Manual transmissions used to be the heart and soul of American muscle. For decades, three pedals meant control, engagement, and a direct line between driver and machine. But as automatics got faster and buyers got more comfortable, the stick shift slowly faded into the background—even in cars built for speed.
This list looks at the last wave of muscle machines that still offered a manual gearbox. Some were built for the track, others for straight-line brute force, but all gave drivers one last chance to shift their own gears before the curtain started to fall.
2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6-Speed
The 2023 Challenger R/T Scat Pack with the Tremec 6-speed marks the end of an era for Dodge. Powered by a 392 HEMI V8 making 485 horsepower, it was one of the last full-size muscle coupes you could row through manually.
While most buyers went for the automatic, Dodge kept the manual around for purists. The wide torque band and rear-drive layout gave it an old-school feel, even with modern electronics. Production wrapped up in late 2023, closing the book on factory-backed, naturally aspirated Mopar muscle with three pedals.
2024 Ford Mustang GT
As of 2024, the Mustang GT with the Getrag 6-speed manual still holds the torch. Under the hood is a 5.0L Coyote V8 making 480 to 486 horsepower, depending on trim. It’s one of the very last V8-powered cars still offered with a manual from the factory.
Ford didn’t back down on giving drivers a proper stick, even when automatics outsold manuals by a wide margin. The 2024 GT also features rev-matching and selectable drive modes, blending analog control with digital tuning. It’s a rare case of tradition sticking around—at least for now.
2023 Chevrolet Camaro LT1/SS
Chevy offered the 2023 Camaro LT1 and SS with a 6.2L LT1 V8 paired to a 6-speed manual, good for 455 horsepower. With production ending in 2024, this was one of the final chances to get a true American muscle coupe with a stick.
The manual Camaro had solid chassis balance and responsive steering—traits that earned it a loyal fan base. While sales never topped Mustang or Challenger numbers, the Camaro arguably delivered the most focused driving experience of the three. After this, the V8/manual combo is gone from Chevy’s lineup.
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The Boss 302 was built for drivers who actually wanted to shift gears themselves. Ford only made it in 2012 and 2013, with a Hi-Po 5.0L V8 putting out 444 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual and Torsen limited-slip differential.
No automatic option was offered—period. The car was loud, raw, and engineered to run at speed, especially in Laguna Seca trim. This was a last hurrah before Ford softened things again with the next-gen Mustang. Production was limited to under 9,000 units in 2013, making it a short-lived standout.
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak
Even the Hellcat got a manual in 2023—specifically in the Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak. It used the 6.2L supercharged HEMI pushing out 717 horsepower, hooked to a Tremec 6-speed. It was one of the highest-output factory cars to ever offer a manual.
Not many buyers opted for the stick, but Dodge kept it alive through the end. The manual was only available on select trims due to emissions and drivetrain packaging. Still, the fact that you could get over 700 hp with three pedals in 2023 was borderline absurd in the best way.
2014 Chevrolet SS Sedan (Australian-Built)
Built in Australia and sold as the Chevy SS in the U.S., this sleeper sedan offered a 6.2L LS3 V8 with 415 horsepower and—eventually—a 6-speed manual starting in 2014. It was essentially a rebadged Holden Commodore, with rear-drive and a big motor up front.
Manual versions were rare. Out of just 12,953 SS models sold in the U.S., only around 1,500 had a manual transmission. That makes it one of the rarest modern four-door muscle setups to offer a stick, and arguably the last proper sport sedan from Chevrolet.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
The ZL1 1LE was a track-oriented muscle coupe with numbers to back it up: 650 horsepower from a supercharged LT4 V8, paired to a 6-speed manual with active rev matching. The 1LE track package added Multimatic DSSV dampers, aero upgrades, and sticky Goodyears.
While the base ZL1 came with an optional 10-speed automatic, the 1LE was manual-only. It was the most extreme Camaro ever sold with a stick from the factory. Production was limited by demand, and 2022 marked the last full year of widespread availability before the model wound down.
2015 Dodge Viper SRT
While not always considered a “muscle car” in the traditional sense, the 2015 Dodge Viper still fits the bill: huge V10 up front, rear-drive, manual-only transmission. The 8.4L engine cranked out 645 horsepower, and you shifted it yourself through a Tremec TR6060.
The Viper was always analog, and Dodge never caved to offering an automatic. Just over 1,400 units were built in 2015, with the car discontinued entirely in 2017. It was one of the last big-bore American performance cars where the driver was entirely in charge.
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Yes, Cadillac. The CT5-V Blackwing brings 668 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2L V8, and it comes with a 6-speed manual—standard. No paddle shifters here unless you pay extra for the automatic.
The Blackwing pairs old-school power with serious refinement: Brembo brakes, MagneRide suspension, and a chassis that’s better than it has any right to be. Cadillac reportedly plans to end V8/manual production soon, making this possibly the last stick-shift performance sedan from an American brand. Fewer than 2,000 manuals were built for 2023.
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