferrari. No idea what model, but in the mid ’60’s quite rare especially since we were pretty average people. Everyone had Fords and Chevys in the driveway. But I still remember the sound of that car. I think it was a V12. Like a mean, nasty sewing machine. We were impressed and I guess I still am with the small CID Euro cars that rev’d high and really sang. I suppose the big Americans are a different breed from the high rev’ers in the 2-3-4 liter class but each has its merits in the sound department