Muscle cars are some of the most incredible vehicles on earth. They are fast, loud, brash, and amazing machines, and American car companies have produced many of them over the years.

Some muscle cars, however, are no longer in production. This list contains muscle car icons that should make a comeback and help inject some new life into the muscle car segment.

AMC AMX

Made for just two years, from 1968 to 1970, the AMC AMX is proof that the American Motors Corporation could produce a very good muscle car. AMC intended for the AMX to cost a fraction of the cost of the Chevrolet Corvette, and the new car used the latest Javelin as its basis.

The AMX’s power came from a range of V8 engines. The most powerful of those was the 390 ci 6.4-liter engine, which made 340 horsepower under the hood of the 1969-only AMX SS. From 1970 onwards, AMC took the AMX branding and put it on the Javelin from 1971 to 1974.

Chevrolet Chevelle SS

An often-forgotten muscle car is the Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport (SS), which is frequently overlooked in favor of the Mustang, Camaro, Charger, and more. Introduced in the mid-1960s, however, the Chevelle SS did become one of the best American muscle cars on sale at the time.

Power came from various V8 engines, including the 283 ci four-barrel V8 that made 220 horsepower. Power would increase to up to 300 in 1964 before reaching 350 horsepower in 1965 thanks to the 327 ci V8 engine.

Plymouth Barracuda

Produced from 1964 to 1974, the Plymouth Barracuda is one of the all-time great muscle cars. The first version of the Barracuda was based on Chrysler’s A-Body, debuting in fastback from in April 1964 with initial power coming from two slant-six engines and a 4.5-liter LA V8.

Over time, the Barracuda would evolve into something much more potent. Perhaps the peak of this was with the 426 ci Hemi V8, introduced in 1968, where they shot to fame in the world of Super Stock drag racing.

Pontiac GTO

To lament the Pontiac GTO, we will take a look at the final generation from 2004 to 2006. The last GTO was based on the Australian Holden Monaro, and while it looked somewhat understated, the 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO was arguably one of the best versions ever made.

Power came initially from a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 before the GTO received the 6.0-liter LS2 V8 in 2005. The latter of those made 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, meaning this subtle-looking coupe was actually one of the best muscle cars of the time. Pontiac would vanish from the US market altogether in 2010.

Plymouth Superbird

The Plymouth Superbird is by far one of the most dramatic-looking muscle cars ever made, thanks to its streamlined nose and large rear wing. The Superbird was developed from the Dodge Charger Daytona, with both muscle cars designed to dominate NASCAR in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Road Runner was at its most potent with the 426 ci 7.0-liter Hemi V8 under the hood, making a remarkable 425 horsepower. From 1971 onwards, NASCAR outlawed the Sueprbird and Charger Daytona by restricting engine displacement.

Buick GNX

The mighty Buick GNX was with us for an all-too-brief period. The GNX was devised as a swansong to Buick’s Regal, and in 1987, they turned to McLaren’s engine division to create a truly remarkable muscle car that proved the Malaise era was well and truly over.

McLaren worked their magic, and the 3.8-liter V6 engine with its Garrett T3 turbocharger officially made 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. However, Buick’s estimate was conservative, with the engine more likely making over 300 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Oldsmobile 4-4-2

Produced from 1964 onwards and in various forms until 1991, the Oldsmobile 4-4-2 is one of the best muscle cars of the 1960s. The first generation, from 1964 to 1967, is most fondly remembered, with the car born out of competition between Oldsmobile and fellow GM division Pontiac.

The 4-4-2 used a 5.4-liter and 6.5-liter Oldsmobile V8 engine, with the smaller unit producing 310 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. The larger V8 came in 1966, and the 4-4-2 was now capable of 360 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque.

Oldsmobile Toronado 

Alongside the 4-4-2, Oldsmobile also produced the Toronado, one of the manufacturer’s biggest successes. The first generation was produced from 1966 to 1970, with power coming from appropriately named Rocket V8 engines, from the 7.0-liter version to the 7.5-liter engine.

The Rocket was a striking-looking muscle car that befitted its name. Its power was rated at 385 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. In 1966, during the first year of production, Oldsmobile sold 40,963 examples of the Toronado.